Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Selena and Joe was a popular story and it really hit home for me and rolled
off the keyboard easy because I knew how it would end.  I lost a few
friends in the 911 attacks and the characters Joe and Selena were based on
them.  To this day I get emails from people who want me to change the
ending and continue the story, or give it a heroic ending.  I never gave
much thought to either until a regular reader and voter of my stories sent
me a newspaper article from The Daily Mail in the UK of a man who was
"gone" for 5 years and woke up as if nothing happened.  I didn't have a lot
of inspiration for this story at the beginning but after some due-diligence
on the subject I began to see possibilities.  I spent an afternoon talking
with a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist to discuss different
treatments for some of the maladies you will read about here.  (a male and
a female from the same practice) There is no one drug induced, surgical,
electronic or shock therapy that works for any one mental disorder.  The
particular clinician I spoke with did not believe drugs beyond simple
anti-depressants for calming and continued human interaction with other
patients and an understanding clinician helped to cure the conditions
discussed here.  Even she admitted that no one treatment is the right one.
"As long as one's memory is still there, the capacity for recovery of the
human brain is remarkable."

   After reading the story through the first 12 chapters where I use the
medical situations based on the provided information, with Selena they both
agreed it was plausible, possible, but improbable mainly because it's hard
to fathom someone could fall between the cracks like that.  As for Joe's
malady, "it could happen and has for as many as a few (2 to 4) years, but
nine years would be a real stretch.  The male doctor said the story was
"hot and interesting", the female said she liked it but didn't think it
would be "that dirty".

   If you really like Joe and Selena, open your mind a bit for some
editorial exaggeration and vote accordingly.

   I hope you enjoy the story............petty





   Prologue

   "Betty, I'm going for a walk and to check on the house!" Scott Hanson
yelled out as he opened the door and waited for his wife to acknowledge his
leaving.

   "OK Hon, but don't be too long.  Don't sit and mope and let it tear you
up anymore.  I hate the anniversary.  Every year it seems to take more out
of us that the year before." She spoke from the top of the stairs where she
had walked to see him leave.

   9/11/2010 had been just what Scott and Betty Hanson had thought it would
be, a reliving of the memory of the day 9 years ago when it became
painfully obvious by days' end that their daughter and her new husband were
lost in the fall of the towers of the World Trade Center.  In the ensuing
days they would learn of Joe and Selena's marriage on 9/10 to help
facilitate a real estate deal that seemed to be the last electronic
transfer of monies and ownership to come out of the two behemoth towers
that fell at the hands of terrorists.  A quickie on-line will was signed
the evening of their marriage, a simple case of Joe Johnson not letting any
t go uncrossed or I un-dotted.  That will left all of their worldly
possessions to Selena's parents, who were the only relatives they had. 
There were specific instructions to arrange that everything, especially the
real estate holdings, stock and bonds, be eventually left to an endowment
for PolyTech.  Joe and Selena probably laughed at the thought of Scott and
Betty Hanson owning Joe Johnsons little palace at the top of their street
and the 3 other homes they had just closed on, as well as a few million in
holdings.

   Scott and Betty took a long time before they considered the windfall as
a gift from their daughter, her legacy to them.  They thought they would
make the endowments on their deaths and enjoy what they could while they
lived.  But, that lifestyle was not for them.  Ross Curran and Slim (Chielm
Beupour) managed the stocks and bonds for them as well as hired services to
maintain the properties they bought as their dying act.  Scott and Betty
visited the house in Maine, but never ventured to the others.  All were
leased and brought in more money.  They lived comfortably, but not
extravagantly.  Their one weakness was visiting the house where their
daughter and Joe lived.  They kept the pool open as long as they could each
season and often prepared meals there hoping that some spirit of their
daughter and her husband would be there with them.

   Although they never spoke of it, both Scott and Betty often went to the
house alone and lay on the bed where their daughter had slept and made
love. They hugged the pillow and the bed clothes she had put underneath the
pillow her last night there.  Although any scent of their daughter was
probably long gone, it still smelled like Selena.  They often wept and
spoke to her spirit, hoping she might hear.  As sad as it sounded, it was
very therapeutic and maybe the one thing that got them through the 9 years
since.

   Of course they loved and missed Joe as well, if not for any other reason
than that he worshipped and took such great care of their daughter.  He
made her so happy and changed her life, made her drive to her goals.  Where
Scott had pshawed in his mind the idea Joe had put forth that God had put
each of them here together for each other, he believed it more than ever
now.

   As he got to the blind drive that led to Joe Johnsons home he noticed
that he needed to trim some branches on the trees that semi-hid the drive.
He made a note to himself that he would do that when he came up to mow and
trim in a few days.  Scott kept up the yard and Betty the inside of the
house, what little it was used.  Selena's white Mustang with a red tonneau
vinyl roof sat on blocks in the garage waiting for her return to drive down
the street, her blonde hair flowing in the breeze.  Removing the car, or
selling it would be to close the book, and they had no intention of that.

   Scott walked up to the rear gate and checked to be sure it was secure
before unlocking it and entering.  He feared kids might sneak in to use the
pool.  He rolled back the cover on the pool to be sure no vermin were in
the pool before he ran the filter overnight.  Tomorrow he planned to start
closing it for the season.  He checked the locks on the cabana and walked
to the sliding doors and walked inside, wishing he heard the bustle of
teletypes and computers like before, but all was quiet.  Scott walked down
though the garage to be sure all was fine and then made his stop at the
bedroom.  He sat on the edge of the bed and laid back, pulling her pillow
to his face, inhaling deeply.

   "My little girl was protected from everything I could think of, and I
left her in the hands of someone who may have loved her more than me.  He
protected her from everything we could both think of, but neither of us
could think of what DID happen.  It was the unthinkable, I am so, so sorry
Selena." He said to himself as if the pillow might hear and relay the
message to her.  He put the pillow neatly back on top of the bedclothes she
had laid there and went to the bar to pour himself a short drink to toast
her spirit, as he did each time he came to the house.  He flipped on the TV
to get the last of the news and maybe a local drop-in with the nights
forecast.

   The anchor, Jim Jimpson, was billboarding the last segment of the news.

   "This story is not to give anyone false hope,, but to maybe bring some
joy to a heartbroken family out there.  Our Lance McNally reports;

   "Dissociative Fugue State is a mental affliction commonly diagnosed as
Multiple Personality Disorder or amnesia.  Although some countries have
almost no cases of DFS there is a nominal percentage of people diagnosed in
the US to make some think that the disorder is either over-diagnosed or
perhaps non-existent.  In any event, those said to suffer with it sometime
end up with total memory loss of their past and wake each day as a
different personality, a personality so complex that doctors feel that it
may be that of, or as, a significant person in the persons past life.  The
Edison Mental Studies Clinic in Seagirt, New Jersey is a small campus that
was formerly a summer resort that now houses 60 so called "DFS patients".
(The camera pans away from McNally to a group of small buildings with a
long brick building in the center) One of those patients, however, has
caused quite a stir because he has now kept the same unwavering personality
for almost 3 weeks and is totally convinced that he survived the 911 attack
in the first tower hit and wandered away with his wife, whom he asks for
despondently each day now.  His name checks out as one thought to be a
victim of the attacks that day and the information he is supplying match's
the victim.  Yet, how likely is it that a person could have walked away,
especially with his injuries, and gotten this far?"

   The screen fills with the face of a middle aged woman with her name
placard across the bottom of the screen.  DR.  JOANNE CULVER PHD Head
Client Supervisor.

   "He was found homeless is Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden where he
frightened the other homeless so much, because of his ever changing
personality's that they brought him to the social worker who regularly
checked on them.  He had a large scar on his head, like he had been
attacked or in a fight, and he could barely walk, his knees were so bad. 
We cleaned him up and got him stabilized and since put him through a couple
knee replacement operations.  "John" (not his real name) has never been
stable enough to move from here into society and remains a ward of the
state.  Lately he's been with a limited number of the more stable in the
population here to socialize and seems to be quite a ladies' man, but gets
along with everyone in his cluster.  But now this latest personality he has
taken up has depth far beyond anything we have seen in this disorder."

   Lance McNally continues: "Is there a possibility that he is who he says
he is and has total memory recall of his whole life?  Statistics say no,
only because it's never happened before.  His fingerprints and DNA have
drawn no matches.  We're hoping someone see's this story and recognizes
him, keeping in mind he's been here since Thanksgiving 2001."

   The brief look Scott had at the man in the story stunned him.  The look
was a bit different, but familiar.  He recalled the first time he saw his
face answering the door the first time he came to pick up his daughter more
than 12 years ago.

   "Ah, you must be Selena's father.  My name is Joe Johnson, I'm here for
her, and we're going to dinner and a concert." Joe said a bit nervously.

   Scott Hanson extended his hand and shook Joe's and invited him in.

   "Selena, your date is here." He yelled up the stairs.

   A voice from a room off the upstairs landing yelled back.

   "I KNOW!  Someone's early." Came her peeved voice.

   Scott turned to Joe and half smiled.  Before he could say anything Joe
spoke up.  "I came bit early to meet you so you would know who she was
with, so you wouldn't have to worry.  I'm really quite taken with your
daughter, she's quite special."

   "Special she is!  She's said that she was seeing someone she also
thought was special.  I know that you haven't pressured her into being lax
on her studies to see each other and I commend you for that.  She says you
had a similar experience."

   "Yes, I did.  I was pushed ahead 2 years and also went to PolyTech.  As
a matter of fact, the think tank she will be on Wall Street for is one I
wanted for a long time.  I envy her in that situation, but I know the tough
time she is having right now.  The first half semester of the third year is
a grinder."

   Scott wore the same half smile from before.

   "I know you two haven't been seeing each other long, but your intentions
are clear if I read the two of you right.  She's elusive when I ask your
age, but I can see you're at least 30.  I also know you run your family's
construction company and you are a Wall Street bird dog.  So, I don't think
you're a hound.  Just be honest with her, and with me.  She's still my
little girl, no matter what."

   "Don't worry Mr.  Hanson I . . . ." Joe started to say before he stopped
and stared.

   Selena was coming down the stairs in a long dress that hugged her
curves; a wine colored affair with gold accents and buttons.  Her hair was
up with wispy locks falling at the sides.

   Scott Hanson turned to see what had caught Joe's attention and he
smiled.

   "I guess I will never get used to how beautiful you are." Joe said to
Selena.  "I will be so proud to go anywhere with you knowing that every man
who sees you will do a double take.  You are that breathtaking."

   Selena blushed deeply and looked at her father for reaction.  Mr. 
Hanson kept looking first at Selena, and then at Joe, trying to read their
eyes and reactions.  It was clear that the attraction and electricity
between the two was palpable.

   Joe walked from his position where he was talking to Mr.  Hanson to the
bottom step and extended his hand.  Selena took it, smiled and kissed Joe
right on the lips.

   "You look quite handsome yourself, thank you.  Mom!!  Come see how
handsome my Joseph is!!" She yelled up the stairs.

   Joe blushed himself as he saw the attractive Mrs.  Hanson come to the
top of the stairs and begin stepping down.

   "Hello, I'm Betty Hanson and I'm so pleased to meet you, Joe." Selena's
Mom said as she extended her hand.

   Joe cordially extended his hand and then turned to Selena and offered
his arm.

   "We should go so we can park and be there for our table.  It's been so
nice to meet you both." Joe said as he whisked Selena to the door.

   "Don't be too late!" Scott Hanson hollered as they went off the porch.

   "How could this be?" Scott thought as his mind reeled and he fell back
into the stool he had been sitting at like he had been struck in the
stomach.

   His mind raced at thinking this was at all possible; that he be alive
and that he knew about his daughter's fate and demise.  He felt a certain
joy that Joe might be alive, but more importantly, did Selena survive as
well?  Did he have answers?

   He fumbled for the DVR to rewind and get the name of the facility the
story was done from and the name of a person he could speak to.  He hadn't
even called Betty yet, but he was dialing the phone for the number of The
Edison Mental Studies facility.

   Once he got through and asked for Dr.  Culver there was a wait and Scott
knew his heart was racing and his breathing became labored and heavy in
anticipation.

   JC: "Hello, this is Dr.  Culver, is this call in response to the TV
news?"
SH: "Yes, who does this man claim to be?"
JC: "Might I ask YOUR name first?"
SH: "Certainly, my name is Scott Hanson.  I believe this man is my son
in law."
JC: "What is his name?"
SH: "I believe that the man I saw in the story is Joe Johnson."
JC: "Tell me something about Joe Johnson that only a person close to him
might know."
SH: "I know you said he had knee replacements, but he has a large wide
scar on the back of his right knee."
JC: "Can you give me a few moments?  Let me see what his reaction to
your name is."
Scott Hanson thought he might pass out from anticipation as he waited on

hold for almost 5 minutes before Dr.  Culver picked up again.

   JC: "Mr.  Hanson, do you think you could come here and speak to us
sometime this week?"
SH: "I can be there tomorrow, my wife will be with me."
JC: "She would be Selena?  He asked if she was coming."
SH: "No.  Selena was his wife, my daughter.  She died with him at the
towers, or so I thought."
JC: (long pause)"I know, I thought they might share the same name.  Umm,
. . . .  come to the gate and indentify yourselves and I'll meet you there
tomorrow, morning or afternoon?"
SH: "Mid to late morning.  If I remember correctly, you're about 4 hours
from here, a little south of Asbury Park?"
JC: "Yes, that's it.  If you have an email, I can send directions to the
facility."
SH: "Yes, shanson@nysup.tw.com"
JC: "OK, I look forward to speaking to you."
Scott suddenly had the willies, spooked to the core as he rushed from
the house and locked the door, almost running down Sheridan Avenue and up

to his Decatur Avenue home.

   Betty was skeptical of the claims of the man, but was hopeful that there
could be more closure on their daughter.  Neither of them slept that night
and were on the road by 7 o'clock in order to get their before noon.

   Chapter One

   Scott and Betty Hanson pulled up to the high fenced facility and a guard
came out of the security station and asked their business.  He took both of
their ID's and went to the phone and called to get clearance for entry.  A
few minutes later he directed them through the gate into a secured parking
lot.  He stood with them until a woman, the one he had seen on the TV
piece; roll up in a large people cart to whisk them away.

   "I'm Dr.  Culver and I want to take you to my office so we can have a
talk about the situation we have here.  This quite possibly could be a ruse
or sad prank, but I don't see how." She said as she zoomed the cart to a
long building in the center of a number of small cottages.

   "When can we see him?  We have to . . . ." Betty started to say
excitedly.

   "Please wait until you hear everything I have to say.  You may end up
not wanting to see him or be unsure of his identity or condition." Dr. 
Culver said holding her hand up forcefully.  She clearly didn't want there
to be any false hopes and further heartbreak caused by the events of
9/11/01.

   Once settled in her office with coffee and all relaxed in overstuffed
leather chairs Dr.  Culver began:

   "A fugue state, formally Dissociative Fugue, sometimes called
Psychogenic Fugue is a rare psychiatric disorder characterized by temporary
amnesia for the subjects own identity, including the memories and
personality and other little tics and habits of that particular person. 
The state is usually brief, sometimes hours or days but has lasted, in some
cases, months or longer.  Dissociative fugue usually involves wandering,
not knowing where to settle, and is sometimes accompanied by taking on a
new identity.  After recovery from fugue, previous memories usually return
altogether, however there is complete amnesia for the fugue episode and the
time passed.  Additionally, an episode is not characterized as a fugue if
it can be related to the ingestion mind altering drugs, physical trauma, to
a medical condition, or a psychiatric condition like clinical depression,
dementia, and bipolar disorder.  Fugues are usually precipitated by a
horrific episode that is sometime blocked out.  We said in the story that
"John" suffered from DFS, which is the reason he has been here all this
time.  When he woke up some three weeks ago and took this personality, to
him it was September 12, 2001.  Everything that happened to him since 9/11
is supposedly gone from his memory.  We've spent a few hours each day for
the last 16 days explaining to him what the world has gone through since
the attacks.  He appears to be coming to grips with that, understanding why
he is here.  He's a very smart man, whomever he is."

   Dr.  Culver paused to sip her coffee and catch her breath and saw both
Hanson's eyes filled with questions and wonderment.

   "No questions yet, let me continue." She said anticipating their eyes.

   "In interviews and from a rambling statement he made under a drug
induced semi-hypnotic state here is what we know, what he thinks and
believes.

   On the morning of 911 he and his wife met a lawyer and broker named
Gordon Phelan in the Atrium lobby of the tower about 8:25 and opted to go
to the Coffee Shop on the 68th floor.  They were there to close a deal on
property and Phelan knew he could plug his laptop into a hot connection
there.  His office was on the 80th floor, but he had everything drawn up
and finishing the deal over coffee was his preference.  He, Joe, had
accessed all of the monies and securities to close the deal the day before,
he just needed to talk Umm. . . . .Selena?, into it.  When she called her
mentor, a Mr.  Curran, he suggested that they be married at the time of the
deal; just to be sure she was protected.  That was why they secretly
married the night before."

   Betty Hanson broke down crying and Dr.  Culver stopped her recitation of
notes.

   "If this is too stressful, we can do it without you, or we can take a
break." Dr.  Culver asked.

   "No, . . .  please go on.  I couldn't be any more distressed or upset
than I've been at any other time in the last 9 years." Betty answered
between the tears as Scott took her hand and pressed it to his thigh,
patting and rubbing it.

   "Go on." Scott said.

   "The deal was closed and they were talking when the attack started and
it was apparent right away that there were major problems just above them.
Gordon Phelan went to the stairwell, unsure of the elevator and told them
to wait.  A woman came running from one of the other offices and said they
all had to get out of the building and they joined a rush in the stairwell
as they all tried to field cell calls and see what was going on.  He's
unsure of some of the trip down the stairs because falling debris in the
stairwell caused a panic and he ended up over a railing and down a flight
and landed on people.  He cut his face badly and didn't know if he could
walk on his right knee anymore.  He thinks he passed out but came to, being
carried by Selena and another woman.  They were just holding his arms and
dragging him between them, his arms draped over their shoulders. 
Firefighters on their way up wanted them to leave him and let the firemen
rescue him, but Selena would have nothing of it.  He's not sure of the
floor where they followed a group to a bridge over an atrium, presumably
the 4th floor atrium bridge, and began to cross it when they felt it
shudder.  A group of men in maintenance uniforms called them back across
the bridge, and showed them an exit door where they saw light from the
outside.  There was a terrace and staircase to the street and common
loading zone.  As they came across that terrace, Selena was now half
dragging him alone.  A body fell from the upper floors just beside them,
splashing blood and whatever.  Selena fell to her knees screaming and then
looked around to see body parts and other rumpled masses of other people
who apparently jumped rather than burn.  They went to move one way and a
sheet of glass came down, they tried to move another direction to the
stairs to the ground and another body fell just in front of them.  At this
point Selena passed out and he took her over his shoulder and tried to go
down the stairs, but his knees gave out and he slid down with her in tow."
Dr.  Culver said, becoming emotional herself as she looked up to check on
Betty Hanson.

   "Let's take a break here.  I'm sorry to put you through this, but I
can't let you see "John" until you know his whole story because we could
lose him again.  His diagnosis is so tentative; we don't know how to deal
with him." Dr.  Culver reasoned as she took the Hanson's to a porch where
they could get some air.

   Scott and Betty spoke but a few words to each other and they held each
other's hand and tried to compose themselves.  After 10 minutes Scott was
anxious to hear the rest.

   Back in the office, Dr.  Culver continued reading from the transcript.

   "He really expected there to be ambulances or something there but people
were just rushing away from the scene as something else was happening, or
had happened.  (We assume that was the second building being hit) He was
able to get to his feet and drag Selena, dodging falling debris and bodies.
Everyone was shouting at him to RUN, RUN, RUN.  Selena came to about this
time and he told her that they had to run and get out of the area.  This is
where he gets real sketchy.  He knows Selena was with him but she was
mentally unstable, seeming to dodge falling things that weren't there. 
Then came the roar behind them and they turned to see the building falling,
and the run for their lives began.  Walking for what seemed hours they got
to the Holland Tunnel and were told it was unsafe as they were clearing
cars out as all lanes were jammed shut.  There were 6 or 8 of them together
now and they stormed one of the firemen who were guarding the entrances. 
The small group pulled and dragged each other to the Jersey side where they
met lots of others who had come through the tunnel.  He found a spot
between some cars to lay Selena down and try to reason with her, get her
back to reality, but she was in deep shock.  He found an ambulance crew
caught in the logjam of cars and people and asked if they could tend to
her. They told him they could take her, but they had no hope of moving for
hours, but if and when they did they would bring her to Christian Hospital
in Jersey City.  He remembers little after that.  He knows he stumbled and
fell numerous times trying to get away hoping to get to Christian Hospital
and wait for Selena to arrive.  He saw a sign on the Pulaski Highway with a
Hospital marker and he dragged himself up but tripped and took a long fall
into a catch basin.  He remembers laying there hearing the sounds of sirens
and explosions and the next thing he remembers is waking up here almost 9
years later."

   Dr.  Culver looked up to a shocked pair of parents and said, "Now I
should tell you, we don't know if the woman he dragged and left with the
ambulance was actually your daughter, or if that even happened.  We want
you to talk to him and see if he is totally with it, knows a lot of other
small details of his past where we don't have to doubt his memory.  He has
come to terms with the fact that 9 years have passed.  That in itself gives
credence to his mental stability.  That should have drawn him back into
DFS. But, he thinks that Selena is alive and on her way to get him.  No one
was admitted to Christian Hospital answering her description or name.  No
one passed through their morgue that went unidentified.  We haven't
thoroughly checked every other hospital in that area because we don't know
if we are on a wild goose chase or not."

   "Can we see him, talk to him?" Betty asked.

   "Yes, but not before we tell him that Selena is not with you, and not
before you watch him though a two-way mirror so you can be sure it is Joe
Johnson.  Some of the clients can get online and make up schemes and . . .I
don't have to tell you the heartbreak this might cause.  I want you to be
sure." Dr.  Culver expressed while jabbing her finger to the desk to
accentuate her points.

   Dr.  Culver brought Scott and Betty Hanson into a viewing room off a
small conference room.  Once they were seated Dr.  Culver had "John"
brought into the room.  The man who escorted him in was dressed in surgical
greens.  Joe seemed to be in good spirits and was friendly, seeming to joke
with the orderly.

   "Oh God, Scott, that's him!" Betty cried out.  "Maybe our baby is alive
somewhere!"

   "That's him.  He looks a little older, but he still has that charm,
although he looks a little confused.  Doctor, do you think he's OK
mentally?" Scott asked.  "We THINK so, that's part of the reason why we
wanted you here.  Would you like to talk to him?  The orderly is just going
to tell him that Selena is not here with you." The doctor said.

   A moment later Joe Johnson dropped his head.  He looked up despondently
and appeared to ask why.

   The orderly sat with him and consoled him.

   "He's telling him that we haven't found her yet and that, like him,
everyone thought she perished in the attacks.  He won't accept that, before
you go in wait and see how he reacts." The doctor explained knowing the
scenario the orderly was going to use.

   Joe held up an open hand and pounded his forefinger into it making
several points to the orderly.  He wasn't violent, just forceful, and
committed to what he knew, or thought he knew.

   "Do you want to go in?" Dr.  Culver asked.

   "I do." Betty said.  "He's our last gasp hope, and we love him for
everything he did for our baby." Scott nodded in agreement as the doctor
walked them to a secure door and opened it, and then turned into the room
they had just viewed.

   "Joe, you have two people here who are anxious to see you!" Dr.  Culver
said as Joe turned his head and leapt to his feet to hug Betty Hanson and
pull Scott to his side.

   He cried like a baby for a few minutes, they all did.  After 5 minutes
of crying and trying to compose each other, Joe looked at Scott Hanson.

   "I left her in good hands Scott.  She was shook up, in shock, but she
seemed physically fine except for a few bumps and bruises." Joe implored,
not realizing how poor his judgment may have been at the time.

   "You did all you could Joe.  If she's out there, we'll find her." Scott
said, surprisingly calm.

   "Understand that they found her engraved ring the next February, and
then later in March, a money clip she had given you.  They were both in the
rubble that they combed for remains.  We were sure you both died, and that
was proof." Betty added.

   "You have to get me out of here, though." Joe said as if he hadn't heard
a word she said.

   "I'm working on that.  Let's talk.  I've been taking care of your house
you know." Scott said to start a conversation.

   From there Joe took off with a series of questions in detail about the
house, it's amenities and quirks.  He even noted that since they had given
him new knees, the elevator might be able to come out.  Scott asked him if
he remembered the first time they met and Joe quickly recounted going to
the Billy Joel show, his dinner with Selena and even what she wore.  After
a half hour Dr.  Culver nodded to Scott and Betty that they should get
going.  Joe was adamant about going with them.  This was where Dr.  Culver
stepped in.  "Joe Johnson, you realize that the world has changed greatly
in 9 years and even with what you've seen here on TV and the like, life out
of here will be a shock.  We have kept you on medications for quite some
time and have weaned you off most in the past week or so.  Give me 3 or 4
more days to get you clean.  If all goes well, you can leave with the
Hansons then.  Is that fair?" She asked him calmly.

   Joe stopped and sat back closing his mouth tightly and exhaling deeply
through his nose.

   "Fair enough.  Four days, . .  tops!  Right?" He asked.

   "If all goes well, Joe.  We can't take you otherwise." Betty said,
hoping for the best.

   "We will check every hospital anywhere near the Holland Tunnel or all of
New Jersey if we have to.  I can check the logs of who worked that day and
find the ambulance crew you left her with.  We'll do all we can, but don't
get your hopes up.  She would have contacted us if she was alive or at
least OK, don't you think?" Scott asked trying to allay his own false hope
as well as Joe's.

   "Maybe we can turn her light on too.  Look where I came from . . 
(tearing up) 9 years gone and so is Selena." Joe said as Betty comforted
him saying,

   "We'll see you in a few days Joe, and we'll pray for you and Selena."

   Chapter 2

   Scott and Betty hadn't packed for an overnight trip, so they drove back
home and packed for a few days and were off for New Jersey the next morning
hoping to get some questions answered.  Their hopes were cautiously high
that at the very least they might find a more fitting closure.

   Going into the administration office at Christian Hospital in Jersey
City with the story they had seemed a little crazy in itself, but it was
all they had to go on.  After a 90 minute wait they were able to get into
to talk to a department head and luckily it was someone who was there and
worked on 911.  But, Shelly Peters seemed reluctant to help them out.  The
Hospital had recently went digital so old records were now saved and
accessible through a data-base.  Ms.  Peters, feeling cornered, finally
relented and agreed to bring up the information on the day

   "OK, I see here who worked the ambulance crews that day and the times
they logged in.  One got the early call and was going over to help,
obviously not knowing the magnitude of the situation.  They didn't get
cleared until after 7 pm that night and no one works 12 hour shifts on an
ambulance.  There were problems there for sure, this may be the one you
want.  Let me see, the medic on duty was E Richards.  Emory Richards is now
a surgical staffer now, but I do have his notes here.  Let me see if he's
in house right now.  He may remember more if he can read his notes, besides
I just have a picture of his handwritten log sheet and he may read it much
better." Shelly said as she pored over the computer screen and punched her
phone to page.

   "One nineteen, dial three one seven.  One nineteen, dial three one
seven." was the page heard through-out the halls as the Hansons sat and
waited while Shelly Peters tried to make sense of the notes.

   After 3 or 4 minutes Shelly's phone rang and she nodded as she listened,
then hung up.

   "Dr.  Richards is in surgery right now, but his staff nurse says he has
a break after this procedure and he'll call me.  If you could wait in the
anteroom I'll call for you." Shelly told them.

   It wasn't long before a tall, good looking man in surgical greens came
in and walked past the secretary saying, "Shell paged me?" and opened the
door to Peters office.

   Scott and Betty looked at each other and stood hoping to be paged in
right away.  Scott didn't want a word to be said, or opinion projected, out
of his earshot.  After a few second wait to be called, they walked right
into the office despite the secretary's protest.

   Dr.  Richards was already crouched over Peters shoulder looking at his
notes and Scott Hanson, in a very indignant tone, lashed out.

   "Excuse me for barging in, but suddenly I get the feeling that there's a
lot of ass covering here.  I only want the truth and to find my daughter.
Considering we've thought she was incinerated in the towers, anything is a
plus.  I'm not here to damn anyone, I'm only looking for answers.  Edison
Mental Studies asked you last week for information on a woman answering her
description being admitted on 9/11 and were turned away.  We've already
established she was in an ambulance that should have brought her here. 
What gives?" He demanded.

   Betty reached into her purse and took out a photo of Selena and held it
up for Richards to see.

   "Is this the woman that was brought to your ambulance on 9/11 while you
were stuck in the Holland Tunnel traffic?" She asked.

   Emory Richards stood up straight and exhaled deeply.

   "Yes, that's her.  Sit down and let me tell you what I remember and what
I've written here in my notes."

   "Before you start, is she alive?  Do you know?" Betty Hanson asked,
tears of hope streaming from her eyes.

   "As far as I know, and the last I knew, yes." Emory answered, being
non-committal, while Shelly Peters sighed in disgust.

   "Understand, there was no primer for that day.  We usually cruise the
Pulaski Skyway until 9 or so to cover accidents and other calls.  When the
news of the first plane hit we decided to go over and see if we could help.
There was a 911 mayday call for any ambulances in the area.  We weren't
aware of the magnitude of it all and got stuck in the tunnel traffic near
9:30.  Nothing moved and around 10:30 or 11 we started to see people
walking out of the tunnel, some abandoning cars, but some walking from the
site.  Those walking from the site all had blank looks of panic or terror
and just had to head to their homes the only way possible.  They were like
zombies in a panic stupor, shocked.  Everything else was stopped.  We saw
and treated some minor injuries as we waited for the traffic snarl to be
undone.  After seeing and hearing the buildings fall there was panic
everywhere.  I make no indications of time in my notes, but guessing I
would say around11:30 we were told that people were no longer being allowed
to "escape" New York through the tunnel, but the police were short staffed
to stop the crush of people wanting to get out.  Every responder was being
sent to the site.  We started seeing people covered in the ash or whatever;
people who were close to the site when the towers came down.  The man who
brought whom you say is your daughter was delirious to a point, but
determined to keep going.  He chanted "got to run, got to run".  The woman
could barely stand and held herself up on the man.  He saw us and asked for
help saying they had fallen down some stairs while getting out of the
building, that he couldn't carry her anymore.  She was a mess, almost
catatonic and had several cuts.  Her clothes were pretty bloody when you
looked close, they were dark.  He, he was frantic, wanting to run, but
wanting to know where we would take her.  I wondered how far he could get;
his one knee was so twisted as he tried to run.  He knelt over her in the
ambulance telling her he would be waiting.  The moment he left she went
wide eyed and unresponsive.  We tracked her vitals and called the hospital
to get any instructions.  They just said to keep her warm and out of shock.
I thought we were past that.  She seemed catatonic." Emory told them as
Scott held onto his crying wife.

   "In the panic of it all I made several errors.  I should have gotten
their names.  I should have stopped him from leaving.  I found she had a
severe blow to the back of her head and even wondered if he had inflicted
that upon her.  He was already gone and I wanted to go after him, trying to
make use of my training to not let a situation get out of hand.  I only got
500 yards or so in pursuit of him when the other medic radioed me that the
woman had coded.  I rushed back to discover she had swallowed her tongue
and I managed to free it for her.  I performed CPR and she was breathing
easily in a few minutes.  I don't think she was without oxygen for more
than a couple minutes, if that.  We kept her stable, but didn't get free
from the traffic until almost 4 o'clock or so.  It had to be after 5 or
later when we got to the hospital, and her brother, or father, whoever he
was, was nowhere to be found." Emory Richards finished, holding his head on
the verge of his own tears.

   He sat back and gathered himself and continued as he looked at his
watch, knowing he was due in surgery soon.

   "I know they took her right into surgery after a couple MRI's.  I think
she had a rib broken, close to puncturing her lung and they removed a blood
clot close to the blow on the back of her head.  The notes here say it was
consistent with a fall down stairs because I said I wondered if she had
been assaulted.  I checked on her every couple days.  They were keeping
kept her restrained, fearing she might hurt herself.  When they would wean
her off medications, she would rage.  They identified her as Sue Johnson,
because she whispered it to someone when she was asked.  After 10 days with
no one claiming her or any active missing person for her she became a ward
of the state.  The fact she was a survivor of the Tower attack was in my
notes, it shows nowhere else.  I'm deeply ashamed that I never followed up
on that.

   Originally they took her to Hackensack University Medical for evaluation
and treatment.  Just out of interest because I wanted to be a doctor and I
wasn't sure what field, I kept tabs on her and even visited her once at
Hackensack, along with other patients I had been involved with.  I remember
that they said she wouldn't speak, and trusted few.  Paranoid schizophrenic
with great memory loss was on her chart, I remember.  I wondered about that
diagnosis because when I went through the ward, she never took her eyes off
me.  I didn't interact with her, I was told that would have been
unprofessional, but she did remember me.  The next time I asked about her
they said she had been moved to Hampden Behavioral Health, a couple hours
from here.  I'm not sure if she is still there or not, but that is a great
facility because they don't use any heavy drugs or shock therapy there,
just lots of one on one."

   Betty Hanson and, to some extent, her husband Scott were in tears at
this point.  They weren't sure if they should have been angry at the way
she fell through the cracks, or thankful that she may still be alive, or at
least relieved that she may not have died in such a horrific manner as they
imagined.

   "Umm . . .  I can . . . ." Shelly said uncomfortably to break the
moment, "I'm not sure if I can find out if she's still there, or where she
might be.  It appears the paper trail ends here." She said nervously
looking down and then imploringly to Emory's eyes

   Emory scowled back at her and raised his voice, "OF COURSE WE CAN, do
that right away Ms.  Peters.  These people have been through enough and I'm
afraid that we, and the system, are at fault here.  Culpability isn't a
factor here and we DO bear some fault," He said with a maddened stare at
Shelly Peters.

   Shelley's eyes grew big at his words, as if wishing he hadn't said that
in front of the Hansons.

   Still reluctant to seem to want to place the call or access the
information she didn't react to Dr.  Richards order.

   "TAKE CARE OF IT NOW!  They are more interested in if their daughter is
still alive than any law suit.  Remember that one of the words on our
banner out front is "compassion"." He said bawling her out, even though it
was not his place.

   "I'm late for surgery and have been paged a thousand times." Emory said
pulling his vibrating pager from his pocket.  "I'm sorry for any way I may
have been at fault here, but I really feel I did my best.  Leave me your
information and I'll follow up with you."

   Dr.  Richards quickly shook the hands of Scott and Betty and left the
room quickly leaving Shelly Peters to feel very uncomfortable.  She turned
to her computer screen and began inputting information and then sat back
and waited for results.  She sat back and sighed at the results she saw and
moved to pick up her phone as if to check with someone about sharing the
results, but remembered Dr.  Richards reprimand with a deep sigh again.

   "She's still at Hampden; at least she was in the last patient audit in
July.  Let me call them.  I work with them from time to time" Shelly said,
obviously annoyed at the position she was in.

   After a short conversation Shelly invited Scott and Betty to listen and
talk over the speaker-phone with the person from Hampden.

   "Hello, my name is Avis Strong.  I'm the senior therapist here at
Hampden.  I work with 8 "hives" of up to 12 patients who live, eat and
socialize together.  The one you think may be your daughter is known here
as Sue Johnson.  When she first came into the New Jersey Health System she
had no ID, no jewelry, or any other identifiers." Dr.  Strong began.

   "Her engagement ring with identifying inscription was found in the Twin
Tower rubble and returned to us about 4 months after the attacks.  That was
why we thought she was deceased, Dr.  Strong." Betty Hanson interrupted.

   "Please call me Abby, as the clients here do.  We try not to be too
formal.  Let's not 100 percent assume this is your daughter until you see
her.  I'll tell you a little about her.  Sue doesn't speak much, if at all.
She's able to, but has said but a few words since she's been here.  She
experienced severe mental trauma that acts like what we call a black
balloon.  It's as if you are experiencing life normally, except you have a
black balloon stuck on the end of your nose.  She cannot let it go and
can't or won't speak of it.  We think she may be very intelligent, we found
her to be quite interested in the Wall Street Journal that someone reads to
her almost every day.  She can read it herself, but tends to lose
concentration.  While being read to it's obvious she is drinking it all in
and has even picked up a pen as if to write, but she hasn't.  I would say
this was a sign she might be ready, or want to break out, but this has been
going on for 6 or more years.  She always sits with her back to the wall,
and if you approach her from behind she reacts violently, covering up and
screaming, putting herself into a fetal ball.  Everyone in her "hive" is
aware of this and avoids approaching her this way.  At her most lucid we've
tried to reassure her enough to talk us through her fears, even adding
relaxant drugs.  She seems ready to open up, but never graduates to the
next level." Abby Strong finished with an obvious sense of frustration.

   "Dr.  Strong, . .  er . . .  umm, Abby, we have information that may pop
that black balloon." Scott said.

   "We have to very careful!" Abby scolded, "We don't want to pop the
balloon.  We want to slowly deflate it.  Please understand the reason for
the analogy.  We think she sees her entire world from around this "black
balloon" and exposing everything at once could bring her back to when she
first came to us."

   "Our daughter was in one of the Trade Center Towers when they were hit
on 911.  She barely survived her escape and was nearly hit by several
falling bodies of people who jumped rather than face certain other fates.
She was half dragged, half-stumbled for 16 blocks to the Holland Tunnel
where she was given to a stranded ambulance crew.  It's a long harrowing
story."Betty said to the speaker phone in a near pleading manner.

   There was long silence on the other end of the line while Shelly Peters
hung her head to hide the embarrassment and tears she felt for the whole
situation.

   "THERE IS NOTHING IN ANY HISTORY OF SUE THAT SAYS ANY OF THAT!" Abby
shouted defensively.

   "We wouldn't have known much of that story, except the fact that she
survived the attack.  THAT should have been gleaned from the paramedic's
notes.  A lot of this was new information that came to light recently.  It
was never in the notes the paramedics took when they brought her in here
that day because they didn't have the deep details. . . . .  and here real
name is Selena Hanson Johnson." Shelly said almost in a surrendered tone,
knowing how wrong it was to have this ball dropped and to know her hospital
had been part of it.

   "Let me talk with our other therapists and doctors here and give me
contact information for you, Mr.  and Mrs.  Hanson.  We need to set out a
plan for Sue, . .  er . .  Ms Johnson.  I must tell you to go to where you
can collect personal items of hers, including some pictures maybe.  Let me
meet with our people and see how we might handle this. . .  and Shelly? 
Let me email you a photo of our Sue Johnson to confirm we are talking about
the same woman." Abby said as they heard a rustle of papers and the click
of computer keyboards.

   In a few minutes Shelly received an email and she clicked on it.  She
turned her monitor towards the Hansons to let them see the photo.  Betty
Hanson dropped her face to her lap and then nearly leapt to the arms of her
husband.  In the photo, her hair was cut short, her face a bit bloated and
blotchy with a scar over her eye, but the pretty angelic face of Selena
jumped from the photo.  She didn't wear the 9 years well, but it was their
Selena.

   "Our baby is alive!" She sobbed uncontrollably into Scotts shoulder.

   After the emotions of the moment passed Abby added a terse comment; "Be
aware, Mr.  and Mrs.  Hanson, Sue, or Selena may never progress beyond
where she is.  She's been in this state for a long time, even though we've
all thought she has been close to a breakthrough many times.  This photo a
few years old, I don't think the scar is as prominent anymore, as I
recall."

   "We understand." Scott said in a voice broken by emotion.

   Chapter 3

   By the time Scott and Betty returned home that evening Dr.  Avis "Abby"
Strong had been in contact with Dr.  JoAnne Culver at the Edison Mental
Studies Clinic and had begun to put together the puzzle of Joe and Selena
Johnson.  The fact that Joe failed to exist from the time shortly after he
gave Selena to the paramedics caused great damage to the hopes of returning
their mental states to a place you might call normal.  The paramedic notes
only stated that she was from "the site" and was among the "exodus" of
1000's of New York and New Jersey people trying to escape the madness of
planes crashing, falling buildings, and the stench of burned flesh and jet
fuel that had been stained to their memories forever.

   An intern with Dr.  Culver had combed police reports and found a report
of a man walking on the Skyway, then falling, or committing suicide by
jumping from the Pulaski Skyway.  Police responded but found nothing.  Joe
may have fallen or jumped into a drainage "funnel" that drained into a
catch basin, thinking it was a way to the ground once the bridge had
cleared the rivers.  It was common for homeless and indigents to try and
use this way to safety.  There is no way to the ground without having quite
a fall unless you followed the basin to the river and swam to shore.  This
wasn't likely in Joe's condition.

   There were 4 other messages on their phone from people who recognized
Joe from the news story and were calling to inform them.  Two were from
local girls and friends of Selena, two were business acquaintances of Joe,
one being Chielm Beupour (Slim Beepo).

   On Wednesday morning there would be a meeting of all doctors and
therapists involved to try and assemble one story and plan of action in
hopes of bringing Joe and Selena back to normalcy.  The Hanson's were to be
there to provide information as well as supply pictures and other things
from their homes that might jog a memory, turn a cog, open a synapse, -
ANYTHING that might serve as impedance back to normalcy.  They all were
warned that 9 years is a long time to be in an advanced mental state of
shock, and come out normal.  There was still a fear that Joe could wake as
someone else, but as days passed, that was growing more and more unlikely,
but a shock over the condition of Selena might throw him backwards as well.

   The thought of another day of traveling in the car back and forth to New
Jersey prompted Scott and Betty to pack suitcases for a longer stay.  They
also filled boxes with photos and items that both Joe and Selena would find
familiar in an effort to help them remember.

   The Wednesday meeting was taking place at a conference hall on the
campus of The Edison Mental Studies Clinic.  A large group of Doctors,
therapists, aides and anyone familiar with both Joe and Selena were to be
present.  When the Hansons arrived Dr.  Culver was already there to meet
them and she wanted to brief them on Joe and his progress.

   "Joe appears to be on a positive path back to normalcy.  He's a very
intelligent man, but even so, trying to cope with life that has passed 9
whole years in what seemed an instant is taking a toll on him.  We
encourage him to rest often and give him light sedatives to help him sleep.
These are the only medications he has been on for the last 48 hours and he
shows no signs of any problems.  We haven't told him yet, but we want him
to stay here until Monday.  He'll be told during an exercise session he's
having right now.  We think he needs to see a little more of the 9 years he
missed and understand the changes.  We haven't told him you found his wife
and this information should be kept from him at this point.  Finding out
just what he thinks has happened to her would help us a great deal.  If we
have a baseline to deal with we can better detail a plan to feed him the
real information.  Your promise to come and get him in "four days, tops"
will be easier to break if you still have no information of your daughter.
We don't think you should see him in person either; he may make a scene
where we have to medicate him further.  We'll call him later today and
you'll talk to him about a Monday release, OK?" Dr.  Culver explained.

   "You're obviously the professional here, but I would like to see him,
even if through one way glass.  Would that be OK?" Betty Hanson asked.

   "Certainly, we can arrange that.  Would watching his reaction to your
call help?  I know with everything that has happened you both have trust
issues and I can't blame you for that.  Be assured, our "study" of Joe is
over.  We only want him to get back to a normal life.  His many
personalities were always a hit here with the clients and the staff." She
said, understanding Betty's skepticism.

   "Now for your daughter, although both clinics differ in how they deal
with her condition, we think we can come up with a good plan today while
talking with all involved, including both of you." The Doctor assured them.

   "You don't think she was treated with heavy drugs, or electric shock or
anything like that do you?" Betty asked with a tear welling up.

   "I would be very surprised.  Hampden Behavioral Health shuns those
practices and has had a pretty fair success rate at getting people who were
thought to be "lost" back into society.  She is the longest serving patient
there and they haven't given up on her because she shows so much promise,
as they've told me.  Unfortunately, she always hits a wall." She said as
she stood up as a large group began to walk into the conference hall.

   So, after a round of introductions and passing out name tags Doctors
Culver and Strong took charge of the meeting by asking questions and
getting opinions.

   "I keep hearing that the subject Selena Johnson shows much promise.  Who
here is most qualified to show me this?" Doctor Culver asked.

   A young woman, perhaps mid to late 30's or so, stood and said, "I
believe I can.  My name is Phyllis Flowers.  My clients call me Philly. 
I've been Ms.  Johnson's best friend for over 6 years.  With the exception
of one day, sometimes two, each week I spend at least 2 hours with her each
day.  I read The Wall Street Journal main pages to her each weekday.  She
says very little, only a few words a week to me, but she listens and
understands all I tell her and she answers questions with her eyes and
conveys her feelings through expression.  She's very paranoid of new things
around her and gets frantic if someone should sneak up or startle her from
behind.  Her whole demeanor changes if this should happen and our session
usually ends.  The person I replaced informed me and I found out early on
that she masturbates nearly every night in her bed.  When she was in a room
with other clients she was quiet and discreet, but it was obvious to others
in the room.  She has been in her own room for as long as I've been with
her and the night matrons note that they hear her often, not loudly, but
whimpers and swoons are obvious .  I've asked her numerous times about this
and her answer is always quick and clear, although she leans in to tell me
privately, "I love sex, but only with my husband." This is one of the
things that make me believe there is a way out for her.  Most in her
condition have no interest or even thoughts of sex.  She won't write or
draw if I give her a pen, but she will pore over a list of stocks and mark
certain ones.  They appear to be random but I know they are ones I
mentioned in stories from The Journal that day.  There is a lot going on in
there, but she has what we refer to as a "black balloon syndrome".

   A man's hand came up and the lead doctors recognized him.

   "Hello, I'm John Buono from Edison here, Uh, do you think the next time
she mentions her husband that you might ask her if she means Joe, and then
ask what happened to him, why isn't she with him?  I would be terribly
interested in her answer.  I think that could be a path out."

   Dr.  Strong spoke loudly from the front of the room, waving a pen and
taking the floor.  "Yes, I think that's a great idea and perhaps prod those
memories right away with some pictures of home, her parents, or even Joe."

   Another hand came up and the woman stood without being recognized. 
"Florence Lossi, from here at Edison; She may tell you that Joe is not the
husband she is speaking of, it may all be a fantasy where she thinks the
masturbation IS having sex with her husband."

   Philly Flowers jumped out of her chair to defend Selena.  "STOP!  You
are supposing that she may be bonkers, and I can assure you that she is
NOT. This woman has problems and deep phobias, but many times in talking to
her she has proven to me that she can be recovered.  Her parents are here
and don't need to hear this, as well!  . . .  and I HAVE asked her where
her husband was and she's told me that he was coming for her, but not for a
long time now.  I can check my notes, but I think it's been at least 4
years since she answered that question.  I did ask her once what his name
was and she got very defensive and simply said "he's mine!" as if I might
try to steal him away.  I showed her a picture of my husband to show her I
wouldn't be interested.  She turned the picture over and didn't speak to me
for a few days.  I didn't know what to make of it, but I never brought it
up again.  It was over the trauma level I'd set for her.  Oh, and I'm sorry
for using the term "bonkers".  I was obviously upset at the assumption that
she might be damaged that way.  I am sure she is NOT!"

   The conjecture went on and on for over an hour with doctors trading
theory and supposition on the two patients trying to use their relationship
as a springboard to stable mental health.  Finally it was conceded that
with the new information about Selena, that Joe had provided, Ms.  Flowers
should try to reach her once more, but this time using more confrontation
to force her to vocalize her thoughts.  She mustn't be as patient with her
and use what she now knew as a lure to bring her out of her own darkness.

   So much positive information was passed around over both patients that
recovery seemed a slam dunk until Florence Lossi stood again; "I
congratulate all of the positive feelings over this woman, but I think you
are all overlooking the fact that she may have been without oxygen for as
much as 10 minutes when she convulsed and swallowed her tongue.  If you
read the transcript, she coded, then the one EMT called the other and he
had to return about 500 yards to save her because of the others
inexperience.  How long did he wait until he discovered there was nothing
he could do to help?  I hope I am wrong, but I don't think we should fill
her parents with so much hope and optimism." She said finishing with her
hands folded and looking at Betty and Scott.

   There was a long silence in the room until Abby Strong and JoAnne Culver
leaned into each other and conferred for a moment and then nodded to each
other, then Dr.  Strong spoke.

   "These two have beaten impossible odds to be in the position they are in
and I think we owe to each of our jobs to make sure every effort is
exhausted.  However, Ms.  Lossi's observations are more than valid.  After
an ample period of soft therapy we might be prudent to start more
aggressive means to treat brain injury."

   "Soft therapy?" Scott Hanson asked with a tone of hopelessness in his
voice.

   "Mr.  Hanson, at Hampden we don't use heavy drugs, shock therapy,
electrical stimulation, or any of the treatments you may have seen in
movies on the subject.  There has been no reason for us to think she had a
brain injury due to lack of oxygen for an extended period, but it's
possible.  It hasn't shown up in any tests we've done.  But, armed with the
information we have, if we cannot break the state she is in, you might want
to submit her for more aggressive means.  The life she is leading is not
rewarding to her and she may be suffering mentally within.  We will do
everything we know how and I can assure you that she is not just a patient
with us.  I hope it is evident that she is a loved member of our community.
When Ms.  Flowers says she is Ms.  Johnson's best friend, they are not idle
words.  You saw how she jumped to defend her before, and I can testify that
the feeling is heartfelt and mutual.  When Philly returns from her day off
to engage Sue, . .  er Selena, the hug Ms.  Flowers gets is firm and deep
and an obvious relief of any trepidations that she might not have
returned."

   Scott nodded and sat down as Betty sobbed lightly while reaching for
Scott's hand.  She leaned in to whisper something to him and he stood again
to get the floor back.

   "Is there a way we can see her?  I know we can't engage her yet, but if
we can just see her, watch her for a few moments.  We may be able to tell
you something from her actions.  I know it will be terribly emotional, but
please, . . . .  we've been through enough."

   Dr.  Avis "Abby" Strong was a hardnosed professional all the way, but
Scott's plea melted her all-business attitude and turned her eyes into
filling pools of compassion.

   "I can arrange a one-way mirror visit in the next few days.  We'll speak
afterwards." She said fighting of emotion.

   Dr.  Culver stood, knowing she had to change the tempo of the meeting
before emotions took over, and addressed the conference again.

   "Now, of Joe Johnson.  Each day he wakes without personality change is
one step further into us believing that he has recovered from his DFS
condition.  He knows nothing of the fate of his wife and is just coming to
terms with the 9 years he lost.  We need to establish a baseline for him as
well.  If we know where he thinks she might be, if she is alive or not, if
she has moved on or not, then we can judge the shock he may encounter at
her reality.  We don't need another blow to slip him back.  I think now is
the time to break into study groups, review the photo's and items the
Hansons have brought, the information they can provide to help these 2 very
fortunate souls in our care."

   Scott and Betty were overwhelmed with the questions the doctors and
therapist asked as pictures and mementos were passed amongst them asking
for explanations of meanings or identities of photos.  After nearly an hour
of note taking and questions the group broke up agreeing to meet the
following Monday to see where each client stood.  It was hoped the Hansons
could take Joe with them on that day, barring complications.

   Following the meeting Dr.  Culver escorted the Hansons to another
building on the campus to a room where they could see Joe through a one-way
mirror.  She went away for about 10 minutes to set up the call for Betty
and Scott.  Finally she came back in the room and Dr.  Culver handed Betty
a phone and told her, "Joe was just told he had a phone call and he'll be
coming in that room to get it.  Remember, patience, . . .  and do not tell
him anything of your daughter except you have not found her yet.  He's a
little frustrated that you can't come for him today, but he seems to have
accepted it."

   BH: Hello Joe, how are you today?  I'll bet you're a little disappointed
you can't leave yet.
JJ: Betty, you promised!  Does this have anything to do with Selena?
BH: No, they told us you should spend a bit more time getting acclimated
to the world changes, and I might agree.  They really know best Joe; don't
you consider yourself a bit fragile?
JJ: Fragile is not the word.  They say I'm not a patient here anymore,
but I'm still treated like one.  I'm very frustrated, and then when I look
in a mirror I see my father.
BH: I understand there's no more therapy, just helping you understand,
but there are still so many questions to be answered for you.
JJ: Betty, you've avoided any mention of Selena.  She's dead isn't she?
SHE'S DEAD!
BH: Joe, do you really think I would hide that from you if I knew? 
Remember I've mourned the deaths of both of you for 9 years and now there's
a glimmer of hope she might be alive and that's keeping me going.  If I
found out she passed away when I could have been helping her, you would
know.  We're researching some leads about the information you gave them
here.  You'll know when I find something.
JJ: I keep thinking she recovered and made a new life, like one of those
people with amnesia.  I couldn't bear to find that out.
BH: Joe, be patient and don't let your mind run off like that.  We'll
get to the bottom of this, I promise.  We love you and want you back in our
world.  Just a few more days, OK?
JJ: I don't HAVE to like it to agree to it.  Betty.  Just find Selena.
If you don't come up with anything I can tell you that I will comb every
lead, every inch of this country until I do.
BH: Joe, you've read about the attacks on the towers, the recovery
efforts and all of that, right?  I just want you to know that they sent us
her ring with the inscription and a money clip she gave you.  We thought
that's all there was left, it's when we all but lost hope.
JJ: I didn't know that.  It makes things easier to understand.
BH: We'll talk again on Monday and see how it's all going, but you'll
hear from me as soon as I get news on Selena.  (choking back tears) We love
you Joe and want you back.  Goodbye.
JJ: I love both of you too, and I can't wait to get out and help you
find her.  Goodbye.
The Hansons watched Joe hang up the phone and hang his head for a
moment. He was obviously sobbing and his frustration was showing.  He
composed himself a bit and stood and knocked on the door to have the

orderly let him out and bring him back to his room.

   Betty turned to JoAnne Culver with a worried look.

   "I told him in our first visit that they recovered the ring and the
clip. He seemed to have no recollection of that today.  Are you sure he's
OK?  That just seems like a pivotal fact that shows why no-one ever
questioned their fate, and then he glossed over that the first time? . . .
or did he just forget it?  He worries me." She said with deep concern and
trepidation.

   "Actually," Dr.  Culver answered, "He had no reaction to it the first
time you said it a few days ago, as if he didn't hear it, or want to hear
it.  We'll keep an eye on that and test his short term memory.  Besides
that, are you convinced he is doing well?  I'm told that the only
medication he will be on now is a sleep relaxer, and that will be
voluntary. Now, Dr.  Strong wants me to tell you that you can come to
Hampden anytime you wish to see your daughter.  There is a viewing area off
the general community room where she spends a good deal of her time.  But,
you should realize this will be very, very, hard on you.  She suggests, and
I agree, that you might want to wait until you can actually be with her. 
Think about it."

   Chapter 4

   Thursday morning at the Hampden Behavioral Health Center seemed like any
other morning, but the staff assigned to Sharpe Hive all had new sets of
instructions in their daily mail box for one of their longest kept clients,
Sue Johnson.

   "Starting with Thursdays wake up and in all future dealings with "Sue",
please refer to her as "Selena" (sell - E - na).  We've found this to be
her proper given name.  Should another client try to correct you, just tell
them that Selena is her proper name.  Don't say "real name", proper name.
Be aware to report any reactions she may have to this to her APN (Advanced
Psychiatric Nurse) Phyllis Flowers." Clients are not aware that they are
under 24 hour camera sweep surveillance that is designed to protect them
from each other and themselves.  Each morning at 8 a.m.  a gentle wake-up
alarm is played in their rooms and within a few minutes health
practitioners visit each client to get temperature, blood pressure and
address any reported ailments.  Any pills or injections are administered at
the same time.  Following their wake-up each is encouraged to shower and
join the rest of the hive for breakfast.  The particular hive Selena was in
is made up of self-sufficient adults who pose no imminent danger to
themselves, but all suffer mental handicaps.  She is one of many there who
have no real identity and were taken in by the state to protect them from
themselves and the citizenry.  Many of the studies on patients at Hampden
became subjects of thesis' that served to help the Mental Health community
worldwide.

   Nurse Practitioner Kim Tucker knocked gently on Selena's door and opened
it calling her name.

   "Selena?  Good Morning!, . . .  are we awake yet?" She said as Selena
roused and began to peel back the bedclothes.

   "Selena, I have your morning medications.  Do you want water or juice to
take them with?" Kim asked.

   Selena looked confused and looked back at Kim warily as if something
were suspiciously wrong, even though this was the morning regimen each and
every day.  She usually pointed to either the water bottle or juice box for
her preference.

   "What's the matter, Selena hon, can't make up your mind?  You can have
both." Kim said, knowing that the address was befuddling her.

   Selena kept a wary eye on Kim and reached for a juice box, pulling up
the corner tab to form a spout.  She poured it into the glass on her tray,
took the 3 pills, and drank the juice.  When she finished she didn't need
to be told to open her mouth and lift her tongue to show they had went
down; another part of daily routine.

   "Selena, we're going to have visitors in the next few days and flu
season is coming.  We're doing flu shots today.  I need either your arm or
your bottom.  Your arm could be sore for a few days, but it's up to you."
Kim asked knowing Selena was able to understand and make such decisions.

   Selena sighed and got to her feet and turned around, pulling up her
night dress to expose her bottom.

   "No panties?  Selena, were you a naughty girl last night?" Kim asked
with a chuckle as she swabbed a small area with an alcohol prep pad and
quickly gave her the injection.

   Selena stood and let the gown fall and she sat back down, only giving
Kim a small smile as an answer to her query.

   "It's OK, Selena hon, nothing wrong with that." Kim said trying to draw
her standard answer about masturbation after some coaching by APN Flowers.

   "I like sex, but only with my husband." She predictably said in a low
almost whisper.

   "Me too!  My husband's name is John, what's your husband's name?" Kim
asked.

   For the first time anyone knew of the many times she was asked this, she
sat back and looked off blankly and said "It was Joe."

   Kim, knowing this was a breakthrough, stopped her ministrations and
asked, "Where is Joe?"

   Selena shook her head and put her face in her hands to cry.  It was one
of the first times she had ever shown emotions like this and Kim was afraid
of saying anything wrong, wishing the Advanced Psychiatric Nurse, Philly
Flowers, were there.

   "There, there Hon." Kim said giving her a little hug and hand squeeze,
"After breakfast you can talk more with Philly.  You take your shower and
come out when you're ready.  Breakfast smells good out there and they'll be
serving soon, OK?"

   Selena nodded, seeming more lucid than usual, and took the towel Kim had
left for her.  She walked to the shower stall with three quarter safety
glass door and hung the towel on the hook.  She waited for Kim to click the
door shut and then dropped her nightgown off her shoulders, went behind the
toilet partition and sat to relieve herself.  She opened the shower door,
adjusted the water, and stepped in.  She was thinking of Joe and how he
loved to shower with her where they could touch each other's bodies, rub
and pleasure each other.  She put her face in the soft spray and then
dropped her head to let it soak her hair.  She saw the thick full bush of
pubic hair between her legs and wished it were gone.  Joe would like it
that way, all smooth.  She ran her fingers over her soft belly as the spray
washed over her head and parted the mat of hair to find the tender slit and
magic button she had just titillated the night before.  She gripped the
mass between her forefinger and thumb and shook it before sliding a finger
under her clit and rubbing vigorously.  For the first time in many years of
satisfying herself, she play-acted that her Joe was actually there, eating
her pussy under the shower, licking her little hiney hole after he had
cleaned it with a soapy finger.  "God!" She thought, "How I miss my Joe.  I
AM Selena, and I miss my life, my world."

   Suddenly her back hunched, her knees bent and wobbled as she half-bent
to direct the spray between her legs as her fingers massaged her sex.  As
orgasm overtook her for a fleet moment she was with Joe, in New York or
their upstate home.  Life was bliss, and then moments later, she was back
to the confused state where she was not quite sure what was real, horrified
by what real may be.  Was she dead or alive in Purgatory, or was she in
Hell?

   She fell back against the wall of the shower and slid down to the floor.
She turned her face up to the spray of the water and cried as the reality
of whatever state she was in, it was without Joe and she couldn't
comprehend why or how.

   Ten minutes later she came out of her room dressed in jeans and a polo
top, her wet hair combed back straight.  She quietly padded to the
cafeteria room where she tried to slip in unnoticed to the other few who
had gathered to eat.

   "Hello Sue", "Good Morning Sue" and other greetings were heard as she
acknowledged none of them with anything more than a look.  The matron on
duty came over with a smile and wished her a good morning as well, putting
a menu in front of her.

   "Selena, what would you like for breakfast?" She asked.

   Before she could point to what she wanted 3 other members of the hive
spoke up, almost in unison.  "It's not Selena, it's Sue."

   The matron looked up at the group and said, "Her correct name is Selena,
such a pretty name."

   The other poor souls looked amongst themselves and repeated, "Selena,
Selena".

   Selena never looked up, she pointed to hot cereal and fruit, then coffee
on the menu in front of her.

   As was usual, other members of the hive, who spoke and wanted to be
social, spoke to her as if she would engage them, but she only looked back
at them as the only way to acknowledge their words.  Somehow there was a
love for each other shared by this exchange.  Selena had seen many come and
go from the hive, the latest edition being mostly intact for at least a
year.

   After breakfast she guzzled her cooled coffee and went to the "Living
Room", a great room where they all met and talked, played cards or read. 
Selena always took a recliner by the picture window and watched the cars go
by on the Interstate some ways away.  She would sit until the coffee did
its work for her.  Probably more by habit than cause and effect, but after
20 minutes she was off to her room for her morning movement.  Shortly she
would check the time, as always, for 11 o'clock when Philly came to visit.
As the hands neared 11 she walked to the great room and watched for the
door to open and Philly to walk through.  It brought one of the few smiles
she would muster each day.

   Like clockwork the large door clicked loudly and an orderly let Philly
Flowers in and Selena was happy.  Philly extended her hand and Selena stood
and they walked arm and arm into a private office / conference room to talk
as always.  Philly had The Wall Street Journal under her arm.

   "Selena, I understand you got a little talkative this morning with Kim."
She said as a conversation starter.

   Selena smiled and said, "I'm not Sue, I'm Selena."

   "Yes, you are!  I also understand you lost your underwear in the bed
again.  That's OK, it's good to feel pleasure." She said to prompt her
standard answer.

   "I like sex, but only with my husband." She said proudly.

   "Kim told me that your husband is Joe.  Where is Joe?" Philly asked.

   Selena's eyes welled up with tears and she turned away from her friend
and therapist.  She got up to go to the door but it was locked.

   "No Selena!  We're going to face some of these things now that we know
who you are.  Do you have any idea how long you've been here?" She asked as
she put one firm hand on her shoulder and the other under her elbow and
walked her to her chair.

   Selena wiped tears from her eyes and sat looking forlorn.

   "Selena, I'm your friend, you know that.  Yes, I'm the doctor who comes
and talks to you and tries to make you feel better, but I'm also trying to
help you.  I stayed with you when you had woman problems and talked you
through medical tests when you were afraid and we had to leave here.  I
care about you, but now that I know some things about you I can help you
more than you can imagine.  But you have to trust me.  I know you don't
trust many, but you HAVE to trust me." Philly said as she held her hand and
handed her a tissue.

   As she blew her nose and wiped her eyes she looked up and finally
answered Philly's question, "3006 days here, 48 days at the big brick
building, 82 days in the white room, and 9 days at the ambulance hospital.
Where is he?  He must be dead, he gave me up when he couldn't carry me, and
he ran away from the war.  I saw him disappear with his legs all broken up
and I died!  I woke up in here in purgatory but it was better than the war.
He said he'd find me but he lied, he never even looked.  I think I killed
him." She said breaking down and blubbering crying and slipping to the
floor burying her head in her hands as she crouched into a ball on her
knees.

   Philly let her cry it out for a few minutes and then knelt beside her
and began to rub the back of her neck.

   "Selena, there are so many answers to questions I have for you, but
first I have to make you understand some things.  Nothing is as bad as you
think.  You didn't do anything to hurt Joe and neither you nor he died. 
How do you think we found all these things about you?  I'm going to put my
chair beside the sofa and I want you to come and lie down there when you're
ready to talk to me.  You have to open up and I will give you answers and
make you understand things.  You know I always try to make you happy and
I'm still going to read you the Wall Street.  But Selena has to do some
things for herself, like gather her wits and come and lay down so we can
talk and face some things.  You're a very smart woman and I'm going to help
you, but you have to help yourself first by facing up and not hiding your
head.  I'll sit in the chair and wait for you." Philly said firmly, but
Selena could tell she cared deeply about her as a friend, even in her tone.

   Selena sat up on her knees after a minute or two and wiped tears away.
She looked to Philly and then to the floor, embarrassed about the crying.
She pulled herself to her feet and went to the sofa and lay down and looked
at Philly.  Philly smiled to her and Selena, although embarrassed by her
bawling, smiled back.

   "OK, let's talk and iron a few things out.  Do you know where you are?"
She asked bluntly.

   Selena's eyes welled up again and she went to get up but Philly grabbed
her and pushed her hard and violently back into the sofa.

   "STOP RUNNING AWAY FROM THINGS !" She shouted at her as she stood over
her.

   Selena looked up with her eyes full of tears and barely able to speak
but tried to through a flood of tears, mucus, and emotion.  "I don't even
know if I'm dead or alive!" Selena said almost gurgling the words.

   Philly Flowers felt so much compassion for the woman she had been trying
to reach for so long that she couldn't help falling to her knees beside the
sofa and hugging her friend.  Her own mind raced as she considered the
prospect that this was the first roadblock she had to toss aside to begin
to reach Selena.

   "Oh, Selena!  If you were dead, where would we be now and how did you
get here?" She asked knowing she had stepped inside Selena's world.

   "I remember in Sister Clements class studying about purgatory where God
kept the souls not ready for heaven.  I got here when I died after Joe left
me behind.  I was crying and I choked, I couldn't breathe, and then . . . .
.  nothing.  Then angels checked me over and sent me to hell, but just
before I went I saw the doctor from the ambulance.  He must have died too,
maybe hit by falling people from the war.  But after I saw him they brought
me here.  He must have told God I was worth saving." Selena told her in a
choppy whisper as Philly held her hand and stroked her cheek.  "Philly? 
Are you the angel who tells God who should go to heaven?  I overhear you
talking sometimes and I can read lips sometimes.  You always talk about
saving me."

   "But what if you're alive?  You said you didn't know if you were dead or
alive."

   "If I'm alive, I'm in some asylum where they keep the people that went
crazy from the war.  People who saw bodies fall from the sky and smash in
front of them.  We wait for someone to come get us, but no one ever came
for me.  It's so confusing.  Is the war still on?" She asked looking more
confused than ever.

   "No.  There was no war here, just that one day of terror attacks. . . .
. .  and you're not dead or crazy either, Selena.  You are so alive and
have so many people who want to help you, but you never spoke." Philly told
her.

   Then Selena surprised her by speaking coherently and in great detail
about her life at Hampden, "On day 2687 I first realized I might not be
dead.  It was the day we left here to go to the OB/GYN.  You held my hand
all the way but I saw things like they were, much like it used to be.  I
didn't think purgatory would be like that and I might be alive, and crazy.
When I woke up after the procedure I talked aloud to myself, heard my
voice, but I never knew what to say, what to ask!  I just knew I was there
before, after the white room for a big operation.  I THOUGHT THAT TIME IT
WAS GOD TAKING OUT MY SOUL!" Selena said as she started to babble, then cry
uncontrollably.

   "I must be crazy, my mind is racing . . .  I feel like I'm drowning, I'm
so confused!" She said as she began to fidget and try to pull away from
Philly.

   Philly took the upper hand on her and pushed her back into the sofa,
laying her body across Selena's shoulders.

   "Calm, calm, Selena.  Calm, calm.  You've learned so much today.  Relax
and think of your husband.  Relax, calm, relax, calm." Philly said until
Selena stopped fighting.

   Once she seemed calm for a moment she reached to her pocket and took out
a prepared syringe of Xanax with a mild sleeping agent.  Curled in an
almost fetal ball, her sweat pants had slid down her bottom a bit in her
struggle and Philly saw the opportunity to inject her.  She pushed down her
pant a bit more and popped the cap on the needle, and before Selena could
protest, did it.

   In moments Selena lost all fight and lay asleep.  Philly Flowers got up
into her chair and uncharacteristically cried for a moment.  She was
usually good at not getting emotionally involved, but Selena was different.
She had been with her so long and for now to think she actually thought she
was dead and in God's Purgatory for the bulk of the time she was there made
her sad.  To think of the thoughts that she must have had sickened her.

   She took out her notes and read all of the transcripts of the story Joe
had told, and then the EMT attendant, Emory Richards, and began to put the
story together, writing her First Impression Theory, her first step when
she thought she had a break-through.

   "In her state on 9/11 she saw Joe limping away from her, not
understanding what had happened (911) and why he felt he had to leave.  She
panicked and suddenly couldn't breathe, suffocating, essentially dying and
she probably came to that realization as it happened.  (She swallowed her
tongue in a panic fit.  She was revived anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes later)
Her next conscious moments were at Christian Hospital, going through
processing and surgery, bright lights, and moments where being lucid is
impossible.  (In surgery they relieved swelling on back of head resulting
from blow in fall and relaxed pressure a broken rib was putting on her
lung) People probably stood around her and talked about her condition not
realizing she was so aware.  She was sent to a clinic (Hackensack Medical,
Psychiatric Wing) that really was for deeply disturbed mental patients and
she probably felt she was sliding down to Hell.  There, at one point, she
saw Emory Richards, (the EMT who had saved her in the ambulance) and
coincidentally was transferred to Hampden soon thereafter.  (She connected
seeing Emory and the transfer as one begetting the other) Hampden was a
much better fit for the condition she seemed to have, as she was not
violent or seeming to want to hurt herself.  Hampden was routine, day in,
and day out, but she trusted few, afraid someone else may recommend her to
be sent away.  She has had other APN's and I'm not sure how they dressed,
but my bright demeanor and always crisp white pants and smock may have made
Selena think I was an angel, (she told me this) the angel who would decide
between heaven and hell.  If she had gotten used to the idea that she was
in Purgatory, and I was an angel, when she had to leave and go to the
Women's Hospital of New Jersey for a D and C and treatment for serious
infection caused by Hydrosalpinx, a condition of her fallopian tubes, she
saw and smelled the outside world and came to a realization that she WAS
indeed, alive.  However, thinking she was alive, she began to rationalize
why she was in an institution, and she came to the belief she was insane.
Her mind went around like a merry-go-round wondering what was truth, what
wasn't.  She didn't dare ask her "angel" in fear that she might really be
dead and then be recommended for Hell.  Beginning today, she is being
referred to as "Selena" and she seems to be "waking up".  In the past,
because of where she thought she might be and didn't know who held the key
to her eternal life, she just didn't speak.  Now that wall seems to be
coming down, fast.  I will reconvene with her as soon as possible and
review these findings and then confirm with you.  " Signed Phyllis Flowers
APN

   After writing her impression of the 9 years of Selena's confusion
ultimately caused by the abject horror of the 911 attack and the horrific
escape from the building and being dragged 16 blocks and through the
tunnel, she paused and began to enter her Professional Conclusion into her
laptop.  Her conclusion was only for other Doctors and Therapists eyes.

   "From my findings, I conclude that Selena needs to be brought up to
speed on the world, and everything that happened on 9/11.  She should also
be schooled on Dissociative Fugue State and then be told that it is what
Joe suffered, but I would withhold his recovery at this time.  It is of my
opinion that after she is shown the photo's her parents have supplied she
should be evaluated once again and if we feel everything is positive, she
should be reunited with her parents as soon as possible.  She needs to have
hope reinforced.

   We must all keep in mind that she suffered great stress on 9/11 after
almost carrying and dragging her husband down some 60 to 70 flights of
stairs, and then when she finally got out of the building onto the terrace
where they seemed to be out of danger, bodies fell and splattered around
them, and they then saw the horrific mess of ones who came down before. 
Glass and debris fell from above and it seemed anywhere she turned was
unspeakable to see or fathom.  Her spirit gave up, collapsing, sapped of
all strength, and Joe brought himself to his feet, destroyed knees and all
and tried to carry her away down the stairs from the terrace to a receiving
dock that led to the street.  He could barely walk on his own and crumpled
under her weight and rolled to the bottom of the stairs.  During this fall
she violently struck her head on a step.  He found the strength to pick her
up and half carry; half drag her to some point of safety.  However all of
those around him were warning them to run for their lives.  They joined
others who helped to carry and drag her.  At the point the first building
fell it put everyone into a deeper panic.  At this moment it is believed
that clueless rescue trek began.  People just ran away not knowing who or
what was attacking.  This is why Joe left Selena and continued on after he
got her to "safety" at the ambulance.  He HAD to keep going, as many others
did either until they got to their homes or familiar surroundings.  Many
crossed into New Jersey because that was where home was, others crossed to
just get away, away as far as possible.  It is in this time Selena
convulsed and swallowed her tongue, suffocating.

   Her mental scars are deep, but I believe she is strong enough to face
them and separate fact from fiction, imagination from reality.  If she is
"rewarded" by getting her family back, her husband back, I believe she can
return to a state of total normalcy.  I believe she needs a situation where
someone depends on her, and can prove her worth to herself.  Her
self-esteem needs to be rediscovered.  She was a very successful woman in
the social and business world, and it was all ripped away in the matter of
a few moments."

   Phyllis digitally signed her conclusion and sent it to Abby Strong,
hoping she might get a response soon, or at least before Selena came
around, She wondered if she would continue being as talkative after waking
as she had been in the morning, or if she would revert back to her former
attitude.

   Chapter 5

   While Philly Flowers did reports and paperwork on her laptop, Selena
Johnson slept calmly after an injection of Xanax and a sleeping agent.  Her
mind had been put in the proper position to dream about her past life and
the joys she knew.  She wouldn't remember the dream specifically, but it
would fortify her resolve to face up to this mental monster and defeat it.
She would steel herself to defeat the fear and erase the horrors of the
reality of 9/11.

   It had been 4 hours since Philly subdued her and she had finished her
reports on her other patients, eaten the small lunch she had brought, made
a cup of coffee in the Keurig, and freshened up in the bathroom.  She was
about to go and stroke Selena's cheek to begin to rouse her when she heard
the mail signal from her laptop.  Her new email was from Abby Strong and
she was anxious to read it.
Phyllis:
I just spent nearly an hour on the phone in conference call with the
group we met with on Wednesday.  The tone of your report and conclusion
showed me that you may have a bit too much of an emotional tie to this
patient to give a well thought out response to some of the questions that
might be asked.  I am not surprised or displeased with your emotional tie,
as you have been involved with this patient for over 6 years.  Your
personal approach with all of your patients has certainly brought out the
best possible conclusions for any client you have closed out.  For that
reason, despite your prejudice to her personally, we take your findings at

your word.  With little dissent this forum has agreed with your diagnosis
and pathway to recovery.  I will be the first to admit that if we had known
her connection to the 911 Tower attacks from the start this may have been
an easier case to diagnose and solve.  The error in transposing the EMT
notes from that day was a tragic oversight.

   We should begin by moving her to another hive to begin an accelerated
transition.  If she doesn't immediately respond we will all be surprised.
She seems the perfect candidate.

   After dinner this evening we will move her from Sharpe Hive to Burdette
Hive.  There she will have access to TV News and more of a look at the
outside world.  There are only 4 others in Burdette, all female.  We think
it would be best if you facilitated the move tonight.  Be sure she knows it
is a move forward.

   Tomorrow after breakfast you should accompany her on a one on one video
seminar on 9/11 and help her answer questions and handle any "bumps" in her
road to understanding what happened that day.  Before the day's close,
while she is still excited (hopefully) from learning what the outside world
has done over the last 9 years, you should explain about Dissociative Fugue
State.  When you think she has grasped that, tell her that is what Joe has
dealt with over the time she has been here.  Do not let on that he seems to
have beaten it; she may figure out that it's the reason why we were able to
facilitate her breakthrough.  Stay with her until bedtime and before she
retires, let her know that her parents are excited to see her.  Give her
something to help her get to sleep.  Hopefully she will dream and we think
she will open a lot of doors to her former life.

   We think, and I think you will concur that, evidenced from past
breakthrough experiences, her brain should flourish during dream sequences
with mostly positive thoughts.  We don't expect nightmares from her
experience getting to this juncture, but thoughts of getting out and back
to her life.

   If there is any part of our prescription plan you do not agree with
please refer back to me as soon as you can.  Be sure you detail all phases
of her recovery in your notes and reports.  We think this will be just
another example of the brain healing itself without the use of harsh drugs
and electronic therapies.

   Dr.  Avis Strong PHD, MD, Psy.D, M.S.

   Philly smiled and sighed in relief that she was taken at her word about
Selena.  She couldn't wait to start her on the road out of Hampden.  No
sooner had she thought of her that she began to stir.  She heard her moan
and shift her legs.  She would still be a little dopey but naturally you
fight that off as you try to wake, similar to post surgical "hangover".

   "Selena, Selena, are you OK?  Wake up and sit up so can talk more." She
said as she rubbed her cheek to rouse her.

   "Ohh, you put me out!  You hurt me with the needle!" She immediately
protested, already talkative.

   "Selena, you were overwhelmed with things happening around you and I
thought it best you calm down.  I'm sorry if I stuck you too hard.  I just
didn't want you to hurt yourself.  Now sit up so we can talk more.  You've
said more today than in all the years I've been with you." Philly said as
Selena sat up and Philly pulled her chair close so they could be face to
face.

   "I'm feeling more alive, and I've got a sore butt to prove it." She said
rubbing her upper buttock.

   "See?  You are alive!  You're so alive Selena.  You aren't dead or in
Purgatory, you are Selena Johnson, a very pretty young woman who has so
much to live for.  We still have a few walls to knock down but, do you
understand what I'm saying?"

   "Yes, I think so, but I have so many questions.  I . . . ." She started
to say.

   "Wait, let me begin to fill you in on a lot of things and you can ask
questions later unless there is anything that is just eating at you."
Philly said knowing there might be a distraction she cannot avoid.

   "Is my husband dead, or moved on to someone else?" She asked with a
brave face, knowing she might have to fight off tears.

   "No, he is not dead, nor has he moved on.  Let that answer suffice for
now until we begin to fill in blanks.  Be brave and trust me." Philly said
with a hopeful smile on her face that Selena answered with a smile herself.

   "OK, I trust you.  Now, one more question.  Are my Mom and Dad still
alive?"

   "Yes, they are.  Their search for you brought all this about."

   Selena lit up like a Christmas tree with a smile and deep relieved sigh.

   Philly opened her brief case and took out an envelope of photos.  She
pulled the coffee table behind her over and began to lay them out, one by
one.  They were pictures of, in order; Her parent's home, her room, her
parents, Joe's home, Joe, Joe and her together, she and her colleagues at
Wall Street Global.

   Selena stared at the photos and then picked up the picture of Joe and
ran her hand over it and then kissed it, crying, then picking up the
parents photo and clutching both of them to her heart.  She cried hard,
happy, tears for a few minutes and then calmed down with no words, no
prodding from Philly.

   "See?  I told you could trust me.  Now let me tell you what we are going
to do.  I'm going to move you to a smaller group, one where you can see
television and learn what has been going on in the world.  We are going to
talk long and hard about the events that resulted in being brought here. 
We refer to that as 911.  You refer to that as "the war", and it was a war
in the most direct sense.  We were attacked, but not since that day.  You
were at the epicenter of it all.  This is what you have to deal with to
understand everything that brought you here.  The sooner you come to grips
with all of that, the sooner we can move on.  Now I know you're all excited
by everything happening, and have much anticipation.  But you've been here
almost 9 years; I must ask you to be a bit patient while we get you up to
speed.  OK?" Philly asked her, hoping she might understand the reasoning.

   "OK, but can I keep the pictures?" She asked

   "Of course, you just have to understand that we may have to make things
happen slowly for you, right now.  Remember before, when you were
overwhelmed?  We don't want that again.  If all goes well we can get you
home soon." Philly said reaching to hold and squeeze her hands.

   In Selena's mind she well understood what Philly meant.  Her panic
attack of earlier had put her on the edge and until she put all the pieces
of the puzzle together she would heed Philly's words.  It was, however,
hard to keep from being too excited about her parents and now knowing Joe
was alive.  She felt more alive and in control already and suddenly felt
there was a way out of all the hopelessness she had felt for so long.

   Philly stood and opened the door and showed Selena the way out and the
two of them went arm and arm up the hallway smiling.

   "Do you want to sit in the social area with everyone else, or do you
want to go to your room?" Philly asked.

   Selena clutched the pictures to her chest and said "I would like to go
to my room.  Do I need to pack anything up?"

   "No, they'll move the furniture to your new room and transfer the closet
rod as well.  They'll pick up your bathroom things too, all while you go
out for dinner, I'll be in to help you say goodbye to everyone.  The move
will be made then.  After dinner you'll leave with me, OK?" Philly said as
they got to her door and stepped in.

   "You'll have dinner in a little more than an hour.  I'll be in the
building if you need me, ask an orderly to page me.  I'll help you get
settled with your move and introduce you to your new group." She told her
before leaving her.

   Selena sat and stared at the pictures letting memories flow and
remembering so much she was almost overwhelmed.  Instead of panicking, she
put the pictures aside and sat with her eyes closed taking deep breaths. 
She was so proud of herself, fighting off inner fears.  The thought of
going home scared her just a few hours ago, now she envisioned herself
walking into the rear door and up the stairs to the kitchen, like she
always did.  Things were becoming clearer, but she still feared the times
when she closed her eyes and saw bodies smashing to the ground.  Could she
get out and go home if that stayed with her?

   As soon as Philly left the Sharpe Hive and was walking across the campus
to her office she got a text message from Abby Strong.  "Please come to my
office ASAP.  Selena's parents are here." s Philly knew it was much too
soon for Selena to see them, too many blanks to fill in before that
happened, but she knew they were determined to see her, if only through one
way glass.

   When she opened the door to Dr.  Strong's office Betty Hanson stood and
greeted her by saying "I understand our baby is beginning to get clearer,
can you tell me how she is doing?"

   "Please sit and I'll talk to you about Selena.  She is progressing very
fast, going from a very few words to quite talkative in just a few hours. I
am a little worried about mental stress, but a large yoke was lifted from
her this morning.  It seems the time she spent here she thought she was
dead and in Purgatory, like she was taught in the Catholic School by the
nuns.  Now, you may think that silly, but she knew she was dying when she
lost the ability to breathe and when she came around she assumed she was on
the other side.  Even me, all dressed in white as I always am, she thought
I was an angel.  This brought about a lot of her fears that she might be
sent to hell.  This morning as everything was coming at her I had to subdue
her with an injection, but she came around talkative again and she knows
you've been looking for her.  You shouldn't meet face to face quite yet, we
want her to know of Joe and how he is doing first, she needs to understand
9/11 and put those fears out of her head.  I think there is something in
her mind that tells her the falling bodies and glass were attacks on her or
Joe.  She needs to come to the understanding that these people chose a
quick form of death rather than burn and suffer, they weren't after her. 
This is what we will tackle in the next day or two.  Now I know you want to
see her and during dinner hour she will be where she can be viewed. 
Remember, this will be VERY emotional, be sure YOU are prepared." She
warned.

   "I've tried to talk her out of it, even though I want to see her so much
myself.  But we decided it will be good for us, lowering some of the stress
and anticipation this has all brought on." Scott said.

   The four of them got up and followed Abby Strong back across the campus
to one of the "hives" buildings where she unlocked the door and brought
them through a circular hall way that allowed access to all four "hives" in
the building.  She came to an unmarked door and opened it and all four went
in.  There was a four foot by 18 inch one way window that allowed viewing
in one of the social rooms where meals were served.  Kitchen staff was
already setting places for the 12 clients, some of whom were milling
close-by.

   "If you were expecting something like you've seen in movies, it's not
here.  The clients in this section are our most extreme.  We don't
experiment on them; we study them and try to help them recover.  You rarely
see conflicts between clients.  We don't take on violent cases, just those
who are confused by reality and unable to accept life at face value.  We
try to get them into a process where they see a routine for each day and
have one on one with therapists who try to answer the questions they have
and encourage them to understand their lives and move on.  If we knew who
Selena's family was we would have asked she be placed in different care
long ago had she not responded.  Clearly, now we see she needed
reinforcement of the fact she was alive and people loved her.  Matrons and
orderlies are beginning to ask the clients in for dinner, Selena should be
coming in a moment." Dr.  Strong told them as they settled into their seats
and saw the tables being set.

   Suddenly Scott Hansons face turned bright red and broke into a big smile
as tears began streaming down his face.  He saw Selena in the hallway
entrance to the room.  Betty saw his reaction and snapped her eyes to her
daughter and fell to her knees at the window crying.

   Selena was dressed in jeans and a long polo type shirt.  Her hair was
combed back straight and instead of the dour look they had seen in her
picture, she looked bright and hopeful.

   "God, for the first time she looks confident." Philly said as she took
Betty's hand.  "She really wants to work her way home."

   Scott and Betty could do nothing but cry, although they were happy
tears.

   Betty spoke through her tears, "Her face looks a little fatter, and she
was always very thin, a figure most girls would kill for.  Her hair was a
bit lighter than that dirty blonde, but with lots and lots of golden
highlights, long and curly, so beautiful.  But she's my baby out there.  I
just can't wait to hold her, kiss her, tell her how much I love and missed
her."

   Scott couldn't talk, he just nodded his head and hugged Betty's arm. 
Finally he swallowed hard and looked to Philly.  "She and Joe, they're so
perfect for each other, that's going to be quite the reunion.  I can't wait
to see how happy she'll be."

   They watched her eat and even talk a bit to the woman beside her,
something she had never done before.  She smiled and happily ate as Philly
got up and told them, "I'm going to go down and tell them that Selena will
be leaving the group so she can say her goodbyes to them.  Her things are
being moved to a new room in a different part of the building as we speak."


   In another clinic in New Jersey Joe Johnson looked impatiently out the
window as an aide came into get his vitals.

   "I thought I wasn't a patient anymore.  Why do they need these?" He
barked, letting his feelings overflow.

   "Joe, I just work here, please co-operate.  Dinner is almost out there,
or do you want it in here.  I used to eat in here with you sometimes."
Jenna Wilson said with a cute little smile.

   "You did?  Who was I then?" Joe asked with a grin, knowing he went
through a lot of changes.

   "You were Paul then, and not as ornery as you are now." She said
pouting. "As a matter of fact, you were downright charming." She finished
with a blush.

   "How long was I this Paul character?" Joe asked.

   "Only a few days, but he broke a few hearts.  He was handsome AND
charming.  Not handsome and ornery.  He was a flirt, trying to get the
girls to visit him at night."

   "Did he succeed?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

   "I think a few times." Jenna answered blushing.

   "I think you know firsthand!" Joe said with a chuckle.

   "It's not very flattering to a woman to have her lover forget their
intimacies.  I know it's not your fault, but . . . ." She said, not trying
to be insulted.

   "At least I know Paul had good taste, Ms.  Wilson.  You're very
attractive." Joe said turning on the charm.

   "Not attractive enough to keep my husband away from the younger girls.
That's why I got rid of him." She said, her mood changing quickly.

   "Well, he was a fool.  A woman with your looks, I bet, knows your way
around, as well." Joe said hoping she took that as a compliment.

   "Thank you, I think." She said " . . .  and you want your dinner here
or?"

   "Please in here.  They've given me some reading and I don't need the
distractions out there." Joe said briskly.

   "If you want to wait about 20 minutes, I could come in with both our
dinners and I could distract you instead of them." She said with a
seductive smile.

   "Mrs.  Robinson, I think you're trying to seduce me." Joe said using the
quote from "The Graduate" After a chuckle to himself he looked at her
seriously, "I'm flattered that you might want to join me, but I am married
and would hate myself when I'm reunited with her."

   "You have more character than my husband ever had.  Umm, if it means
anything, I only asked for seconds because it was so good the first time
around." She said smiling as she left the room to get his dinner tray.

   She came back right away with a tray of food and put it on his desk and
gave him a wink.

   Jenna Wilson remembered quite well her tryst with "Paul", a DFS patient
in her wing.  During Prime Time vacation months when the staff reached
certain low levels to accommodate absences they worked "20 hour pay
shifts". Your shift was from 4 pm until Midnight, then you slept "on call"
on premises during an 8 hour break, and you were paid for 4 of those hours.
Then you worked 8 am until 4 pm and were then off for 24 hours, beginning
the same cycle again.

   The staff room was right across from "Paul" and after significant
flirting by each of them, he invited her to "come by and tuck me in." After
finishing her shift at midnight and knowing all was quiet, she opened his
door.  She listened for a moment and decided he was asleep and she was
afraid he may wake as someone else.  She let the door close slowly until
she heard, "Psst, I'm here.  Did you chicken out, or are you just a tease?"

   She knew horsing around with a client could get her fired, but he was in
a room without camera's and maybe he would be someone else tomorrow, she
slipped back in and went to sit beside his bed.

   "Oh, I'm not a tease, I just wonder if you're all the man you try to
sell to the nurses." Jenna said, challenging him.

   "There's only one way to find out." He retorted.

   "You're not shy are you?" She determined aloud as she put her hand under
the sheet and reached for his package to find he was wearing nothing under
the covers.

   "Wow, neither are you!" He said as he felt one of her hands squeeze his
cock.

   "Didn't you ask me to come tuck you in?" She asked with a wry smile he
could barely see in the ambient light from the outside.

   "Ummm, I think I may have said suck me off." He said laughing.

   Her hand gripped his cock tightly as she half stood and spoke directly
to his face.  "That isn't going to happen.  I don't like cum in my mouth, I
prefer it sprayed on my belly or on my ass, . . . .and NEVER in my ass. 
That spot is off limits.  Do we have an understanding?

   For the first time since she came in he got serious, "We're both on the
same page, I want us both to have a good time and walk away happy."

   "OK," She said as she let go of his cock and pulled back the sheet,
re-gripped his cock and pointed it toward her mouth as she bent over him.

   "Ooooooh, if you're doing that to get me hard, you're done.  But if you
just like sucking it, I have all night.  Ahhhhh." He said as she giggled a
bit around the fat hard penis in her mouth.

   "Paul" managed to get a hand under her white smock and squeeze her
breasts through the heavy tee she wore, there was no bra.

   Her breasts were nicely sized and round, but very fleshy after the 2
children she had.  Her youthful firmness may have been gone, but the
sensitivity wasn't as she moaned into his dick as he manipulated her
nipples.

   He pulled the hand from her breasts and boldly grabbed at her crotch
through her pants prompting her to stand up and wordlessly tear off her
clothes.  She hadn't had sex for so long, she could wait no more.  If he
had any other foreplay plans she scuttled them by climbing on to him and
the bed, straddling him.  She reached under herself and placed the tip of
his cock to her dripping pussy and sat back.

   "God, you're so fuckin fat, you fill me right up.  Hold on tight while I
show you what I like." She said as she raised her knees and pressed her
fists into the slot his armpits made.  Pressing her feet hard into the
mattress, the only part of her connected to the bed were her fists and feet
and only her pussy touched him.  Like a mechanical athlete she thrust her
pussy up and down his cock like a piston in an engine.  She came quickly
and hard, biting her tongue to avoid making too much noise.  She fell on
him puffing and resting herself with his cock deep in her.

   "More fuckee please," She whispered to him.

   He gripped her around her back and tried to roll over with her, but the
bed was too small, so he had to pull out and let her lay down, spread
eagle, for him.  He moved over her and stabbed her hard with his cock and
began to fuck her in earnest.  She pulled up a corner of the pillow to bite
and hold her whoops of joy as he pounded her.  Suddenly he stopped and sat
back on his haunches.

   "Gotta hold up so I don't cum yet, roll over." He ordered her as she did
as he bid.

   He ran his cockhead over the crease of her ass from the base of her
spine, over her asshole, and down through the soaking lips of her pussy
before he pushed the head in and sunk to the hilt in her.  He slowly pumped
her as his hands squeezed the perfect globes of her ass.

   "This ass is the constant tease as you walk around here all day.  I can
never wait until you turn around so I can watch it pump and sway your walk
away." He whispered as she was trying to get him to pump hard for another
orgasm, but he made her wait as it built slowly for her.

   He knew what he was doing as she trembled and her breath broke on the
edge of her climax and then he started slamming her again.  She came hard
and fast into the pillow she thrust her face into it.  Suddenly she felt
him pull out and press his balls into her crease just before a long volley
of cum shot to her neck and then splashed on her back and bottom.

   He growled under his breath as he brought his hand to stroke another
shot over the moon of her ass and then in another moment he dropped back to
sit on his legs and wait for his breathing to return to normal.

   Jenna fell forward, wishing she could go to sleep right there, but she
had pressed her luck enough tonight.

   "Take my t-shirt and wipe the cum off my back.  I've got to get out of
here before we might be caught.  YOU are a GREAT fuck!" She said as he
chuckled and got up and did as she wished, wiping and turning the shirt to
be sure she was cleaned off.

   When he was done she found her panties and slipped into them.  She shook
out the white pants and jumped into them before pulling on her smock and
buttoning it up all the way to hide the fact she had nothing else on
underneath.  She rolled her tee and told him to put on something before
getting back in bed.  She slipped out the door and put her tee in her
hamper and strolled the hallway to be sure all was calm.  It was, and she
went to bed listening to the monitor for trouble.  She had no trouble
falling asleep.

   After she finished the shift and came back a day later "Paul" was
another personality.  His new personality did attempt to flirt, but she
resisted any urges, thankful for her good luck not being found out.

   Joe Johnson was a day from being released and telling his doctors he
couldn't wait to get back out into the real world and explore the things he
missed for the past nine years, as well as find his wife.  As he sat
reading in his room on the Sunday before his Monday release, Dr.  JoAnne
Culver knocked on his door.

   "Can we talk Joe?  I think I should make you aware of a few things." She
said coming in and taking a seat beside him.

   "Don't tell me you're not going to release me again, I . . . ." He
started to say when she patted his hand and shook her head NO."

   "Joe, you'll be free to go, but there will be restrictions you should
know about.  You're going to be under the Custodial Care of the Hansons for
at least two weeks.  They will supervise your day to day life as you work
your way into society." She began before Joe protested.

   "I DON'T need to be watched or locked up.  The only thing driving me
crazy is being here and not being able to find my wife." Joe said
indignantly.

   "Now Joe, I want you to understand this, don't let your bold
determination stunt the facts.  Now LISTEN.  As far as the world thinks,
you no longer exist.  You have no ID, no drivers license, no bank accounts,
no money, nothing.  You will receive 5 notarized letters from the State of
New Jersey stating your situation.  These will assist you in getting
established again.  Should you need more, save one to bring to any state
attorney general office and they should provide you with others.  But don't
do this until you have established picture ID from New York, the deed back
on your house, proving residence, and at least one bank account.  We both
assume that the Hansons will assist you in the legal transfer of personal
possessions.  I can tell you that your finances alone will take a few good
lawyers and a lot of red tape to get back to how they were.  I don't want
you to think you are walking out of here and everything will be as it was.
It is going to be very frustrating at times.  Don't end up back in the
hospital because you fought the system over something neither you or they
had any control of.  I know your parents and family are gone.  I want you
to think of yourself as the Hansons own son and listen and do as they ask
until things get back to whatever normalcy you can achieve.  This is no
going to be easy.  Do you understand me?" Dr.  Culver told him firmly.

   Joe sighed deeply and hung his head for a minute looking up at Dr. 
Culver with a face of resignation.

   "Yes, I understand.  I knew there would be hassles, but you bring to
light the most common and obvious ones, and I never even let them cross my
mind.  I don't even have a driver's license.  I won't fight the system.  I
really just want to find my wife and see if she still wants me, loves me, .
. . . . ." He said trailing off into tears as he turned his head to hide
them.

   Chapter 6

   Dr.  Culver had left Joe with a reassuring grip on his shoulder saying
"I think you'll be fine.", but she wanted to get to a phone as soon as
possible.  Now was the time for the Hansons to tell Joe they had found
Selena.  He needed that weight taken from him.

   She called their cell as they woke the morning after seeing Selena.

   "Good Morning Mrs.  Hanson, how are you this morning?" Dr.  Culver said
hoping she hadn't wakened them.

   "I saw my daughter for the first time in 9 years yesterday afternoon and
I feel fantastic!" She answered jubilantly.

   "I think that's news you need to share with Joe as soon as possible. 
Tell him just what you know, that she is alive and progressing now that he
has provided keys to some of her problems.  Stress that you have not been
able to see her face to face, but so far so good.  Dr.  Strong seems quite
encouraged.  Now, there are a lot of things we need to go over with Joe's
release to your care, so be here early Monday." Culver said.

   "Can we come over and do it in person, . . .  today?" Betty asked.

   "I know you want to share the emotion of it, so yes, please come today.
Joe could use the pick me up.  Stress to him that he may not be able to
physically be with her for a while, maybe a couple weeks, depending on how
she progresses." Dr.  Culver warned.

   At about the same time Saturday morning Selena was waking up in her new
room.  Nurse Practitioner Kim Tucker was her wake nurse again and she was
greeted by a different smiling Selena today.

   "Well, Hello Sunshine!  Where does that smile come from?" Kim asked as
she came in and opened the skylight.  "It's like a Spring day outside,
maybe you can get out for a walk today.  Now let's go over the checklist
before we talk.  You know the routine, same as your other room;

   You slept well?  All through the night?  Any night sweats?  Bowel
movement yesterday?  Female discharge?  Any discomfort?

   "A big yes to that one, I got a sore butt where Philly gave me a shot
yesterday." Selena said popping up from bed and turning around to pull up
her night dress and show her.

   "You DO have a nasty bruise there.  Show it to her later. . .  and no
panties again, I see." Kim said smiling to her.

   Selena blushed and said, "They're in the bed somewhere."



   "It sounds like I have a full day with Philly, but a walk outside sounds
great.  Do you think you can help me do something with my hair?  I hate
this rat's nest I have!  Oh, and one more thing, the curtains and carpet
match, but I would love to take out the carpet." She said with a sly grin.

   "My, aren't WE making plans for an escape!  Is the first eligible man
you see going to get the proposition of a lifetime?" Kim said as she poured
a juice and prepared her pill cup.

   "No, somewhere out there my husband HAS to be looking for me.  When he
does we're going to lock ourselves in a room for 3 days." Selena said with
a wide grin.

   "Selena honey, remember things change in 9 years.  Keep your hopes up,
but don't set yourself up for a disappointment." She said handing her the
pill cup and juice.

   "In my dreams last night I remembered one thing that can't change.  God
made us for each other and changed our lives to be with each other.  I am
very sure of that." Selena said gulping down her pills.

   "I'll put in a request for a stylist to come up, but on the other thing,
don't get mad, and just understand they won't give you scissors or a razor.
Talk to Philly, maybe she and I can help you there, maybe get you a wax."
Kim said as she laid out towels for her shower.

   "No, I don't wax; I shave and keep it smooth with creams.  I'll talk to
Philly.  Thanks Kim." Selena said, sure of herself.

   "The table is set for breakfast, so don't be long.  They set up an
omelet station for you ladies today." Kim said as she picked up a bit and
left Selena on her own.

   Kim Tucker went directly to a phone and called Philly Flowers.

   "What did you do to Selena?  She is a different woman this morning!  I'm
talking 180 degree turnaround.  Very talkative instead of that foggy nod
and head shake routine, asked me for a hair stylist, and even wants the
stuff to give her pubic area a shave." Kim reported.

   "She's been behind that wall and needed just a little of the right
prodding to come out, do you believe it?  I'll go over her case in re-caps
once she's discharged, and I think she'll be out of here in less than a
week." Philly told her.

   "I noticed her only pills were vitamins this morning, is that right?"
Kim wondered.

   "So far, yes.  I'm going to get with her right after breakfast and lay
some heavy things on her and I'll see how she handles it.  Breaking her
code seemed pretty easy once we started calling her by name.  I can't tell
you about her specifically, but when I do patient recaps you'll know who
she is." She said confidently

   The Selena Johnson that sat conversing with the other three women in her
new "hive" was not even a shadow of the one that left her former the night
before.  She was confident and talkative and only had a problem when an
orderly who was coming to pick up trays came in over her shoulder, causing
her to startle and start to scream, before she caught herself, letting out
only a whoop and almost falling to the floor.  Selena apologized profusely
and simply said she was caught off guard.  By the time Philly Flowers came
to get Selena, she had heard about the episode and figured they might
address that with other things related to 911.

   With Selena seeming more and more "normal" Philly decided to handle 911
with her "head on".  She had the transcript of what Joe said happened that
day and she also had the shot from the hip account in video that showed the
planes hitting, the people jumping, the buildings falling and the mad rush
out of the area.  She began by reading Joe's account and then stopping to
pick up where the 1st jet hit, interspersing the oral account and trying to
keep the video real time to the account.

   After seeing the first plane hit in the video, Selena began to cry,
never seeing it before.  She wept openly for the duration of the story, but
never lost interest or wanted to turn away.  She took it bravely.  The
hardest part was watching the bodies fall; hearing the eerie whistle they
made as they broke through the air before impact.  Selena became to
understand that they weren't "attacks" on her and that those who chose to
jump chose to die in a quicker, more dignified way than inevitable
incineration.  Selena wept hard as she began to understand it all.  But,
she never lost sight of the reality of what she went through.

   Philly added as many post scripts as she could about the day, the
nation's reaction, our war on terror, and where we stood at the moment. 
She ended by describing DFS (Dissociative Fugue State) to her and explained
that many people who suffered severe shock that day may have had bouts with
it citing the number of people who were "missing" only to show up 24 and 36
hours later.

   "Selena some people have this DFS for long periods of time, weeks,
months, and sometimes years.  When they come out of it, they usually
recover with total recall of their life, with only the DFS days missing."
Philly explained as Selena listened intently.

   "Is this what I had?  Is that why you're explaining this to me?  Was I
another personality for any time?  Was . . . . . ." She asked persistently
interested in her own diagnosis until Philly stopped her.

   "No, it was Joe.  Joe was a DFS patient." Philly said.

   "Oh, NO!  MY JOE?  Oh my GOD!" She said loudly holding her head before
looking up wide eyed.  "Where can I see him, and let me help him?" She
asked.

   "Calm down a bit Selena.  It seems Joe has awoken from his fugue state
and it appears he is back to normal.  He is being observed to be sure there
are no long term problems, but for all intents and purposes, shortly after
he left you with the ambulance that day up until about 2 weeks ago, he
measured the passing of one day.  Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Philly asked, knowing Selena was at a doorway where she might panic.

   "No, I totally understand.  I remember Doc Stevens, back at PolyTech,
gave us an ethics problem dealing with this.  Something about a will,
already probated, and the man shows up alive a year later." Selena
answered, apparently totally lucid and in control.

   There was a silence between the two before Selena sat back and smiled.
"Oh my God, my parents are totally friggin' rich!  We didn't have time to
lay out our wills the night we got married, it was a quickie for legal
purposes, and left everything to them in case something tragic would
happen. We didn't want the government to get everything, you know, set up
scholarships and endowments and all that for each other and any children we
may have."

   At the mention of children Selena's face grew sullen and she sat back.
She seemed to want to remember but couldn't put her finger on.

   "Philly, can I still have kids after those female problems I had?" She
asked.

   "It may be hard, but you should be able to conceive.  If there are
problems there is always in vitro fertilization.  You're still a young
woman; I wouldn't let that worry me." Philly told her.

   "It's just Joe had a reversed vasectomy and his chances of getting
enough of the good stuff is reduced." She said and then she smiled
wickedly. "If it means we have to spend weeks at a time making love, that's
OK too!"

   Philly felt that, at this point right then, if she released Selena to
the world, she would have no problems.  She seemed THAT normal, that lucid,
and not showing any signs the paranoia and fear she exhibited for 9 years.

   "Selena, I made another phone call this morning to explain your
situation to some special friends of yours, the Wall Street Global Group.
They were more than overjoyed to hear that you had survived after all.  I
was asked to extend warm wishes from the entire group." She told her.

   "Oh my gosh!  Nine years!  Did they say who was still there?" Selena
asked with a worried tone.

   "I spoke with Deneigh Myersen-Cole and she said that you would be sad to
hear that Charles Ford and Willis Menard had passed away.  "The Five" were
now . . . . ." she said as she fumbled her notes, "John Branniff, J.  Trace
Fountain, Ross Curran, Chielm Beupour, who had some sort of acronym or
nickname she said you would recognize," She added as Selena smiled, "and a
new member in the last year, Ms.  Jamaica Browne.  Deneigh also added that
you should get in touch as soon as you are able." Philly said finishing and
looking to Selena for any reaction.

   "Oh, Charlie and Will were such sweet, sweet, smart men.  It really
hurts to not have been able to say goodbye to them." Selena said as tears
began to run from her eyes before out and out crying.  "You don't
understand the bond we had.  We all have the gift." She said through her
tears and broken voice.

   "The gift?" Philly asked.

   "Oh, I know it sounds pretentious and self-serving, but we all have a
keen sense of numbers and deduction.  My old prof from PolyTech used to say
it was "fact-fraction algebra" You put a fact times another fact over some
numero-relevant fact or situation and we're able to come up with an answer
or high probability result.  My Joseph has it as well, so I might also
assume this new Browne person does.  Deneigh thinks she has it but
apparently never quite put it all together, I guess, if she is still
answering the phone." Selena said as she composed herself and then got
reflective.

   "Deneigh did add a personal thought that she "was still studying and
close to getting her own seat.", she wanted you to know." Philly said
smiling.

   "She knows so much about the business and the operation, I just wonder
if she has enough of "the gift"." Selena said, her mind working hard to put
everything back where it should be.

   She dried her tears and tried to compose herself and the two sat quietly
as Selena was obviously reflecting.  Philly looked at her and smiled taking
her hands in hers and clasping them together.

   "I think you've done it!  When I look into your face I can see the
curtain has dropped and you're so sure of yourself.  I know you can feel it
too, can't you?" Philly asked bringing Selena's hands to her mouth and
kissing them.  "Welcome back to the world!"

   "Thank you so much for knowing the right buttons to push once you broke
my fear.  After I knew I might see Joe again I knew what I had to do.  Once
you said "No, he is not dead, nor has he moved on.  Be brave and trust
me.", it was cast in stone for me.  Not to sound weird, but I would like to
hug you and kiss you for bringing me back to life!" Selena said looking
Philly in the eyes.

   "That's not necessary, but I know how you feel.  I feel very close to
you right now, like we've finished a long journey." Philly said pulling her
hands away, almost uncomfortably.

   "I understand the feeling.  I . . . . . .  I was with a woman once and
it was for the same feeling.  It wasn't for sex it was . . . . ." Selena
began before Philly stopped her with a finger to her lips.

   "I know, I know.  I've been there too and we shouldn't talk about these
things.  I'm your doctor and . . .  you know." Philly whispered while
looking at her knowingly.

   Selena only smiled and nodded to the one person who understood her and
made her feel normal after over 9 years.

   "OK," Philly said as she stood to end their session, "you are going to
get a complete physical with blood work and everything tomorrow.  You'll
have been off all medications for 24 hours soon and tomorrow we'll see how
you're doing.

   Sunday night Selena was watched closely to see her reactions to sleep
and waking without any drugs or inducements.  She seemed to have fallen
asleep quickly and slept soundly all night getting almost 10 hours of sleep
before she stirred.  Any signs of paranoia or anxiousness were not visible
as she seemed to have adjusted to her former life and its expectations.

   Considering the whirlwind of confusion her brain had been put through,
now that things began to line up in the proper order Selena seemed to have
become the well ordered realist that she had been.  Her perspective seemed
to be that of getting back on the horse that threw her.  Although her love
for Joe consumed her, she hadn't let her real life fall off the track.  She
seemed determined to get back into the financial world and do everything to
get back to where she was, despite any pitfalls her nine year absence was
going to throw at her.  As each hour passed since her "awakening" she grew
more and more intact with the world she knew to be her life.  Just 36 hours
before the thought of a reunion with her parents had her hyperventilating.
Now she was anxious, of course, but easily put the event aside to get the
sleep she knew she needed.

   Although nothing was made of it, it was noted by her Nurse Practitioner,
Kim Tucker that she hadn't masturbated the night before, or if she had she
kept the fact private.  Even just the day before she was cavalier about her
love of the practice, now she seemed mum on the fact.

   APN (Advanced Psychiatric Nurse) Phyllis Flowers had spent the evening
searching textbooks, the internet and disseminating information with
colleagues about Selena, wondering if she too had suffered from some form
of DFS (Dissociative Fugue State).  The way she had woken up was much like
Joe had made her think that, although she was definitely diagnosed as a
paranoid borderline schizophrenic during the most of her stay.  She had
actually believed she was stuck in a limbo of sorts waiting to cross into a
heaven or hell that awaited her.  Her case was one for textbooks to study,
but for now she just wanted to get Selena back into the world.

   Once Selena was up, showered, and about for the day after her breakfast,
Philly came to visit her and brought with her a stylist to do her hair.

   "Let's go into a private room where she can work while we talk." As the
stylist grabbed a folding chair she set up next to a sofa in the private
meeting room.  Selena was excited and quickly engaged the stylist with
questions as she set up her equipment.  Once giving the woman an idea of
what she wanted she set about to cut and style her to Selena's wishes. 
While the stylist worked Philly engaged Selena in conversation.  "Who do
you want to look so nice for?" Philly asked.

   "I want my Mom and Dad to see me at my best, and then I hope I can go to
see Joe, maybe help him in his recovery.  You haven't said much about him,
but just knowing he is alive and hasn't moved on has made me happy.  I know
if he sees me it will help him.  Lastly, I want this for me.  In all the
time I've been here I've hated what looked back at me in the mirror. 
Feeling special is important to me." She told Philly confidently.

   "Every reason she gave was a great sign", Philly thought as Selena told
her.  "She can walk out of here today!"

   "Selena, you know that when you do leave here, your parents will have to
be caretakers for a time.  You have no ID, no drivers' license, and for all
intents and purposes, you don't legally exist.  Coping with that will be
hard on many levels until you establish yourself again.  You'll have to be
patient and dealing with it will be frustrating.  I'll supply you with
notarized letters explaining your situation as mandated by the State of New
Jersey for just this type of situation.  They should be accepted in New
York, but they are not readily accepted in every state, do you understand
that?"Philly asked.

   "Yes, I'm familiar with the situation, it was something that came up
once at Wall Street Global with an investment folio someone wanted to
rename and reinvest with.  We don't actually invest for people, we advise
them, steer them with our best judgment." Selena said confidently between
snips of the scissors.

   "You realize you no longer work there, right?  Nurse Flowers asked to be
sure Selena wasn't having a delusion.

   "Well, that's for them to decide, not me or you.  I'm supposed to make a
five year commitment to them and I fulfilled just a year, so I owe them
four and if they want me to fulfill it, I will." Selena said without
missing a beat.

   The small talk continued until the hair dryer came on, making it
impossible to have a conversation.  Once the noise died down and the
stylist passed the mirror around Selena's head to show her how she looked
Selena simply bubbled.

   "I've put those 9 years to bed, I swear.  My hair is a little darker and
my skin doesn't have as much glow as before, but I feel young and
refreshed!"

   "You DO look pretty and still quite young, if you're worried how the 9
years aged you.  Remember you weren't in the sun very much during the
time." Philly added.

   As they conversed the stylist packed up her things and went about
leaving as Philly and Selena talked.  Selena was so happy to just
communicate with someone, she easily engaged Philly with small talk as well
as salting in points of her financial prowess.  As the conversation grew
Selena did not see the two people who entered the room from behind her.

   As if on cue Philly said, "Why don't we go get a coffee and continue
this?" as she stood.

   Selena stood and turned to see her Mother and Father with tears
streaming down their faces as she leapt into their arms.  Few words were
spoken for quite a few moments as the touch of a mother and father to their
sole offspring was the only communication necessary.  Finally Betty Hanson
spoke through her tears.

   "We shed so many tears for you, cried, and anguished for so many years,
you are truly a dream come true, a miracle." She said as she tried to hug
her even tighter before Scott Hanson sandwiched her and wept openly
repeating over and over "My baby, my baby, I've prayed I could hold you
again."

   There were no real words to display the emotions of the 3 people who
loved each other so deeply, so dearly.  The parent/child bond was never
more evident than in the display held so privately before an embarrassed
Philly Flowers, who had shrunk to a corner and privately cried her own
tears of emotion.

   Once the initial surge of emotion had passed Philly came up to the 3 of
them, who didn't want to stop holding each other, and said "Hampden has a
suite at the Marriott they want the 3 of you to go to and use to catch up
and re-acquaint your emotions before you bring Selena home.  You can stay
there as long as you need."

   "Home?" Selena said through a quivering lip as tears began to freely
flow once again.  "I can go home?"

   "Yes, my dearest Selena, home.  My work with you here is through for
now. I want to arrange some visits to help you get back into the world, but
you seem ready to make the step without any crutch." Philly told her as she
reached for her hands.

   Selena shunned her hands and hugged her tightly.

   "Thank you so much for all of the understanding, for shaking me out of
my world and back into this one.  I remember the moment when you grabbed me
and threw me back from trying to run away.  You finally had the keys and
had all the answers then and I just needed to accept them.  Thank you!"
Selena said through happy tears as she hugged Philly.

   The two broke their embrace and Selena sat down on the sofa behind her
flanked by Betty and Scott.  They all held hands and began the small talk
that would begin the catch up of 9 years.  Betty and Scott took turns
taking Selena's hands into theirs as they talked about the little things
that Selena had missed over the time she was unaware.

   During this time Philly had slipped from the room and came back in
without anyone noticing, but she was not alone.  Joe Johnson was using
every ounce of strength he had not to run to Selena, but he relished in
seeing her and hearing her voice as she bubbled with her parents.  Tears
flowed from his eyes seeing her, and knowing that she seemed OK since last
they were together.

   Finally the sniff from one of his tears caught the attention of the 3 on
the sofa and Selena turned to see Joe.

   Unintelligible sounds came from her as she filled with emotion, tears
seeming to flow like a faucet turned on and she struggled to get to her
feet and run and jump into his arms in one movement as he moved towards
her. They met just a few feet from where she was sitting and their arms
entwined and lips met.  They hadn't spoken a word yet after the tear soaked
kiss as they looked deep into each other's eyes and embraced again, seeming
to melt to the floor on their knees at first before falling to their sides
on the carpet whispering in each other's ear words that were probably hard
to make out through the emotion.  Although their hello after 9 years was
hardly over they rolled to their knees and eventually back to their feet,
clutching each other tightly, as if letting go would make the other
disappear.  No words could describe the emotions they were going through.
No one in the room could say a word or try to interrupt or curtail the
reunion.  The emotion was palpable.

   "We have to understand that they are the only two people who didn't
think they were lost in the attacks.  In their hearts, they somehow knew
the other was safe." Betty whispered to Scott as they watched them hug,
touch and feel each other.

   After a few more moments Betty and Scott got up to join in a group hug
and cry.

   Chapter 7

   After an hour of red tape and exit interviews Selena was released to her
parents' custody until her identification and residency could be
established, much like they had for Joe.  By the time they arrived at the
Marriott and got into the suite Joe and Selena had still barely spoken to
each other, spending their time looking into each other's face and
touching. It was obvious that they had resigned themselves to not seeing
each other ever again.

   Scott and Betty had tried several times to start a conversation with the
two of them, but there was a wall of emotion around them that was
understandable.

   "Let's leave the two of you alone to work out the emotion, the time
spent apart, and the answers to the million questions you have for each
other." Betty said after confiding with Scott.

   They showed them to one of the rooms of the suite where they had already
brought some clothes from their closet, new accessories and personal items
for them.  The room was small, a queen bed, desk and office chair, an easy
chair, a dresser that served as a TV stand.  It was essentially a small
version of a standard room, with full bath, no closet, just a clothes rod
and shelf.  Joe sat in the easy chair and Selena on the edge of the bed
opposite him.  They held hands and looked into each other's eyes.

   "It's like we were tossed off the earth." Joe said, talking first.

   "Did we survive?" Selena asked.

   "Understand, in my mind I'm only a few weeks removed and when I "woke
up" you were all I thought of, all I cared about.  After I learned it had
been all of this time I thought you were either dead or had started a new
life." Joe said, his voice quivering.

   "I spent all of that time, counted each day, in abject fear of being
damned to hell.  My only peace and solace was alone in my bed at night,
thinking of you, but not quite knowing WHO you were, because you would
never abandon me like you did." She said looking away, averting her eyes
for the last few words.

   "Abandon you?  I was SAVING you!  You were incoherent with your eyes
fixed.  I was in such pain I would have thrown myself to my death, except I
had to be sure you were OK.  Something was driving me away and I knew
neither of us would survive if we went together.  When I sit and try to
relive that time I remember walking along a deserted freeway, although cars
and trucks, ambulances filled the other side.  I knew the hospital was
close and I tried to get off by following a storm drain or something, and I
fell.  My body turned into a big intense hurt and I went out, thinking I
was dying.  The next thing I am cognizant of was waking at Edison . . . 
and wanting to see you soo badly!" Joe said as he fell forward crying into
her arms.

   Selena held him tightly, but there was still a coolness about her toward
him.  She broke into tears and hugged him saying, "but you left me there to
die, you were the only one who knew . . .  EVERYTHING!"

   Joe pulled away from her and shook his head forcefully saying "No, no,
no , NO, NO, NO!!  I remember it like it just happened, because to me, IT
DID!  That ambulance was my only way of saving you, making sure you got the
care.  I had to keep moving, something drove me.  But, I was looking for
the hospital those guys said they were going to.  Essy, I was so confused,
wracked with pain, and living on adrenaline.  I couldn't drag you any
further with me because I didn't think I could make it . . .  and don't ask
"make it where?" because I don't know!!  Everything about the time after I
left you is a miasma.  I was running as fast as I could and one foot was
nailed to the floor.  Don't think I left you to die.  If I thought you
would die I would have stayed with you and died with you.  I can't live
without you." He said pleading for her to understand.

   "Essy . . . .it's so good to hear you call me my pet name.  I love to
hear you call me that." She said as she pulled back and looked into his
eyes, before hugging her head to his shoulder as if to reminisce over some
special moment.

   "You ARE my Essy!  No matter what state I was in, when I returned to
normal, you were all I thought about.  I was so sure you were gone, because
no one would tell me anything.  I spent three weeks trying to convince them
who I was and they kept waiting for me to wake up as someone else.  I
didn't understand that 9 years had gone by." Joe said before his eyes
welled up and he fought off weeping or out and out bawling before his
bravado broke and he sobbed and blubbered.

   Joe reached for her once again and held her to him as his tears flowed
while screeching through his sobs, "I just wanted YOU and to know you were
still alive!"

   Selena had never seen Joe so emotional, so engulfed in his fears and
feelings.

   "Joey, Joey, I'm here, WE'RE here and I still love you more than ever!"
Selena said as she pressed herself to him and pulled him back onto the bed
with her.

   "I've just . . . .  just . . .  just had this feeling you were a little
aloof about it all. . . . . .  Like you didn't trust me or think I was . .
. ." Joe mumbled through his tears and blubbering.

   "JOE!  Nine years of not knowing quite who I was, where I was and not
knowing if YOU were dead or alive.  For more than half of that time I was
convinced you were out there with someone else and I was dead.  I'm still
discovering.  Be patient with me." She told him as she held him to her and
gently stroked the back of his head.

   As she held him she felt something pressing against her lower belly.

   "Oh God Joe, I've been waiting for that.  I've even worried you might
not find me sexy anymore, I wanted you so badly!" Selena said as she
clasped him tightly and pressed herself to him.

   Joe's tears finally stopped and he gathered himself as he lay atop her
and raised himself to talk to her, pressing his hardness against her.

   "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, how could I not find
you sexy, not to mention the fact that I love you!  When I would sit and
reminisce about us I always had the image of us together in Jamaica.  Your
body golden, your hair like spun gold, and you wanting me every moment."
Joe said almost shyly afraid the words might open a memory she wasn't sure
of.

   "Ohhhh, Jamaica!  God Joe, I'll never look like that again!" She said
almost embarrassed, her ardor fading fast.

   "Are you kidding me?  You still ARE the woman I was with in Jamaica. 
All you need is some sun on that body and the ocean in your hair." Joe said
as he knelt himself up and took the bottom of her shirt and pushed it up to
reveal her breasts, as she made no effort to stop him.

   "Am I still a young girl there?  I know my titties have changed." Selena
said in disgust.

   "Selena, my love, if we lived together every day of the last 9 years
they still would have changed.  But, you're just wider and your nipples sit
a little more on top when you stand.  I've been admiring them through your
shirt since I first laid eyes on you today." Joe said as he bent to kiss
one before she pushed him away.

   "No, my Mom and Dad are right out there!" She scolded him.

   "You don't think they put us in here for just this reason?  I want to be
inside you!  We can LOCK the door.  Don't you want me to make love to you?"
Joe asked frantically.

   Selena looked at Joe sternly before her face melted into a tearful mess
as she tried to squirm away from under him but he held her fast wanting to
know what the matter could be.

   "What is it?  Don't you love me?  Is there someone else?" Joe demanded,
searching for a reason.

   "No, no, no!  " She blubbered through her tears, "If there's someone
else it's me!  From the first time I was allowed to be alone in a room to
sleep I think I masturbated every night thinking of you.  Afterwards I was
filled with guilt because I thought I was in my afterlife, in a limbo, and
the only thing keeping me there, away from heaven, away from hell, were my
sins.  In Catholic school they told us that it was a sin to enjoy your body
like that.  But I couldn't give you up!  You probably think I'm crazy now
and want to put me back in the hospital.  The nuns said masturbation would
make us crazy, and I'm the proof!"

   Her crying subsided now that she had it out in the open, but she looked
at Joe both hopefully and fearfully.  He smiled softly at her and lowered
his lips to hers and kissed her softly, and whispered...

   "You know you're not crazy, and you know that enjoying your body,
relieving your tensions, and wanting your lover aren't wrong.  Think about
it.  You were paranoid that you were being judged by a greater being, and
we certainly will be someday.  But to judge what's morally wrong and
morally right, our conscience is the real jury.  If you believe in your
heart of hearts that something is wrong, and you do it in spite of that,
you've sinned against yourself.  If you believe that we are a reflection of
God, then you've also sinned against God.  How could wanting your lover
near, wishing your lover near, and taking the next best road to pleasure to
make it seem he were near, be bad?  Does God want us to deny ourselves
pleasure when we judge it to be morally right and just?" Joe preached.

   "It, . . .  it seemed so right at the time I would do it, but in the
morning I'd almost always have guilt and regrets, but I'm never sorry I did
it." Selena said as her mind was still building moral structure after the
years of haze.

   She looked to be thinking far away from the situation and turned a cold
stare to Joe.

   "But how do you, or how did you, morally justify all the women you
bedded down before me?  Were you the worst sinner of all?" She asked, but
not in a tone of judgment.

   "Morally, I knew I wasn't killing someone, stealing from someone, or
lying; those are the worst sins.  I knew I was gratifying myself, and
fulfilling pleasure that was sought after.  I knew I wasn't leading someone
on.  We both knew what we wanted.  Socially, many would frown upon my
behavior then, and the church, no matter what denomination, might have
called it sin.  But, I never believed it damaged my relationship with God;
That sounds smug and self-serving, but think of this scenario; A person who
puts 13 doughnuts in the bag and tells the cashier there are 12, A person
who puts a gun to the head of another and pulls the trigger, and A person
who sexually satisfies himself and a consenting partner.  If they were all
to die at the same time, would God deal equal punishment, the denial of
life everlasting in heaven to each of them?  Who committed the real sin?"
Joe said making a moralizing point.

   "Joe, I see and understand your point, and I agree with it as we talked
about all this when we first devoted ourselves to each other.  Just
understand that at the time, when I thought I was in Gods holding room, my
mind was warped and I still have to put it all into perspective.  I want to
make love to you.  My pussy is leaking through my underwear, my mouth
hungers for the taste of you, but that whole morality thing hangs over me
and my parents being on the other side of that door to hear us is the same
as if God were here in the room.  Don't laugh at that." Selena conceded and
made her point.

   "We can just be quiet!  What's the worry?" He asked.

   "I spent the better part of 9 years holding back myself, trying to be
quiet as I pleasured myself.  I want to be myself with my love.  Do you
know how long I've been looking forward to this moment, felt guilt over how
I fantasized over it?  I am not going to spare myself one speck of the
pleasure, and I can't do that with my parents on the other side of that
door!" She said quite convincingly.

   "I suppose I understand, but it's still love we'd be making." Joe said
hoping to make a point.

   "OK, my love.  Let me make love to you with my mouth and just as you're
going to pour your seed over my tongue, please don't make a sound.  Just
quietly cum in my mouth and as I suck the last drops from your hard penis
in my mouth, just lay still and smile." She said smugly as she reached for
his crotch.

   "Touche'." He said softly as he pushed her hand away and got up.

   He straightened his clothes and walked towards the door.

   "That's it, that's all we have?" Selena said starting to panic.

   "Calm down, I'm going to take care of something." Joe said as he opened
the door and went into the living area of the suite.

   "Is everything OK?" Betty Hanson said as she was startled to see Joe so
quickly.

   "Yes, everything is fine, she just has one problem." Joe said taking a
deep breath and then exhaling, not sure how to word his request.

   "Could you two go to lunch for an hour or so?  She says she can't "be
herself" with her Mom and Dad in the next room.  She loves and respects you
both too much.  Please understand.  She'll be OK." Joe said sheepishly, not
being able to look her straight in the eye.

   Scott stood up and extended his hand to Betty.

   "Come on Bett, I think I understand.  If we were apart for a long time
it might be the same thing if those two were on the other side of the
wall." Scott said with a little grin on his face, despite a slight tone of
disdain in his words.

   "SEX is important, Scott and she's NOT 18 anymore.  Besides it's
intimacy she . . .  um, THEY want and YOU would be just . . ." Betty
started to say before Scott spoke up.

   "ALRIGHT, I GET IT!!" Scott said as he extended his hand to Betty and
headed toward the door.

   Joe smiled to himself as if he had won a small victory of life and went
back into their room and locked the door behind him.

   Selena was in the bathroom and she called out that she would be right
out.

   "I took care of the intimacy problem." Joe said by the door.

   "I know, I listened behind the door.  Thank you.  My Dad is going to be
protective again for a bit.  Humor him." She said behind the door as Joe
heard the handle turn and she opened it.

   Selena stepped out naked with one hand over her thick bush of pubic hair
and her vagina.  "I'm sorry, I know you like to see my pink, but they
wouldn't let me shave at the hospital." She said demurely as if offering
herself for judgment.

   Joe's voice caught in his throat as he admired her body as he drank in
her sexy shyness.

   "Oh my God!" Joe said, his voice quivering as if he were about to break
up.  "You ARE the most beautiful woman God ever put on the earth." His
voice trailing off as a tear escaped his eye..

   Selena walked to him kissed away the tear, put her arms around him and
rested her head on his shoulder, now sobbing herself.

   "I never thought I would ever feel you like this again." She said as she
stood back and began to unbutton his shirt.

   Joe went to help her but she pushed his hand away and continued
unbuttoning until she took it just below the collar tips and pushed it over
his shoulders to let fall off his arms.

   She smiled a devilish smile as she brought her hands to his belt and
noticed the bulge growing already.

   "You're such a beautiful man, I can't wait for this." She whispered as
she unbuckled the belt and drew down his zipper.

   She took hold of the top of his pants and pushed it together to unslide
the clasp, letting his pants fall with the weight of his belt and things in
his pockets.

   She stood back and knelt to inspect the long scars on his legs from his
knee replacements.  She ran her fingers over them and looked up at him long
and pouty.

   "I wish I was there to comfort you after these surgeries.  I loved
taking care of you before.  You let me show how much I love you." She said
softly as she kissed up and down each scar.

   "Of all the things I can't remember of the 9 years, I don't regret
having a memory of going through that.  The Ortho who did them told me that
they pushed me extra hard in rehab because I wouldn't remember the struggle
from day to day.  The facility would have had to turn me over to another
hospital if I were crippled at all." Joe said in an almost whisper, wanting
her to know, but wanting to focus on other things right then.

   "I'm so glad you're out of pain," She said as she looked up to him, her
view being blocked by what had filled his shorts.

   "Oh, I'm SO sorry!" She said as she adjusted her kneed stance and put
both hands on the band of his jockeys and pulled them out and away from his
package and then down his legs.

   "Your cock is so beautiful, all hard, and wanting." She said as she ran
her hands over it, squeezing it, kneading it.

   "Oh god, I just have to taste it." She said as she opened her mouth and
slipped it over the head and pulling it back from her lips to get every bit
of the man flavor it offered.

   Her eyes filled with tears as she took both hands and grasped him,
pushing back what hadn't retracted already until her hands were pressed
against his belly and his whole length stood out.  She opened her mouth and
put the head on her tongue and pushed her mouth as far onto him as she
could before relenting as not to gag.

   "You still taste like my love." She said as she looked up to him, but
his eyes were rolled up in his head as he exhaled deeply.

   "Good Lord, that's amazing, you make me feel so good, so special." He
said as even his new knees wobbled.

   She put her mouth over him a few more times as he groaned, but when he
looked down at her and their eyes met he extended his hands for her to take
and he helped her stand.  He turned her and let her sit on the bed.  He
knelt between her legs and used his hands on her knees to spread her legs
and let her lie back, her legs going in the air.  He used his fingers to
part the thick bush around her vagina and put his tongue right to her clit,
before licking up and down her slit while she swooned loudly.

   "Oh, how I've longed for your mouth to love my pussy so gentle and
tender.  I'll HAVE to get it nice and smooth for you so you can put it all
in your mouth for me.  Oh, Joey I've missed this soooo much, but I have to
feel you inside me.  My pussy needs you so much." She said through strained
groans of pleasure as Joe took here cue and got to his feet.

   He put his knees to the edge of the bed and put her legs onto his
shoulders, bending her in half as he hovered over her waiting for the tip
of his cock to fit into the wetness between her legs.  When he felt her
lips "kiss" him he pushed in and fully knelt on the bed, his feet coming
off the floor.

   Selena hollered a loud whoop as if being deflowered for the first time
scrawling her face as she felt every hard inch of Joe fill her.  Then a
little smile crept over her face, relieving Joe from any thoughts he may
have hurt her.

   "This is what I've wanted for the thousands of days I was in my prison."
She said happily.

   "To get laid?" Joe asked.

   "No!  To have you make love to me!  I could have had sex anytime I was
in there.  There was always so horny patient trying to egg me to sex when
and if I ended up alone with one.  I wanted YOU!  I wanted to feel you
inside of me like you are now.  Fuck me Joey, make me crazy!" She said as
her voice pitched high as if she might cry and swoon at the same time.

   Joe hunched up and began to stroke within her, bending her in half with
each stroke as she began to lose her breath and reach her first climax. 
Their eyes locked until Selena's eyeballs rolled up and almost out of sight
as Joe felt her squeezing him within her.  When he was sure this second
orgasm had passed he stroked from her and backed his head from between her
knees and let her fall only to flip her onto her knees.  Her pussy looked
to be a wet mouth in her thick bush and he aimed for it as she dropped her
shoulders waiting to be sheathed again.

   "Ohhhhh Goddddd!" She exclaimed as he filled her to the hilt and began
to pump her hard as the slaps of their bodies echoed in the room.  She
panted and squealed as he grabbed the cheeks of her ass and fucked the
daylights out of her.  He felt his cum rising and wanted to delay one more
time and stopped his assault on her to lean over and press his body to her
while reaching around to hold her breasts.

   "Truly heaven, truly heaven!" She whispered aloud as she tried to catch
her breath.

   Joe responded by kissing her back and giving her nipples a pinch before
getting upright behind her and looking down at her spread ass and filled
pussy.  He wet his thumbs to rub over her little asshole to tease her,
still irresistible despite the pubic hair that had been allowed to grow
wild during her years of therapy.  She growled a moan as her pressed and
fiddled with the pliant little ring, although he never pressed into it. 
That play would come later.

   He knew her body so intimately and completely that he did notice
something different as he gripped her cheeks and ran his thumbs over her
most private place.  He was about to say something when the light allowed
him to think he saw a scar running from below her anus to her vagina, what
he knew to be an episiotomy scar.

   "When did she have a baby?" He shouted to himself.

   It was a question he quickly answered, knowing if she had been aware of
it, he would know.  What happened in that hospital?  He didn't want to
upset Selena because certainly if she were aware of any such situation she
would have said something immediately, only because of how dear she held
her potential for motherhood.

   "Joe, you're losing it, I can feel you shrinking.  You didn't cum yet,
did you?" Selena asked as he stopped any movement and fingerplay.

   "No, No, I was just admiring how young and supple that ass of yours is.
Do you like it when I hold it, play with it?" He said as he set his mind
back to the task at hand while wondering how and where he might find
information on her years in hospitals.

   Joe began to saw in and out of her while his mind raced about what he
might have seen, although he knew what it was, having been with enough
women to know.

   "Uh, uh, uh, uh," Selena barked out as she took her own orgasm to task
as she punched her ass back at Joe, rising up on her elbows.

   She was just bringing on her next spasm when she fell away from Joe,
almost in shock.

   "Oh God, don't cum in me!  We have no idea what's happening with us
yet!" she exclaimed

   Joe was shocked at her quick move away from him and his straining cock,
yelling "WHAT?" as he looked down at her.

   "Joe, we better not chance it, Besides, I want a TASTE of that!" She
said pointing and reaching for Joe's cock while she got to her knees on the
bed and bent to all fours.

   "When that door clicks shut, you are my naughty wife . . . .  and I love
you for it." Joe said smiling down at his wanton bride.

   "I don't love you a speck less than the night we were married and
besides, we've only had one night together being married.  This is still
the honeymoon where we discover each other's sexual likes and dislikes."
She said as she bumped her lips and nose on the cock in her face.

   "Do you think you like that?" He asked laughing.

   `No, I LOVE this!" She said with a teasing grin before she opened her
mouth and pushed her mouth over him.

   She rocked back and forth a few times before Joe took up the task and
gently fucking her mouth.  All thoughts about the episiotomy scar left him
as he concentrated on his own orgasm and the mouth that was going to make
it happen.

   Looking down at the intent face of Selena, with her eyes closed and
drool spit dripping from her chin while taking the head and a bit more of
his cock in and out of her mouth, he became powerfully aware of how much he
loved her.  So smart, so sexy, so wanton, so much the perfect woman even he
couldn't have imagined.  He wondered if she felt as blessed as he, wanting
so much to be her perfect mate.

   Suddenly all thoughts were dashed as his loins sent the message
throughout his body and he exclaimed "Oh baby, I'm going to cum!  I'M
CUMMING!"

   He reached with his hand to hold and squeeze his spittle wet dick and
urge the seed from his sack while she hummed contentment and loudly
swallowed his juice.

   Joe ooohed and ahhhhed his way through the end of his orgasm until he
could offer no more and his penis just became too sensitive for her
ministrations and he sat back onto his legs, tipping his head up and
closing his eyes to enjoy the pleasure vibe going through his body.

   He felt her kissing his leg and he looked down to see her continue to
kiss up his leg, over his belly and chest to his mouth as she slowly stood
and bent over him, kissing him deeply and sharing the taste of his seed.

   She stood straight and pulled his head to her belly as he wrapped his
hands around her and held the balls of her shapely ass.  He kissed her
belly and instantly thought about the possibility that she may have been
pregnant.  He saw no stretch marks or any sign of carrying a child and knew
that if it had happened, she was not aware of it.

   After their reverie of making love for the first time since 911 Selena
stepped off the bed and went to the cosmetic case her mother had brought
for her.  She giggled loudly as she turned to Joe with scissors in one hand
and a pink disposable razor in the other.

   "How would you like to clean this dinner plate and have a real feast?"
She said gleefully with one hand on her crotch.

   "Gladly, let's make it smooth like a baby!" Joe said as he hopped up and
followed her to the bathroom.

   The shave, and the resulting tongue and finger-play, took up the rest of
their private time before Betty and Scott Hansen returned.  They had just
come out of their room to look for something to eat when they walked in the
door, holding bags of leftovers.

   "We went to a nice deli and got huge combination sandwiches we knew we
could never finish, as well as a couple cole slaws and cheesecake to go. 
Will that satisfy a couple hungry appetites?" Betty asked.

   "Mom, you are the best, Dad too!" Selena said as she went up and hugged
them both.

   "Somebody is in a better mood than when we left." Scott said winking at
Joe.

   Selena blushed and playfully pushed her Dad away, but she was glad he
understood.

   Just then the phone rang; it was Philly Flowers calling to arrange a
session with Selena for the following day.



   "I hope she's doing well so far," Philly said to Betty, "I'd like to get
her first day impressions and then see her again in a couple more days
before you go back.  Spoon feeding the world to them is important,
especially before they get immersed in their home and former lives.  When
they walk into their house they are going to feel like nothing has changed
and they have to be accustomed to drastic changes before they tackle and
understand that obstacle."

   "I understand," Betty said, "They've spent these last few hours alone
together and it seems to have done wonders for both of them."

   "That's important too.  Now, Doctor Culver would like me to meet with
Joe as well, if he'll agree to it.  She had said he was pretty stubborn
about further treatment.  He swears he's totally fine, but I would love to
talk with him, get some impressions, and maybe help him understand a bit
more of the process he'll have to deal with."

   "I'll talk to him, and I can assure you, he'll agree to it.  He's putty
in my hands." Betty said.

   Little did Betty know that Joe wanted to talk to her and would welcome a
private meeting to discuss his suspicions and see what she might know.

   On the following day Philly did meet with Selena and they had a 2 hour
discussion that further cleared Philly's mind that releasing Selena was the
right thing to do.  Her grasp of reality and her expectations showed her
inquisitive and logical thought process.  She was ready to be spoon fed
back into the world.

   Nurse Flower's meeting with Joe showed her very much the same results,
although the huge hole of time he had missed was still causing some mystery
with him.  Losing nine years was hard to swallow, no matter how logical
your mind may be.

   When they appeared to be about through Joe broke the ice about his
questions about Selena by showing her a piece of plain logic to show his
fears held some water.

   "When Selena tells me the story of her Hospital and clinical
"incarcerations" as she calls it I come up about 5 months, or 150 days,
short." Joe said to her.

   "Maybe she just lost track of some days and . . ." she started to say
before Joe interrupted.

   "No, the counts of the days were just too accurate.  Remember she knows
the exact day number where you took her to solve her female issues.  Is it
possible that she might have been sedated for a long period if they thought
she might hurt herself, or something?  Last night, while we getting
intimate, I noticed she has an episiotomy scar that runs from the bottom of
her vagina almost to her anus.  She fantasizes about having children and
this is something she wouldn't hide from me." Joe told her emphatically.

   "You're really serious about this, aren't you?  I suppose I don't want
to know the answer to this question, but how are you so familiar with
episiotomy scars?" Philly asked.

   "I've been with a LOT of women, some so vain that they have had plastic
surgery to fix the scar.  But, since most women who are "out" and putting
themselves in play are completely shaven, I've seen them and I know them."
Joe said a bit embarrassed.

   Philly Flowers was taken a bit back by his comment, causing her to
intone, "Apparently you slept with a lot of married women to become such an
expert." She said almost snottily.

   "If you must know, only once intentionally.  If there were others, I
wasn't aware of it.  But, you don't have to be married to have had a baby.
I'm not totally proud of who I was, but with Selena I'm just who she thinks
I am.  She knows my history all too well." He admitted.

   Philly looked down at the floor in deep thought before looking into
Joe's eyes to get a final read.

   "I'll tell you what, I'll ask around with some of the people who saw her
those first days and see if I find anything.  If I don't, promise me you'll
just drop this.  I foresee a big bag or worms and if Selena ever finds out
she may have HAD a baby, and there is NO proof.  That scar could be from
something else, it could set her back.  OK?" Philly told him, almost
scolding him.

   In Philly Flowers mind, she thought Joe was onto something because of
the discrepancy in the count of days.  Selena was deeply paranoid at the
time and knew each and every day of her stays.  Nurse Flowers thought how
she might approach this, knowing if there were any sort of cover-up she
would be stonewalled.

   Chapter 8

   Nurse Flowers had access to resources the general public would not be
privy to and she quietly used them to piece together Selena Johnson's
medical history from 9/11 until now.  Her first problem was finding
multiple records on her admittance to the hospital since Joe hadn't given
her name and Emory Richards hadn't asked for it not knowing Joe was going
to run away so quickly.  She needed to be stabilized as well as they could
before worrying about formalities.

   In accessing information online, even with her enhanced access to
information out of view to the general public, it was apparent that some
records were either scrubbed or not available.  The transpositions of the
field notes from the ambulance that Emory Richards reviewed in front of the
Hansons didn't exist and a trip to Christian Hospital was going to be
necessary.  She decided to make it a cold call, as the Hansons had, just to
assure herself that nothing funny was going on.  Joe's discovery of the
missing days, the fact that 911 was never brought into the mix on her case,
differing reports of her mental state upon arrival some describing raging,
and others catatonic, yet she told someone her name was Sue Johnson, were
all just a bit too much conflicting.

   There should have been a pregnancy test at some point early on to help
determine the safety of certain medications and anesthesia, but none
appeared to be done.  An unconscious female being catheterized before
surgery would most certainly be tested, yet none appeared.  There were
several redactions in the admitting nurse's notes with no photocopy of the
original available, yet all other transcribed notes in the new database
linked to the originals for viewing.  Yet, Shelly Peters produced the
original for Dr.  Richards in the Hansons presence.  When checking the
admitting nurse's initials, she found ER everywhere and the bottom signed
E. Richards.  He had admitted her himself.  That was not entirely strange,
but an RN should have counter-initialed his signature at the end.  There
were 3 instances where the letters "rdt"(redacted) appeared in smaller font
and gray type in the transcription.  Philly went over in her head the
standard procedure checklist for a trauma case with foul play suspected, as
this should have been treated at the time.  "Undergarment removed and
bagged for DNA", "Semen present", and a note where vaginal bleeding is
described as menstrual or sexual were all redacted.

   "I wouldn't mind talking to the other attendant on that ambulance to see
if I get the same story as Emory Richards account was." Philly thought to
herself as she flipped through the URL's to get his name.  It was then she
realized that the other attendants name appeared nowhere in any of the
documents pertaining to this case.

   She typed quickly to seek information on the same ambulance for the day
before, and day before that and found Emory Richards P.A.  listed as EMT
and Jack Spagner M.A.  listed for each day.  She looked up subsequent days
and found the same.  Why was his name washed from the 9/11 entries? 
Curious she call the H.R.  Dept.  at Christian Hospital to inquire about
one of their employees, Jack Spagner, as he was being considered for a
position and he had used Christian Hospital as a reference.  After being
referred to the proper person, an older woman's voice came on the line.

   "You wanted information on Jack Spagner?  You should know he uses the
French-Canadian pronunciation "spahn-yay".  He left here about 8 years ago
and we don't give references after 24 months of separation." She told her.

   Sensing the woman as older and perhaps a nosy type, she persisted.

   "Oh?  He listed the hospital as a reference." Nurse Flowers commented.

   "Well, I suppose we might be the last place he was before he went to
work for his brother."

   "His brother?"

   "Oh yes, his brother is the administrator at The Felsen Clinic."

   Philly Flowers quickly thought about The Felsen Clinic.  It was a brain
studies hospital where mostly violent schizophrenic and multiple
personality patients were studied, many times to give disposition to the
courts for worthiness for trial or for social incarceration.

   "Could this be the "White Room" she spoke of in her day count?" She
thought to herself.

   She always assumed that "White Room" meant the 7th floor at Christian
Hospital where the atmosphere was "white" and non-criminal patients,
traumatized or violent, usually being readied for drug rehab, were held and
counseled until they were mentally prepared to be moved to a bridge to
society.

   Phyllis Flowers decided it was time to snoop around in the patient logs
of both Christian Hospital and The Felsen Clinic.  If there were a cover up
going on with treatment method or lack of tests or hidden tests and
results, one thing they couldn't cover up was the existence of the patient
themselves.  Since no one was apparently making claim of "Sue Johnson",
they could ferry her around a bit without question.  Patients with no
viable means of payment or insurance were usually given over to state
sponsored institutions after 10 days, but with overcrowding and
understaffing the state was picking up the tab for some patients until they
could be moved to one of their institutions.  Once dollar one was paid
there was a file on that patient and making them disappear was impossible.

   Using her New Jersey State Medical Administrators ID she was able to
start accessing admittance records of both facilities.  Using Selena's day
counts she began to look up patient transfers between the two places from
September 20th, her count of 9 days forward of the "ambulance hospital",
and the next 82 days of Selena's count of her stay in the "white room".

   Philly set up an Excel file for 7th floor patients using the 9/19/01
roster and then used a system of tabbing discharges and transfers out. 
They were either sent: HOME, STATE HOSPITAL, FELSEN, HAMPDEN, MORGUE, or
OTHER.  Because Jane Doe's were sometime later identified, Nurse Flowers
simply gave each patient a number that sub-texted a name when highlighted
with the mouse.  Of the 14 patients on the floor 4 were men and 10 were
women.  Three of the women were Jane Doe's given the names Jane Doe
2001-190, Jane Doe 2001-191, and Jane Doe 2001-192 by the hospital.  Sue
Johnson became the 15th patient on the floor.  Daily notes by the nurses
showed checkbox's for commonalities for these types of patients.  Lucid,
confused, restrained, Rx unaware, Rx aware, catheterized, pregnant, etc.

   It appeared that "Sue Johnson" was restrained and kept on a low dose of
something to keep her calm.  Philly remembered that one comment written
earlier was that she would "rage" whenever they weaned her off any drugs.
She could only imagine her mental state.

   In the entries for October 10th there were notations of Sue Johnson
vomiting.  At least once a day they tried to get her to sip pureed foods
through a straw to supplement any intravenous feeding but they were afraid
of her becoming "too aware" and choking.  At some point during this time
they did a pregnancy stick in her catheter bottle and she was marked as
"pregnant".  This entry appeared for the 11th and the 12th .  Then the
pregnant box was no longer checked.  Strangely though, Jane Doe 2001-191,
began to show "pregnant" on her daily chart.  On November 21st Jane Doe
2001-191 was transferred to The Felsen Clinic where she remained until May
17th 2002.  She apparently delivered a baby during that period and was then
transferred to Hampden.  However the admission forms to Hampden were for
Sue Johnson and then a transfer back to Christian Hospital was placed for
Jane Doe 2001-191.

   The "human inventory keeping" was very sloppy and apparently overlooked
by administration.  The fact there were 3 Jane Doe's and Sue Johnson, who
for all intents and purposes was also a Jane Doe, for whom they made
unscrutinized moves and the changes went unnoticed.  The sign-off on the
daily patient list was done by a staff doctor, Jason Ulrich, but always
with a stamped signature with initials ER beside it.  Philly assumed that
was Emory Richards.

   Unless there were some problems, like a drastic change in one's health,
a doctor, or intern probably went to the floor, looked at charts, asked a
few questions, signed off, and left.  Anyone there who was a "patient"
(read paying customer) of a particular doctor was certainly covered in
their rounds, but Jane and John Doe's and other wards of the state on loan
for over-crowding, got wham-bam treatment unless they had a health problem
besides the one that got them there.

   APN Phyllis Flowers knew something was awry but wasn't sure of the
ultimate source.  Her questions about Emory Richards were always answered
with glowing reviews.  He was a complete competent orthopedic surgeon, a
qualified Osteopath, and said to be one of the best Emergency Room triage
Doctors according to any nurse who ever worked with him.  So why was he
apparently taking part in a cover up or scam with this one patient that he
had fleeting contact with?

   Although she had the initials APN (Advanced Psychiatric Nurse) with her
name, many of the people she would like to engage on this matter would look
at her as a "nurse.  An APN is much more and since they very often witness
abuse of those in psychiatric care.  Nurses, doctors, orderlies, and anyone
who comes in contact with the poor souls, can be having a bad day and
forget that having extra patience is necessary; APN's need to address this
with the patients and report it to the Medical Examiners Board.  New
Jersey's Medical Examiners Board was called The State Medical Examiners
Review Panel.  It consisted of 8 members, plus a presiding officer who
serves "ex officio" (an officer not necessarily part of the purpose of the
board, but the keeper of common ethical standards).  She hadn't had to seek
the board for quite a few years so she checked to see if she might have a
friend or willing ear that might at least inconspicuously look into
problems here and decide if an investigation is needed.

   Her heart fluttered and then sunk a bit when she saw the names on the
current board and Dr.  Shane Proctor's name jumped out at her.  He had been
her first love, meeting in Med School when she had aspirations to be an MD.
After some time she caught him cheating and broke it off, a move she didn't
get over for a long time.  After a few months she had a few short term
affairs to get back "into play" and she met Charlie, her husband.  Charlie,
better known as "Chucker" for his softball pitching prowess, was a
production manager for a pharmaceutical manufacturer.  Some eight years
later she once again crossed paths with Shane at a Medical Convention in
Pasadena.  They struck up a friendship again, before the night was over,
she found herself cheating on Charlie.  It wasn't a vengeful move to prove
dissatisfaction with her marriage, it was simply sex.

   Morally she was sorry, but otherwise she negotiated with her conscience
that sex with Shane was animal, dirty, horny sex and much like enjoying a
ride at an amusement park.  She still loved her husband very much, and had
a very satisfying sexual relationship with him (still a couple times a week
after 11 years, and occasional all bed weekends).  Her dalliance with Shane
posed no threat to her marriage, as long as it remained her secret.  Shane
was a Lothario who would never settle down.  He told her when they split
that he never intended on remaining true to her, even though he loved her
more than anyone else he had ever had a relationship with, a line he
obviously used many times.

   She placed a call to a few of the hospitals and psychiatric centers she
dealt with and worked in on a regular basis and asked about the Jersey
State Medical Examiners Review Panel to see if they were as tough as she
remembered when she interned.  Two different administrators talked in
particular of the handsome investigator who could catch you off guard with
his good looks and then strike like a cobra, enforcing every little codicil
to the last letter.  He had left a long list of suspensions and warnings
around the state.  She knew of who they spoke, it had to be Shane, it was
just his way.

   Although she was convinced that Shane couldn't coerce her into bed
again, she did feel a tingle within at the thought of it.  Reluctantly she
called the board and left a message for Shane to contact her.  In the
meantime she went back to meet with Scott and Betty Hanson.  Joe and Selena
had one more meeting with the Hampden and Edison people to secure ID's and
proper paperwork to begin to rebuild their lives before returning home.

   "I know that you both have faced a hundred questions and are sure to be
interviewed a 100 more times in the next few weeks, but I do want to go
over a few things as I step up and investigation of everything that went on
with your daughter.  Joe has brought some things to my attention that he
believes to be irregular.  He doesn't want to impair your daughter's
recovery by involving her at this time, but I have found some things I
think should be reviewed again." Nurse Flowers began as both Betty and
especially Scott Hanson looked forlornly back at her, as if to say "what
ELSE could there be"?

   "Is there, or was there, any one you dealt with since you first saw the
news report that started this whole thing that caused you to think that
something wasn't right, or you were being lied to?" She asked without
prompting them to indict anyone in particular.

   "Oh YES!" Scott answered as Betty nodded vigorously.

   "Christian Hospital!  In the Administration office, the Peters lady who
was in charge of information, records, and public relations." Betty blurted
out.

   "I didn't trust what was going on in that office from the start.  I
thought she tried to prompt the Richards fellow before he met with us.  She
had paged him and when he came into the office he walked in as if he were a
regular visitor, past the receptionist and right in, closing the door
behind him.  I thought to myself "BULLSHIT", and we went right in behind
him a second later while the receptionist tried to stop us.  I had a bad
feeling from the start in there!" Scott said, as if unloading something he
wanted to say for quite some time.

   "He seemed to resign himself to our questions while the Peters lady
glared at him.  Finally he spoke harshly to her that we deserved to get as
many facts as possible.  But still there was a cloak of secrecy that seemed
to be there." Betty added as Scott nodded.

   "That's interesting because that is where I found there to be some
unanswered questions." Philly told them as she opened her briefcase to go
over some things with them.

   "In all of the accounts of the day, the second ambulance person was
never named, and that's bothered me." Scott said.

   "Well, that fact and Ms.  Peters both emit a stink for me as well.  I
have some feelers out at Christian.  One of the therapists from my group is
there every week and she is trying to get some information for me without
stating reasons or drawing suspicion.  I'll keep you posted and please
don't mention to Selena anything about this, and for that matter, let's not
let Joe know I spoke to you.  Let's keep the waters as still as possible."
Nurse Flowers said as she packed her things back into her briefcase.

   As he finished and was about to leave Joe and Selena opened the door and
came in.  They had just finished working out in the exercise room and were
going to shower before brunch.

   "Are you here to see us?  Do you have our papers?" Joe asked hopefully.

   "No, I was just heading over to Hampden to give them the last
information they needed to complete them and I thought I would stop and get
it personally rather than call from there.  You know, just checking up on
you two." She said with a smile.

   "I'm beginning to get charged, but I'm not looking forward to a media
crunch.  I haven't spoken with Joe about it, but I think I would like to go
away for a week or so after this all comes out, let my parents deal with
the initial surge, if they don't mind.  I feel fragile, vulnerable, . . .
.I'm not really sure of the word to apply but . . . ." Selena said as if
unloading a burden, when her Mom interrupted.

   "Don't worry, we can do that, protect you from that." She said before
Scott piped in.

   "We think you should handle it through work.  Let them announce your
return and the general specifics.  They can just answer "no comment" and
something to the effect that she and her family have been through enough
when the press fishes for more.  We'll just engage local press.  We only
want the best for you Selena dear."

   "Daddy, I don't think we should involve . . ." Selena started before
Scott interrupted her.

   "I've already spoken to Ross Curran.  They will do anything you would
like to make it easier and, . . . . . . . .  they want to know when you
might come back." Scott said with a huge glowing smile.

   Selena choked back tears at her father's words, happy to know that she
was still considered part of that family.  After swallowing and getting her
composure back a bit she swallowed and said, "Thanks Daddy, I'll call them
soon, after Joe and I have something planned out."

   "We'll talk about all of this when we do our exit interviews, Selena. 
Ultimately you know it's up to you and Joe.  Don't fret on it yet." Philly
said as she went out the door and left the four of them alone.

   "We're going to shower and go to brunch." Joe said as he took Selena's
hand and headed toward their room.

   "OK, we're going to go shopping and have lunch to give you two some
alone time.  Remember we have to go to Hampden for 3 o'clock so we'll be
back by 2.  Tomorrow afternoon we'll pack up and go to Edison for a 4
o'clock meeting and head home.  You'll sleep in your own bed tomorrow
night." Scott said hoping to get a smile from both of them.

   The door clicked behind Selena and Joe and she looked at him and said
"our own bed, I can't wait." She said as she twirled away from him and sat
on the bed.

   "Do you remember when we were on the way to the airport from Negril and
you philosophized about our love-making saying, "How many days, like
yesterdays marathon, do you have in your life; three or maybe four?" We had
2 days like that in that week, . . .  I want to go back.  Not to recapture
or love, we haven't lost that, but to recapture the moment.  I want to be
alone with you without a worry in the world like it was then.  I want to
make love anytime and any way we want; to be open and free about our
bodies. I want to put these nine years to rest before we go back to our
lives.  The world owes us that.  Can we please, please, please?" She
begged.

   "You don't think we can do that in our own home?" Joe asked, knowing it
wouldn't satisfy her.

   "Can I walk with you on the beach in the moonlight and stop to take you
in my mouth and hear you groan amidst the crashing of the waves.  Can I
plop my little ass in the sand and have you make my little button dance on
your tongue while your finger skewers my hiney and hope the surf drowns my
screams of ecstasy?" She said with a devilish grin.

   "Nuff said, we'll go" He said with a laugh as he pushed her back onto
the bed and affixed his mouth to hers.

   After a moment she broke the kiss to say.  "Come on, let's fuck in the
shower, and then go down for the brunch.  I'm starved and that Seafood
Newburg we had the first day is all I could smell when we walked past this
morning."

   Joe pulled himself up and began to peel off his sweats while she did the
same heading towards the bath.

   That morning when Philly Flowers got to Hampden to check on her patients
there was a note there for her to call Patti Clapp, the therapist from her
group that worked at Christian Hospital.  She had only spoken to her early
the previous afternoon and was surprised she had something to say already.

   "Hello Patti, I'm returning your call.  Can you talk?" Nurse Flowers
asked.

   "Yes, I'm, alone in my office, on my cell.  Apparently this Spagner guy
is here a lot, he lives with someone in administration, a Michelle Peters,
who must be the Shelly Peters you asked about.  She's also a step-sister to
the Doctor Richards you asked about.  Richards and Spagner got into a real
row some time back, right in the 7th floor solarium.  I'm talking black
eyes, teeth knocked out, broken ribs.  The 7th floor head nurse, Gloria
Sellars, has been there forever and she said it was over one of the
patients, a Jane Doe.  She claims she never got the whole story, but the
Jane Doe was shipped out to Felsen right away and both Richards and Spagner
were suspended.  Spagner was fired in a private hearing, but he had
resigned before then and went to work for his brother, who is CEO at
Felsen. He's only a driver for him, moving patients around.  Richards, on
the other hand, was reinstated after his suspension.  He knows Spagner is
in the building from time to time and avoids him.  Oddly, he keeps a close
relationship with his step-sister and still manages to avoid Spagner.  This
nurse says that even though it's been 7 or 8 years since the brouhaha on
the floor, Richards is on a short leash with the hospital and the Jersey
Board.  I think she knows more but was unwilling to let go.  I didn't want
to press her and think I was too interested.  There's one busybody matron
who always has a story.  I'll see her this afternoon with one patient and
I'll plant a few seeds and see what I get." Patti said, her curiosity
obviously piqued by what she had heard.

   "Oh, I'd appreciate that!" Philly said wondering if Patti saw the irony
that she had come to her, Patti, because SHE was a busybody.

   When Philly got home that night she noticed there was another message on
her cell from Patti Clapp, but it was almost 11 o'clock and felt it was too
late to call her back.  She wondered to herself if she pressed this Dr. 
Richards he might come clean, IF there were anything to come clean about.
If he still felt there was a short leash on his position at the hospital,
or in the state, for that matter, maybe he would clear his conscience.

   It was then Philly Flowers got the idea that just showing up in Peter's
office WITH Shane Proctor in tow, requesting to see records for Selena, AND
a meeting with Emory Richards.  She would just need to know that Emory was
on the schedule the day of the cold call.  It was at that moment that she
was startled by the touch of a hand on her shoulder while she sat at the
kitchen table poring over notes.

   "Oh Chucker!  You startled me!  I heard you snoring on the couch and I
was going to get you up when I went to bed.  I'm sorry I'm so late.  I had
things to clean up at Hampden to let a patient re-socialize, then Avis and
I stopped at a Diner for a quick sandwich and we got BS-ing, and you know .
. . . ." She said as she stood and turned to hug Charlie.

   "Come on, I'll take you to bed and ease your stress." Charlie said as
hand dropped to give her ass a squeeze.

   She was about to say she was too tired when guilt crept over her about
the tingle that she felt when she had thought of Shane Proctor earlier. 
She hummed an approval to his grope and pressed to him tighter.

   Charlie swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom as he
had many times in moments like these.  He put her on the bed and straddled
her waist and began to unbutton the top that matched her skirt that covered
her frilly blouse.

   "Chucker!" She whined.  "Let me get out of these clothes before we tear
at or stretch the button holes, please?

   He smiled and got up from the bed and let her stand to begin unbuttoning
her top and then slide off her skirt, placing them both neatly on the back
of the chair at her dressing bureau.  Before she could turn back she felt
his hands go under her blouse and hold her tits.

   "No bra?  Maybe you should go over my knee." He chuckled as she swooned
and unbuttoned the blouse while pushing her ass against his hardness.

   "I'm wearing that top, all buttoned, over them and I don't need the bra,
so confining and so hot." She giggled as he picked her up and sat back on
the edge of the bed, she lying over his knees.  He peeled the unbuttoned
blouse from her and looked down at the barely covered bottom of his wife.

   "Such little panties, they aren't going to protect you from a spanking."
He said laughing as he rubbed her butt in circles.

   "Give your bad girl a few of what she needs, but remember I have to sit
down tomorrow." Philly said suddenly aching for the hard, hot, crack of his
hand.

   "You don't think I would hurt an ass this cute." He said as his hand
slapped down hard on her right butt cheek.

   "Sssssssss, . . . .ahhhhh.  Oh that's it, now warm the other side."
Philly said unnecessarily as the second crack struck just where she wanted
it.

   "Ssssssss . . .  ahhhh." She repeated as she slid off his knees to hers.

   "That's warm enough to get my pussy wet for you.  Let's get your cock
ready." She whispered as she fumbled with the jersey pants that served as
his pajamas.

   She pulled out his firm cock and put her mouth over it as far as she
could before closing over it and sucking it all the way up.  A chill ran up
her spine as she tasted the salty man taste of penis while she buried her
face into his crotch again, bobbing her head a few times before pulling her
head off, and leaving a spit string from the tip to her lower lip.

   "Fuck me Charlie, love that pussy up." She said as she pulled herself up
and flopped on the bed, reaching down to slip off her panties before
spreading her legs, knees up waiting for him.  Charlie came to his feet and
pushed his pants off the rest of the way and knelt between her legs.  She
reached for his cock and helped bring it to her dewy lips and he slid all
the way into her.

   "God Chucker, I love you so much.  Don't ever doubt that.  Fuck me good
and hard; let me feel you all day tomorrow." She whispered as she held his
head close to hers as his hips drove her ass deeper and deeper into the
mattress.

   "I love you just as much, my little Philly fuck.  I love you just as
much." He whispered back as he built to his orgasm and spilled it inside
her.

   In a few moments they lay in sweaty junction huffing and puffing until
their breath returned.  With a deep tonguey kiss they said good night as
they rolled in opposite directions on the bed and fell asleep.

   Chapter 9

   Making love to her husband was supposed to cool the pangs of guilt she
felt over her affair with the man who possessed her cherry.  It wasn't even
the guilt over the act, it was the tingle she felt when she saw his name on
the page on the internet.  He still held that sort of grip over her
sexuality.  But if making love to Charlie was supposed to ease her mind, it
only put her mind and body in a sexual frame as she drifted off to sleep.
Her whole affair played out in her post-coital wet dreams...............

   A first day at any convention or meeting of the minds was nerve wracking
since you usually knew none or few of the people you were to share ideas
with.  This particular gathering was in San Diego and put on by The
American College of Emergency Physicians and The American Psychiatric
Association, "When does it become a psychiatric emergency?  Or when does
the broken body become the least of the patient's problems".

   At 8:30 Philly Flowers studied the name tags on the table and was about
to credential hers when she felt the buzz of her cell phone in her pocket.

   "Hello?" She said as she got her nametag and brochure.

   "Did you ignore me on purpose in the hotel this morning?  I thought we
had enough special moments that we really could stay friends." Shane
Proctor said hoping she might recognize his voice.

   "Shane?  No I didn't see you, why didn't you call out?" Philly
responded.

   "Just in case you still hate me." Shane said smugly.

   "I NEVER said I hate you, you just broke my heart and disappointed me
more than I thought possible, but I got over it.  You know I've been
married for a few years now, right?" She asked.

   "Of course, I hear things.  We still have a lot of the same friends. 
Can we sit together on the floor today?  I hate being stuck beside someone
I don't know, or want to." Shane wondered.

   "You've already had a chance to check out the female doctors on hand?"
Philly asked, half serious, half kidding.

   "No I didn't, but I doubt I could find one as pretty as you." He said in
a flatter-flirt.

   "You never turn it off, do you?  Meet me at the entrance marked LOWER D.
That should get us close to the middle towards the front.  Don't dally
because it starts in a half hour and would like to get settled." Philly
said as she surveyed the floor plan in her brochure.

   They met and hugged with an air kiss and moved to the section where
Philly had wanted, taking notes as they both listened intently to the first
2 hour session.  There would be a 30 minute break and then an hour of
questions and answers, then a 90 minute lunch and rest break before the
afternoon session.

   In just their first few moments together Philly was reminded why she was
so attracted to Shane in the first place.  He was charming and seemed to
exude sex.  She was a sexual neophyte when they met in college.  However,
she hadn't started that way in High School.

   Upon returning to classes after her freshman year of high school, she
and her then best friend Kerry Conner, whom she had spent the summer at
YMCA camp with, were suddenly two well developed sophomore girls.  Days of
rowing crew in the sun helped young bodies blossom and both girls knew they
could have their choice of guys at school.  Young and horny, they compared
notes seeing who was getting further experienced with boys, mostly handsome
young athletes from the senior class.

   Although "doing it" was their goal, Phyllis, as she was known then, was
wary of "going ALL the way".  They confided in each other about being felt
up, taking off their tops to let boys nibble and nurse their pert young
nipples which led to fingers plunging in and out of their wet little
pussies.  Kerry was the first to admit she put "it" in her mouth to avoid
doing the big deed.  Phyllis reluctantly followed her lead with boys
begging for relief after being denied a chance to actually "do it" and not
wanting to be called a tease.  Suck, jerk, and squirt kept her a technical
virgin.

   Then one Saturday morning Kerry called her to talk about being forced to
"give in".  She may not have wanted to admit it, but she was raped.  She
complained how much it hurt and Phyllis decided to slow her own run for
experience down.  A month later Kerry learned she was pregnant.  Her
parents sent her away to have the baby and slowly Phyllis heard less and
less from her.  When she went to talk to Kerry's parents, they had moved
and she never heard from Kerry again.  Needless to say, Phyllis kept her
virtue and slowed her fast ways.  Staying popular by being easy was no way
to go.

   By her second year in med school she was dating very little because of
her school and job workload.  Shane Proctor had come into the bar where she
waitressed and she recognized him as the handsome guy from her Biology
class.  He engaged her in conversation and immediately she was taken with
how charming he was.  He came back when she got out and he walked her to
her dorm, stopping for a coffee.  For the next few months, they saw each
other every day, even if only briefly between classes.  While she was
determined to keep her technical virginity, it became harder and harder. 
Shane was an experienced and convincing lover who drove her to multiple
orgasms over and over again with his fingers and tongue.  Eventually one
particular weekend in bed culminated with Shane sucking her engorged clit
while his thick middle finger sawed in and out of her pussy and his pinkie
doing the same in her ass.  She could no longer stand the wait and pushed
him away shouting, "Fuck me, just fuck me, PLEASE!"

   He accommodated her and thus began an incredible sex life for her.  The
mere sight of Shane made her crazy with desire for him and they satisfied
each other in every way.  It wasn't long thereafter in their relationship
that she found he was keeping company with other girls.  She, heartbroken,
left school to reorganize her life and transferred to the psychiatric
field. Despite how much he had hurt her, she sometimes longed for her
steamy nights with him.

   At the convention she decided to treat Shane cordially, but with a cold
reserve.  She was happy to see him and she wanted to eventually remain
friends if only in order to co-exist in the medical world.  During the
first break he tried to act as nothing had ever happened between them and
she would have none of that.

   "Phyl, find us a spot to land and I'll go get us a couple coffees and a
bite." Shane said pointing to a large non-smoking lounge area set up for
breaks and lunches.

   "I'll get my own coffee and snack and find a place to review my notes."
She answered coldly as she walked past him into one of the coffee lines.

   With her notes in arm she was walking to find a place to land and enjoy
her coffee and Danish when Shane approached her again.

   "So THAT'S how it's going to be?  Just cordial acquaintances?  Love
affairs don't always work out Phyl.  You wanted to settle down, and I still
liked to play.  I loved you too much to tell you to your face that I ran
around and might never settle down.  I'm sorry for that and I'm sorry you
found out I wasn't true the way you did.  But I'm not sorry you found out.
You deserved so much better than me." Shane said in a particularly
convincing contrite tone of voice.

   "I just hope you never get your heart ripped from your body like you did
mine, Shane.  It was the deepest hurt I've ever had.  You could have made
it easier.  Not only did I lose a lover, I lost respect for the person I
respected and trusted most in the world." She said as she saw a wall bench
with fold down shelf and sat.

   Shane sat right beside her and she quickly pulled the shelf down between
them and set her coffee and notes on it.  It served as a way to separate
herself from him and show the wall she had put up.

   "So, this is it?  Be friendly, but cut me off socially, make me some
sort of pariah?" He said as she sipped her coffee and pored over her notes
as if he weren't sitting there.

   He leaned over to speak so only she could hear.

   "I could have kept it hidden longer.  I could have strung you out for
the whole school year, but you were too good to be treated like that.  I
let you down the only way I knew how, because I LOVED you.  But I never
could be what you wanted." Shane insisted.

   Without looking up from what she was doing she calmly said.  "Oh?  Loved
me?  What a nice way of showing it."

   Lowering his whisper he said "I DID love you and you loved me and I have
the memories of us together to prove it.  You don't think I replay our
times together, the trips, the talks, the SEX?  You don't think I relive
you on your knees in front of me sucking my cock like it was the font of
life, or me doing the same to your pussy?  How about you sitting on me, our
hands intertwined while you bounced on my cock?  I never took those times
for granted."

   Phyllis turned beet red and wanted to run from him now, but her clit
suddenly perked up and her pussy watered while her face flushed.  "That's
SO inappropriate, talking like that, Shane!" She said turning her face from
his.

   "I know, but I want YOU to know that I know what I lost when I turned my
back on your love and cheated.  I wanted to tell you that I could change,
but I couldn't lie to you." Shane said still leaning into her ear.

   "Wait, are you making a play for me now?  Do you want me to just leave
my husband because YOU say YOU'RE READY?" She said trying to whisper, but
losing her temper.

   "NO, NO, NO!  Of course not.  I had my chance for you and I threw it
away.  I chased and screwed around with as many women as I could, but you
were the one I knew I should have stayed with, but it just isn't me.  Now
I'm 35 and still chasing skirts trying to be contented one day at a time."
He said admitting what haunted him.

   Phyllis' eyes were welling with tears as her body yearned for the way
Shane played it so many years ago.  She could not speak in response to him.

   "Why don't you go in and freshen up, dry your eyes and compose yourself
for the next session?  That is, if you still want to sit with me." Shane
said in his typical, thoughtful, yet charming manner.

   "Of course I do!" She replied as she got up and headed for the Ladies
Room, telling Shane to wait for her.  She stopped and came back to him and
he stood to see what the matter was.

   "After all the heartbreak, the tears, the nights I spent hoping you
would just disappear from the face of the earth, I can still call you my
friend.  A rat bastard as a boyfriend, but a friend.  Just the couple hours
we've spent today shows me that deep inside you lies the friend I first
knew that blossomed into a love affair.  We can't redo the love affair, but
I still want you as a friend." She said through a few tears.  "Now, let me
freshen up." When she went into the Ladies Room it wasn't the tears she
needed to dry, it was her panties.  As much as she didn't want to admit it,
his description of their sex touched a place inside her that hadn't been
tapped for a long while.  The sex with her husband was great, but sex with
Shane was magnificent!

   She wiped her pussy dry and put in a light day pad to keep from
embarrassing herself later.  In a few minutes she was walking up the
hallway with Shane for the next session.

   Once they settled they were both quiet while they listened to the Q & A
session.  As it wound down Shane leaned over to her and asked if he could
buy her lunch.

   "No, I'll expense my own, but we can eat together if you want." She
said, not wanting to get close to him thinking it was a date.

   "Oh sure!" He answered, seeing the way it had to be.

   Over lunch they caught up with each other's professional careers and
personal lives.  By the end of lunch it was apparent that Philly had
softened her stance on opening up to Shane.  Her body language had changed
dramatically from earlier.  She caught herself touching his arm, smiling
and winking to him as the day moved forward.  At the end of the day's
meetings the "friend" Shane was back in her life and she felt like a
college girl again.

   He asked her to dinner, but she said she had to call home and talk to
her husband and see how things were.  She had phone calls to return,
patients she needed to check status of, plus she wanted to shower and get
the convention room smell from her clothes and hair.

   By the time 7 o'clock rolled around she was through with the things she
needed to do and felt hungry and got dressed to go get a bite.  She chose a
light fabric pink dress that would keep her cool in the heat since she had
decided to dine in the casual restaurant at the hotel, The Atrium.  As she
walked past the packed bar and lounge area she could see it was a meat
market for the local women, hoping to net a doctor, and of course attached
and unattached MD's were eating it up.

   She was just waiting for the hostess to bring her to a table when she
heard the tic-tac of shoes racing her way.  She turned and it was Shane.

   "I thought you were going to forego dinner, or was it just me you wanted
to forego?" He said smiling, hoping to get an honest answer.

   "No" she laughed, "I just didn't know how long I would be and I didn't
want to hold you up."

   "Am I too late to buy you dinner, or would you rather eat alone. . . .
I'll understand , . .  really." He asked tentatively.

   "We both have expense accounts and I would rather pay for my own, but if
you would like to join me I'd love the company." She said smiling.

   Having changed into a Polo and nice fitting jeans, Shane looked nice out
of his coat and tie.  It was a look that was not lost on Philly.  When he
excused himself to go to the Men's room, blaming the beer he had earlier,
Philly flushed as she watched him walk away.  She admitted to herself that
Shane was still beefcake to her eyes and she wished she had kept the pad in
her panties.  During the rest of dinner she resisted thinking about him in
a sexual way, but it was hard.

   He walked her to the elevator and said, "Don't take this the wrong way,
but I've got a bottle of wine in the room and a guy I know at Rainbow Media
out here gave me a copy of a new movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", um . . .
.  supposed to be real funny, that starts in theaters next month.  Would
you like to . . . . .no strings, really."

   Philly was intrigued by his invitation and the thought of getting a
little closer to him just to get some masturbation fodder for later made
her say OK.  He had a small suite with a living room and a sofa and while
she sat down he put in the movie and poured wine.

   They laughed and cajoled each other during the movie, she being careful
not to drink too much wine, he hoping she didn't notice how many times he
glanced to see her laugh.

   It was just passed 10 when Philly said "We better break this up, another
long day of speakers tomorrow.  Thanks, Shane, for the day.  It was nice
getting reacquainted."

   "Sure, it was nice for me too.  Thanks." He said as he leaned over to
kiss her cheek.

   But she turned her lips to him and they kissed, both of them pulling
away quick, knowing they shouldn't.  She was about to get up when his scent
made her go in for one more.  He didn't seem to kiss back at first but she
persisted and their lips locked.

   "God, this feels so GOOD!" Philly thought to herself as she pressed her
mouth to him even harder and pushed her tongue to him.  That was the only
cue Shane needed to kiss back, and kiss back hard.  All of a sudden it was
necking, fierce necking, and then Philly pulled away fast.

   "God, NO!  I can't do this.  I'm married and I love my husband!"

   "Are you going to tell him?"

   "Of course not!"

   "Why can't we go a little further and not tell him THAT either?  This
feels so right." Shane said as he slid to the floor and hugged his face to
her knees.

   "Noooooo, Shane" She whined while not making any effort to thwart him
besides tightening her knees together.

   "If I part these knees I'll bet there's just a little piece of cotton
separating your little pink pussy and my mouth." He sing-songed with a
laugh at the end while he fit a knee in each hand between his thumb and
forefinger.

   "Nooooo, Shane.  I SHOULDN'T be doing this." She said leaning back in
exasperation, while letting her knees be pulled open.

   Shane pushed her little dress up till his thumbs pressed at her hip bone
and the rest of his hand wrapped the side of her waist he pulled her torso
toward him.

   "Oh Godddd SHANE!  I shouldn't be doing this.  YOU shouldn't be doing
this!" She said as he pulled aside the soaking wet gusset of her panty.

   "It looks so delicious!" He said as he blew softly between her legs.

   "Eat me, Shane.  You bad boy, eat me and make me crazy like you always
did!"

   Shane needed no further prodding as he pulled her even closer to his
mouth and he slurped up all of her juices and sucked at her clit.  He
plunged a finger in her and pushed it just behind her clit keeping pressure
from both sides of the hot little fuse.

   Her ass began to almost bounce on the sofa looking like she might be
trying to dislodge him or push it harder to his face.  He knelt up
straighter and slid his hands under the balls of her ass, holding her quim
to his face while the tips of both middle fingers met at her asshole as he
softly squeezed her pretty ass.  Finally she could take no more as she let
out a muffled guttural report and she covered his face with her cream and
whatever it is a women ejaculates from her g-spot.

   Both her hands went between her legs as she moaned in post orgasmic
bliss.  At one point she pushed her panties off and began to wipe her pussy
and between her ass, drying what she had shot out.  Her feet were on the
carpet now and she was half way slouched off the sofa when she felt
pressure on the sofa beside her.  She opened her eyes to see the bulge,
complete with wet spot, of the front of Shane's jeans.

   "Oh Nooooo, Shane.  I've been bad enough already.  Oh GOD!" she said as
she reached out and rubbed the bulge.

   She knew she wanted to take him out, but knew what would happen if she
did, and she wanted it.

   She reached out and rubbed the bulge again and even leaned up and kissed
it before she started shaking her head, back and forth.

   "So wrong, so wrong, but I want it so bad" She repeated as she
continually shook her head no.

   Then she reached for his belt and undid it, unsnapped his jeans and
slowly pulled down the zipper.  Tears formed at the corner of her eyes as
she repeated.  "So bad, I'm so bad." Still shaking her head.

   Shane reached down and ran his hand over her hair, petting it.  "You're
not bad, you're just enjoying yourself, fulfilling needs."

   "Shane I want this soooo bad, please help me."

   "Prove to yourself how bad you want it.  Take it out.  You're not bad,
you're sweet."

   She peeled back the flaps of his jeans and pulled the waist band away
pushing everything down below his balls.  She cried more tears as her
little fingers touched and held him.  She looked up at him and then brought
her mouth to the tip and covered the head.

   Philly thrust her mouth as far over him as she could fit to get every
bit of man taste she could from him, then she gently slid her mouth over
and over the head and just behind on the shaft.  Her eyes closed, she was
in another place as she sucked him, holding his ass in her hands.

   It didn't take long for Shane to begin to breath heavy and puff.

   "You can have my cum, but I want to fuck you, just one more time.  You
know how we liked it." Shane said in a whisper.

   Philly let him fall from her mouth and slid to the floor on her knees.
She pulled her dress up over her head and tossed it aside before unhooking
her bra and letting it fall.  She fell forward and crossed her arms to lay
her head in the crux, while leaving her ass up in the air.

   In the meantime Shane had taken his pants the rest of the way off and
knelt behind Philly running his hands up over her back and then down around
to pinch and squeeze her nipples.  He kissed her back and then knelt up
straight.  He lined his cock up between the well trimmed furry lips of her
sex hole and plunged in.  He held himself tight to her bottom cheeks while
she swooned at the intrusion.  When he began to move he quickly began to
jackhammer at her, a move she apparently liked as she let out a long hum
accentuated only by force behind her.

   "MmmmmmmmMMMM, MmmmmmmmMMMM, MmmmmmmMMMM." Was her steady mantra as he
plowed her.  It was a fuck she would feel all the next day and apparently
she liked that.

   "You're so fucking tight, I'm GONNA CUM!" Shane cried out and Philly
instantly fell forward off him, then turned and scrambled for the tip of
his cock.

   The first stream flew into the air and hit her just below her breasts as
she moved her mouth to him.  A second jet hit her chin before she could fit
her mouth over him and suck out the last he had to give.  When she could
get no more from him she lifted her mouth and sprawled forward and dropped
her face upon the sofa, almost seeming to pass out.

   "I'm an awful person for what I just did." Philly said when she opened
her eyes and say Shane lying on the carpet with his back against the front
of the sofa, his face just inches from hers.  "But, I'm not sorry it
happened."

   "Blame me, I pressured you." He said hanging his head.

   "No, if I didn't want it to happen, it wouldn't have.  My protests were
to my conscience, not you." She sighed.

   Philly brought herself to her feet and looked for her panties and bra,
putting them on as she found them.  She picked up her dress and searched
for the armholes.

   "Don't go, stay the night." He protested.

   "Nothing else is going to happen." She said sternly.

   "No, I know.  I just have the feeling a lot of guilt is going to make it
a long night for you.  I can be your sounding board, your buffer." Shane
insisted.

   "I'm OK Shane.  If this had something to do with love, I would be torn
up.  This was pleasure with someone I trusted.  Oh, I'll feel guilt, and I
should.  But this goes no further." She said, sounding a bit sad.

   "I never want to be the reason for two people to break up." He almost
whispered as emotion came over him.

   "You won't Shane, and it's nice to see you've developed some sort of
conscience for your lifestyle." Philly remarked as she walked towards the
door and Shane got up to see her out.

   "God, I smell like sweat and cum.  Is there any in my hair?  Although I
don't suppose there will be anyone else on the elevator at one o'clock in
the morning." She mused.

   "Good night, see you at the breakfast at 8?" He asked.

   "OK, meet me in the hallway down there." She agreed and closed the door
behind her.

   Chapter 10 Refreshed by sleep and a hot shower Philly was glad she
wasn't torn apart by guilt.  She knew she still loved her husband and held
nothing more than a sexual connection to Shane Proctor.  She was glad she
hadn't woken with him as she scanned the queue of people waiting outside
the breakfast area.  He didn't seem to be down yet and she scanned each
elevator arrival looking for him.  Finally, just when she was about to give
up after waiting near 10 minutes, he came off one car with a young redhead
he was engaging in conversation.

   Philly waved and headed in to find a seat, not wishing to witness Shane
set up another date.  However he was just behind her when she sat.  There
were cups and carafes of coffee and a menu with three choices of
breakfasts. Fruit and scones, Eggs, any style, with meat, and Eggs, any
style, without meat.  A waitress rushed to the new arrivals and took their
order as Shane remarked how it was a fast and efficient way to serve 400
people hot breakfast.

   As they sipped coffee, seeming to avoid each other's eyes Shane finally
spoke up.

   "Your husband is a very lucky man."

   "How so?"

   "Well, if I may get brutally personal . . . . ."

   She leaned over to him and whispered low, "I had your penis coated with
my pussy and your cum in my mouth not 12 hours ago.  We've gotten brutally
personal."

   "You're very good at sex, you bring out the animal in a man."

   "I was pretty innocent when I met you, I believe it's you who's the
expert."

   "No, seriously, I don't have THAT effect on other woman, and I certainly
don't get that kind of . . . .  uh . .  pleasure, with anyone else."

   "If you're looking for a repeat, you can stop the flattery now.  NOT
happening!" She whispered emphatically.

   "No, definitely not!  We did something beautiful with each other last
night that can't be repeated.  In case you're wondering, that was NEVER my
intention.  It just happened."

   "I'll take you at your word at that.  Now let's drop the subject."

   Suddenly Philly was startled awake by the ringing of the phone.  She
tried to wipe the cobwebs from her dream of Shane Proctor and realize where
she was.  She saw the time as 7:00 a.m.  and reached for the phone, then
discovering it was her cell phone, not home phone.

   "Phil, answer that!" Charlie wailed from the other side of the bed just
as Philly clicked on.

   "Philly it's Patti!  You're getting me into trouble at Christian
Hospital!  I had a call this morning that if continued to ask questions
they would complain to the practice.  I said I was just socializing and she
interrupted me with a loud "END IT, you don't want to get involved" and
slammed the phone down."

   "Sorry if I got you in hot water, just do as they say and stay away from
anyone you questioned for a few days.  Make it obvious you aren't
interested and were just gossiping.  I'll cover for you with the practice."
Philly told her.

   Philly would love to know who called Patti, although she suspected it
was Shelly Peters.  One thing was for sure, there is a constant watch on
who asks questions about Jack Spagner.  Obviously Emory Richards knew
something and someone was helping protect secrets.  The State Medical
Examiners Review Panel must have a file on each of them and although she
couldn't access them, she could ask Shane Proctor to review them with the
evidence she might have.  She hoped to hear from Shane soon.

   Charlie had gotten up to pee after being awakened by the phone and
stayed in the bath to shower, as it was close to their regular 7:15 alarm.
Philly peeled back the covers and realized she was naked from the night
before romp.  As she began to roll out she hit a large cold wet spot and
jumped because it was obviously not still cum from the night before.  There
was a large, 12 inch or more, circle of wetness under her and she wondered
if she peed.  Then she remembered her dream, playing out her affair with
Shane.  She blushed, but smiled to herself that the memory would still
elicit such reaction.

   Forty five minutes later, with a piece of toast in one hand and a coffee
in the other she stood in front of the TV to get the days weather.  She
finished the last bite of toast and was quaffing coffee so as to leave and
be at Hampden for the day's appointments when her cell rang once again.

   "I thought when we got together in San Diego we decided we could work
together professionally, and it took you almost 8 years to call me?" Shane
said without even a hello.

   "Hey, you have a phone too, Shane" She retorted.

   "I was afraid if I called you it might look like a booty call." He
joked.

   "That's not funny, but I understand your thinking.  That was a wonderful
night and in many ways I don't regret it, but I'm sure you understand the
ways I do." She answered curtly.

   "Tell me Shane, where does your schedule bring you today?"

   "I'm just outside Edison right now, I have a meeting at 9 a.m.  in
Milford and have to be back in Trenton at 1:00 o'clock, then I've got a
shock visit with a team to a hospital at 4.  Obviously I can't say where."
He said.

   "Anywhere near Jersey City at 3:00 this afternoon?" She asked.

   "Yes, as a matter of fact I could be, why?"

   "I really need to talk to you about a potential problem, one that, if
true, could be huge.  Ummm, I sort of trapped you, . . . .  you're going to
Christian Hospital, aren't you."

   "I can't tell you yes or no, but please don't mention this call to
anyone, OK?"

   "Remember the Skyway Diner?" She asked.

   "Yes, it's right on my route."

   "I know, I'll meet you there at 3:00, OK?"

   Except for a few casual waves in passing at medical facilities, they
hadn't seen each other since San Diego.  Philly was surprised to see Shane
already seated in a booth when she got there.

   "How are you, so good to see you." Shane said as he got up and waited
for her to sit, always the gentleman.

   "I'm well, Shane.  Always good to see you.  I'm hoping you can help me
out.  There's a story that is just going to break nationally, and it's
really quite unbelievable, literally."

   With those words Philly began to tell Shane the whole story of Selena
and Joe and how they got out alive and survived the last 9 years.  When
Philly got to the part about possible stonewalling by Shelley Peters, Shane
stopped her.

   "Wait!  You're not jerking me around; you don't have any inside
information on why we're going there today?" He said looking at her
incredulously.

   "No, why?" She asked taken aback by the accusation.

   "Emory Richards has petitioned the board to take him off probation and
get his suspension wiped from his record.  In our investigation we wanted
to see how he and Jack Spagner fared since their altercation, . . .  umm"
He said fumbling through papers in his folder till he found the one with
the term he sought, . . .  " in an open patient area putting staff and
clients in danger"

   "Now this is strictly confidential Philly, swear on everything we ever
meant to each other you'll keep it that way . . . ." He said as she nodded
and touched his hand.

   "In every incident report from the last 10 years, Jack Spagner's name
has been redacted and most anything he and Richards worked on together is
not in the electronic file, only in the manual file, and that is kept in
Ms. Peter's desk.  When she is questioned about it she puts an SD card in
her computer that suddenly fills the missing holes.  You can see the
records, but only in her presence." He said with a quizzical look on his
face.

   "You DO know that she and Spagner live together and she is Richards's
step-sister." She asked.

   "Oh, I didn't know they were a couple.  THAT must be awkward.  I knew
she was his step-sister." He said.

   "Why is this Dr.  Richards suddenly hot to get his name off probation?"
Philly wondered aloud.

   "There's an opening at Hackensack General for an ER Chief of Staff. 
He's more than qualified, and by everything we see, a very good doctor.  If
he was clean, we were going to wipe his record and recommend him, and this
whole Spagner cover-up thing sprouted from it all.  It really shouldn't
affect Richards in the long run." Shane said casually.

   Philly near jumped out of the booth at him, grabbing both arms just
above his wrists.

   "You've GOT to question him on what I've shown you!!  He KNOWS something
about all of this stuff with Spagner, that's what the fight was over, and
something to do with the Jane Doe transfers and a Jane Doe's baby!"

   "Hey, calm down, I can't go and accuse him of something based on your
circumstantial evidence, especially when I'm going there to tell him his
record is now clean and will probably get the Hackensack job." Shane said
dismissing her.  "It's bad enough I have to go into the hospital to meet
with this Peter's woman under the pretense of questioning an employee just
to make sure she stays there today, so we can arrest her."

   "Arrest her?  For what?"

   "Falsifying records, basically.  We don't condone it." He said with a
sarcastic smile.

   "So you're going to show up, you, and a hit team, with a cop?"

   "A couple State Troopers." He reiterated.

   "You can't make that false accusation of Emory Richards, BUT, how about
you all show up in Peter's office and I ask to have Richards paged and no
one says a thing.  When he shows up and see's you guys, the Statey, and me,
he's going to figure it's about this case I've been asking around about. 
If I tell him he can walk away clean if he spills his guts, before any of
you say anything, I don't think he'll call my bluff." Philly offered.

   "Suppose he tells you something prosecutable?" Shane asked, checking his
watch.

   "Unless it's rape or murder, how far can you turn your head, and what
about statute of limitations." Philly wondered.

   "Mmmmm, if a crime was committed against either of your patients, they
were actually UNABLE to testify for the limitations period.  Could be that
a DA might go after it.

   "What if he just tells me and you never hear it?  I really think he's
only guilty of covering things up." Philly pleaded.

   "Let me head over to Christian and I'll conference with a few people,
police and our lawyers.  DON'T GO ANY FURTHER THAN THE LOBBY.  I'll look
for you there.  Don't say ANYTHING to ANYBODY!" Shane said sternly.

   "Don't worry, I don't want this to blow up anymore than you do." She
said shaking her head at his dramatics.

   Philly grabbed the check and told Shane to leave so he wouldn't be late.
She spent the drive over to the Hospital running over scenarios in her
head. For some reason she thought Emory Richards might be a sympathetic
character if he were cornered.  He seemed compassionate to the Hansen's
when Shelly had acted reluctant to give out information on "Sue Johnson".
He was obviously well versed in emergency procedures and was a good surgeon
which was obvious by his potential hiring in Hackensack.  She doubted he
would do anything stupid to jeopardize his career, which seemed to be
taking off.  Unless she was reading it wrong, Dr.  Emory Richards was
protecting Jack Spagner for the sake of his step-sisters happiness, and to
cover any possible accusations that he might be an accessory to anything
Spagner may have done.

   At 4:15 APN Phyllis Flowers sat in the main lobby of Christian Hospital.
She had been there for almost 20 minutes of fidgeting and checking her
watch worrying she may have missed Shane Proctor and the group he was to be
with.  She had checked her cell phone once again for a missed call and to
be sure she had bars enough to get service.  Paranoia was getting the best
of her until she saw the tops of the large hats New Jersey State Police
wear.  They were coming up the stairs with 4 other men in suits, one of
them being Shane Proctor.  As she stood to meet them Shane said something
to them as a group and they stood down as Shane went over to Philly.

   "I teleconferenced with 4 of the board and based on my trust in you and
your judgment, we won't pursue Richards on anything unless he committed
crimes himself, besides the covering for others, as long as you feel he is
going to make full disclosure.  His exchange of information to you
precludes us from investigating that case any further.  However, he should
be made aware that if he is an accomplice to Shelly Peters' crime, besides
turning his head to it; we can't help him, unless he wants to testify
against his step-sister.  Right now Emory Richards is in her office, with
her expecting to sign a recommendation for an employee transfer, and he
assuming it's the Hackensack job.  It's imperative that you command the
situation without a word coming from us.  We might LOOK to be all together,
but we can't be part of what you're doing.  The State Police investigator
recommends you approach him directly and say "You KNOW why I'm here.  Come
with me and we'll talk.".......  you then promptly escort him to another
room.  Once you both leave, the State Police will charge Ms.  Peters and
arrest her.  We'll all leave and go before a magistrate and we'll waive
bail due to the nature of the crime.  The State Medical Examiners Review
Panel will take charge of all of the records of the hospital and then work
to restore them to their original form.  All future access to the files
must be cleared through the panel.  We don't know how hospital
administration will react to all of this.  We have kept everything very
quiet to assure there was no leakage or collusion.  I've got smoothing and
schmoozing to do once they take her out."

   "So what leverage do I have?" Philly asked.

   "He doesn't have the job at Hackensack yet, we haven't lifted his
probation.  Listen Phil, any crimes that you think may have been committed
are going to be very hard to prosecute due to the time that has passed.  We
don't feel any way a judge would ever bother to hear the case." Shane told
her knowing they were words she didn't want to hear.

   "So that's why I'm questioning him and not you or the police, and why he
doesn't need a lawyer present." Philly said, exhaling deeply.

   "Exactly, you have no authority but the State Police Investigator saw
what you've given me and he thinks if you look like part of the team he may
crack.  Remember, and he should be made aware of this, I can hold the key
to his getting the job.  I have no good reason to lift his probation. 
Remember, when we went to look at his record, we discovered Michelle Peters
crime, and he may be involved in that.  That suspicion alone is enough to
keep him on probation.  I know you're passionate about all of this you have
going on, but evidence-wise, it's nothing because it's so stale.  I know
you think this Spagner character is guilty of something, but you'll just
have to take heart in the fact that he is going down for the same crime as
Peters as we speak." Shane said with a little smirk on his face.

   "He is?" She asked.

   "Yes, as soon as I give the go-ahead there is a team at Felsen to arrest
him." Shane said with a wink.

   "All of this for falsifying records?" Philly said thinking it was
overkill for the crime committed.

   Shane leaned over and whispered to her, "Someone made insurance claims
and skimmed money.  We think we know who, and who didn't know.  I can't say
more.  We don't want this out yet.  Understand?"

   She gave him an all-knowing nod as Shane turned and began to lead the
team to the elevators.  Suddenly she became a little afraid that she may be
in deeper than she had bargained.  It became clear to her that she was to
give the impression that she was a part of The State Medical Examiners
Review Panel, but never say it.

   The six men and one woman entourage got off the elevator and walked
directly to the office labeled ADMINISTRATION, Records, Public Relations,
Information.  With Hospital cut-backs these offices had been merged into
one office and the 7 strode through while the receptionist protested.  They
opened the door and the contented smiles of Emory Richards and Michelle
Peters fell quickly.  No one said a word and Shane turned to Nurse Flowers,
nodding.

   Philly stepped forward and said to Emory Richards, "I think you KNOW why
I'm here for you today.  Let's go someplace where we can talk."

   Shelley Peters stood up and seemed relieved they weren't there to speak
to her, or so she thought as she said, "There Emory," she said pointing to
a door off her office, "the conference room should be free."

   Emory Richards nervously stood and went to the door with Philly right
behind.  He opened the door to reveal a large conference table in an
otherwise empty room, besides a small pantry with refrigerator.  He turned
and looked at Philly, his brow furrowed and his eyes troubled.

   "I guess we can sit here?" He said, his voice almost choking.

   Phyllis Flowers began her bluff and waited to see if she could hook
Emory Richards.

   "We've done a lot of investigating and went over a lot of the records
from 9/11/2001 and thereafter and found a lot of interesting things about
you and your partner on the ambulance that day.  You know that the woman,
Selena Hanson Johnson is fully recovered both mentally and physically, as
well as her husband, the man who dropped her off to you that day.  It will
become a major news story, The 2 who walked away from the Towers.  How do
think that is going to affect your job, your probation, and your chances of
getting another job as a doctor?"

   Emory's face turned ashen and he sat back hard, his eyes seeming on the
verge of tearing up.  He put his face into his hands and was obviously
thinking, trying to think of a way out of this maze he had been thrown
into.

   "I may have turned my head to a lot of things that happened; let things
I could have controlled get out of control, but I didn't DO anything
besides stupidly keep my mouth shut." He said as tears began to stream out
of his eyes, and then his face turned red and he grit his teeth.

   "All to protect that ASSHOLE who lives with my sister!  God DAMN him!  I
covered for him once when I thought she was going to die anyway, but then
it snowballed and he kept throwing it in my face that I could get in as
much trouble covering up in the first place."

   Phyllis Flowers was proud of herself, now that she felt secure that the
hook as firmly in Emory Richards.  Now she had to begin to reel him in.

   "Come clean and I can make sure that your probation is lifted and you
get The State Medical Examiners Review Panel recommendation for the job at
Hackensack General.  One codicil though, if I think you're lying, or you
trip over a fact I know to be true, we go back out there with the others.
In other words, cooperate with me and I'll do all I can to help you."
Philly said.

   "I don't believe you can do that." He said suddenly doubting her.

   "I can as long as it's just me and you in here.  You just have to do two
things to insure things will go your way.  Come clean about everything that
went on with Selena, and tell me that you've committed no crimes besides
turning your head and covering up for others." Philly said confidently.

   "How can you . . . . . ." Emory started to say but trailed off as
emotions took over.

   "Emory!  We're in here alone!  I'm not recording anything, no one else
will hear.  It's WHY we came in here alone.  I need only say ONE thing to
the Panel; that you cooperated.  That should free you to have your
probation revoked.  So do you ease your conscience or not?" Philly said as
she began to put papers back into her briefcase and stand up.

   "Don't go out there yet." Emory Richards whispered as emotion and tears
began to choke him up.

   "I'm a good person, I really am.  I got talked into covering up for
something that didn't seem to make a difference at the time.  We didn't
think the woman would live.  When Spagner called me back to the ambulance
because she swallowed her tongue . . . . ."

   "SLOW DOWN!!  Start at the beginning, when she was first brought to
you." Philly asked as she took notes.

   "He was frantic to leave and she was in no condition to go any further.
I'm pretty sure she was half dragged the last part of the way.  Her shoes
were gone and her feet were bloody.  She was in and out of consciousness
and I discovered a huge trauma on the back of her head.  I called the
hospital with her vitals and asked for an air transport, you know,
helicopter, but they said all air travel was grounded and to stabilize her.
I began to wonder if the guy who dropped her had caused the injury.  I
remembered that I had broken a rule about containing a situation, I didn't
have any information on the man, nor did I know who she was.  She seemed to
be as stable as we could keep her and I could still see the guy limping
away, probably a quarter mile up the road as it rose towards the Skyway. 
Moving that slow, I knew I could catch him fast so I left them, the woman
and Spagner, and took a two-way in case he had a problem.  I was gone for
maybe 6 or 8 minutes when I got the may-day from Spagner, she was
convulsing.  I headed back, running as fast as I could between the stranded
cars and frightened people.  Somewhere along the way he shouted over the
radio that she had swallowed her tongue and he had no response.  He was
contemplating cutting open her airway when I got there, but I dislodged her
tongue right away and gave her oxygen.  Her clothing was all open, Spagner
said he was going to use the paddles to revive her, stupid ass.  I got her
warm and breathing but it sounded like she had some sort of blockage.  I
used an aspiration device, suction, to clear a large wad of mucus and like
white grainy stuff, all I could think of was ground up dry-wall.  Then her
breathing seemed clearer, but she seemed in a coma, I wondered if she were
brain-dead.

   We didn't get the traffic untangled for another 2 or 3 hours, she was no
better, no worse.  Heart and blood pressure normal, but no other responses.
Once we finally got going Spagner drove and I stayed with her.  I knew from
talking with the emergency room that they were bogged down and I was
supposed to triage and assist that night anyway, part of my interning, so I
started an admission form under a Jane Doe listing everything that we knew.
I knew the blow to the back of her head would probably be the cause of her
death, I just imagined clots waiting to shut her down once she was moved.

   We wheeled her right in and a team was waiting for us and I stayed to
finish admission while all hell broke loose around the gurney.  A doctor I
had worked with before told me to glove and gown and get ready to go to
surgery, they were short.  I quickly washed and did what he asked as they
wheeled her into the trauma room.

   They told me to grab a catheterization kit and take care of that.  As I
was catheterizing her I discovered semen in her vagina.  I knew that animal
Spagner had done something horrible.  I should have thrown him in right
then, but I was afraid I might be implicated as well.  I said nothing. 
When I caught up with him later he admitted he had raped her saying "she
was too pretty to leave alone, and she was going to die anyway." She became
a pet project of mine from that point and I watched her carefully, but she
was out of it, mostly.  It was like a wakened coma.  She ate some, but her
eyes rarely moved and she acknowledged almost nothing.  One day I read her
chart and saw she had been vomiting up her breakfast.  I held my breath and
did a pregnancy stick in her catheter pouch and got the positive.  I
flipped out on Spagner and even told my sister, who had just moved in with
him.  She said she didn't care since it happened before she started going
out with him.  I couldn't convince her it was a character flaw, how stupid
is that?

   Spagner wanted to transfer her to Felsen, but not for the right reasons.
He wanted to abort her baby.  I called his brother directly and told him
that if that took place at Felsen he could count on me reporting an
abortion after the 1st trimester there.  He could lose the State Charter to
exist as a medical facility if I did.  I did agree to transfer her there
for brain studies and to keep her "out of it" until the baby was delivered.
I shuffled Jane Doe numbers and charts so that if you tried to trace the
Jane Doe, now known to us as Sue Johnson, you couldn't find her at Felsen."
Richards said after a long unloading of his conscience.

   "You didn't shuffle her too well.  I was able to trace her there and
back to Christian and can even tell you the numbers you used to cover. 
That's one of the reasons we're here talking now." Philly said while not
looking him in the face for fear she could not resist the urge to batter
him right there with her fists.

   "It was just before she went to Felsen that I exploded at Jack Spagner
in the solarium of the 7th floor.  I had a few months of pent up rage at
the situation and every time I saw him I thought of him rutting on the
lifeless body of this woman in the ambulance.  In my mind that was the
reason she swallowed her tongue and caused most of her problems.  I knocked
out a few of his teeth, broke a couple ribs, and blackened both of his
eyes. I also damaged a few pieces of the furniture in the room and caused a
panic among the patients and visitors there.  I didn't emerge unscathed, I
had a broken nose and a bruised kidney, as well as lots of other problems
caused by a kick in my groin.  We were suspended; just as well, I had
broken 5 fingers on his face.  Jack never got his job back; he wasn't much
more than a go-fer anyway.  He never got his full EMT." Emory said as he
searched for something to drink for his dry mouth.

   Emory Richards could see that Philly Flowers had a clenched jaw and the
hand that wasn't writing was balled into a fist.  He looked to the side and
saw the refrigerator.

   "There must be water in there, do you mind?  He asked.

   Without making eye contact she lifted her clenched hand open and waved
in that direction.  He went and got a bottle of water, and one for her as
well.

   "Get to the baby, I want to hear about the baby." She said sternly.

   "She wasn't aware of much in the last few months of her pregnancy and
Spagner's brother cooperated, making sure she was visited by physical
therapist almost every day to keep her limber, avoid bed sores, and keep
her body toned enough to deliver.  She delivered a 6 pound, 4 ounce baby
about 3 weeks premature.  She had no problems whatsoever and 3 weeks after
she had it I swapped her out with another Jane Doe at Christian.  At the
time she was only on Paxil and something to help her sleep.  I knew if I
could get her to become more aware and show no signs of violence, she would
be a perfect candidate for Hampden where she could be weaned off all of the
drugs she had seen so far." Emory continued until Philly prodded him again.

   "The baby, the BABY!" Philly barked firmly.

   "The baby came back here as a Jane Doe and she, Selena, was not aware
she had given birth.  She probably thought she was having a bad period or
other female problem.  If she was aware. . . . ." Emory continued until a
fist slammed down on the table.

   "BABY!"

   "ALRIGHT!  I'm not avoiding it, just making the pieces fit.  The baby
came back to Christian as a Jane Doe 2002-056, the 56th Jane Doe we had on
the floor that year.  I'll just never forget the number.  She was only one
day here before we transferred her to Catholic Charity Services of New
Jersey with the hospital signing off for the mother as Matris Mortuus.  I
checked and the baby was adopted about a month later to an infertile couple
waiting for a newborn in Upstate New York.  I have their name written at
home somewhere." Richards said matter-of-factly.

   "Wait, no one is supposed to be able to get that information.  Those
records are supposed to be sealed.  How did you get them?" Philly wondered,
beginning to think he was making this up.

   "I knew a Postulant at St.  Marian-Maries Convent that used to be part
of the hospital.  She helped deliver adoptions as part of her step to
Noviciant.  She had a thing for me and wasn't sure if she had the vocation.
She saved the information for me as a trade for . . . . . .  my company.  I
would say I'm going to hell for it, but she became a real nun a few years
ago, so I guess she wasn't all that impressed." He said laughing at himself
while Philly shook her head in pity.

   "Before they put Selena, or Sue, whatever you call her, back into our
program I recommended her for Hampden because she had been here a almost a
year, supposedly on chemical and drug therapy, with no results as I wrote
in my brief.  She fit into their program well and was there until you got
her out." Emory explained to finish.

   "Was the fact she was from the Towers attack left out of your notes
intentionally to keep people from looking for her, to cover for the rape?"
Philly asked.  "If they had said they had a person from the Tower attack
with no ID they would have found her a lot sooner."

   "I guess it was always assumed in my early notes, I never really checked
and reread any of them until the day her parents were here.  If you saw the
Jane Does who get checked into the female ward on 7 you would see how she
fit right into the spaced out, drug infested, poor things that end up
there. Also, one showing up pregnant is not an oddity either." Emory added
to his mea culpa.

   "Too bad there wasn't a DNA test on the baby, to link it to Jack
Spagner." Philly said as she was closing her note pad.

   "I have one, in the DNA bank and freezer downstairs.  It's stored as
part of a family baseline experiment, ya know where we all have different
DNA, but you and all your siblings have the same markings down the helix to
one point and no other family would have those.  I kept it there to maybe
sink Spagner someday, if I had to.  Now is as good a time as any." Emory
said with a leer.

   "Are you sure?" She asked, not quite believing he could have had such
access.  "I'm positive, I took it myself.  I was there for the delivery.  I
didn't trust Spagner.  If she had went C-section I was afraid he might do
something stupid, since he couldn't cover that scar.  I was scrubbed and in
the room.  He didn't see me.  I was standing under the interns balcony.  I
saw his reflection in the other glass.  When they cut her to make the
delivery easier, he pounded his fists on the glass and the attending
physician looked up and shook his head at him.  There was something going
on between them, but the doctor did the right thing." Emory recalled.

   "That scar was the first clue I got.  I was suspicious before, but when
I heard of that scar I did a little detective work." Philly said as she
packed up her things.

   "So, I'm free to go and finish up with them in Shelley's office?" Emory
said as he stood, a man relieved.

   "There's no one out there, they were here to arrest your step-sister for
falsifying records, altering records, and a laundry list of other little
bookkeeping infractions." She told him.

   "SHIT!  They should have arrested Spagner!  HE'S the one who coerced
her, had her do that stuff!" Richards said, surprised at the arrest.

   "Don't worry, they got him too!" She told him smiling.

   "So why was I there, and you?" He wondered.

   "We, both of us, just happened to be in the room.  They never said a
word to you, only I spoke.  But, I can tell them that you were forthcoming
and honest, and contrite as well.  I think you'll be going to the position
at Hackensack.  Unless they throw you in that mess." Philly said.

   "No, they can't.  I had nothing to do with that." Emory Richards said,
obviously relieved.

   "I hope you're right.  Now, I'm not leaving this hospital, and you won't
leave my sight until I get that DNA." She said determinedly.

   "Still don't trust me?"

   "I know a woman who lost nine years of her life because you couldn't be
trusted to live up to the oath of a doctor.  No matter what, you could have
spoken up sooner." She said snottily to show her resolve.

   They opened the door to the connecting office of Michelle Peters
expecting to find an empty office, and instead they found Brian DelAire,
the CEO of the Hospital, behind the desk of Shelly Peters with Shane
Proctor leaning over his shoulder showing him the infractions Ms Peters and
Jack Spagner were being charged with.

   "Emory, were you aware of the hanky-panky going on here, are you
involved in all of this too?" DelAire asked almost in an accusatory tone.

   Shane looked at Philly who gave him an approving eye-blink and nod.

   "Uhh . . .  NO Brian, Emory is clean.  He happened to be here in the
office to interview for a job, with Michelle providing details when we came
in.

   "I heard you might be leaving us.  ER surgeons with your experience are
not easy to come by.  I hope you still plan to practice and not just triage
and assign as an ER Chief." DelAire said keeping half his attention to the
explanation of the crime and Richards leaving.

   "Yes Sir, I will always practice, I will be VERY hands on, in my greens
more than a tie, for sure." Emory said as he walked out the door with
Philly.

   "What's going to happen to Shelley?" Emory asked, suddenly worried about
his step sister.

   "Well, she'll obviously, probably, lose her job unless she throws
Spagner under the bus in some sort of deal.  It's not the sort of thing
that would get her any jail time, but probation for sure as long as she has
a clean record.  I'm guessing the hospital will not want her back in a
position where she has as much control, if she stays.  The State will waive
bail, I do know that." She told him as they got to the south wing elevator
and Emory pushed the button to go down.

   Once the elevator arrived they got on and Emory used a key to activate 2
grayed out floors, RECORDS, and MORGUE.  He pressed RECORDS and they went
down 3 floors with the doors opening to a desk with an admission door to
its right.  Behind the desk sat an older man, maybe 60 or 65 with T. 
Travis on his badge, who recognized Emory Richards right away.

   "Hey Doc, I heard you guys had Visitors.  Nothings left here that wasn't
signed out.  What do you need?" He asked.

   "DNA Tink.  We have to see the DNA vault.  Um, Tinker this is Phyllis
Flowers." Richards said as Tinker nodded to Philly and got up to go to the
door at the right.

   "We'll need both our keys to get in there and you'll both need gloves if
you plan on handling anything." Tinker Travis said as he held the door for
them and flipped a switch lighting an entry to a large steel and glass
door.

   Tinker put in his key and Doctor Richards added his, and they opened the
door.  Inside looked like a miniature filing cabinet with about 30 drawers.
Each drawer was triple locked except for one off to the side marked
STUDIES, NON CLASSIFIED.  "We just need the non-classified stuff Tink. 
They just want to see how we handle them, and she's already seen the
security." Emory said, dismissing Tinker.

   "These are all fixed samples taken with buccal swabs, put onto a
chemically treated card and they will last virtually forever as long as
they are kept in a dry place, 60-75 degrees." Richards began to explain to
her.

   "Oh yes, I take buccal swabs all of the time, I may even have some kits
in my briefcase.  I'm familiar on how to handle them." Philly said nodding.

   "All of the others in the triple locked drawers are blood samples kept
frozen.  A simple drop of blood from the sample can be taken 100's of times
for study and make perfect DNA samples for study.  I have 2 cards of Baby
Jane Doe 2001-191 and each has an alias on them that only I know, just to
make sure no prying eyes found them and wanted to destroy them.  One is
Cher Ubeam, and the other is Sarah Phim." Emory told Philly as Tinker got
out of ear-shot.

   "Oh, angels cherubim and seraphim!  Clever, am I going to be able to
take one?" Philly asked.

   "Yes, there is no control on these.  If things get real interesting or
real sticky, I DO have a blood sample, but the swab will prove positive
heredity." Emory said as he flipped through the glassine envelopes and
pulled one.

   "Put this in your briefcase and have it tested as soon as you can.  I
don't think it can go stale very fast, but to be sure . . . . ." Emory said
as he slipped it to her.

   "What name is the blood sample under?" Philly asked as she took out her
notes.

   "Ummm . . .  for me to know, for MY protection.  Please understand."
Emory said as Philly nodded in understanding.

   "Wait, you'll need one more card, the one for Jack Spagner." Richards
said as Philly appeared to be closing up her briefcase again.

   "No, the police will get one from him today; it'll be part of the
no-bail agreement.  As much as you've cooperated today, I only have your
word that this is the baby's DNA, but Spagner's I can be sure of, if they
get it today." Philly said regretting that she had to intimate that she
didn't fully trust him yet.

   "Fair enough, I can understand that." He said as he closed the drawer
and she clicked the locks on her briefcase.

   "Nothing in, nothing out, Doc?" Tinker said as he stood and relocked the
vault door with Dr.  Richards.

   "Just a look-see, Tink.  Thanks for your help." Emory said as he walked
past and Philly nodded thanks to him as well.

   "He's a trusting soul." Philly said under her breath, as the elevator
came.

   "When they need blood DNA they need 3 keys and one of them is usually
accompanied by a court order or law enforcement, so it's a big deal.  99
percent of the swab cards are part of experiments and tests for interns and
like that.  The family tree swabs are something I was part of from the
start so I have pretty much free access to them.  There's no real ID to
them, we just look at them characteristically.  Even to ADD blood DNA you
need 3 keys and a numbered sign in form and no one even turns their head
once a drawer is open, plus it's all videotaped." He said as the elevator
zoomed back up.

   "Interesting.  Were we taped today?" She wondered.

   "No, Tinker has to hit a switch for it and he never did.  He usually
doesn't bother unless it's someone besides me or they are getting blood. 
It does capture 1 second every minute anyway, so there is no cheating."
Emory said as they arrived back on the admin floor.

   "So, am I free to go about my business?" He asked hopefully.

   "Yes, just as much as ever.  I think you can expect to see your
probation lifted and for the review panel to recommend you for the
Hackensack job.  Just keep in mind that I do not work for The State Medical
Examiners Review Panel, the New Jersey State Police, or any other governing
body of law for medical practice." She reiterated before the two parted.

   At this point in the day she just wanted to get home and relax.  It had
been a long and stressful, but a fruitful day as far as gathering
information.  She turned around and pushed the elevator button to go down.
It opened almost immediately and as she stepped on she was surprised to see
Shane Proctor alone in the car.

   "Done for the day?" She asked.

   "Yes, finally!  There's a place across the way, The Recovery Room, would
you care to go for a drink?" He queried.

   "As nice as that sounds, I can't.  You and me and alcohol don't mix
well." Philly said rather brusquely.

   "I didn't MEAN it THAT way, Philly.  Just a drink to take the edge off
and catch up." Shane insisted.

   "Whatever Shane, one of us has to have a little willpower and I'm afraid
it's not me.  With you, I'm easy and I love my husband and my marriage too
much to let it happen again.  We can only work together, not socialize. 
I'm sorry." Philly said even though she felt bad for treating him that way.

   "Shane!  I didn't mean to shoot you down so hard.  Actually, tomorrow I
have to fly to upstate New York with someone from Edison M.S.; I'm going to
represent Hampden in a remarkable news conference.  Watch the news for me
and you'll see an incredible story." She added as she peeled off and headed
to the parking lot to get her car and drive home.

   Chapter 11

   Selena and Joe had all the legal papers they would need to begin to
recreate the life they once had and were on their way home.  Their final
stop at Edison put things in perspective for Joe and for the first time
since he came around from his DFS as the real Joe Johnson, he looked at
Edison as a place for healing, instead of a prison.  It was the perfect
catharsis for the re-beginning.  He knew, as well as Selena, that the next
few weeks would be a hectic trial of explanation after explanation to those
who would somehow miss the story on TV, radio, newspaper and internet. 
Edison Mental Studies Clinic, Hampden Behavioral Health, Wall Street Global
Group, the States of New York and New Jersey, The Freedom Tower and 911
Memorial Commission, and The PolyTech Institute were all putting out press
releases to announce the recovery of 2 lives from the 911 attacks, how they
came about and the circumstance of the ordeal.  The two recovered victims
would hold a press conference the following morning at 11 a.m.  from their
home.  Only local affiliate anchors of the 4 major networks would be
invited as well one local and one New York City newspaper would be invited.
All other requests for interviews and appearances would not be entertained
with a plea for their privacy and the chance to get on with their lives. 
Both Edison Behavioral and Hampden reps would be on hand to answer and
explain the medical aspects of their individual situations and what one had
to do with the recovery of the other.

   The press releases would all be identical except for the relationship
that either, Joe, Selena or both of them had with the issuing party.  It
was meant to cut down on a lot of the questions of who and how it was
possible.  Selena and Joe were not excited about the presser, but just
wanted to get it out of the way and hope that any and all of their friends
and associates would hear or see it and let them move on.  JoAnne Culver
from Edison and Phyllis Flowers would represent Hampden and would answer
ALL the medical questions.

   They were home for only a few minutes when they switched on the 11
o'clock news when the story was broke to the networks and over the
internet.

   "You may remember a human interest story from 4 or 5 weeks ago about a
man being treated and studied with DFS.  Those said to suffer with DFS
sometime end up with total memory loss of their past and wake each day as a
different personality, a personality so complex that doctors feel that it
may be that of, or as, a significant person in the persons past life.  One
of those patients, however, caused quite a stir because he woke one day as
Joseph Johnson, a Wall Street investor thought lost in the attack, and has
kept the same unwavering personality and he finally convinced doctors that
he survived the 911 attack in the first tower hit and wandered away with
his wife.  His father-in-law recognized him from the report and used
information he provided to find the man's wife and tonight they begin to
put their lives back together after being missing for 9 years."

   "And so it begins......" Joe said as he looked up from the TV at Selena
and her parents.

   "Just get yourselves through tomorrow and I think the hard part is over.
I know you both like being private people, but this is a hell of a story.
You're considered back from the dead.  Unfortunately people who got calls
from their loved ones who said they were OK that day, and then never came
home, will use this to drive clinics like Edison and Hampden crazy hoping
to find people.  You two will just have to bite your tongues and be patient
tomorrow and let the experts handle the medical questions." Scott Hansen
advised them.

   "It's going to be an early day tomorrow and I know you want to pore over
things here, but let's just get to bed, get up refreshed and get it over
with.  JoAnne and Phyllis fly in at 7:30 and have a service to get them
here.  We'll all have breakfast together and talk to be ready for the day.
Lights out in 10 minutes!" Betty said with a smile, hoping she made an
impression on her daughter and Joe.

   After a nervous first night home, with Selena's Mom and Dad staying as
well, they woke to the sound of trucks outside setting up for feeds to
networks.  After showers and a little puttering around by Selena and Joe a
knock came from the front door amid the hubbub in the driveway.  The hired
security man had JoAnne Culver and Philly Flowers with him to let in. 
Still, Betty Hanson managed to fill Joe's house with the smell of breakfast
like only she could fix.  Eggs, bacon, homemade biscuits, and plenty of
coffee.  The homey scents seemed to calm a lot of nerves and steel Selena
and Joe's will to get it all over with.  While Betty was preparing the
breakfast Scott had supervised the transformation of the front of the
garage into a studio, making sure TV people kept their trucks and equipment
off the grass and they didn't infringe on their privacy.

   At 10 o'clock Joe, Selena, along with The Hansons, JoAnne Culver and
Phyllis Flowers came out of the elevator to a loud round of applause from
the gathered news people and a few hundred local gawkers in the driveway
and adjoining property.  Scott and Betty Hanson, Selena and Joe sat at a
table, while JoAnne and Philly stood at podiums that flanked the table. 
Philly and JoAnne read from prepared statements that fully explained the
circumstances and how the discovery and the reunion of all parties came
about.

   When the floor was opened for questions many just covered things already
laid out in previous statements causing Joe to get short and curt with his
answers.  Finally Scott, who was directing the questioners, saw the one
radio reporter from the local 50,000 watt station, and he pointed at him.

   "How good does it feel to be back home?" He asked.

   For the first time Joe smiled and hugged Selena at the same time.

   "No words can describe what I feel to know that I had lost my wife and
got her back and that her parents somehow never gave in to the realities of
us being gone.  Virtually, nothing has changed since the last day I
remember being here.  Nine years is a long time and . . . . . ." He was
saying as he began to choke up with emotion.

   Selena threw her arms around Joe's neck as she half stood and kissed him
saying into the microphone, "Nine years is a long time, and we really just
want to get back to our lives and maybe make up for the nine years if
people would just leave us alone and let us live the way we always did! 
Yes, it's a fascinating story, but there's nothing more to tell.  You ask
us questions about being inside that building before it fell, . . .  it was
horrifying and having to relive that is not a pleasant experience."

   Of the hands raised with questions among the 6 media members all went
down except for that of the lone newspaper reporter from New York City.

   Scott pointed to him and he asked, "Selena, are you going to be doing
financial blurbs with Wall Street Global again?  We who write about all
that boring stuff found that you made it much more pleasant and easier to
understand."

   Chuckles came from the crowd as well as smiles from all of those at the
podium.  The question definitely broke the mood and made everyone stop and
think for a moment.

   "Yes, well I hope to someday get back there, if they want me." She said
with a broad smile.

   Anyone else who had a question was embarrassed to ask at that point and
with no hands up.  Scott looked to everyone and nodded and they all stood,
and the 6 marched off to the elevator, thus ending the press conference.

   Inside Philly had a few moments to be with Joe and told him of the
developments, trying to skirt the issue of a rape taking place.  But Joe
assumed the obvious and confronted Philly directly.

   "We are working on the premise that somewhere along the line she was
raped and she has no knowledge or recollection, am I right?" He asked.

   "It looks that way Joe, but you can't say a word yet, to her or anyone."
She forcefully answered.

   "I would like to delve into her subconscious a little to see if she has
any memory of it, because if she is blocking it, we could have problems
later.  Understand?" Philly asked as their confidential moment was about to
end as Selena drew near.

   "Why do I have this feeling that you're talking about me like I'm still
in a mental hospital?" Selena said as she approached.  "You were NOT in a
mental hospital and I was just telling Joe what I will tell you right now.
I would like to have one more session with you, possibly under hypnosis or
a drug relaxed state.  I think it can accelerate your adaptation back to
where you could return normalcy.  I hear you seem distant at times and
that's common for being rushed back into society.  You might have issues
unresolved." Philly tried to explain without showing her real hand.

   "What kind of issues?  Give me an example." She asked as if she might
not resist the session if an issued sounded reasonable.

   "In that type of social setting you sometimes develop a trust or a
fondness that might be considered inappropriate, not in reality, but in
your mind.  Remember, your devotion to Joe was at times skewed by mistrust
that he may have carried on his life while leaving you behind.  You knew in
your heart it couldn't be true, but you also questioned mortality and
whether you were of this world." Philly tried to explain without fully
lying about all of her intentions.

   "You mean I may have had a boyfriend in the klink and I'm afraid to
admit it to Joe?" She asked.

   "You word it so colorfully." Philly said with a smile, "Wouldn't it have
been natural to have a trust in someone who may have made you feel
comfortable?  Someone who you felt was in the same predicament as you
perceived it?"

   "So I may have fallen in love and had sex?" She asked in wonderment.

   "Well, "love" has so many meanings, but sex?  No, there is no way anyone
in Hampden would be allowed or the opportunity allowed having that sort of
relationship.  Utter impossibility with the cameras and amount of staff."
Philly spoke without reserve.

   "How about staff?  Could I have had sex with staff?" Selena asked as if
she had the inkling.

   "It would have taken collusion and even still, no space is untouched by
the eye." Philly spoke assuredly.

   "OK, I'll do the session, but it's the last one.  If that's what I have
to do to have Joe trust me." Selena said.

   "SELENA!  I never questioned anything of the sort!  My love for you
knows no bounds and is only stronger than it was on 9-11." Joe said
perturbed she would make such a statement.

   "Joe there are times you look at me like you don't know who I am."
Selena said looking directly into Joe's eyes.

   "THAT'S the paranoia we're trying to discover here Selena." Philly said.
"You think that, but Joe doesn't feel that."

   Joe hugged Selena tightly and whispered in her ear, "Thinking I don't
trust you, I should give you a good spanking for that one!"

   "Well, under the right circumstances." She whispered back as she broke
the hug and gave Joe a coy smile.

   "Philly you set it up.  I'm going to go help my Mom; she's worried about
lunch already." Selena said as she kissed Joe and then touched Philly's
arm.

   "Where and when?" Joe asked happy that Selena was resolved to cooperate.

   "I'd like to do it here, where she's comfortable, but with no one
around." Philly said.

   "Can you really hypnotize her?" Joe wondered.

   "Hypnotism is mostly a myth, but she and I are close enough that I can
get her to totally relax and under the effect of certain drugs she may open
up doors.  It will be as if she is a little stoned, like the effect of a
joint or two.  People have seen enough of entertainer style hypnosis that
they think it really works.  I can get her close to that state and then the
cocktail injection I'll give her will just totally relax her and maybe open
a door she's afraid to open.  Then again, she may not have any
recollection. I won't talk her into it, just talk her through what we KNOW
happened and she if she expounds at all.  Joe, this isn't a totally
approved method, giving her this drug cocktail.  I've had success with it
and I promise you, it can't harm her.  I will monitor her all the time. 
Just keep this between the 3 of us.  Are you with me, or would you rather
not?" Philly asked with a little trepidation.

   "What's not "totally approved" about it?" He wondered.

   "Individually the drugs are OK, approved and well within my realm of
prescribing.  Mixing them in a cocktail, and in this case, that's only an
expression, it will be two separate injections, isn't forbidden, nor is it
recommended.  The reason it's not "approved" is that it was experimented
with by young fools in full doses in actual cocktails combining the two in
one injection and it caused panic attacks, and heart attacks in some
instead of the sexual effect they thought it might induce." Philly
explained.

   WRITERS NOTE: In my original draft I noted (by name) the drugs besides
sodium pentothal that made up this designer sex experimenters cocktail. 
The clinicians who schooled me on some of the situations I use in the story
asked me to not name them specifically, for obvious reasons.  When combined
with "relaxation therapy" (the name both of my references prefer to call
"hypnotism") and a many times reduced "cocktail", it can induce the subject
to open heretofore closed doors in the mind quite possibly much like when a
man or woman with broken down inhibitions does things sexually that are out
of their realm.  I hope I've explained this to make sense.

   "Can you tell me she's going to be totally safe?" Joe asked flat out. 
"Yes, she's had Xanax with a sleeping agent as a total relaxant before and
shook it off easily.  This is stronger than that, but easier on the system.
I won't administer it unless I am sure she is in the state I want her in.
Fair enough?" She asked as she made her point and deal at once.

   "I trust you totally, it's just the "only 3 of us" proposition that
makes me think you're doing something, . . . .  I don't know, . . . . . 
illegal." Joe said with a tinge of doubt.

   Philly took her business card from her brief case and handed it to him.

   "Call my practice and tell them what we are doing and if they approve of
its use." She challenged.

   "Can I ask Dr.  Culver?"

   "Here's the thing Joe, I'm here as a representative of Hampden, but
still a contractor for them.  They frown on using drugs like this.  When
and if Edison sends a patient to Hampden they expect it to be unwritten
that drugs will not be used unless it is an extreme case.  She has every
right to tell anyone that although Hampden practices a no or low drug
policy, an on-site practitioner is taking them off-site to get around the
policy.  You know that is not the case here, I know it is not the case. 
But, that is why I would prefer she not know." Philly explained.

   "Fair enough.  It's only because I know that you think so much of Selena
and have been her friend and seen her through so much of her troubles that
I will grant you a pass on this.  If you get her to talk about that day and
she can go no further than me leaving the ambulance, you won't proceed,
correct?" He asked hoping she would agree to the stipulation.

   "Of course.  I'll be able to tell if she's "knocking" at a door or not
and if there's no indication, we stop.  You have my word." She assured him
as Dr.  Culver came into the room.

   "Nurse Flowers, I'm going to try and catch the 5:05 train back to the
city.  My husband works near Penn and he's going to meet me.  Is that OK
with you?  You're welcome to ride back into Jersey with us." She asked and
offered.

   "Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll stay tonight and make sure
Selena is OK with her changes and go back tomorrow." She said glad to have
an opportunity to get the session with Selena done as the situation quieted
down in the area.

   Joe had paid for additional security around the property to keep both
gawkers and well-wishers away, but at the time it didn't really seem
necessary as it seemed their wishes were being respected.  The news
conference and statements to the media really answered most questions about
what happened and, at least in their upstate New York home, their privacy
was being respected.

   They had offered Philly Flowers a guest bedroom rather than ferry
herself to a hotel.  Initially she turned it down, but later in the day
took them up on the offer if only to have Selena more relaxed for her
session the next day.  After The Hanson's had left following dinner the 3
of them sat and talked, even sipping a little ice wine before bed.

   Once they retired Selena confronted Joe as they lay ready to fall
asleep. "The two of you are fishing for something that happened that day, I
can just tell.  Joe, you know I'm not hiding anything, right?"

   "Selena!  Never in my wildest dreams do I think you are intentionally
hiding anything.  I totally love and trust you with every speck of my
being, my soul, my existence.  The trauma of what happened cost me 9 years
of my life, what is to say you didn't lose a little time yourself.  This is
just a little preventative therapy to uncover things that may show up
later. I think it is nothing, and apparently you do as well.  Let's just
get some sleep." Joe said moving over her to kiss her deeply.

   "Joe, I never thought I would say this, but, not tonight.  I'm really
tired and I'm wearing a tampon.  I feel like I'm going to have my first
regular period in a long time after being so thrown off schedule for so
long.  I was going 2 and 3 months without anything more than spotting. 
Let's let this run its course.  After these couple days I'll be peppy
enough to want a taste of you, don't worry." She said with a loving smile
as she rolled to let him spoon and fall asleep.

   Philly Flowers awoke from her sleep missing her husband and smell of
coffee he usually set up on auto-brew for her.  She quickly showered and
dressed and made her way to Joe Johnson's kitchen just as she heard their
own coffee brewer switch on automatically.  As she filled her lungs with
the stimulating aroma of the fresh brew she heard a door open and shut just
before Joe Johnson appeared in the room.

   "The best part of waking up? . . .as the commercial says." He said as he
turned on some lights and opened the windows looking into the yard to smell
the fresh cool morning air.

   "Yes, it is.  Is Selena still sleeping?"

   "No she's just finishing in the shower.  She'll be right out.  What time
do you want to do your procedure?"

   "Hmmm, . . .  it's 8:15 now, if we finish breakfast by 10, I would say
noon or so.  She said she liked to treadmill or walk afterwards.  If I give
her a couple pills to take during her cool down, that will relax her.  With
the overcast fall day and the high casement windows in her bedroom, that
might be the best spot to do it.  I have everything I need; I just have a
little cold pack to put in the freezer." She said looking at her watch and
then staring off into space as her mind worked.

   "Cold pack?  Is that for the beer?" Joe chuckled.

   ""Not exactly." She chuckled, "It's only an inch and a half around, and
I'll put it on her thigh or upper arm.  If I decide to inject her it will
be where the pack covers so the stick of the needle doesn't break the mood.
Something I got from a therapist I trained with."

   As the noon hour rolled around Selena was in a mellow mood having been
issued a small dose of an opiate derivative to achieve just that.  She may
not have totally realized she had been "drugged" yet as she still felt very
cogent, but Philly saw the signs.

   "Let's start our session Selena," Philly said.  "We can go into the
bedroom where you can be comfortable and talk, OK?"

   "Sure, just me and you, like back in Hampden, huh?" She answered not
realizing she had slurred a word or two.

   "Yes, you know the drill, I talk, and you give me your ideas.  But now,
you actually speak in our session.  Remember the good that came from the
last session where you broke down your wall and we got you home because of
it?" She asked as they walked to the bedroom and Joe quietly slid outside
where he planned to do some yard work.

   Once she was comfortable Nurse Flowers began asking questions about
being home, being with Joe, seeing her parents, all of the positives since
she broke down the wall.  Selena was relaxed as she lay and she smiled as
she talked about getting her life back.  She expounded on Wall Street
Global and getting her mind going again and then even talked about making
love with Joe, starting to give intimate details.  It was also then Philly
realized that Selena was ready to start to journey back, as she started to
talk about things she normally wouldn't share.

   "So, you're happy with your marriage and how it's all worked out, now
that you're home?" Philly asked.

   "Oh God, yes.  Joe is such a stabilizing factor for me.  He completes my
world.  Just last night we talked about having a real wedding, one before
God and all of our friends.  He knows how happy that would make me.  But,
first I'd love to go back to Jamaica, which was where we really bonded our
lives to each others.  Joe called it our retirement preview; we could live
that happy and carefree every day.  But, I had to pay my dues." Selena
expounded quietly in a soft voice.

   "Pay your dues?" she asked.

   "Finish my commitment to Wall Street Global and make my contribution to
my craft."

   "Your craft?"

   "I know that market inside and out.  I'm smart as hell you know. 
Sometimes I even fucking surprise myself.  Things just come together for
me, and when I get in that room with my partners, it's magic, just like
fucking sex.  I can't wait to get back there and make it happen, except
I'll miss Charlie and Will, especially Charlie.  He used to think of me as
his daughter.  None of them thought of me sexually, you know, well except
Slim, he'd fuck a snake if he could hold it down.  I remember I couldn't
wait to tell them, confidentially, of course, that I was legally married. I
had to because of the partnership, but they would have been so tickled. 
Then the best day of my life turned into the worst day of my life." Selena
continued rambling on but keeping the subject path aimed where Philly
wanted it to go.

   Selena was in a semi-hypnotic-like state.  She was sleepy, but loose
tongued and comfortable with Philly.  She knew, almost psychosomatically,
that Philly was comfort and she had no reason to block any thoughts.

   "What made it the best day of your life, Selena?" Philly asked as she
popped the cap from one of her syringes and popped the short needle into
Selena's thigh just where the cold pack sat.

   The question threw Selena into deep thought, but before she could answer
Philly wanted to distract her once again to apply the second injection.

   " . . .  And what made it the worst day, both best and worst all rolled
into one?" She asked as she dropped the first syringe on the bed and used
her teeth to pull the cap from the second, spitting the cap to the floor,
and stabbing the second short needle near the first site.

   "The best was we just signed and transferred the money for our homes
around the world, a whole package of retirement places.  We shook hands and
then the building shuddered and the world came apart." She said tears
beginning to run from her eyes.

   "How did you get out?"

   Everyone was rushing the stairs, but right away Joe had troubles with
his knees and we had to lag a bit, but one lady stayed with us to help.  We
got Joe between us and we went down the steps in unison trying to take
weight off his legs.  Then all hell broke loose, something, maybe even a
person, fell down the stairwell and it knocked Joe over some people to the
next landing.  He was in real pain and real trouble and most people were
rushing out and almost walking over him.  This other woman and I got him to
his feet and into the corner where we could get our bearings.  As soon as a
wave of people passed we had a break and we carried Joe, most of his weight
on our shoulders for what seemed forever.  At one point I realized he was
totally limp, he had passed out.  At the next landing we got to the corner,
I was afraid he was dead, but this woman started pinching his face and he
came around.  I shouted that we had to get out and we were on our way, with
Joe yelping at each step, but insisting to keep going.  Then he gave up and
wanted us to leave him.  I was so fucking mad at him then.  I shouted at
him "Joe Johnson doesn't quit!".  He saw the fire in my eyes and he got up
and then next thing we knew there was a bridge over an atrium type of thing
and we started across it and it vibrated heavily and then some guys in
maintenance type uniforms were motioning people through a door where we saw
outside light.  Most continued over the atrium bridge, but I saw the light
and just Joe and I went out.  I had to breath real air.  Outside was . . .
. . ." She started and then stopped trying to hold back from out and out
bawling.  "What was outside Selena?"

   "There was a landing and steps going down to the street, like a loading
area, probably the 3rd or 4th floor in the front, but street level back
there.  I looked around and saw smashed people and before I could scream
another fell and its hand or foot, or shoe, maybe brushed by my side and
hit the landing right in front of me, a body just smashed like meat falling
on the floor.  I puked and fell into it, the body, and Joe picked me up,
and then suddenly there was glass everywhere.  A sheet of it fell from the
sky and must have just missed us.  Joe picked me up to carry me down the
stairs, Halfway down I remember falling, but that's it.  Then Joe and
another man were dragging me, at first I thought, back into the building,
but then I realized we were in a tunnel.  There was a blur as to what
happened, my head ached so much, I remember a lot of shouting at me and
suddenly I was lying down and an oxygen mask over my face, it was so
refreshing, but then I realized Joe wasn't there.  I panicked and tried to
get up and realized I was in a truck, or ambulance and Joe was limping
away. They strapped me down so I couldn't get up and when they closed the
back door so I couldn't see Joe and then the pain in the back of my head
seemed to explode.  I guess I passed out from the pain." Selena said
seeming to finish.

   "Is that all you can recall?  Do you remember waking up in the hos . . .
. ." Philly started to ask when Selena blurted out loudly.

   "HE WAS FUCKING ME, THAT BASTARD WAS RAPING ME!!  I was strapped down to
that bed and he had tied my legs and he was on me.  I thought I was
dreaming of Joe and then this animal was fucking me with a mask pushed over
my face.  I tried to scream, I tried to breathe and then I died, I felt
myself slip away, but I didn't care, I was dirty and Joe wouldn't have me
anymore.  Breathe stopped, there was shouting and I could do nothing, I was
tied down . . .  and I died. . . . . .  I couldn't breathe and I died." She
said finishing softly and seemed to fade away.

   "Selena, you didn't die!  You're here now!"

   "I know because you saved me, but as far as Joe is concerned, I may as
well be dead.  I'm dirty, having another man in me."

   "Selena, you were raped, you had no choice!"

   "But I'm a soiled woman now, I feel so dirty.  Joe will never
understand." She said starting to get a weepy tone in her voice.

   "Selena, Joe's love for you is unconditional, and you know that.  When
you wake up you'll remember the rape and tell Joe, and I promise you, he'll
understand." Philly said in an even tone so as not to disturb the "sleep"
Selena was apparently in now.

   "How can he understand?"

   "He already knows about it, and has since you were back with him.  He's
needed you to face it."

   "He won't think any different of me?"

   "Of course not.  Joe loves you, heart and soul, mind and spirit.  If you
gained a hundred pounds and grew a wart on your nose, what he loved most
about you wouldn't change."

   Selena's dark sullen demeanor suddenly changed and a smile appeared at
the corners of her mouth.  "Are you sure?  Did he really say that?"

   "Selena my dear friend, I needed only spend a few minutes with each of
you to see that your love is of the ages.  He has so many things to do and
say to further prove his love, his unconditional love.  But you have to
face up to everything and let it all out, no more hiding.  OK?"

   Selena nodded a bit, still apparently out of total touch with reality.

   Then Philly asked her something to see if she was aware that she had
given birth.

   "Once you face all your problems and it all comes out in the open, you
and Joe can finally have your children."

   "Ohhh, babies.  I never saw my baby." Selena said.

   "You have a baby?" Philly asked softly.

   "Yes, I . . . .  I think so.  The white room, hands pressing on me,
feeling so big, and then the relief of passing something out of me, but .
."

   "But what?"

   "Where?  I just don't know.  I remember dreaming with that funny taste
in my mouth.  Feeling so sick . .  it must have been dreams.  (long pause
while Philly waited to see if she remembered more) . . . .I'm getting so
scared now!" Selena said as she began to pull her legs up to her chest,
like a fetal position.

   Philly knew it was time to end the session.  She took the cover from her
last syringe and gave her a small amount of Xanax to deepen her sleep and
let her mind process what they talked about.  She would give her 2 hours
before she tried to wake her and be with her as she broke through the
cobwebs.  From her experience with these sessions Selena would react
positively to all she faced up to.  She had been forthright and positive
about everything, but not sure if she had the baby.  The funny taste she
remembered was the sedative they kept her under at Felsen that kept her out
of the loop, the dreams were from her body reacting and changing with the
pregnancy.

   Philly marveled at the baby's existence at all.  Had it not been a
Catholic hospital they may have aborted the baby.

   Had Emory Richards not found out about the pregnancy or Spagner's plans
to bring Selena to Felsen for an abortion long after the 1st trimester,
there wouldn't be a baby.

   Did it show ill effects of the odd pregnancy she had been through?

   Philly took her little voice recorder and saved the session for
transcription.  She looked to the little heartbeat and blood/oxygen monitor
that was connected to Selena's finger and turned the monitor toward the
small desk in the corner where she would sit and wait for Selena to come
around.  She made notes under the small light that provided the dull mood
of the room amid the overcast ambiance from outside.

   Selena had been through so much and if she faced these final demons she
might just end up not only unscathed, but stronger from the effects. 
Philly patted herself on the back for sticking with her, always believing
that she was just that close to beating her demons, destroying her
barriers. Had she known about the rape, then being almost totally sedated
for as much as 150 days, and giving birth, she may not have thought there
was much chance of saving her from her inner demons.

   Chapter 12

   Philly Flowers gently stroked Selena's cheek just after 3:30 to see if
there were response yet and though she stirred a bit she didn't appear
ready to wake up.  She had heard Joe come back in the house, but let him
wait until she called him.  She wanted Selena to wake as naturally as
possible.  At 4 o'clock she tried once again to stroke her cheek and she
stirred, turning her face away from the stroking and shifting her feet. 
She stroked the other cheek and the inside of her arm above the elbow.

   "Selena, Selena?  Are we waking up?" Philly asked.

   She made a violent move to push away the hand stroking her arm and then
startled awake.

   "Ohh, it's you!  I'm sorry I fell asleep.  We were talking and I dozed
off before you got going." She said as she stretched her arms and legs and
began to sit up.

   "No, stay down for a minute; let the blood circulate before you sit up
too soon." Philly told her while grasping her upper arm and thwarting her.
Selena looked up at her and stretched again and then looked off into the
space behind Philly.

   "Oh, Ohhhhhh.  Uh-oh, I found more secrets.  What's Joe going to say?  I
wasn't hiding them . . .  really!" She started to say as she began to cry.

   "Selena, Selena, calm down!  You didn't say anything that we, Joe nor I,
didn't know.  It was you who had to remember it." She told her.

   "He raped me!  Joe knows it was rape, right?"

   "Of course.  You fought so hard that you swallowed your tongue, and
probably came close to dying.  Your passing out from lack of oxygen
probably saved you.  If you fought any harder you may have asphyxiated
yourself.  When he couldn't dislodge your tongue he was pushing on your
chest and that probably got your heart going again, but caused you to
struggle against your tongue again.  That was when the second ambulance
attendant came back to answer the rapist panic call.  He saved you that
day." She told her calmly as she put the pieces back together.

   "His name was Richard, I remember I saw that and he came to see me in
the other hospital too.  Can we bring Joe in so we can all talk now?" she
asked Philly.

   "Slow down a little, OK?  His name was Emory Richards.  As much good as
he did for you, don't forget that he knew what happened and hid it and
protected the other fellow." Philly cautioned her.

   Suddenly Selena got a terrified look of panic on her face and looked to
Philly wide-eyed and mouth agape.

   "I had a baby, didn't I?" She said before she broke out into tears
falling face forward onto the bed.  "Oh my God, oh My God!!  OUR DREAMS!!
OUR DREAMS ARE GONE!!" She cried out as she cried, near uncontrollably.

   Philly got up and went to the door and called for Joe who was already
coming after hearing her cry.

   "She's just realized, on her own, that she had the baby and thinks it's
the deal breaker for you two.  Help her out." Philly said as Joe passed
her.

   "JOE, JOE!!  WHILE I WAS CRAZY I HAD THAT SON OF A BITCH'S BABY, THEY
RUINED ME, RUINED US FOREVER!" She screamed through her tears.

   "No, no, no, that isn't the case at all." Joe said as he knelt on the
bed and bent to cuddle her and whisper in her ear.

   "I've suspected about the baby for a few days and Philly did some
snooping and said the right words for you to remember.  It doesn't make a
difference to you or to me.  We can still have our babies." Joe said evenly
to calm her demeanor.

   "How did you know?" She said as her tears still dripped off her face.

   Joe looked at Philly with an embarrassed look and she turned and walked
to the desk where her briefcase was.

   "A few days ago when we were making love and you flipped over to your
knees and your ass was all spread out I saw an episiotomy scar, where they
cut you to make delivery easier.  I've been around the block a few times
and I know that scar.  Selena, you have a child somewhere and apparently
the guy who raped you is the father.  They have the babies DNA and it
should prove that.  It may be a way to press charges against the guy." Joe
told her, holding both her hands, knowing what effect it might have on her.

   However, she didn't freak out like he thought she might.

   "So, that child is 8, almost 9 years old.  I would never try to claim
it; it would cause so much pain for the parents and emotional problems for
the child.  That kid might not even know it was adopted, . . .  assuming it
was." Selena said quietly, almost regrettably.

   "It, . . .  it WAS adopted Selena, and I respect you for not wanting to
make any waves.  I think it's very selfish when you see that happen."
Philly said calmly taking a lead from Joe.

   "It was a girl, honey.  Probably a pretty little girl as well." Joe said
stroking her hair.

   "Would it be too much to ask to see her?  You know, just a picture, or
maybe she plays soccer or tee ball we could go to a game." Selena said
reflectively.

   "Honey, we don't know where she is or anything.  Let's see what the DNA
tests reveal and then decide how we might want to handle all of this." Joe
said unaware that Emory Richards knew.

   Selena knelt up fully and went knee to knee with Joe on the bed, looking
at him with pouty, sad eyes and taking his hands in hers.

   "So, you don't think of me as used up or different after all of this? 
Am I still your special girl?"

   "Essy, my sweet little angel," He said in a low voice just for her, "You
are still the smartest, most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. 
What happened that day and in the 9 years since has been essentially erased
from our lives and we have the chance to pick up and carry on as we were.
Once we get this stuff, the rape and the paternity all taken care of, we
can rejoin the world as we were.  Our old friends have been looking for us,
your parents fully support us, you still have your seat at Wall Street
Global; it's all waiting for us.  Now I admit that it is a bit easier for
me, I didn't lose the years you did, nor did I have the fight you did.  In
my mind it's barely a month since it all happened, even though the weight
of the time passed has overwhelmed me from time to time.  But, for you and
I, I love you more and more each minute.  I still want you each time I see
you.  Nothing has changed." Joe said to her taking her hand and putting it
on his heart and he doing the same to her.

   Though still smiling, tears streamed down her face, resisting the urge
to hug and kiss him.  She just wanted to see him in this tender moment and
know that all that happened hadn't changed a thing.

   "Will you grant me a wish?" She asked.

   "If it's possible at all, I'll do anything for you."

   "Let's have all of this just go away.  If our life together can start
over right here, right now, . . . . . .  I don't care to pursue any of this
any further.  I care that I was violated, I care that I was treated like an
animal having my baby ripped and stolen from me.  But I can put it all
behind me, and if you can do the same, I don't want to relive any of this.
Let's wake up tomorrow and start where we left off.  We know what happened,
we can't change it, I prefer to just drop everything." She said calmly, her
eyes imploring Joe.

   Joe let out a deep breath and looked at her sincerely, "If that's what
you want, we can do that.  Just be sure it's what you want."

   Philly had overheard everything and stood up and came over to them.

   "This guy Spagner, who orchestrated the whole thing, is currently under
arrest for a lot of little things associated with the cover-up of all of
this.  The Jersey State Medical Board is pressing the charges, not you, so
you won't have to testify against him or his co-conspirator.  If they call
me I can testify as to why they were hiding all of the documents.  But, I
want you to think about how you propose to handle all of this, because once
you choose to let it all go, that's it.  Try to be sure there won't be any
remorse over doing that." Philly warned them.

   "I know, I've already thought of that myself.  We'll take a few days to
talk about it, but you'll keep us posted on everything?" Joe asked.

   "Certainly.  Remember, you want closure.  Not closure with second
thoughts.  What they did to Selena is unforgivable, but if the only way to
make them pay for it means Selena having to live it over and over and have
every intimate detail of your life, your relationship, and even financial
situation brought up in a trial . . . . . . . .  I've been a witness is
rape cases when it's brought out in therapy.  It gets ugly." Philly
cautioned.

   Joe and Selena were weighing the words Philly told them as she packed up
her briefcase and had Joe arrange a car to ready to bring her to the
airport.  Philly allowed herself a few hours to be sure Selena was OK after
the drugs she had injected into her wore off.  Her flight wasn't until
7:10, but at 4:45 Selena got up from the sofa where Joe had walked her
earlier and declared she was hungry and really had to pee.

   "As much as that doesn't sound like a cue to leave, that is.  If you can
page the driver, I'm ready to go." She told Joe.

   As Joe and Selena walked her down to the driveway Philly told them,
"I'll call you as I get information on the DNA tests and the charges they
have on this Spagner character.  Do NOT do anything to try and contact him
or anything stupid like that.  Let the justice system handle this.  There
are additional charges that a grand jury is going to hear about improper
handling of money that may take him off the street.  I'll keep you on top
of everything, but I suggest you keep all of this information to yourself.
Remember that I am just a citizen in this whole deal and have been made
privy to some info that the state board provided.  Be patient and I'll be
in touch.  Any problems, call me right away."

   "I know I've thanked you many times, but Thank You again for taking such
an interest in my case and being such a true and understanding friend."
Selena said as she hugged and kissed Philly before she got into the car.

   As they turned to walk through the garage back into the house Selena
realized that she and Joe were to be really "alone" for the first time
since that morning in 2001.

   "Let's go upstairs and sit on the sofa together like we used to." She
said as she tugged his hand and stepped on the elevator.

   As they settled into the sofa in front of the picture window that looked
out over a good part of the city Joe took her hand and kissed it saying,
"You said you were hungry before, what do you want me to fix you?"

   "I know exactly what I want." Selena said with a sly grin as she turned
a bit and put her hand right on Joe's package.

   "YOU are about to get one of most deserved blowjobs of your life.  I
know you don't like that term, but there is no other way to describe how I
am going to get dirty with your cock.  My head in your lap until your cum
is in my belly.  I'm still wearing a tampon so you can't help me much in
that department, but sliding your cock in my mouth will get me off in my
own way." She said as her hand found the tab on his zipper and she shoved
herself away enough to be able to bend to get at him.

   Joe said nothing as she pulled his zipper down and then unfastened his
pants and opened them to reveal no underwear.

   "Ooooo, commando!  I get to play with those balls too!" She said with
her eyes riveted to the penis that lay before her.

   She bent and took it in her hand and aimed it at her mouth and took as
much as she could of the shaft in her mouth so she could feel it engorge.

   Joe swooned as the blood rushed to his cock and filled her mouth.  She
pressed her mouth as far as it would go and came up sucking to get all the
man taste she could with a deep swallow before doing the same 2 more times.
She sat back and stroked it twice, satisfied it was now at full mast, and
took the head in her mouth and began to bob her head over him while her
right hand found his balls and lifted them gently to caress while they
manufactured the load of cum she so desperately wanted to taste.

   She felt her own spittle dripping from the base of his cock over his
balls into her hand knowing it was just the right slickness for her mouth
to get the proper friction to make him cum.  Knowing she was having her
period and she didn't relish being touched between her legs (unless she was
doing it) and during that time he restrained himself.  However he saw her
seemingly sawing her legs together or at least trying to create some sort
of friction below so he slid his hand over the cute round bottom and the
almost pajama type lounge pants she wore for the session earlier.  He
quickly found the split of her newly shaved pussy and began to trace his
finger up and down it.  As he pressed harder she was responding by groaning
through her suction that she was enjoying it.

   He kept the rubbing going hot and heavy as she squirmed her torso
around, but her mouth not missing a beat as she slid her lips and tongue
over and over him.  Suddenly Joe's breath quickened and a shrill moan was
coming from her throat as he brought her closer and closer to her own end.

   She was quite determined not to stop as her orgasm intensified and his
breathing become determined.  She suddenly shook like being struck by
lightning and bolted her head down over his cock involuntarily from the
rush of pleasure spasm, the head of his penis going into her throat,
something she had never been able to do before.  The sudden pressure and
squeeze on the pulsing head of his cock pushed him over the edge as his
first shot went directly down her throat as she stopped her sucking and
took her mouth off, while still stroking him.  A second volley escaped
before she put her mouth over him again and squirmed her bottom out of his
reach, sliding to the floor.  She ate the rest that he pushed out and
sucked and licked at him until he could take no more.

   Selena pulled up from him and started laughing hysterically.

   "What's so funny!" Joe asked, so amused.

   "We beat them, we beat the fuckers!  The terrorists thought they killed
us and I saw them celebrating that fact in the videos.  Some horny little
bastard took advantage of me, the only way he could get laid, by tying down
a dying woman.  They got me pregnant and stole the baby away and now, the
terrorists are dead, and the slimy son of a bitch who raped me is going to
jail.  And me, and you, we just got laid and will get laid every which way
possible whenever we want.  OUR LOVE IS INDESTRUCTABLE!!" She beamed.

   "It's a pseudo-perverted way to look at it, but you may be right, come
here and let me hold you." Joe said as she lifted herself up and lay across
Joe pushing him down onto the sofa where they laid together catching their
breath.

   As they both fought dozing off in each other's arms Selena looked up to
see the time.

   "Joey, it's almost 6.  Mom and Dad will be here with the pizza in a few
minutes.  Let's get dressed and freshen up.  My sweats are a little wet in
the crotch and I have cum-breath.  You have to wash your hands and change
your pants.  I drooled so much spit that it ran off your balls and into
your pants." She said before she jumped up and went to freshen up and
change with Joe following.

   In the bedroom they changed hurriedly and each time Joe looked to Selena
she had a strange grin on her face.  Joe knew her well enough to know that
something was up.

   "What!!??"

   "You went right into my throat and shot!"

   "I know, but I didn't do that, you did."

   "God, your fingers made me cum so hard, it was just a whole body jerk
and next thing I know, you're all the way down me.  Did it feel good?"

   "Obviously, it's a strange sensation, like being all the way in you and
another mouth puts pressure on the tip.  Hard to express."

   "I never got to taste much of you, it just shot in my throat."

   Selena continued the strange grin and acted a bit embarrassed and Joe
went to her.

   "What is it that bothers you about this?"

   "Nothing really, except you enjoyed it so much, I don't think I can do
it again." She said sheepishly.

   "Don't worry, if it happens, it happens.  I didn't ask you to do it and
I never would, you've told me you didn't like to gag.  I'm just happy that
after all the time we've been together, we find new things to make each
other happy." He said comforting her.

   The doorbell rang and Selena ran to the bathroom, saying as she went by
him,

   "You get that.  I didn't freshen up yet."

   Joe led her parents into the kitchen and washed his hands while Betty
Hanson got napkins, plates, and forks.  Selena joined them and when they
all started eating Scott looked to Betty and started to cry tears of
happiness.

   "There were nights we had pizza delivered here just so we could sit and
be where you two were, like you might reappear some day.  It sounds nutty,
but it was comforting in a lot of ways.  Now, it's almost as if we knew you
weren't gone." Scott said as he reached for his daughter's hand.

   "Daddy, you were always the stern protector, and now I see you're a
sweet old softee with a fragile heart." Selena said as she intertwined her
fingers with his.

   "When you think you've lost the thing you love most in the world you
question a lot of things.  Your Mom and I have both changed from this, and
now our faith in God is so much stronger, where we had doubts before."
Scott said through his tears.

   "Even though we lived right through the middle of it, 911 had a greater
impact on all of the families of the people who lived through it and saw
the aftermath as well as the families who had loved ones die." Joe said as
they all joined hands.

   Chapter 13

   Trying to undo 2 deaths and all the legalities with money and property
that changed hands is like trying to put the air back into a burst balloon.
A legal team was trying to make everything as if their deaths never
happened, for obvious reasons.  Luckily, there were no hostile heirs who
received anything from their hastily drawn wills.  There were endowments to
PolyTech that could easily be undone as no cash or property ever changed
hands since they were contingent on the demise of Scott and Betty Hanson.
PolyTech was also aware that they would be re-written into new wills for
the pair.  The 3 properties they bought as the towers were attacked had
been under contract with a leasing company for 7 years.  That contract
would expire soon and lawyers made those parties aware that the contract
would not be extended and a new property management agent would be put in
place to be sure the homes were kept secure and in good repair when they
weren't occupied by the Joe and Selena.

   Joe, especially, was getting itchy to get back into his stock trading.
It wasn't so much to produce income, but rather to fulfill his hobby.  As
it had been 9 years ago, investing in the retirement homes around the world
in their favorite spots had ended his serious speculation in financials. 
He still liked the joy of the hunt and kill, but big risk was left for
those who had yet to achieve financial security.  Besides, if Selena
decided to continue her Wall Street Global career they, as a couple, would
have enough in the game by virtue of her seat and partnership in the firm.

   The legal firm Joe had contacted was a partnership that included his
original legal attorney for Johnson Construction.  His name was Roger Moret
and was now part of the firm Murray, Moret and Caribou.  Moret had been a
personal friend and was one of the first to offer Joe and Selena
congratulations and assistance when they returned home.  He had advised Joe
to let them follow where each dollar had gone since their "deaths" and see
where they stood.  Joe was quite pleased to find that despite the
tremendous ebb and flow of the markets and real estate, they had done quite
well.  The leased properties turned profits from long term tenants with a
low vacancy rate, and even that mostly because of the property in Maine not
being occupied in winters.  Selena's parents were cautious on their
investments and did little besides pay themselves for maintaining the home
and managing funds.  They had easy access to millions of dollars, but
instead lived frugally in their home where Selena was raised and enjoyed
the luxuries of Joe's place overlooking the city.  Essentially, they had
paid themselves about 50K a year for the 9 years and had bought 2 cars and
had a new pool installed at Joes when the liner and pumps failed.

   The way the Hansons paid themselves it was as if they were employees of
the Trust and Roger Moret thought they could write it up that way with them
being employees of Joe and Selena, caring for the properties.  That might
make the tax adjustment a little more palatable and of course Joe and
Selena could come up with enough "slush" to be sure they never took a big
tax hit.

   The representative in the US Senate from their district already had
gears in motion to waive some red tape to get them passports to Jamaica
after hearing the press conference where Selena said she wanted to get away
and get their lives back in order.  The State Department, Homeland
Security, and Office of the Inspector General, were all in concert with the
NYS Governor, US Senate, and the US Postal Service to clear their way. 
Their passports had just been updated prior to 911 and that was making all
of that easy to push through.

   Selena had been concerned with Joe because he had yet to leave his
property since they came home, it had been 3 days.

   "Daddy brought the Mustang in to get new tires and stuff for me.  He
says it runs great after being mothballed all that time.  Let's go for a
ride, maybe you can even look for a car." She said after they both finished
with the morning papers.

   "Uh, no.  I'm fine; I have things to do around here." Joe answered
getting up quickly and going back towards his office.

   "Joe, you're going to have to go out and start to live again and sitting
in here or the back yard isn't exactly you.  I made a trip to the mall with
my mother yesterday and it was great to get out and breath, see people and
begin to get back into it.  Yes, a few people stopped and recognized me,
but they only wished me well, asked for God's blessing.  One older woman
wanted to hug me.  All of this will wear off.  We were in every newspaper
around here and made national TV, but people know we want some privacy."
Selena said as she went to him and stopped his exit by taking his arm.

   "I'm not ready yet.  My mind is still a little paranoid.  Everybody
wants something." He answered curtly.

   "Joe, wanting to wish us well isn't exactly the stuff people get
paranoid about.  Lick this now before you develop a real problem.  We've
been cooped up for 9 years, and you hardly remember more than a few of
them. Get dressed and we'll go for a ride, stop down at Bishops Park and
walk the mile trail.  We can stop across from the park at that car dealer,
Jerry Cahills.  I saw the ad on TV and he still deals in GM and foreign
cars.  You bought the Roadster from there." Selena said to him in a tone he
understood as being "you're GOING to do this for me, aren't you?"

   "BMW is making a Roadster, but not like mine with the German M engine.
If I ordered one with the M it will be a Z4 and they take over a year to
get.  I've been on the internet . . . . .  So pissed I lost my car on top
of everything else in that whole deal." Joe said whimsically.

   "That was the least of our worries." Selena said softly.

   "Well, OBVIOUSLY!  I didn't mean it like it sounded.  It just fit me so
well.  We could ride close, get in and out of small places in New York, and
you looked so damn good in it!" Joe said making motions with his hands and
ending by pulling her close to hug.

   Selena turned into him and playfully poked her finger in his chest
hairs. "So why don't you order the car and color you want, with the engine
you want, . . .  and in the meantime go with me to Jerry Cahills and pick
out something we both like.  When you get your precious Roadster, I'll keep
whatever we you drive until then.  OK?"

   "What about your Mustang?" "Joe, it's almost 15 years old and I don't
want to depend on it.  I know it wasn't in use most of that time, but still
. . . . . ."

   "I suppose you ARE right.  If we did that we could give your Dad the
Mustang.  He babied it like it was you for the 9 years, the way it sounded.
Let's go and look at cars tomorrow, OK?" Joe said as he tried to break free
from her.

   "Get dressed, we're going now." She said quietly as Joe turned and went
to the bedroom to change.

   Selena followed him in and said "You know he's got 3 leftover Pontiac
Solstices, one of them almost the color of the Roadster."

   "I don't know what a Solstice is, and you've already been looking, huh,
you little brat."

   "I saw it as my Mom drove by and I thought of you and we went back to
look.  Pontiacs are gone now, but they made this sports car the last year.
He has 3 more leftover at full sticker, but we can afford it." Selena said
hopefully.

   "What makes you think I would like it?  Just get one to replace the
Mustang."

   "Joe, when we drove by I saw it, top down and the same color blue as the
Roadster, and I got wet thinking of you behind the wheel, seriously.  I
went and looked at it; it has a hardtop that comes off and a convertible
top in the hatchback.  It's sooooo sexy and it screams Joey!" She said
getting excited.

   "Are you sure it didn't scream Selena?" Joe asked sarcastically.

   "Joe the thought of you keeping it until you got the Beemer Roadster
with your special engine just came to me when you said it might take a year
to get.  I wouldn't manipulate you.  Trust, baby, trust." She said, a
little pissed for him to think that, before she lost her temper a bit.

   "If I wanted the fucking car, I would have bought it!  I wouldn't need
your approval.  Now get dressed and I'm getting you out of the house before
you go crazy.  You've come this far back and I'm not going to lose you now.
Mom said Dr Culver warned her you might try to crawl into a shell, and I'm
not letting it happen.  We'll go, take the walk, look at the car and then
find a place we can make love outside, maybe up near Treachers Park.  How
would you like me bent over the Mustang with my skirt pushed up over my
ass?" She said starting in a decisive voice before turning Joe to the wall
and pressing herself to him for the eye to eye proposition.

   "That sounds more like us than any ideas I've had lately.  God, I love
you when you take control of a situation. . . . . . . .  dirty girl" Joe
said as he slid from the wall and rushed to change his clothes.

   She let him pass but not before calling him out quickly, "And I'm not a
dirty girl, I just love you and have to have you all of the time.  Once I
see you in the little blue AMERICAN roadster, I'll bet I'll be ready to
go."

   They both laughed but Selena knew she had to get Joe out of his
protective shell.  The outgoing lothario may have gotten past having to
have every woman he saw, but his dominant personality always kept him in
control of all situations.  Suddenly he wasn't so sure of himself.

   Selena was ready to go, but still no Joe appeared from the bedroom so
she went into see what was holding him up.  There he stood in front of the
mirror with his face almost against it, looking for wrinkles; trying to
smooth the little crow's feet around his eyes.

   Suddenly it hit Selena.  Joe at 50 had become worried about his looks,
his appeal.

   "Joe, you're still the sexiest man in any room, and could probably have
any woman you want.  Being vain about your looks will get you old fast."
She said as she put her arms around him and looked from under his arm to
his face in the mirror.

   "Essy, I still feel 42, but I sure do look 50."

   "Up close in the mirror, you might look even older Joe.  Once you get
out and in the swing again, in the pool in the summer, in the gym now, and
you start getting that good sleep again, you'll be fine.  You have so
little gray, and if you want to cover it up, I don't care.  Do you know how
sexy I find you?" She said staring at his eyes in the reflection.

   Selena pulled at him and they were off.  They cruised the main streets
of town noting all of the new building they had missed and eventually
worked their way to Bishops Park.  They parked close to the walking trail
and saw almost every car had a bike rack.

   "Damn Joey!  We can buy bicycles now!  Your knees are fixed!  We could
pick up the bike path here.  It splits the park and then goes down to
follow the river a bit and back here.  I did that all the time when I first
started at PolyTech." Selena exclaimed as she pulled the Mustang in.

   "I have a stationary bike down in the garage, unless your Dad got rid of
it.  I had to stop using it long before I met you." Joe said looking back
and forth over the landscape for people.

   "Joe?  We could ride together OUTSIDE.  Not just for the exercise, but
for the fresh air, getting out.  We're not staying cooped up in that house.
Let's get out and walk."

   Selena never stopped talking all through their walk, clinging to Joe as
they strolled, sometimes crunching the newly fallen leaves as they filled
parts of the path.  When they came to the long part of the path out of the
tree groves Selena broke from Joe and tugged at him.

   "Come on, military pace now.  Lucy always said to keep your arms up and
elbows tight to your bra line at military pace to give high tits and a
round ass.  Wow, Lucy, there's someone we have to get back to.  She wrote
she'll be in town next week to see us." Selena said as she picked up the
pace and started breathing heavy.

   "The only high tits I want are yours, and I don't have a bra line.  As
for the round ass. . . . . ." Joe laughed as he joined her.

   "YOU still have a great ass Joe and this will help you keep it!" Selena
said as she saw Joe getting into it, feeling the competitiveness.

   Soon they were striding together and breathing together in the cool air.
Joe was surely starting to feel invigorated.  They were coming to the other
starting point on the path, the one directly across from Jerry Cahills Auto
Plaza.  Selena turned them into a cool down zone with water fountains,
benches and stretch bars.  They stood and got their breath and got a drink
before Selena tugged Joe towards Cahills.

   They crossed at the crosswalk and walked to the big showroom window
where the blue Solstice Essy had talked about was.

   "You go in and check that out.  I saw something that caught my eye in
the side lot.  I'll be right in." Selena told him as he definitely had an
eye for the blue car that reminded Selena so much of his beloved Roadster.

   There were 3 other browsers inside and a bank of 5 unoccupied sales
people.  One was an attractive 40 something blonde in a blue tight fitting
knit dress.  She had a thick sales book in her arm held to her chest.

   "I see something provocative in blue has caught your eye!  My name is
Sarah Zee." She said as she came up and handed him a sales card, like a dog
peeing on a tree to mark her spot.

   "Uh, Joe.  Nice to meet you" Joe said as he looked her up and down, a
move that was not lost on her and the fact she dressed for the effect.

   "We only have 3 of these left and there's no dicking around with them, I
mean dickering with them.  The price is the price.  Very rare and not made
anymore, but full warranty, 5 years and 100,00 miles by GM and Jerry
Cahills.  We have one available for test drive and I would love to go out
with you.  I can show you all around the car and answer any questions."
Sarah said.

   Joe's face lit up and he said "Sure, I'd love to take it for a ride."

   She smiled and winked and said she would be back in a minute as she went
to get the key.

   Joe continued to look around the car when a second female sales person
came up, a younger redhead, but subtly more attractive and business-like
than the first.

   "Are you being helped?  I could get you in a Solstice TODAY.  We're road
tested and ready for you to slip into." She said with a wry smile in a tone
the was suggestive

   For the second time in a few minutes Joe had been come onto by 2
diversely different personalities.  He felt a pudge in his pants and
suddenly became aware that he was standing back straight and stomach
tightened.

   "No, no, no, no, I AM being helped, but thanks anyway." Joe said looking
her up and down as he did the first.

   She turned and walked away clicking her heels on the floor to draw his
attention to her "walk-away" that was quite pleasing to his eyes.  She
hadn't clicked that way when she walked over, but she knew how to draw his
eyes as she looked back to catch him checking her rear and smiled at him
before disappearing into a cubicle.

   Joe turned back there stood Selena, arms folded and smiling a sly grin.

   "If you think you're rolling out of the lot with either of those bimbos,
you are sadly mistaken, Mister I'm Fifty and Unattractive.  What's the
matter?  You finding out that the old magic works?" She asked.

   No, no, they just want to make a sale." Joe said quietly.  "We won't be
gone long, just a little test drive."

   "Well, "Blondie big tits" is going to know that you are married to me
before she gets you in that car." Selena said decisively.

   Joe smiled and said "Yes dear, you're right again dear."

   Selena was happy that Joe became aware that he still was attractive and
still considered "hunky" but suddenly felt threatened, although she trusted
Joe.

   "There's the Mens room, I'm going to hit that before I go out.  Don't
embarrass me if she comes back." Joe said with a smirky smile as he walked
away while Selena bit her lower lip.

   She had no reason to think Joe would stray, but now it was her own
vanity.  A separation of nine years, being raped, and giving birth, . . .
they all left her to think she might be used merchandise in Joe's eyes.  In
her heart of hearts she knew that couldn't be true as she looked out at the
silver Solstice Sarah Zee had just pulled into the presentation apron at
the front of the showroom.

   Sarah got out and brushed her clingy dress down and strode confidently
toward the far side door to retrieve Joe.  She looked back to the hallway
where Joe disappeared a moment ago to see if he were coming and turned back
to look at the car.  Joe was just getting in while Sarah was holding the
door for him.  She scooted to the other side and the car took off!

   Selena clenched her fists and steamed to think Joe had done this, if
only on principle.

   In the car Sarah was totally professional showing him the features of
the car, asking him to make certain turns where he could feel the cars
performance while she bantered with Joe.

   "I like it, I really do!" Joe said as he downshifted, made a turn, and
punched the accelerator.  "Its feel and handling are similar to my last
car, my Roadster."

   Sarah suddenly turned in her seat and brought up one knee to sit on her
leg allowing a view way up her other thigh as her clingy knit dress slid
up.

   "We could stop and have a coffee and talk about it there, instead of the
showroom." She said as she patted her hand over his on the stick.

   Joe pulled his hand away quickly.  "NO, I wouldn't make a decision on
the car unless I spoke with my wife, who is back there waiting for us."

   Sarah turned red for a moment and quickly straightened herself, not
accustomed to being "turned down" when she threw her hooks out.

   "Well then," She said clearing her throat and staring forward, "Let's
head back and we can all talk."

   "Believe me Sarah, there was a time when . . . ." He started to say as
he turned to meet her eyes, and she just nodded, embarrassed still, adding
"Yes, there WAS a time, be it a long time ago.  I was 20 and going to
PolyTech.  I met you at a kegger for a frat you were legacy for, you took
me to the Holiday Inn and we spent Sunday in bed and I never saw you again.
You showed me that sex doesn't have to be quick and dirty.  I didn't
realize it was you until you just looked at me."

   "I'm sorry." Joe said quietly.

   "No, don't apologize.  You're as provocative now as you were then.  Not
many men can ooze confidence, yet seem so . . . .  I guess accessible is
the word." Sarah said as she smoothed down her dress.

   When they pulled back onto the presentation apron Joe jumped out of the
car and near ran to meet Selena who was coming out.

   "I really, really, like it baby.  If we buy the blue one would you be
happy with it when I finally get my Roadster M?" Joe said as he hugged her.

   All her venom ran out right there as her Joe showed his true colors.

   "Anything that makes you happy, Joey!" She whispered in his ear as she
hugged him back.

   Sarah Zee came into the showroom and called across the room, "Joe, you
and your wife should come to my cubicle where we can discuss the car, OK?"
She said as she pointed to where she was headed.

   The talk was quick and to the point, if they could get the blue
Solstice, they had a deal.  Joe had a laundry list of options he wanted
added, things he read about on the internet including this 4G communication
that would connect him to the world while driving.

   During the simple negotiations Joe and Selena revealed who they were and
their recent situation.  They had cash for a deposit, but checks had yet to
arrive.  A cashier's check could be produced if they needed it.  Sarah took
the obligatory trip "to see her manager", who came out to meet them,
congratulate them, and tell them they could arrange any payment method they
wanted.  Joe made it understood they would basically pay cash for the car
and to call when it was ready.

   They walked out of Jerry Cahill's to cross the street to Bishops Park
and finish their walk.  Selena beamed that she had an idea that made Joe so
happy.

   "So, I did good picking out the right car for you?"

   "Yes, you did.  It's not the M, but it's something I really like and it
takes the sting out of not having my Roadster I loved so.  It's like a
small Corvette, and I don't like Corvette's because they are too long for a
single seater."

   "I was pissed when you snuck out the side door with Sarah."

   "There was no sneaking.  I walked out of the Men's Room and she was
coming up the hall with the keys and said "Let's go", so I did."

   "I have to admit, when I saw her talking to you, her eyes lit up, her
nostrils seem to flair, and her facial color changed.  She was smitten by
your looks and that thing you use to, . .  to, . . .  do whatever you do."
Selena said uncomfortably.

   Joe stopped in his tracks.  "Do whatever I do?"

   "You know, to close deals and get a woman to, . . .  do whatever you
want." Selena said wishing she could rewind and erase her words.

   "Is THAT what I used to get you?  Because if it is I would like to know
when I turned it on.  Remember I pushed you away and you used YOUR thing
you do to reel ME in." Joe said sarcastically.

   Selena exhaled deeply.  "My words came out wrong, but if you thought
your appeal was waning because of an age number you apply to yourself,
you're wrong.  I saw 2 women look a little wobbly kneed while trying to
deal with you."

   "Wobbly kneed?" Joe said keeping the sarcasm in his tone.

   Selena was getting frustrated, not knowing if Joe was playing with her
or upset.  She clenched her fists to her side and spat out an "UGH!"

   "You KNOW what I mean!  Tell me honestly, if you were on the prowl which
one of those women do you think you could have gotten into bed?" She asked
hoping to make a point.

   "Both of them.  They each had the look and made that eye contact that
goes beyond hello." He admitted.

   "So, I don't have to listen to any of the foolish talk about you getting
old, looking old, and losing your appeal?" She asked as she reached behind
both of his elbows and pulled him close.

   "I was paranoid and wrong.  I just wasn't seeing that I wanted to see in
the mirror, and perhaps you were right, I was looking too close.  Right now
I feel fantastic and confident, something I didn't feel before, so thanks
for getting me out here." Joe said.

   "Was it the come-on from "Blondie big tits" that got your juices going?"
She asked as if she would be hurt if she wasn't the reason.

   "No, YOU got me going, getting me out here with a promise of making love
over the car.  You fire me up every time." Joe said quietly before pausing.

   "You, . .  um . . .  ought to know, and you'll be pissed, . . .  I've
slept with the blond, years ago.  I didn't remember, she did, but I do
recall the situation." Joe said holding her hands tighter so she couldn't
pull away.

   She went to pull away and Joe held her, "Now Selena, I was 32, she was
20.  I was a legacy for a frat at PolyTech.  I gave $10,000 to the building
fund for ChiPhi and there was a celebratory kegger.  I did meet a girl
there who made drunken promises that I took to the downtown Holiday Inn,
that isn't there anymore.  I didn't remember it as being her, but it was a
blonde with quite a chest.  Ten years before I met you, and I don't even
remember it was her.  She made that big an impression on me." Joe said.

   "What if you found out I shared my goodies with half the city?" Selena
said almost crying.

   "Come on Essy, we've been through this before and from the day I met you
we have been our only loves and anything that happened before that was just
that.  Let's keep this day special." Joe begged her as he hugged her
tightly.

   "I guess the emotion of the rape and everything has me worried that
something has changed, but I know it hasn't." She squeaked in his ear
trying to stifle her crying.

   "No, no, never Essy.  I love you so much and so much more each day. 
Nothing can change that.  Come on, let's finish our walk, and go for that
ride in Treachers Park." Joe said pulling at her arm as they walked arm and
arm, then breaking into an exercise pace.

   After they finished the path back to the car they took off with Selena
driving and she headed just out of the city, climbing into the nearby
mountains to Treachers Park.  It was officially closed, but, picnickers and
campers were allowed to use the facilities until the first major weather
change, usually the first frost or snow, and then park rangers enforced the
closed campground rules except for the overlook areas.

   Selena found an empty lot, one of the larger camping areas with an L
shaped parking lot with the leg of the L jutting back away from the road.
She parked at the end slot, backing the car in and smiled at Joe.

   "If we park here and someone comes, we'll have a chance to get
straightened out, . . .  what do you think?" She said shyly.

   "I think you're a genius." He said with a chuckle as he went to get out
of the car.  "But why did you back in?"

   "It may be cool out, but I don't want to be fucked over the hot hood. 
The trunk will be perfect." She said candidly, holding his arm so he
wouldn't get out yet.

   She leaned over and kissed him deeply and then paused to push her seat
all the way back.  She turned and slid over the console planting her lips
on his.  Joe slid his hand over her little skirt and squeezed the balls of
her ass, discovering she wore no panties under the skirt.  She groaned and
rolled over in his lap so she was face up in his lap and pulled his face to
hers again.  His busy hands snuck under her light top and found her round,
pliant titties to squeeze as she groaned into his mouth.

   She broke the kiss after a few moments and reached for the steering
wheel to pull herself up into a sitting position, then backing her body
over the console to sit up in his lap.

   "Eat up my boobies, they need wicked attention." She said as she pushed
her shirt up to expose her perfect round breasts that Joe couldn't resist.

   He pawed and suckled at her nipples to her delight until he became
uncomfortable with her sitting on his growing package.

   "I could snack on your titties all day, but I've got a real problem
growing below." He said with a smile as she quickly lifted herself off of
him and slid across the console to her seat and then out the door.

   "C'mon Joey, there's no one around." Selena commanded as she walked to
the back of the car.

   Joe liked the fact that Selena was being the aggressor and using a
little coarser language than she normally used with sex.  They usually made
love, as opposed to fucking.  Not that she never used that kind of
language, it was just she seemed out to prove she could "fuck" as well as
any of his previous sex-mates.

   From the main park road you would have to look hard to see anyone behind
her car.  So, when Joe walked behind the car with her she turned him to
lean against the back of the car and she reached for snap on the walking
pants he wore and snaked her hand inside pushing his underwear over his
hardness and getting her hand under his balls.

   "Is that a little more room down there?" She said as she bent over and
pulled his pants down a bit with her other hand as she slid her lips over
the head of his cock.

   "Mmmmm, Mmmmmm.  That's my good cock." She said lifting her head from
him for a moment before almost gagging on him and then standing up.  "Do
you know how many times I dreamed about it?  Not just a cock, yours.  I had
my hands in my pussy most every night.  I had other patients trying to get
in my pants, even though I never said a word, for the most part.  It was
you that I wanted.  One of the male night nurses came in and wanted to jerk
off with me, they all heard me play with myself.  I was afraid to shoo him
away and cause a fuss.  He said he could turn off all the lights and the
cameras would never see.  I know what he wanted, but when I said "GO" real
loud, he panicked and left.  Most there never heard me speak."

   She kissed him and put her arms around him, then turning the two of them
around so she was against the trunk.  She broke the kiss and smiled at him,
turning around and peeling the gray fleece lined skirt up before leaning
over the trunk wagging her ass to be fucked.

   "Come on Joe Johnson, fuck your dirty girl.  Push that wet cock up my
pussy and fuck me good." She demanded.

   When she turned and bent Joe saw one of the physical features Selena had
that drove him crazy, her gorgeous ass.  The swell of her hips led to a
full round apple that had no fault.  It was perfect and no matter how she
bent or twisted, it was always perfect with no creases or bulges.  His cock
raged in his hand at the sight of her as he put a hand on the small of her
back and fit himself into the wet, pink, slit she displayed.

   "OOOOOOOF!" She exclaimed as Joe did almost the same inside his mouth as
he pushed all the way into her.

   He bent over her body, engulfing his arms around her and holding the
side of his face to her back.

   "God, I love you so much Selena.  You don't have to act like a dirty
girl to make me want you.  I like it, but YOU are the reason I love you.  I
see you, or hear you, or smell you and I'm excited.  You are the magic that
makes me love you.  We WILL get old and our looks WILL go away, but loving
you will never change." He said candidly, overwhelmed by the moment.

   "I don't have to worry about losing you to one of those sex pots?" She
joked quietly.

   "You're all I want and need, never doubt me.  Look what we've been
through." Joe said wishing the moment would last forever.

   Joe felt her flex herself on him and suddenly he remembered the task at
hand.  He stood up straight and began to slide from her grip and he pushed
at her once again as she cooed, loving the feeling of his cock in her.

   Quickly Joe's pace built to where he was pounding at her with the slap
of his hips to her ass the only sound in the air.

   Suddenly she wailed not caring how loud she might be.

   " Ohh, Oh, Oh, AAEEEEEEEE!" she cried pushing back to his thrusts as Joe
saw the back of her neck turn white and then suddenly red as her body
convulsed on his cock.

   He could hold back no longer and went for broke wanting to cum as she
did.  He looked down at the dilated little asshole above the soaked cock
that blurred in and out of her, her juices flying in the air.  "Take it
Essy, take it, TAKE IT!" He cried out as he felt his balls empty into her
as the sound of their squishy communion went away as their juices soaked
the situation.  He fell forward onto her, exhausted.  They remained quiet
as their breathing returned to normal.

   "Dirty little girl?  I don't think so." Joe whispered as he heard the
plop of cum dripping from her pussy onto the pavement.  "You'll always be
my sweet Selena, my Essy.  You think women like that Sarah Zee offer me
something you can't, but you're wrong.  Yes, there is a thrill with
something strange, but to give and receive the love we share so freely is
the greatest thing in the world.  I may look and admire other women, and my
nature is to flirt back when I'm hit on.  That's part of my personality and
I do it all day long with you as well.  Changing that would be changing me.
Never fear, we belong to only each other.  We may have had a nine year
blank spot, but we are as hot for each other as when we first got
together."

   Joe felt himself slide from her and a stream of cum followed but Selena
only wanted to turn her tear filled face to Joe to kiss him.  "Your words
are so sweet; you make me feel like the most loved woman in the world. 
God, someone could have just pulled right up to the car and I wouldn't have
seen them, I was so wrapped up in that.  We better straighten up
ourselves." She said as happy tears still streamed down her face.

   She popped the trunk lid before her and took out a roll of paper towels,
using one to wipe between her legs.  She went to her purse, as Joe wiped
himself off, and retrieved her panties she had taken off before they left.
She stepped into them and put another paper towel between them and her
leaky pussy.

   "Come on, let's go home and shower.  Besides, my phone has been
vibrating like crazy." Selena said adjusting her undies and slipping behind
the wheel.

   "Mine too!  I wonder who it is." Joe said as he got in and shut the door
and fished in the cargo pocket of his walking pants for his phone.

   "My call is Philly." Joe said as Selena slipped her phone from the waist
pocket of her skirt and handed it to Joe.

   "Hmm, yours is Philly too.  We can call her from the house phone when we
get there." Joe said putting both phones on the console.

   Chapter 14

   Fall colors were late and on the drive home they were amazed at some of
the bright colors still so vibrant on the way home.  Little was said until
Joe was suddenly struck by some of her words before they made love in the
park.

   "Did you always imagine me in your little masturbation fantasies?  I
mean, every night is a lot." Joe said quietly as he looked at her, her eyes
fixed on the road in her own thoughts.

   "Funny you say that, I was just thinking that too.  Yes, you were the
only one.  I always thought you would sneak in my room, thinking you spent
every day looking for me.  That was why I freaked out when the male nurse
stood beside the bed with his cock out saying he wanted to masturbate with
me.  His cock was only 6 inches from my face and I know what he wanted.  I
always fantasized you would wake me like that, standing there with your
cock out for me to suck and make happy for you.  The other was you crawling
under the covers and licking my pussy and clit to wake me.  But, every
night once I got in bed I was convinced I was in Limbo and Philly was the
angel who would bring me to heaven.  Nutty, huh?" She said, unsure of her
state at the time.

   "After the state I was in I am in no place to call anyone nutty.  Our
minds lead us down strange paths and we have no control, it seems.  At
least you remember everything about the time.  I don't recall a thing." Joe
said reaching over to pat her thigh.

   "Remembering may be a curse, like with me.  I was so mad I betrayed
you." Selena said quietly.

   "PLEASE, get over that.  I no more think you betrayed me . . . . . . . .
.  You had no control and you damn near died trying to fight him off.  Now
just stop that or maybe I WILL think you're a little nutty." Joe said
scolding her.

   "Can we take a ride someday and hope to get a chance to see her?  I have
to admit I'm curious." Selena said changing the subject fast.

   "I'm not sure Philly would OK that for you, at least right away, and
she's the one who can come up with her identity.  Let's begin to put our
lives back a bit more before we think about that.  I don't think you need
the emotional high or low it will cause." Joe said tenderly so she knew he
was with her in her curiosity and not just appeasing her.

   "When do our lines go live?" She asked, wondering when they would get
their trading and monitoring capabilities back.

   "They said it could happen today.  I saw them working on the lines
yesterday and I thought it would be on line this morning, but nothing as of
when we left." Joe answered, obviously anxious to get started watching
stocks and making some deals.

   "How long until credit lines are open?" She wondered.

   "As soon as we are wired I can do some bank transfers to prepay anything
until I re-establish a line of credit." Joe answered with a sigh.

   "Remember, we have the houses, we have enough money and I'll be going
back to work, as far as I know, . . .don't get too cute and try to show the
world Joe Johnson is back.  With the economy as soft as it is we should lay
low." She said with a poke in his ribs as she turned onto Sheridan and
headed home.

   As they turned into the blind drive and drove up Scott Hanson was
letting a man with a telephone truck into the house.

   "You two don't answer phones?  I called each of you to come back and let
this guy in.  You need a new modem to get the stuff you want.  Your stuff
is 10 years old." Scott said with a chuckle as he walked the repairman in.

   Joe took out his phone and there was an arrow beside the missed call
from Philly and it revealed 2 missed calls from Scott.

   "We were busy Daddy.  We took a walk, took a ride, and bought a new car
in between."

   "From the look on your face there was more than walking and riding in
your afternoon." Scott said as a sly grin curled his lip.

   "We ARE married Daddy, wouldn't hurt you and Mom to take "a ride" some
time too." She said to him happy that she could be a little more liberal
with talk of such things.

   "Why do you think I called both of you a couple of times before finally
having to come up here?  I may have been busy myself." Scott said stone
faced as he walked back into check on the repairman.

   Joe Johnson couldn't believe his ears, to hear the ever stoic and proper
Scott Hanson speak so openly to his daughter, but he was glad.

   Before going into pepper the repairman with questions about the lines he
thought it best to return the call to Philly and he punched the reply key
on his phone waiting to have her answer.

   "Hi Joe, is Selena with you?  I would like to talk to you first." Philly
said.

   "She just stepped in the house talking with her Dad, I'm alone.  What's
up?"

   "Jack Spagner is not the Father of that baby, but Selena is the Mother.
I know that much.  In the DNA experiments where Emory Richards kept the
baby DNA he has quite a few other hospital employees and I'm going to see
if we can find a match to find out who else raped her.  They were all
volunteered for the experiment so it shouldn't be a hassle." Philly told
him; sorry she had more bad news for him.

   "Did you screen it with mine?"

   "Your DNA?  Why?"

   "We made love on our short lived honeymoon that night.  I did have the
reversal and my sperm counts had to improve." Joe said hopefully.

   "I don't have your DNA, but Edison probably does.  Can you call Dr. 
Culver and release it for me?"

   "Sure, I'll do that now.  What should I tell Selena?"

   "Don't hold anything back.  She needs to trust us, and you especially,
in order to break down any walls she has left.  Tell her what we're doing."

   "Test my DNA first before you do anyone elses, OK?"

   "OK, I'll be back to you tomorrow." Philly said before hanging up.

   Joe walked into the house and Scott was walking out ahead of the
serviceman.

   "He says your computers are a little behind the times for the set-up you
want, talk to him." Scott said as passed the baton to Joe.

   "Where's Selena?" Joe asked.

   "On the phone in the bedroom, WSGG called for her as soon as she walked
in."

   Joe looked at the service guy and simply said, "All hell is breaking
loose at once here.  My computers are a little old?  Can we upgrade?"

   "That's not us, Sir.  However, speaking for myself, for the high tech
set-up I just put in, that old Gateway is past its usefulness, even the OS
is way, way outdated." The young man said honestly.

   "Damn, I thought I could get by for a bit, until I caught up with
myself. I'll just get a new one ordered.  What would you recommend?"

   "First of all, let me congratulate you for finding your way home, so to
speak.  Incredible story.  Secondly, what you had before, having a Mac and
a Windows system, is still the best way to go for what you seem to want to
do.  Your Father said you had them talking to each other and could run
anything, you might STILL better do that to avoid conflicts and shutouts.
There is a new Mac OS and I think there's a third build on Windows 7 for
business, . .  Professional, I think it's called.  If you get those, I
would be glad to come back and reset you here, just to see how it works. 
Here's my card with my pager number.  I'll make a special trip for you.  I
don't live far from here."

   "Well, um . . . .OK, . . . .  um. . .  (he said looking down at his
card) Francis!  I'll call you."

   "Please call me Franny.  It would be my pleasure to help you out."

   Joe showed Franny the way out and went back to the bedroom, noticing
that Scott had hustled his way out of the house and was headed down the
drive as Franny was leaving.

   "Maybe he did have a promise waiting for him." Joe thought as he made
his way to the bedroom and saw Selena walking out beaming bright, smiling
ear to ear, still on the phone.

   He opened his cell and called Dr.  Culver to give her permission to
release his DNA to the lab doing the work for Philly Flowers.  He ended his
call just as Selena was walking back to him as she wrapped her call with
WSGG.

   She threw her arms around Joe, so excited she could hardly speak.  "The
boys want me back.  I can stay as long as I want, but if I give them 18
months and get Deneigh on track and trained, they'll be satisfied and call
my service 12 years as far as the value of my seat in the partnership.  My
parents never dissolved it to leave it as part of the PolyTech endowment."
She bubbled.

   "So it's been gaining value all these years?"

   "Well, gaining and losing.  The Wall Street debacle that the government
created hurt a lot of their clients and shook their credibility, but they
never wavered, Ross said.  Those who took their advice and weren't swayed
by the media reports and mistruths are all back to where they were or
better.  Our value is up quite well, Slim managed it for my parents." She
reported.

   Then the bubbly, cheerful, mood seemed to run out of her as she took a
look of deep pondering.

   "Now that I know they want me back, the question is, do I want to go
back?  Did we miss so much life that we can never regain it?  Do we take a
bow and fade off?  I told them that if I declined and didn't return I would
pay back their investment in me so they could use it for another student.
The new partner, Jamaica Browne, went through a lot the same hoops as me,
but Ross isn't as happy as he thought they might be with her.  She has 4
and half months of probation yet and he hopes I might help her out as
well." She said in serious tones, not having any real answers yet.

   "New York can be a tough place to make it like you did." Joe said.

   "I'm sure she doesn't have a centering force like you there, to teach
you The City either." Selena said, re-hugging her face to Joe's shoulder
and holding it there, thinking.

   "So it sounds like you've already made the decision to go back." Joe
said, a little dejected they hadn't talked it over.

   "No, No, No!  I'm like the actress who is nominated for the Oscar and
loses saying the honor was being nominated.  I'm so happy they WANT me
back, and would be excited to HAVE me back.  Joe I've been out of the loop
and away from it all for 9 years and they haven't skipped a beat in their
respect for my talents.  Do you know how humbling that is?  They have 2
prospective partners who are a little shy on the extra mile you have to go,
and they want me to hold their hands to see if they can get through, . . .
. when they have 3 or 4 of the best financial minds on earth there.  Come
on Joe, think about it!  BUT, you know I wouldn't make any decision like
this without you.  We have to plan how we continue our lives, what we'll
do, how we'll do it.  It's another reason I think the trip to Jamaica and
Negril is important.  We can be away and think without distraction.  And .
. . . . .  make love 5 times a day and not wear clothes all day if we don't
want to." She said defending herself and adding her own wish for the beach
at Negril.

   "I wasn't convinced about the Jamaica trip until now.  We have a lot to
think about and a lot to decide upon.  Sure, the thought of living our
lives away in our new homes and moving from one to another on a whim is
what we wanted and talked about before, BUT, doesn't it seem like there are
challenges and tasks in life that we've missed or passed over? . . .  or
can we get by without them?  If we really try to bring a child, or even
two, into the world, can I enjoy fatherhood when I'm 60, or 70?" Joe mused.

   "Could we enjoy parenthood once school starts and we have to stay in one
place for 9 months every year?  That's the one bothering me.  Those 9 years
were the time we were to use to settle into all of this and send our child
off to college before you were 60." She said still holding her face to
Joe's shoulder while pondering aloud the thoughts she had heretofore kept
to herself.

   "The nine years may have taken away our opportunity to have a baby?  I
thought it was so important to you." Joe asked, knowing it was her dream.

   "It is," she said starting to cry, "It might seem selfish, but I don't
want to share you until you're 70 or more and then get our freedom if he or
she goes to college and have you too old to enjoy our total freedom.  We
could board a child at some fancy school, but then WE wouldn't be raising
it to our ideals.  I'm so confused and don't want to bring a child into
this unless we settle down.  We haven't settled down in all the time we've
been together and being gadabouts is the prize we aimed for." Selena said,
continuing to cry as reality was settling in.

   "Fuck!  You see?  Not thinking my age would be a problem as we got older
has become the problem.  I've screwed up your life like all the naysayers
said I would." Joe said rubbing her back and feeling a little sorry he said
the words aloud.

   "Don't be a jerk Joe!  I have NO life without you.  Loving you is my
greatest accomplishment, no matter what you think.  I never would have made
it past the probation on Wall Street without you, I would be nowhere!! 
Damn you for saying that!" She said as she slapped the arm she had been
hugging repeatedly.

   "I'm sorry.  I'm sorry, I guess I want wallow in self pity.  . . . . 
OH, I almost forgot after YOUR phone call.  The DNA for the child you had
does match you, but not Jack Spagner.  She's trying to get the OK to check
the rest of the DNA in the sample files the employees volunteered for in
the experiment Philly told us about." He told her after his own mea culpa,
keeping in he and Philly's no holding back promise.

   "Oh my GOD!  Have they checked YOUR DNA?  I can't believe anyone else in
that hospital laid a hand on me.  What if that baby was OURS?" She asked
with hope and regret in her tone.  "I thought we decided NOT to interfere
with the girl's life, no matter what.  She could never be ours, but Philly
IS getting my DNA profile from Edison." Joe said sadly.

   "Not "ours" as to take possession, but ours as in made by our love, by
our own egg and seed.  Taking the child away from her parents would only
serve us and cause so many problems.  When you hear of that happening I
think it's so selfish." Selena said clarifying, "but I would love to see
her, see what she's like."

   "Well, we don't know, and it's not probable that she is "ours", so let's
not go off . . . ." Joe started to say before Selena turned to him and
pushed him against the wall and pasted her mouth to his, starting a long
deep tonguing kiss.

   She was almost breathless when she parted her lips from his saying, "You
realize you've filled me more than once with your juice this week, and if
it is potent we might have something going on right now."

   " . . .  and if we do?" Joe asked.

   "I guess we have to make plans for 3 then." She said nuzzling her lips
to his neck.

   "That would be OK, I'd accept the plans and changes it would bring.  It
would scuttle the decision making process we just spoke of and make it easy
for us." Joe said holding tightly.

   She pulled back to meet his eyes and gave him a mischievous leer.  "You
realize that until I get a patch or IUD or something, all future deposits
will have to go to the loading or unloading doors, nothing in the playpen."

   "So eloquent, my horny little wife." He laughed.

   "What can I say?  I love making love with you and it doesn't matter how.
I wish you knew the joy and thrill it gives me to have you cum in my mouth
and hear you groan in pleasure.  I mean I enjoy you fucking, sliding in and
out of me, but you're puffing and huffing, working.  When you're lying back
and I'm in control . . . .  GOD! . .  I just got wet thinking about it.  We
haven't done the hiney nasty in nine years, I was hoping to save that for
Jamaica." She cooed, but she was obviously becoming distracted by other
thoughts.

   "Whoa, you're supposed to hit your sexual peak around 40.  You'll have
screwed me freakin' silly to death by then." Joe said, incredulous at her
candid talk of sex.

   "Yeah, but what a way to go though, huh?  I'll just find you a good
heart and a dick doctor to be sure you're in shape for me if I get any
hornier." She said oddly deadpan and then turned a bit ashen.

   Selena suddenly got to a real nervous point, like she had been holding
it back, hiding it, shifting from one foot to another while she held Joe
close then looked into his eyes and then away, like she was searching for
another focal point before her eyes burst forward with tears and she held
her face close to Joe's shoulder sobbing, not wanting to bawl out loud,
though she was ready to.

   "If that child is ours, it was conceived in our love we were robbed by
the terrorists, robbed by that fucking bastard who raped me and everyone
who took part in the covering up.  Our child!!  Our baby!  Stolen from us!"
She managed to blurt out before she started bawling hard into Joe's
shoulder.

   Joe enveloped her in his arms and snuggled his face as close to hers as
he could.

   "Essy, Essy, my dear Selena.  IF that is our baby, she is now a grown up
little girl with loving parents.  We should be thankful for that.  It
hurts, God it hurts, to think that there maybe someone out there that is
the product of our love that we can never know.  But if some had their way
it would have been aborted and we might not ever know about any of this. 
We can make the best of this, my sweets.  Just think of what a miracle she
is.  If we want to devote our lives to a child we can try to have another.
As long as I'm with you I'll be happy, I promise." He said trying to
comfort her.

   "No, no, we shouldn't try to bring in a child now." She sobbed, "God,
you'll be 72 and I'll be 50 when he or she goes off to college, and that
still has no guarantees we'll be free to do as we want.  It wouldn't be
fair to any of us; we'd be of three generations!  Look at some of the
bending we've had to do to fit together.  No, no children now.  I can face
up to that.  Just let me cry it out, Joey." Selena said as she let her
anguish out.

   Joe truly did want whatever made Selena happy, even if that meant
bringing a child into the world at this late age.  Joe always dealt in
reality and if that is what it took to make her happy and complete, he
would go along because she made him so happy and complete.  But she had
bought into the retired bliss they had originally planned that would have
made their lives complete.  The nine year bite that was taken from their
lives had made all of that hard to attain unless you subtracted the planned
child.  Living in 4 homes around the world was not a good formula for
raising a well centered child.  Well traveled, yes, but not a centered as
you might want having a normal circle of friends and school mates.

   Selena pulled away, and then looked back to Joe and kissed him quickly.

   "I love you so much.  I know whatever we do, we'll be happy.  I'm going
to shower now."

   "I thought we were going to shower together?"

   "Give me a little alone time.  If your cock is in the shower with you
I'll just get distracted, not that it wouldn't be fun, but we have all day.
OK?" She said with a little pout.

   Joe went to the bedroom and gathered a clean change of clothes and lay
on the bed waiting for her to get out.  He was disturbed to hear her crying
in the shower, sobbing and talking to herself, but he knew this was her way
with dealing with the disappointment she knew was looming all along since
they began to discuss the future.  In his mind he almost hoped she were
pregnant right now so decisions would be made for them by God and fate.

   In the shower Selena was about cried out.  Her little dreams of
frolicking with her little boy or little girl in the yard were all dashed,
but somehow the disappointment was blunted a bit to know that she truly did
have a child in the world, although she might never know her.  She only
hoped she was happy and well taken care of, which was why she wanted to see
her and maybe help her and her family along.  Selena knew thoughts like
that were folly, because she never wanted to interfere, but knowing they
could help soothed her somehow.  As she dried she looked into the mirror
and saw her swollen eyes.  She went to the medicine closet and took out a
chemical cold pack, wondering if it were any good after all the years past.
As she broke the chemical pack inside with the ball of her hand she
immediately felt the coolness emanating.  She wrapped her hair, sat on the
toilet, and sat back resting her head on the stack of towels on top of the
tank.  She put the cold pack over her eyes and tried to clear her mind.

   Joe was worried about her state of mind, as she was taking so long, but
he was half dozing when she opened the door to look for him.

   "Come on sleepyhead, it's your turn!" She said with a bright smile for
Joe.

   He was surprised to see her so refreshed and her outlook improved as he
kissed her walking by her into the shower.

   As he showered he continued to marvel at the turn of events in their
lives.  The merry-go-round didn't seem to stop as he waited for normalcy to
set in.  He still hoped to spend the afternoon becoming familiar with his
new investment software and equipment.  He just began to relish the thought
of "escape" with his financials Selena knocked on the door and called in to
him, "I just did a pee stick, two of them to be sure, . .  I am NOT
pregnant now."

   "Good or bad, for what it's worth, it's good to know." Joe said as she
closed the door and went about getting dressed.

   He wondered if she had taken into account that they just had copulative
sex not much more than an hour ago, and that would never show yet.  He made
a mental note to have her do another "pee stick", as she called them, in 2
weeks.

   When Joe had gotten out of the shower he found Selena back in the media
room and she was fiddling with the new communications tools and the
computer.  They had dual screens so he could see what she was doing and
vice-versa.  She was at the Wall Street Global Group site reading about
each of the principles and the special dedication to her.  "You're getting
the bug, aren't you?" Joe said with an approving smile.

   "Yes and no, I'm not sure I would do it without you there every night. I
never want to spend another night alone, without you.  That's a lot to ask
of you and so unfair." She said wistfully.

   "What makes you think I WANT to spend a night away from you?  I'll go
where ever you go, and if going back to work there is what you have to do,
you should do it.  I want you to be happy.  How about if I check out the
building where our old townhouse was?  If we find a vacancy there we can
give it a try."

   "That was a Gordon Phelan property wasn't it?" Selena asked sadly.

   "Mmmmm, might have been.  Old Gordo deserved a better fate, not as lucky
as us." Joe said, unsure.  "He did a few things for me then, it might have
been his.  God, Selena, you're opening so many new doors in my mind and
every door has an unanswered question.  We should spend a day trying to
find out what happened to who and tie up loose ends."

   "Well, here's another, Lucy has written me a few times and will finally
be getting to town this weekend.  She's avoided any reference I made to
Jeromy, and she's avoided actually talking to me on the phone.  So, I've
only done email with her, but I do know she's a buyer with a big toy
concern that has 300 stores."

   "Didn't she work as an overnight stocker for a toy chain while in
college, like in a district warehouse?" Joe thought aloud.

   "Yes, she would pull the orders for the district and then deliver the
local store and stock it, as I remember."

   "Toys huh?" Joe said, "I thought she was a bio major going for pre-med
or mortuary school or something."

   "I honestly don't remember.  She was going back for a Masters in
something.  She talked about being a student as a career, for a
laugh."Selena said not wanting to admit that the 9 years left her fuzzy on
a few details.

   "Well, let's plan when we go to Jamaica and then when we give Wall
Street Global an answer.  Before we do any of that we should go to New York
and see everything first hand.  Sit in your old office, see what a day is
like, 2 or 3 if you want.  Then we'll stay in The City and get a feel for
it all.  We have so many people to see there, it'll be fun." Joe said,
somewhat calling her bluff on everything.

   "OK, I'll call Ross Curran and arrange to be there on Monday morning. 
We'll come home Thursday morning and see if we can't get out of here by the
following week to Jamaica.  See if Joseph can get us in the Four Seasons
and I'll start working on contacts we need to make in The City." She said
without a stutter or hitch in her plans.

   Joe was impressed that she really DID have a game plan for it all and he
was willing to go right along with it.  While she began to familiarize
herself with current stock trends with the new computer and software, Joe
hit the phones beginning to make the arrangements he promised her.

   Although he had made some contact with old friends, this was the first
opportunity to really reacquaint with special people like Joseph, who was
now the Concierge at The Four Seasons.  He wanted to get into a long
involved conversation and Joe stopped him, "Joseph, you saw the press
conference and read all of the stories and I really don't want to relive
this over and over.  Just treat me the way we should be after not seeing
each other for 9 years.  Just let me ask, how is Shanna and your daughter
Shannon?"

   "Shanna and Shannon are fine and so are our 2 boys, Joey and Shane. 
We're still in the same place, it's a little small but so close to work
makes it perfect." Joseph said proudly.

   "Congratulations on the boys, any plans for more?"

   "Not right away, with Shannon plus the boys, 4 and 6, it's a lot of work
for Shanna, plus she has been stringing for a fashion column in the Times.
Shannon is 10 now and can help her Mom out a lot, but . . . ."

   "I understand.  So do you think you can get us in our old suite for a
few days?" He asked.

   "I've been checking while we were talking and I think I can jockey a few
people around that arrive Sunday as well, just let me check with the Rooms
and Client facilitator." Joseph said putting him on hold for a moment.

   "No, no one requested your room specifically, so you'll be all set. 
Dinner with us on Sunday night, for sure, OK?" Joseph said.

   "Sounds good, just let me run it past Selena, she's on her phone making
New York plans as well.  I'll call you back, OK?"

   "Sounds good, I've got to run.  Work calls." Joseph said as he clicked
off the call.

   Joe immediately looked through his notes for the number he was to call
at the State Department to put the wheels in motion for a quickie passport
for Jamaica.  He waited for Selena to get off her phone calls to give the
news on Joseph and Shanna when his phone rang.

   "Joe Johnson!  This is Senator Merrill Jackson.  I'm so glad you want to
take advantage of our offer to get you your passports back for Jamaica. 
Please call me Jack, as my friends do, Merrill is so formal.  I assume you
want to do this quietly, I only ask that when you come home that we arrange
a picture of me with you and your wife.  It won't have to say anything
except that we cut some red tape to get your passports back, and leave it
at that.  The Postal Service will call you for updated passport photos. 
I'll bet we can turn you around in 10 days or less." Senator Jackson
blathered, taking charge.

   "Well, uh . . . .  Jack!  I guess I really don't have anything else to
ask you."

   "Well, it's just that the Governor, Secretary of State and a few others
want to use this for a photo op and promotional piece.  I think, from what
I saw, that you want to keep a low profile, and while I DID ask you for a
photo, it's more for my wall than anything.  I'm not up for re-election for
4 years.  I won't ask you to shill for me, or even ask your affiliation,
OK?" He said sincerely.

   "Fair enough!  I'll wait to hear from the Postal Service and follow up
with your secretary if there are any problems." Joe said.

   "That's a deal.  Be well and good-bye for now." The Senator said,
hanging up.

   Normalcy was creeping back into to the lives of Selena and Joe as they
each broke from the shells that their ordeal had built around them.

   Chapter 15

   Friday came and still no word from Philly on the DNA study using Joe's
file, but they had picked up the Blue Solstice and spent a good amount of
time riding around, breaking it in.  Joe took it on a few local low
mountain trips running it through its paces, making sure he knew the
handling and feel.  As much as he hated to admit it, it felt like a German
precision auto in many ways and he was quite satisfied.  He was especially
happy to know that when he and Selena changed cars she was going to get a
dependable car that would serve her well in any situation.  He was calling
the car a short-vette or poor mans Vette when he first got it, but began to
refer to it as his Blue Solstice or The Pontiac as he gained respect for
it.

   Sunday morning came and Selena began what was a normal chore in the old
days, laying out the travel cases for another week in New York.  When 911
occurred they were, more or less, living in New York, but prior to that
they were only there 4 or 5 nights a week, depending if they drove in
Sunday night or Monday Morning.

   She was carefully folding some of her new unworn things as she prepared
her attire for each day she planned to spend at Wall Street Global Group,
when their home phone rang.  Joe had been on the computer when the caller
ID popped up on his screen.

   "Essy, it's Philly.  Why don't you come in here and we'll speakerphone."
He called up the hall.

   She was already on her way in, sensing this was "the call" and sat next
to Joe intertwining her fingers with one of his hands as he clicked to
answer.

   "Hi Philly, we're on speakerphone, so we're both here." Joe said
answering.

   "Hello, I hope you're both doing well.  I have the news you've been
waiting on and you can decide if it's good or bad news.  The baby that
Selena gave birth to was most definitely the product of both of you.  There
is no doubt." Philly said as she left the words to hang for Joe and Selena
to consume.

   The silence was deafening to Philly who wondered how Selena would accept
the news.

   "Selena?" Philly asked after 20 or 30 seconds.

   "I'm here," she said with a flutter in her voice.  "I sort of expected
this to be the case.  That night was so special and I felt so different the
next morning.  After your call the other day I spent some alone time to
accept the fact this could be true and I recalled wanting to say something
to Joe when he was driving me back to work that day, but obviously that
opportunity never came." She said while fixing her eyes to Joes before
continuing.  "I've decided that this is a good thing for us in the fact it
was something we wanted to happen, and it did.  We would have wanted to
raise our own child, but fate made that impossible for us then, and
improbable for the future.  Yet still, our love will live on somewhere in
this girls life, hopefully."

   The line stayed cold for a few minutes as Philly swallowed Selena's
words and evaluated the tremendous progress she had made in her recovery.
Before she spoke, Joe broke in.

   "It's reality, Phyll.  We don't think it would be fair to all three of
us if we brought another child into the world now, but knowing she is out
there makes a difference."

   "I could have called you yesterday with the news, but I did a little
investigating for you.  She is in a wonderful home with 2 parents married
15 years now.  She's very athletic, playing little league baseball,
gymnastics and currently in an indoor girls soccer league.  She's an A+
student, jumped to the 5th grade.  She is 8 years and almost 6 months old,
born on Mother's Day, May 12th 2002.  Her adoptive mother ran a day care
pre-school so she was essentially learning numbers and words with the other
children.  She did try to go to kindergarten, but complained she was in
baby school.  Deciding she was socially mature enough to handle it, she was
placed in 1st grade at 5 years old, and then skipped 3rd grade because of
her reading and writing skills.  She is an 8 year old, in class with mostly
11 year olds, but she looks and acts mature enough that she goes
un-noticed." Philly said, as if reading.

   "Where did you get this information from?" Joe asked while Selena beamed
with pride, as her eyes got wet and she fought tears.

   "She's in a huge rural school district and I combed it for familiar
names and I found a college roommate of mine.  I had her ask an
administrator and counselor if she knew of her and she gushed that she was
"so special".  Now, you promised before that you wouldn't try to find her
and I'll hold you to that." Philly said before Selena qualified their
promise.

   "Well, we would like to see here, and I mean that in the literal sense,
see her, and not interact with her.  Her life sounds idyllic and I wouldn't
want to change that.  I've, . .  er . . . . .  WE have come to terms with
the fact that having our child in the world is still a testament to our
love and that getting involved with her would serve no one any good. 
Philly, I think you've learned in the last couple weeks that we handle
reality well once we're together and serve our support systems.  I really
would like to see her.  I know it would be both joyful and heartbreaking."

   "Let's wait a few months until you're situated in your life and your
future and then explore a way to possibly see her.  Now I want you both to
promise me, and promise each other you won't do anything stupid concerning
this." Philly said.  "I've done a lot more than I should have on this and
could get into some privacy issue violations.  Do we all understand?"

   "Yes, we'll police each other if we have to." Joe said as Selena kissed
his hand.

   "Please do, I've got enough shit raining on me here and I don't need any
legal problems to jeopardize my job." Philly said as her voice broke.

   "Is there anything we can help with?  Now that we're getting on our feet
here we have a lot of resources at hand.  Just know you can depend on us,
you've been so great in getting us together." Joe said, feeling concern.

   Philly broke down and cried, regretting she let her emotions leak
through.

   "Maybe I just need to talk to someone and get it off my chest.  My
husband left me and my life is a mess.  I did something stupid a long time
ago, I had an affair with an old boyfriend.  It was so long ago that I
thought I could get it off my chest, proving I had moved on from it since
our marriage had flourished so much since then.  I was wrong.  He was
devastated and walked out the door.  He's been back a few times to get
things when I'm gone, but he won't answer my calls and won't answer his
page at work.  I want to stalk him and face him, but my job is so involved
right now that I can't.  I'm in a partnered practice and I have
commitments."

   "You definitely have to face him.  Leave him a note at home where you
know he'll see it and pour your heart out, letting him know you can't live
like this, not knowing where he actually stands, since he won't talk.  Give
him a time and place to meet and talk and see what happens.  He has to know
you still love him.  Just word the proposal carefully, and good luck."
Selena said to the speakerphone as she stood and hugged Joe's neck as she
spoke.

   "Selena may be right, he needs to know how you feel, and that you're
hurting.  If he still loves you, and you know he does, he'll want to come
to your aid.  Just be sure you give him a definite time and place." Joe
said.

   "You're talking about a long term marriage and relationship going down
over a single, regrettable act.  He has to face up to it now, just like you
did when you admitted it.  Remind him that you flourished as a couple even
though the affair existed and he wasn't aware of it.  It was a flaw and we
all have flaws.  If your love for each other is true forgiveness is part of
the whole package.  You know there are happy couples who have an argument
and let tempers flare, causing one of them to make a regrettable statement.
One of them takes offense and walks out the door and ends the relationship,
over a single word or phrase said in anger.  Don't let this happen to you.
Save yourselves." Selena added.

   "I suppose that's a good idea, and by the weekend we both may have more
free time to meet.  Thanks for your concern and I'll talk to you both soon.
Goodbye, you guys." Philly said as she hung up.

   Joe and Selena hugged as she sat on his lap in the computer chair.  She
kissed and sucked at his neck as she cried quietly, tears running down her
face.

   "The baby we always wanted happened, conceived in our love, and after
all you went through she seems to have survived to be normal.  I was afraid
that all of the drugs and turmoil they put your body through would have
produced a flawed baby.  We are just as perfect as we thought." Joe said
with a sad chuckle as he hugged her tighter.

   "I suppose that, if not this way, we would have no child.  I just can't
accept her never knowing us, or us her." Selena whispered through her
ragged voice.

   "She'll be told she was adopted at one point, she'll need that
information to go through life.  At some juncture in time we'll have to let
the parents know who we are and if she ever wants to seek us, we are
willing to be found." He told her as his eyes welled up and he rubbed her
back to soothe the pain she felt right then.

   "Do you suppose if the parents knew some of the circumstance of WHERE
their baby came from and then saw our story, our pictures, that they might
see the resemblance, because, they said she looked mature enough to pass as
a 5th grade student.  I suspect she has a lot of your features.  If that's
the case, they know we are out there.  I suppose that's a wishful dream."
Joe said exhaling deeply, letting Selena fall back a little so he could
face her nose to nose.

   "We have to compose ourselves and get back to our task at hand." He said
as she nodded and hugged him once more before standing and walking back to
her packing.

   Joe watched the sway of her cute ass and felt a charge in his loins.  10
years ago he would have stood and acted on the jolt to his loins, but today
he let it pass.  He never loved her more than at this moment, but, proving
his love was something they didn't need to constantly show anymore.  There
were times and places when their ardor would overflow and the thought he
had at that moment would come out of the vault to be cashed in.

   "Joe?" She called out, "Do you think we can get a suit off the rack for
you today to hold you until you see a tailor in New York?"

   "I suppose." He said dreading not having something made for him. 
"Hopefully no one will see me in department store rags."

   Life had restarted once again for Joe and Selena, their knowledge of
what they learned that morning tucked away for another day.

   The day of packing, shopping, studying the market, and making New York
City arrangements ended early for them.  While Joe caught the sports scores
Selena got up to shower and get ready for bed.  He decided that riding
through the mountains with the top down had left him a bit gritty as well
and he walked into the bedroom just as she came out of the bathroom door
with a towel wrapped around her.

   "No hugs for your greasy face and body, I was filthy from the top down
ride.  I'll be in bed, I'm so tired." She said as she made a cross with her
fingers, as if to shoo a vampire away.

   Joe chuckled and went in and stripped and washed himself top to bottom
as well and longed for a long restful sleep for the early start in the
morning.  He found a pair of boxers on his side of the nightclothes pantry
and took a towel to finish drying his hair as he opened the door to go to
the bedroom.  There, Selena was a sight curled up on the bed as if waiting
for Joe to pull up the sheet for them.  She had fallen asleep and her sheer
white teddy had ridden up to show the bare bottom he so longed to look at.

   Once again he felt the familiar tingle in his loins of wanting to make
love to her, taste her, and feel her body next to his, but he let the urge
pass.  He finished drying his hair went to her mirror and combed it before
taking the sheet and, in one motion, slid into bed pulling the sheet over
both of them.  He closed his eyes and stretched his whole body from the
tips of his pointing toes to his inter-twined fingers behind his head.  He
held the stretch as long as he could and just as he was about to let his
rigid muscles relax he felt the weight of Selena upon his chest as she laid
her head and upper body upon his as she rest her head just over his heart.
He felt the warmth of her cheek there framed by the coolness of her just
dried hair.

   "I love you, Joe.  You make me feel so complete.  You help me understand
and accept the things this world hurls at us when I can see no answer or
reason.  You hurt with me, you joy with me.  We really are one.  I'm so
glad you're my husband." She whispered through a breath Joe knew was on the
verge of tears.

   He exhaled a deep cleansing breath from his stretch and put his hand on
her head as he felt a warm tear fall to rest on his skin.  He stretched his
other arm to lay a hand on the rise of her bottom.

   "You know that I could say the same to you, you are the rest of me and I
love you more than words can say." He told her as his voice broke as well.

   She clenched him hard to herself as if someone might try to take him
away.

   "I want to make love to you with my hands and my mouth, and for you to
do the same to me.  I know you're tired and hope you don't think that's too
selfish." She said sincerely.

   "I would spend my dying breath loving you, if I had to."

   "Keep that a long way off, we have so much to enjoy in our lives
together and we've been so close to our mortality, and that scared me,
thinking I might never get to make love to you again." She said as she rose
back to her knees and shifted her body so she could face his tenting
boxers.

   "I've had you in my mouth so many times and each time is more exciting
than the last.  The velvet feel of the tip on my tongue and the pulse of
your heart on the big vein against my tongue when I close my mouth over
you, THAT'S so exciting.  You taste so delicious and masculine, I can't
wait for you to take these off." She said as she reached through the front
slash and pulled him out and covered the tip with her lips and tongue.

   "Mmmm, there is no taste in the world like you.  It flares my nostrils
when I inhale and taste you, and what it does to my pussy you'll taste
later.  Let me get these off you." Selena purred as she clenched the waist
band and encouraged him to raise his ass up so she could remove his shorts.

   "Oooohh, your balls look so full, you only had me yesterday.  Have you
been staring at my ass again?  I know it makes your cock jump when I walk
away, that's my stealth tease.  I know I don't even have to try." She said
as she filled her hands with their weighty cum treasure and she pushed her
mouth over him again, lightly working her tongue and jaw as she manipulated
the creamy feel of his sack.

   "I know how sexy you are, and I know how you look outside of those
clothes.  But, when it's covered and I see your form, I just go crazy." Joe
groaned as he arched his back in shudder.

   "Really, what are you going to do when I swing my leg over and put my
ass in your face?" She whispered before she sunk her mouth over him and did
just that in a somewhat crab-walk.

   The ass he so admired was now presented before his eyes close up.  The
smooth curvature of the moons of her bottom ran deep into the usual pantied
mystery of what lay in between, the fleshy mound on which her visually
percepted virginal vagina was mounted.  The thick lips were just blossoming
as she spread herself over his face.  A few swipes of his tongue would turn
what looked like that of a young girl to a dewy coral set of lips that led
to a mouth hungry to be probed by a man's penis.  A clear drop of woman
fluid hung at the hairless upper juncture where her clitoris lay.  He
snaked his tongue to capture it and touched the electrical field
surrounding that magic button and he felt her mouth thrust down hard over
his penis.  Hungry for more of the same he swiped his tongue back again and
drilled hard on her sex nerve.

   She pulled her mouth off of him and gripped his wet cock using her other
hand to bring a ball from his sack to her lips as she gently stroked him.
The shiver that went through him forced his face up a bit, his tongue tip
following the groove of her slit and skidding into her asshole as he
instantly recognized the bittersweet flavor.  He mashed the flat of his
tongue to it as she lifted her head to consume the head of his dick, before
he recoiled his tongue and drove its tip to its wrinkled center.  The
intrusion sent her mouth over him hard, momentarily past the opening of her
throat causing her to choke and give him up and call out, "Oh Joe fuck me
in my hiney.  Let me feel you there again."

   Joe didn't hesitate from his licking, only to say, "I thought you wanted
to save it for Jamaica."

   She continued to pump her mouth over him, slowing as she thought his
words over.  She let him free and arched her back away from his mouth.

   "You're right, but push me over.  I've got a doozie in the chamber." She
knowing she had been so close to cumming but not getting it yet.

   Joe pulled her back to his face and drove his tongue to her clit and
licked like he was mad at it, as she suckled the head of his cock and she
stroked him.  Then he drove his middle finger of his left hand abruptly up
her little poop-chute causing her to stun loudly around his cock before
pushing her mouth fully over him, into her throat.

   As he fucked his finger in and out of her spit slickened hiney she began
to rock her face over him in earnest.  He knew he couldn't last long and
sucked hard at her clit as he punched at her little hole.  Just as he began
to spurt into her mouth she began her orgasm, squeezing his finger tight in
her ass and pushing her pussy hard to his face.  She screamed around his
cock as she swallowed his sex juice, at last satisfied, stopping only when
she became exhausted.  She licked lightly at his balls before falling over
beside him, his middle finger slurping from her.

   When they both caught their breath she got up and threw Joe her damp
hair towel to clean himself and she went to the bidet to rinse and wipe
herself, coming back to cuddle and go to sleep.

   "Jamaica should be interesting, your finger felt like a rolling pin in
there." She said with a giggle and they quickly dozed off exhausted.

   When the local radio news gently awoke the lovers in the morning it was
the first time they truly felt like life had returned after the nine year
hiccough.  They were going to shower and get a quick coffee and drive to
New York City, as they had dozens of times before.  Joe would check in to
the Four Seasons after dropping Selena off at Wall Street Global offices.
Although this would be a day of reacquainting and renewing old
relationships, a process Joe had grown to revile, he was excited.  He hated
having to repeat all of the things he had explained over and over again,
but he felt with his friends in The City there would be less of that.

   New York was Joe's town.  He liked the fast life and the fact he could
afford to live it.  He enjoyed the finer things in life that were so
readily available there.  There was a time when he enjoyed the women of New
York and their fast style where he grew his sexual confidence that flowed
from his personality.  Although he loved to be flirted with, and to flirt
back, there was no question where his heart laid.  Selena was the true love
of his life and no one could ever step into that path to block him.  Even
women that thought they had his heart and could win him forever, timidly
backed away and either went off smitten or became a trusted friend and
confidant.  Selena has accepted all of his female friends because she knew
she could trust him after doubting him so often.

   After a morning hug and kiss in bed they had said little to each other
as she went about the business of getting ready and Joe packed the car. 
When they finally met in the kitchen for coffee their looks to each other
were smirky and smoldering remembering the night before.  What had began as
tender oral lovemaking, ended a bit kinky and rough.  Had they been writing
a book about their lovemaking, last night would have been a whole chapter.
It would have been called Naughty Satisfaction and Appreciation.

   Selena felt no shame for how much she appreciated and craved sexual
contact with her husband.  Joe had no misgivings either and worried if he
might be able to keep up with her as years passed.  He recalled the
marathon bouts in their Jamaican visit when they first wantonly opened up
their wild sexuality.  He had told her then that days and nights like that,
5 orgasms for him and countless for her in a 18-24 hour period, only happen
a few times in your life and you live off of them forever.  He remembered
at least 4 or 5 of those bouts already and knew they were in store for
quite a few more.  As sexual as she was, you couldn't help but wonder if
those who saw her in public thought of her as a kindergarten teacher or
bank teller.  Her look was so sweet, always dressing tastefully, while
still hinting at the perfect body her clothes hid.  The topper, of course,
was her intelligence and gentle heart that fulfilled the package for him.
He called himself lucky for not being able to remember the nine years they
were apart.

   As they zoomed south on the New York Thruway to The City they spoke
little, except for glances back and forth that smoldered sex and passion.
Certainly they both replayed the evening in their minds and not until they
had to make a comfort stop did they begin to speak.  Once back in the car
they spoke of how they planned the day and what they might do in the
evening.

   "I know we have to placate some friends and go through the hugs and
tears routine, not that I won't be happy to see them, but I just want to go
back to normal." Selena said.

   "It sounds silly, but we don't understand how astonishing we are.  You
are going to have a very trying day with everyone at work.  I suspect
you'll be pretty well emotionally drained by tonight; I was going to
suggest Joe and Shanna come over to our suite.  I still feel like my job is
to protect you somewhat from getting too stressed out and I'm seeing too
much emotion for one day." Joe said reaching out for her hand.

   "That would be nice, and have dinner sent up?" She said, brightening at
the prospect.

   Before Joe could answer her, Selena's cell phone lit up and the Blue
Tooth App in the dash lit, displaying Wall Street Global Group as the
caller.  She opened the speakerphone.

   "Good Morning Selena, this is Ross.  I suspect you are on your way in
and I have to warn you of a situation.  There are about 5 camera crews
waiting for you to arrive outside.  We've called the Police to be sure that
traffic can still move on the street, but I wanted to warn you."

   "Oh God!  Someone must have tipped them, but I won't let them stop me.
We should be there within 40-45 minutes.  I don't know what they think
they're going to see and I have no intention of speaking with anyone.  I'm
so sorry for causing this fuss." She said as she looked to Joe.

   "You needn't apologize for anything my dear.  Maybe we'll release a
statement later that will satisfy them.  As long as you're sure you want to
run this gauntlet, we will support you to the fullest." He assured her.

   "After all I've been through, I can handle this.  See you soon." She
told him in a determined tone.

   Although Joe could pay only 75% attention to the conversation he was
quite aware of what was going on.  Her closing comment to Ross told him
that she WAS ready for all of this and her steeled determination of any
task at hand was not softened or tarnished by the nine year ordeal.

   "I guess this means most definitely, that if Shanna and Joe can't make
it to our suite, we'll have to wait until tomorrow to meet them.  I don't
want to put you through having reporters follow us around." Joe said as he
put his hand on her knee and squeezed.

   "How long will this go on?  I don't want to be a celebrity, at least not
for this.  When I was going to be a news reader I sort of liked the idea
that I might be recognized, you know like I was for doing WSG statements. I
knew most of the people who recognized me were investor types, not
sensationalists." Selena said with a sigh.

   "Hmmm, I wonder if we agreed to do ONE, and just one, face to face
interview for TV or newspaper, if they would all go away." Joe wondered
aloud.

   "I doubt it because we have to involve the hospital too much and if they
go asking questions, . . .  the rape and our baby may come up.  We have to
protect our child even if we don't know her." Selena said stifling a tear.

   Thoughts of her missed motherhood kept Selena quiet and pensive for the
rest of the trip.  Once they got into Manhattan proper she began to gather
her things and had her purse and brief in her hand.  As Joe turned the
corner and saw the police cars and the small mob of press he reached over
for her hand.

   "You sure you're ready for this?" He asked.

   She looked at him with a face of determination he knew all too well, she
was in The Zone.

   "Ready!  I was going to walk back to the hotel, but send a car; they'll
look for this one.  I'll call you." She said as she leaned over and kissed
him as he stopped.

   She slipped out the door and walked like a statesman into the office
while flashes went off and people threw questions out with microphones
waving in the air.  She got to the top of the stairs and the door opened.
She took one step in and turned to face the media.

   "I'd like to thank you in the future for our privacy.  I do not now, nor
will I ever have any comment concerning 911.  Please let us carry on as
normal." She bellowed, in a huge booming voice few have heard, before she
let the door shut behind her.

   Joe smiled and looked up to see a NYC policeman blocking a man with a
recorder in his hand from stepping into the street.  Joe nodded approval to
him and pulled away.

   Turnover at the grandiose Four Seasons edifice in Manhattan was great
enough over the nine years he was away that he was able to leave his car to
park and go through the lobby and check in without having been recognized.
Only when he got to his room did the phone begin to ring as word got out he
was back.  The head of Room Staff, Maitre D', and head Bellman all called
to wish him well.  All were people who were familiar to him in other
positions who had moved up the ladder.  Then a knock came to the door that
he figured was his luggage, but instead his dear friend Joseph stood, tears
streaming down his face as he stepped in and hugged his old friend.

   "My friend the miracle.  Wishes do come true." He said as they both
stood and cried.

   After a few moments to calm himself Joseph stood back, "Shanna says
asking you over for dinner is an imposition on you both after such a day.
She wants to have dinner sent in here, just the 4 of us.  We can sit and
catch up.  When we go I'll take your car and put it in my alley garage.  I
haven't rented it for a car since you left before.  As long as this car is
no more than 18 inches longer than the Roadster, you're in.  I've only
rented it for storage to a bottle and can collector, and he left 2 months
ago."

   "THAT would be awesome, Selena suggested on the way that she didn't want
to ferry out tonight.  She knew it would be a trying day."

   "Alright my dear friend, expect us around 7.  No need to dress, just
lounge clothes.  We'll take care of dinner and everything, non-negotiable."
Joseph said putting palm over palm and spreading them in a clearing motion.

   "Uh . . .  OK!  I won't argue.  Selena will enjoy this, she's so looking
forward to seeing you both."

   "I've got to get back to the podium, I'm sure people are waiting, I've
only got 3 on and there's a couple large groups here." Joseph said shaking
Joe's hand again and quickly leaving.h

   Joe worried how Selena was doing, but he needn't.  From the moment she
walked in the door at Wall Street Global Group she was showered with
well-wishes and hugs from everyone.

   When Deneigh got up from her desk and hugged her she kissed Selena's
cheek saying "I never realized how much I had grown to depend on your
thoughts, opinions, and guidance.  You've been my inspiration on getting to
my goal here."

   With teary eyes she took Deneigh's shoulders in hand and held her so she
could look at her eye to eye.  "I know you are so close, we'll get you that
seat.  I'm here for you."

   When Selena turned J.  Trace Fountain stood waiting with welled eyes and
open arms.

   "What hath God wrought?" He said emotionally, repeating Samuel Morse'
words tapped into the first electronic media communication device.

   "While I never wanted to believe you were lost that day, I had faced the
fact I would never see you, and here you are.  You've bolstered my faith in
God.  If we hadn't realized it when you were here, after we got together
after the attacks we realized how much we missed having a younger
perspective, especially from someone as sensible and astute as you."

   Selena blushed amongst her tears at his words, and as she met with each
of the other partners the same words and sentiments were passed along.  She
never felt so welcome, so much a part of anything this special in all of
her life.  After a coffee and catching up session in the Great Room Ross
Curran called an end to their "break" and took Selena into his office for a
private meeting.  He couldn't wait to share his thoughts with her.

   "Just being here today you have breathed new life into all of us.  I
hope that doesn't sound silly, but your young perspective, your glow, and
your fresh thoughts will revitalize all of us.  I know I spoke to you
before about trying to push Deneigh over the hump in her quest to become a
partner.  If you can just teach her how to focus she will be there.  I
think her many years on the phones and at the door have caused her to
multi-task away from the task at hand too much.  She has her way of doing
things and when she is out here on the floor, her mind is still out there
in reception.  Everything that goes on outside of the offices and the Great
Room is set up by her and done her way.  When she came in she was a task
master at making things work for her and she did an incredible job.  She
was the innovator of everything we do and how we do it, outside of the
financial realm.  Her marks and professor recommendations have reached a
great level where she should be able to work into our system, but she
always side-tracks trying to make everything else work as she would have
it. We've hired people to take her spot, but they just don't get the
system. Our other partner, Ms Jamaica Browne, has not cut the muster as we
expected.  She is having a tough time and I've worried if we just expected
her to be you.  She is very smart, but her intuitiveness totally lacks
confidence, hard time making decisions and calling them final.  She seems
distracted by the lifestyle she is choosing, you know New York can be very
tempting if you let it in.  Small tastes are fine, but to swallow it whole
takes money, new morals and self control.  I doubt she has any of the 3. 
She's been through 2 partners votes and was 0-5 each time.  So much
potential but no one wants to commit to her, we may have to cut ties and
bite that bullet.  A third 0-5 vote would void her contract anyway and at
the first of the year we can take that vote."

   "She's under contract for the same 5 years as I had, correct?" She
wondered.

   "That was the standard drawn up by the partners for collegian
incentives, but we would have offered you 10 more at the end of 2, had you
been here.  But if she can't become partner in 2 years, she never will."
Ross added.

   "If she is under contract, why not move her to Deneigh's job?  Have
Deneigh train her and then move Deneigh out of that job totally.  Have
Deneigh sit in with the partners like both Slim and I did until she's ready
for an office." Selena suggested.

   Ross scribbled quickly on his yellow pad and nodded to her.  "I think
I'll bring that up to the partners privately."

   Ross Curran sat back in his chair and habitually looked up at the big
board and quickly noted something he gleaned from the stock action before
putting his hands together as one might devoutly pray and then rested his
chin on the tips of his middle fingers, looking directly at Selena.

   "So what of you?  You would be, . .  SO welcome back here.  I know
you've literally been through hell and are way past the 5 year schedule you
and your husband had put on "retirement".  Have those plans changed?  Do
your creative juices still flow, or is the fire out?"

   "Today is my first day of trying to figure that out, Ross.  Just being
here assures me that I still have the bug and really want to come back. 
However, my husband is 52 and I want to enjoy all the time I can with him.
We're going to go to Jamaica again and think this out.  That was where we
really got free of the world and put everything in perspective.  We have
three homes we've never physically seen and want to get to know, so I would
like a couple months to give you a decision.  I can tell you that I'm
leaning heavily on returning to finish 5 years in house.  I know you've
released me from that commitment, but doing that would make me feel
fulfilled, I think.  My Joe will go with whatever I want, almost to a
fault. So I really have to see how he "really" feels about it."

   "We support any decision you make." Ross assured her.

   "So where is this Ms.  Browne we have spoken of?" Selena asked.

   "She has a meeting with her landlord this morning in an effort to keep
her apartment.  Her shelter stipend ended last month and she is having a
hard time making the rent.  She makes enough money to live in the suburbs,
not Manhattan.  But, she likes the New York night life a bit too much."

   "Could the fact she is not centered be her entire problem?"

   "I hate to say this, but, we have made a mistake with her.  We have all,
Deneigh included, taken her under our wing at one time or another to show
her what she can become, what she can make for herself, what a gift she
has. It pains me to come to the conclusion that she feels like getting here
was the end of her journey and she could, like I hear my grand-daughter
says, skate." Ross said disgusted with the whole situation.

   "Remember when you would sit with each of us and then take the reins
yourself in your own office eventually?" He asked as she nodded.  "Well she
never even seemed to want to pick up the string.  She sits in there and
comes out for our meetings and nods agreement with most everything, never
offering anything substantial.



   "Where is she from and what can she do if you drop her and relief her
from her contract?"

   "She's from Washington State and appears to live paycheck to paycheck.
She really has no savings or any finances to fall back on.  She would buy
her seat here on her percentages, but as the 0-5 votes show, no one wants
to commit.  I'm sure she translates her salary to Washington State
standards, but 75K in New York is just NOT a lot of money if you live in
the city.  We were paying her $2000 a month for living stipend and she
settled into a $2400 a month place.  Now, that's more than half her take
home each month.  She went to Reed Institute in Oregon, a stuffy
no-nonsense campus that turns out PhD's like McDonalds does hamburgers. 
Her professors called her all of the right things with an emphasis on being
a very disciplined student.  I don't know much about recreational drugs,
but if they can change a person's outlook, that may be an answer.  But she
doesn't show any signs of that here, it's just a thought I have."

   "Does she realize that you are thinking of terminating her, that she may
lose her job?"

   "She has been warned, . .  and I see by her light, she is in." as Ross
checked the In/Out board.  "Yes, she's been warned but seems to think her
contract protects her."

   Selena stood and said "Please introduce me and leave me with her a few
minutes.  OK?"

   "Maybe you can reach her, or even offer her the Deneigh switchover
option we talked about.  Unless something happens positively with her, we
plan to terminate her at the start of the New Year after the third vote."
Ross said.

   Selena was surprised when Ross opened the door to Jamaica Browne's
office.  She expected a dowdy type, an overwhelmed country girl.  Jamaica
was 4 foot 9 inches and maybe 90 pounds, with reddish hair, and a cute well
proportioned figure.  She looked every bit the professional they thought
they were getting, but she obviously had wild oats to sow and New York was
just the place to help her along.  She dressed quite fashionable accenting
her bust line, flared hips, and round full bottom.  She may have been just
over the "office" line for dress code.

   Ross introduced her and told Jamaica that Selena would spend a lot of
time with her over the next few days.  They exchanged small talk for a few
moments, comparing education and schools, then Ross excused both he and
Selena, telling Ms Browne to "carry on".

   Ross stood outside Ms.  Browne's office for a moment looking to Selena
for a reaction and then motioned her to the far end of the Great Room.

   "First impression?" He asked.

   "She seemed nice, professional, but her dress is a bit too, . . .  umm,
. .  "sexy" would be the word.  Is that how she always dresses?" Selena
wondered as she tried to shake off her first impression of poor attitude.

   "For the most part.  She's very stylish, but I think a bit too . . 
"sexy" as well.  There is a difference between attractive and provocative.
So let me tell you my thoughts; you work with her, feel her out, and see if
she is really serious.  If she thinks she needs the break we can swap her
out with Deneigh and see if Deneigh really can handle it.  Ms.  Browne may
think her 5 year contract is unbreakable, but if she can't get one partner
to vote her a share after 3 votes, her contract voids.  Of course, she can
also be just let go for performance failure, but she would still have to
live by the exclusivity clause in her contract.  We can't wait much longer,
none of us are getting any younger, and that's why we need you back here so
desperately.  I had hoped not to use that tact with you, but John and Trace
want to cut their hours, well "days" to be precise.  They would like 3 or 4
days a week.  With Slim, myself, Deneigh, or Ms.  Browne, and you, plus one
of them we still have 5.  I had hoped we could show 6 or 7 by now and we
are failing our customers.  None of us seem to know how to approach her
about this." Ross said in a bit of desperation.

   Selena looked at him and took his hand in hers saying, "I guess I've
known it all along, I WILL come back for at least enough time for us to get
where you're comfortable with the presentation.  I will need about a month
before I come back, but I'm here for the next few days.  With your
permission I will lay it on the line to Jamaica and let her know that the
third vote can take place at the first of the year and she will be done. 
But, if she's not doing the job and shows no effort to improve, we can just
can her today without wasting any more time or money.  Plus, I hope she's
aware that she can't work in the financial industry until her 5 years is
up. I might be the right person for this job because when I look at her I
see the girls who used to try and pick up my husband, the little gold
diggers!  If she doesn't want to work for the goals she was schooled for I
will submit to you that we do fire her.  If she thinks the contract
protects her she is wrong.  Joe had his legal guy go over my contract when
I started and WSG holds ALL the cards.  She works at your behest,
basically. Right now my blood is boiling, so I'll wait a few minutes before
I go back in to see her." Selena said with uncharacteristic anger.

   She closed the door with a swift pull before pushing it back open. 
"Ross, am I still listed as a co-signer if we have to prepare a check for
her?"

   "Umm, YES, as soon as we knew you were, . .  um back, . . .  we uhh, had
to.  You ARE a partner.  Before you go that far, be sure, but I'll go with
anything you decide."

   She was mad because these men of Wall Street Global who had taken her in
and shown her so much confidence were now being taken advantage of by what
she considered a lazy tart.  She immediately knew why Slim hadn't stepped
in; he feared being taken in by her.  How could he be so weak?  She thought
to herself.

   Suddenly, she felt as if SHE were the head of this prestigious group. 
She WAS STILL a partner and Ross just made that clear.  They knew not how
to handle this situation and were afraid to face it head on.  Selena had
fought through more than this in her 9 years of mental exile, she could
handle this.  She excused herself from Ross and went to Slim's office and
knocked before letting herself in.

   "Slim, how could you not step in and straighten this Browne girl out. 
You know she's fucking off and you've let it happen.  I thought a lot more
of you than this, what are you afraid of?" She said shooting right from the
hip, catching him off guard.

   Slim's first reaction was to defend himself strongly, but before he
could utter a word in strong protest he saw the resolve in Selena's face
and fell back in his chair.

   "For the first time in my life I've got a great relationship and
marriage with Shelly.  I'm a bad boy turned good and Jamaica threatens
that. She's a tease and tries to subjugate you by a stealth sexual promise
to use for leverage later.  If it's her word against mine, my past screws
me.  I will not sit alone with her in any office." He said sadly.

   Selena exhaled deeply and let her steeled demeanor drop out of her
planned tact with Slim.

   "If you want to admit that you're that weak with an aggressive young
woman for the sake of your relationship I'm not going to badger you
anymore. I'm just going to take care of this myself.  I'm gone from here 9
goddam years, my memory nearly fucking erased, and come back to find you've
let some nipple showing, tight pants, tart, that we've educated, no less,
do as she pleases without contributing anything.  I still have a seat on
this team and will not let it continue another day."

   Selena stormed out and went to Deneigh's desk and asked for a company
check.  She signed it and asked her to prepare it as Jamaica Brownes final
check, paying her for the rest of the month.  "Deneigh, this is
confidential, and NO ONE is to hear of it unless I call you and release
that check.  Then Ross, er, Mr.  Curran will countersign sign it.  DO YOU
UNDERSTAND?" She said forcefully as Deneigh nodded.  "If you don't hear
from me by closing, tear up the check and it's the last we've spoke of it."


   Deneigh flashed an OK sign and zipped her lip.  There was no doubt in
HER mind that Selena was BACK, if even for a short stay to put the
finishing touches on her career.

   Deneigh had seen Selena so forceful, but for a very few occasions.  But
she was downright loaded for bear and Deneigh was convinced she meant every
word and shouldn't ask any more questions and just do as she was told.  One
of the hard and fast rules of her position was tight lipped
confidentiality; she held that close to her vest, as always.

   With that Selena turned on her heel and went out the door,
uncharacteristically slamming it.  She took 3 steps towards Jamaica
Browne's office door and stopped to inventory herself.

   "Am I really doing this?" She thought to herself.  "Was I just here a 2
hours ago kissing and hugging my ex-work team who welcomed me back from the
brink of death, only to have to go and ostensibly rip-out or cure a cancer
among the team because political correctness has neutered
everyone?.......................YES, I will do this, I have nothing to lose
and everything to gain."

   She went past the table in the great hall to the office simply labeled
"Browne".  She knocked and let herself in without waiting to be invited.

   "Oh good!  So you're going to work with me?" Jamaica said as she half
stood to greet her.

   Selena went to the desk and picked up the 2 remotes and switched off
both monitors and reached under her computer to turn off the screen on that
as well.  The room sat eerily silent for a moment before Selena spoke.

   "Get a yellow pad; there are a few notes you'll have to take." Selena
said as she looked fo Jamaica to as she asked.

   Seeing a one second hesitation, Selena slammed her open hand on the desk
and said firmly, "NOW!"

   Ms.  Browne opened her drawer and took out the pad Selena requested and
picked up a pen and looked down ready to scribble down whatever she asked.

   "Look at ME!  I want you to see me say these things before you write
them down!  First, I want you to be aware that you are on the brink of
losing your job here.  Besides, you need only one more zero vote and you're
done anyway.  Don't think there is anything you can do to change that
except work hard.  I'm not going to accuse you of trying to ply any partner
with a favor for a vote, but be assured it won't happen.  If we fire you
from your job, you will not be released from your contract and your
contract says that you cannot work in the financial industry until the end
of your five year commitment, or pay back our investment in your education.
Be aware that you are not here in New York to party, but to work.  A smart
woman would live frugally, as cheaply as possible until you became vested.
You would arrive at work each day fresh and on time.

   When you arrive you're expected to dress professionally, but
fashionably. Wear real bras, not sleeping or jogging bras.  No one is
interested in your nipples, nor your cleavage, stay buttoned.  Pant suits
are fine, but a woman wears a dress or a skirt with a smart top; nothing
clingy to show the crack of your butt.  You're not going to get the respect
of the rest of the group any other way.  You may now write down the salient
points from my first tirade."

   "Where does all this vitriol come from?" She asked defensively.

   "It comes from the fact that I am a partner in this company and you
have, so far, stolen from me and all the other partners.  You have nearly
wasted an education from Reed, probably one of the hardest schools in the
country to get in.  We PAID for that education and you proved through your
marks and reports from counselors and professors that you were worthy.  Now
you've gotten to New York and think your work is over.  NO!  It's just
begun!  You have to work your ass off to make it here and so far you are
failing, all because you are lazy.  L -A - Z - Y !  Party time does not
start until you've established yourself.  I'm sorry if my prejudgment is
wrong, but I think you're more worried about your own pleasures than you
are your job, this organization and what we do.  If you misunderstood
anything while we were paying for your education and you signed
commitments, you should have read the contracts." She continued to rail.

   "You weren't even here when I was recruited!" Jamaica Browne said as if
to defend herself.

   "My money was, my partnership was here, and those people who created
this think tank and built the list of subscribers were here.  I am one of
them!! . . .  and you could be as well, but you better get off your lazy
little ass and get to work!" Selena fired back.

   "I find your tone to . . . . ." Jamaica started to say before Selena
shot back.

   "If you want politically correct you're dealing with the wrong person.
I'm pissed off and you're going to know about it.  I'm telling you all of
the things that have been said about you behind closed doors, not wanting
to hurt your feelings.  I don't care about your feelings.  I care about
this operation flourishing into the rest of the 21st century and you have
the talent to help drive it.  These men aren't going to live forever and
they have a legacy to protect, but before me they never had to deal with a
woman and they still pussyfoot around a bit.  I don't.  You can shake your
boobs, show your cleavage, accent your nipples, wear thongs, and make your
ass stick out all you want for me, I don't care, and I don't think that's
appropriate for this type of business or ANY professional office.  Dress
and act accordingly, work hard, and you will find yourself progressing into
a career where you can make a lot of money, get public and social
recognition as a leader in the field.  OR, you peddle yourself as whatever
you've tried so far.  It ends today and you can decide from what side of
the door where that end begins and something new starts.  Now, I'm almost
hoarse and I want you to sit and write the salient points of all you're
heard from me.  Read them back to me and if you agree to join our group as
a contributing member, come back here tomorrow and begin, . . .  or stay on
the other side of the door.  The choice is yours." Selena said as she
forcefully put her pointed finger to the yellow pad and sat to watch her
write or walk out the door.

   "Are you threatening my job right now?" Jamaica asked.

   "Your final check is cut and dated today waiting for a signature.  If
that's a threat, . .  YES!"

   Chapter 16

   The refreshing waters from the shower washed over Selena as she stood in
the roomy stall and thanked God that the day was over.  Her afternoon in
Jamaica Browne's office had tried and tested her resolve to complete her
commitment to Wall Street Global Group and to be sure that when she left
she would be of clear conscience that she did her best to make sure it was
a better place for her being there.

   "Damn her, damn her!!" She thought as she wondered what would have
happened if she hadn't challenged her as she did this day.  What made her
day was the fact that she thought she may have ignited Jamaica's fire
again. Throughout the afternoon Ms.  Browne broke down and cried 3 times
confessing her personal sins of indulgence where she put her personal life
ahead of and at the expense of her job.  When confronted with her tardiness
she admitted to being hung-over, or waking up in a strange bed and having
to go to her own place to change.

   Life in the big city suited her appetite for the fast life as it had
consumed many young girls.  She knew it was putting her on a path of a
careening runaway wagon down Nob Hill and she didn't know how to stop.

   Selena comforted her and told her how hard it was to live in Manhattan
and maintain a laid back lifestyle.  She needed to get out of the city at
the end of each day.  She was 2 months into a new lease that she herself
had to pay and was short already, now that her stipend had expired.  A
pulled string had gotten her the apartment through WSGG and a pulled string
would get her out of the lease that she was sure had a waiting list, being
Manhattan.

   She hadn't enjoyed being such a hard-ass, so when she was able to
comfort her she felt better.  Then, she made a call to Joe to see if he
could find her something where she could train or subway in from the
suburbs.  He may have been 9 years removed, but he still had connections.
By the end of the afternoon he had her in a quiet newly furnished little
place on Purchase Street in Rye, NY.  It would be an hour or less train to
the office, giving her time to look at the Wall Street Journal or
newspaper. She need only visit it to finalize her deal.  Selena explained
about "structure" in her life, if she was going to make it in the world of
investing and leading investors.

   Where at first she seemed ready to fight with Selena about her work
ethic and position, she left a determined young woman yearning to get her
life on track.  It was easy for an impressionable, naïve, good-looking,
young lady to be taken in by the seemed glamour of easy gratification from
money, booze, sex, and recreational drugs.  The verbal slap in the face
from Selena was just what she needed.  She only hoped the "sting" would
last long enough to let her see where the changes would make her a better
person.

   Joe had been napping in front of the TV when she got back to their Four
Seasons suite and rather than disturb him, she snuck off to the shower. 
Now, in only a silk robe and a towel wrapped around her hair, she went to
the leather recliner and squat down to kiss him of the cheek.

   Joe startled and took a moment to get his bearings as to where he was,
but then looked up for the fresh soapy smell he had inhaled.

   "Oh, you're back!  God, I must have been out like a rock not to have
heard you.  I'm glad we set up the car for you." He mumbled as he stretched
and got to his feet.

   Selena went into his arms and held him tightly, nuzzling his neck before
arching her head back to face him eye to eye.

   "They've got me.  I have to finish up there.  I'm sorry if that
disappoints you, but we have too much investment there to not be involved
first hand.  Had I not stepped in today they were willing to let her flail
until the January partners vote and then dismiss her, eating what would
amount to 600K and an empty partners chair.  John Branniff and Trace both
want to cut their days down and if they can't, they may retire completely.
As it is, "The Six" may end up me, Slim, Ross, Deneigh, Jamaica, and an
amalgam of John and Trace.  Deneigh's ass is the next I'm going to kick.  I
think she has to be given an ultimatum of being ready to step into a
partners chair or leave.  Her "mother hen" tendencies won't allow her let
go of the power she can wield from her desk where she has developed the
procedures and systems that run everything." Selena babbled on as if to
defend her snap decision to go back and stay.

   She paused for his reaction to her words, but before she reacted she
remembered another point she had to ask him about.

   "And HOW did you find her an apartment so fast?  That was perfect and
you called back in 10 minutes!"

   "When you called I was on the phone with Tucker Mullan, the realtor who
bought out Gordon Phelan's accounts and properties at the time and he was
just listing it for the owner.  It's a 4 unit house and the landlord lives
next door.  He prefers city commuters with no kids.  He has a hard time
interviewing tenants because he sort of discriminates like that.  That
said, our apartment building went condo and they're all sold, except two.
As you know, Fox has studios across the street and they keep these two
available for talent that comes to town.  We talked with the production
manager, Alexis Konstantakis, who knows you, and she will sublet to us for
a year and see how it works out.  She also says that you should come over
and audition again when you're ready.  They currently are trying a bunch of
people to do the Business Wrap on a regular basis.  Without fanfare, you
could be a big draw for them."

   "Alexis and I were lunch buddies, but I only did the 5 minute show once
or twice for her.  Is that the only way we get the condo?" Selena wondered.

   "No, no.  We had the deal struck before we even discussed you.  She
really liked you, also mentioning the "lunch buddies" thing.  You don't
have to audition for us to get the place.  Now, turn off the work talk and
let's discuss how good you feel in my arms.  Mmmmm, the fresh smell and the
way you feel in this silk robe, I've got a few mergers in my mind to talk
about." Joe said as he let his hands slip down her back to hold the two
balls of her ass in his hands.'

   Suddenly her demeanor changed and business talk stopped.  She nuzzled
her head into Joe's chest and hummed a loud approval to her bottom being
fondled.

   "You were so confident I would stay at Wall Street Global you went ahead
and looked for a place to live?" She asked as she pressed her middle to
his.

   "Selena Hanson Johnson, you seem to forget that I know every little
thing about you from the specks of gray hair you dye, right down to the
wrinkles in your cute little butthole, and you were easy to read on this
one." Joe said laughing as he pulled her tight to him.

   Her knee went up gently against his balls as she talked from the side of
her mouth.

   "Mention the gray hair again and I'll be fondling the family jewels with
my kneecaps." She said playfully.

   "I can respect that." Joe said with a giggle as they both tightened
their hug.

   "Umm, you still smell fresh, when did you get out of the shower?" She
whispered as she inhaled into his chest hairs.

   "I worked out downstairs from 3 to 4 and showered after.  I must have
fallen asleep right after that until you came home."

   She ran her hands down his back and over the light cotton sweat shorts
he had on and then propped her chin up to his face.

   "Joseph!  You aren't even wearing underwear!  You didn't have naughty
thoughts about this afternoon did you?"

   He didn't answer but ran his hands over the silk robe and again held the
balls of her ass tightly, pulling her to him.

   "Mmmm, I love the way you fondle my hiney." She purred.

   "I love everything about your hiney." He whispered as she felt his cock
rise between them.

   "Just think, if you take me to Jamaica you can fuck me there, make love
to me there, all you want." She said in a whispered growl.

   "Were you afraid I forgot about that, because I took care of that too.
Earliest we can leave is next Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, out of Kennedy.
Your parents will be signing for our passports tomorrow, the flights are
booked, and they have our cottage at Chiascuro Resort, the same one we had
our first time there.  The cottages are all newly refurbished and
refurnished as well.  I got a call from the State Department this morning
saying Senator Jackson had arranged everything; they even got passport
pictures from our press conference."

   "Hmmm, my parents and Thanksgiving.  Leaving will not go over well."
Selena said with a worry in her voice.

   "Took care of that too!  We'll have Thanksgiving at your Moms on Monday
and then have another early Thanksgiving dinner with Joe and Shanna before
we go to the airport on Thursday.  I should have been a travel agent, huh?
Do you think you can drag yourself away from work for that?" He asked.

   Her answer was to step back and reach into his little shorts and wrap
her hand around his cock.  She gave it a few squeezes and pushed his shorts
down turning around and bending over.  She reached back and pulled his
stiff cock down and let it pop up between the cheeks of her ass, through
the silk robe.  She pumped her hips a few times to let it slide between the
groove before it popped out, being so stiff.  She turned back to him with a
sexy grin.

   "Hmmm, I guess that means I win over work, huh?" He asked cutely.

   "You're so perceptive, even with all of your blood out of your brain and
gone someplace else." Selena mused as she knelt down and pulled his cock to
her lips to kiss lightly before putting her mouth over the head to soothe
the hurting want it displayed.

   She ministered to him for just a few moments pulling her mouth off,
causing him to react to the sudden wet coolness as she asked, "Where do you
want to make love to me, my pussy is dripping.  I need you right now." She
said as she stood.

   Joe stood and pointed to the wing chair he had sat and fallen asleep in
and she quickly knelt in it, thrusting her ass out.  Joe slid up the silk
robe over her bottom, swooning at the sight of its loveliness.

   The pink and coral of her womanhood glistened as she waited for him to
sheath her, holding her breath, preparing for the intrusion.

   "Ooooooof!  I swear you're bigger when we do less foreplay, you fill me
so" She exclaimed hunching up and pressing her head into the seat of the
chair.  "Not that I'm complaining." She added, panting.

   Joe felt the extra tightness as well and he began to thrust into her
holding her hips tightly while looking down at the spread between her ass
globes, her pinkness swallowing his cock while her hiney hole opened and
shut with each push and pull.

   Selena began to shudder and quake quickly.  The position and the chair
created an angle new to their lovemaking, if it was possible.  She wanted
to cheer Joe on but her words came out as squeaks and squeals as her breath
shortened and a violent orgasm ripped through her.  Her silk robe slid from
where Joe had pulled it up over her bottom and down over her head as he saw
her knuckles turn white in her grip of the side of the chair.

   Suddenly she bellowed a guttural sound as she drew a hard breath to
refill her lungs and then press her ass tighter to Joe's thrusts.  She was
enjoying the pounding Joe was giving her and when Joe saw her fingers
slither from their grip on the chair to go under her he knew she was
squeezing her tits and nipples as she rode the pleasure/pain edge.  The
loud hoot from her throat and the rush of fluid he felt wash over his dick
told him she had a second huge orgasm.  She raised her head and let the
slippery robe slide back off her head as she pulled and twisted away from
Joe, rolling into a sitting position in the chair facing the hard shaft Joe
had poked her to pleasure with.  Her mouth fell over him as she
repositioned her butt in the chair and used both hands on his ass to pull
him closer.

   She took him deep and then pulled off letting her hand stroke him as she
spoke.

   "I wanted you longer but we have to be safe.  Let me taste your juice."
She said popping the head into her mouth and stroking the shaft but only a
few times before Joe's knees nearly buckled and without a sound he shot his
cum into her sucking mouth.  It came up so fast it surprised her as her
eyes widened and looked up to him in a panic because she couldn't swallow
that fast.  She squeezed the shaft hard and pulled her mouth away for a
split second to swallow before resuming her suction not wanting to lose a
drop.  She continued stroking him until she was sure he was through cumming
and he became over sensitive.  He twisted and spiraled to the floor resting
his back between her legs as she sat on the edge of the chair.  She fell
forward and hugged her head to the side of his.

   "We still got it!" was all she said as her hands rubbed up and down him
until they both started giggling like little kids joyous over some feat. 
From the last time they made love in this room over 9 years before until
this moment had been compressed into what seemed a single beat of life,
their bodies seeming almost the better for the wear and toll they actually
paid.  At that moment they both realized the "coming back from the dead"
aspect of their whole ordeal.  He gripped her stroking arms tightly and
hugged his face to hers all the harder.  Life was back.

   The persistent ring of the phone broke their reverie and sexual spell
and Joe jumped to his feet to get it.  He knew it was Joseph.

   "Hey!  You two get decent and we'll be up in a few.  Our dinner is in a
cab from Peter Lugers." Joseph said as he announced he and Shanna were in
the house.

   "Fantastic!  We'll be ready!" Was Joes only response.

   "Holy crap, Essy.  We zoned too long.  Get dressed, they'll be up here
in a sec." Joe said as he rushed to find clothes to wear getting up from
the floor.

   "Wait a minute, wait a minute!" Selena called to him as she stood and
went to him as he turned to see what the matter was.

   She took his face between her hands and put her lips to his and kissed
him.

   "I love you SO much!  Holding you the last few minutes, smelling your
scent, hearing you breathe, feeling your warmth, while your taste was still
in my mouth was one of the sweetest moments we've had since we found each
other again.  It's like it's a part of the last night we were here, newly
married and excited." She said sincerely.

   "Like a second later, I felt it too." Joe said kissing her back and
squeezing the bottom he found so precious.

   "I'll throw on slacks and a Polo.  You fix your hair and get decent. 
They'll be here in a minute."

   Joe busied himself finding his clothes from earlier in the day when he
was out as he heard Selena gargle and then turn on the hair dryer.  He
rushed out to straighten up making sure there were no tell-tale signs of
the pleasures they just shared.  He picked his newspapers that were spread
on the dining table and gave it a quick spray down.  He stood and surveyed
the suite a last time almost anticipating the chime at the door as he heard
a bustle outside.

   He waited for a moment and then opened the door expecting to see his
guests but there was only a cart with two aluminum warmer cages with "Peter
Lugers" spray painted on the outside.  Bellmen had delivered the food via
the express elevator and Joe and Shanna would soon follow.  As he closed
the door to wait for them he heard the hair dryers drone stop and he looked
to the bedroom to see Selena drop her silk robe off her shoulders to the
floor.  Her nakedness was so tempting he was ready to go in and ravish her
again.  She quickly picked a dress off the bed to shimmy over her head. 
She smoothed it over her body, turning to check herself in the mirror. 
Knowing she was naked under the dress would be a tease for him all evening.

   The door chime rang and Selena ran to meet Joe by the door, shoes in
hand.  She dropped the shoes, slipped into them and took Joe's hand,
pulling him towards the door to open it.  The door opened and there stood
Joseph and Shanna, both with tears running down their faces as Shanna
jumped into Joe's arms and hugged him tightly without saying a word. 
Joseph was much more composed as he hugged Selena and tried to shake Joe's
hand for a second time that day.  Shanna was crying so hard as she hugged
him and blubbered something almost unintelligible about a miracle.

   As Joseph hugged Selena he kissed her cheek and pulled away to see his
wife still hanging onto Joe as if she couldn't believe he were there.

   "Shanna is very emotional and she had such a tough time when the whole
thing happened.  We won't ask you a lot of questions; we taped and watched
your press conference again before we came over to keep the questions
down." Joseph said as Shanna gave up her hold on Joe to have her husband
comfort her.

   "Are they checking hospitals and clinics for others who possibly fell
through the cracks?" Shanna asked through the emotion she just seemed to
harness.

   "I just said we wouldn't ask questions and . . . . . ." Joseph started
to say before Joe waved him off.

   "That's OK and a fair question.  Yes, they are looking into anyone
admitted, especially as a John or Jane Doe after 9/11.  No one else has
turned up." Joe answered.

   "Let's wheel in the dinner, there is a ton of food.  When they knew it
was for you they did the whole thing gratis.  The whole place knew you and
your Dad.  Victor said to say hello and to please come by while you're here
in New York.  He sent over 4 Big Joe Johnson specials, saying we couldn't
go wrong." Joseph said as they wheeled the carts in.

   "My Dad did some things for him and he took my Dad fishing a lot.  They
were buddies and when I took Selena there he recognized me from when I was
a kid.  He's a very cool guy." Joe said wiping a sentimental tear while
trying to keep his lip from quivering.

   The conversation over dinner dealt with mostly catching up with Joseph
and Shanna's family, their kids and the upstate cottage they bought for
getting away.  Joseph had become quite elite in his job with connections
around the city, able to satisfy the Four Season guests with most
everything they wanted to see and do.  He had received diplomatic awards
from The City and numerous plaques and awards from the corporation that
managed the Manhattan location.  Simply, he was "connected" and used his
connections as a conduit to their guest's desires.

   The evening ended like old times with both couples mellowed by the wine
and food, both stretched out on a sofa or love seat cuddling with their
spouses.  As Shanna began to doze off Joseph pulled out his phone and
dialed the bell station and asked them to have a courtesy van ready to
bring them home, a short walk of just a few blocks, but possibly dangerous
at midnight.  Both couples seemed mellowed and "sexy" by an evening where
love was so prevalent.  It seemed inevitable that they each would seek
intimacy with their partners when they got to be alone later.  The evening
was an appreciation of love between friends and lovers and how they
connected and intertwined.

   Just as soon as their guests left Joe and Selena sought each other for a
hug and walked arm in arm through the suite turning off lights and putting
things away that need attention.  Without words they strolled into the
bedroom and stripped and slid under the sheets.  He sought her out moving
on top of her and made slow passionate love with mouths and bodies glued to
each other.  They both knew a problem would arise as Joe neared climax, she
still hadn't seen a Gynecologist to get a birth control patch.

   "I'll finish on your belly, and then get a towel for you." Joe said as
his breathing began to build and he got up on his hands.

   "No!  Let me slide down and get it.  I love tasting you and this will be
sweet cream we made with sexy love making." Selena whispered sexily as she
began to slither under him as he pushed himself up and slipped from her
love pocket.

   She took his cock in her hand and stroked it twice as she put her mouth
over the head and Joe groaned loudly as he gave her the warm cream she
wanted as her mouth drove him over the edge.  When he was done he fell back
and sprawled, exhaling deeply while she crawled up to lay across his chest.

   "I love you, and I love our love.  I can't get enough of every feeling,
smell, and taste of you." She said as she kissed his chest and slipped off
the bed to go and rinse her mouth.

   She set the alarm as the clock in the parlor struck 12 and they were
asleep in moments.  Monday had been a day once dreaded, but now celebrated
in their dreams.  Things were returning to normal.

   Voices in the room woke Selena and after pushing the puzzle pieces in
her mind she realized where she was and that the morning news was playing
as her wake-up.  She slipped off the satin sheets and turned the alarm off
looking back to see if Joe had been disturbed.  The light buzz of his deep
sleep told her she had not disturbed him.  She slipped into the shower to
begin getting ready for her day.  It would be 25 minutes before she emerged
in her underwear from the shower, her hair dried and fixed, as she looked
for an outfit for the day.  As she looked over the armoire she had filled
with outfits she became aware someone was watching.  She turned to see a
Cheshire cat smile on Joe's face as he watched her move about in her bra
and panties.

   "Don't even think about starting anything you naughty boy." She said
with a wicked smile.

   "What the mind is thinking and what the body is willing are two
different things.  I hope to sleep to noon.  After the drive, the day on
the phone, the big meal, and making love a couple times, I'm just beginning
to recharge, but I need more sleep.  If I didn't have to pee you could have
marched a band through here and I wouldn't have moved." Joe said as he slid
from the bed and went in the bath to relieve himself.

   When he returned Selena was just adjusting a half-slip and readying to
step into a bright fall colored outfit to compliment her pale yellow
undies.

   "Want some help with that?" He joked.

   "You stay away Mister!" She said shaking a finger at him, even though he
had headed straight back to bed.

   "So give me an idea for a schedule until we leave for Jamaica, Mon." He
said in his best Caribbean dialect.

   As she looked into the mirror on the back of the armoire door to make
adjustments to her collars and necklace she recited what surely she had
been plotting all morning.

   "I'm going to spend the next three days totally with the other Jamaica,
Jamaica Browne, and use that time to get back into the market and get her
mind jump started.  She needs to get her mind on commodities and futures
instead of pot, cocaine, fast friends, penis, alcohol, and good times."

   "Penis?" Joe said in wonderment.

   "I think she's been whoring around quite a bit, finding that the fast
boys in the fast clubs like her cute little body and willingness to get
experience.  THAT'S why I wanted to get her out of Manhattan.  She's having
TOO good of a time." She said as she put in earrings and turned her head to
get a look at them in the mirror.

   "Remember you once told me that our sexual hunger would fade and need to
make love at each chance would lessen and a new routine would start?  I
think she's still in that "gotta have it all of the time" phase of her fast
life.  Everything is still new and exciting because she has been with so
many partners and situations.  Out of Manhattan she should find herself and
get centered.  She's way too smart and savvy to let this ruin her career.
However if she decides to not show up this morning and pick up her check,
such is life.  She'll surely regret it for a long, long time." Selena
prattled on while primping herself.

   While Selena didn't really use make-up per se, she did like to use
mascara to lengthen her lashes and use a light pencil on the water line
under her eyes.  She thought it made her look more alert and credible.  The
rest of the colors and shading in her face were natural.

   Joe was watching her while he settled into the sheets and pillow knowing
he would easily fall asleep again soon.  He smiled with pride to himself
that they loved each other so, and then had to comment on something she had
just said.

   "Has our sexual hunger faded?  It seems we've made love at every turn in
the last few days." He said with a Cheshire grin.

   She stopped what she was doing and turned to face him rather than talk
to his reflection.

   "Do you know how hard it is not to come to you right now?  I wore a pad
in case you woke up while I dressed.  I'm so wet right now that it's
driving me crazy.  Without the pad I'd have to change my panties before I
left.  It's only taken these few weeks to get us back to where we were as
far as that goes.  Dreaming about you for 9 years and then getting you
back. . . .why, I never want to be away from you!  I hope your heart can
handle my appetite for you in Negril." She said with a kidding sneer before
breaking into a sexy smile.

   She turned and closed the armoire and went to the bed and bent and
kissed his cheek backing away quickly, knowing a hand would try to touch
her someplace sexual.

   "Go to sleep, you naughty man and roll onto that stiffy you have and let
it pass.  We can take care of that and my wet spot later.  I love you and
will call you around lunch" She said as her heels clicked on the floor
between the bedroom and parlor carpets.

   "We aren't doing lunch, are we?" He hollered from the bed.

   "No, I may have it sent in for Jamaica and I or meet with Alexis if I
can.  You settle the trip and the condo deals, talk to my parents.  Bye,
bye!" She called out as she left and the main door clicked shut.

   When she got off the elevator in the main lobby there were no less than
5 Four Seasons employees who said "Good Morning Ms Johnson" as she passed
with her coat over her arm.  She went into the area now designed for
"people on the go" to get a quick coffee, paper and small repast to get the
day going.  She served herself a muffin top and coffee while picking up a
WSJ.  She had 12 minutes until her "car" would pick her up in front and
bring her to work.  She wanted to walk it, but for only the second day she
worried of paparazzi and media types who might stalk her.

   It turned out to be a wise choice as still some media milled around the
Wall Street Global Group entrance hoping to get some photo or story. 
Selena smiled and walked by and into the door.

   "Good morning Ms Johnson!" Deneigh exclaimed, more than happy to see
her.

   "Good Morning Miss Myersen!" Selena said as she looked to the board to
see who was in or out.

   "Oh, I see Miss Browne is in early today!" She reacted.

   "Yes, and looking quite proper, I must say." Deneigh responded, adding,
"Oh, I shredded the item you had me prepare yesterday."

   "Thank you and we'll file that info in our vaults for good." Selena
responded.

   "Already done, and you can call me Deneigh out here." She added with a
smile.

   "No, you're going to be partner and should get the respect each of us
gets inside these doors.  Selling yourself short is no confidence builder.
Play the part, act the part, BE the part.  Believe in yourself Miss
Myersen." Selena told her as she went through the big door into the Great
Room.

   Slim was sitting at the long table and he stood as soon as Selena walked
in.

   "Good morning Ms.  Johnson, I was hoping to have a word with you before
you settle in." He said.

   "Sure, Mr.  Beupour.  Right into my office now, okay?" She said as she
went into the one empty office where her old name slug "Miss Hanson" was
hastily put back in the identity slide.

   "Selena, I don't want my reluctance to sit in with Jamaica Browne to
affect our friendship, our relationship outside of this building.  I
haven't had an opportunity to talk to either of you.  You and Joe are so
loved and respected by both me and. . . . . ." Slim started before Selena
cut him off.

   "Slim, STOP!  I wanted you to be aware I was disappointed in you, that
you didn't have enough concern for OUR COMPANY to step in!  I understand
your feelings on the situation and you felt trapped, but you should have
tried another angle instead of doing nothing.  After talking with Ross
yesterday and hearing the feelings of the others he gave me full reign of
her future and I was ready to flat out fire her yesterday.  I'm gone for 9
years and I come back to find my investment is at risk because political
correctness and soft spined men couldn't handle a situation.  You were all
happy to wait her out until the third zero vote and piss away the
investment and the precious YEARS of getting her to this spot.  Business is
business, and being polite is being polite, but when someone has all of you
bent over screwing you, risking your own seats, WHERE IS THE SANITY!"

   Slim cowered for a second before defending himself.  "Selena, you're
hardly in a position to take up where you left off and . . . . . ."

   But Selena sprung to her feet again to interrupt him.

   "Slim you're 100% right on that one count; my market know how and skills
are way behind, BUT DON'T INSULT ME BY DOUBTING MY BUSINESS SENSE AS WELL
AS NOT EVEN TRYING TO PROTECT MY SHARE VALUE!"

   Slim had no words or answer for her accusations and was searching for
something to say when Selena started in on him again.

   "Her recruitment, her salary, her living stipend to get her on her feet,
her education and the 5 years we paid for one of the most prestigious
institutions in the country to groom her, PLUS the time she made NO
contributions to us is like lighting 2 million of OUR, the partners,
dollars ON FIRE and then invest the same, plus inflation to re-do it again
to replace her.....................you were all willing to piss it away. 
I'M NOT!!  This is business, Slim, and remember that Joe and I both love
you and Shelley and want to see you soon, but THIS IS BUSINESS and the old
Jewish merchants from the slums of New York had a saying that lives to this
day, DON'T SHIT WHERE YOU EAT.  Now, you know how I feel and I'll say the
same things to any other partner who comes in here wanting to question the
authority Ross gave me with her yesterday.  Now get out of my office so I
can go see if my tirades with her yesterday did any good."

   Slim jumped to his feet like a frightened dog to escape when Selena
stopped him.

   "Slim, Joe and I really do love and miss you and want to see you this
week.  Please don't let this affect our personal relationship.  It was
obvious someone had to step in.  Step back and look at it and you'll agree.
Kiss kiss." She said waving a kiss to him.

   She jumped to her feet again and went to Jamaica Browne's office,
knocked and went in without waiting to be asked in.

   Miss Browne was behind her desk with legal pads before her and the WSJ
opened to the editorial page.  Both monitor screens were DVR frozen with
quotes she was curious about.

   "Good morning Ms.  Johnson.  I've got something interesting brewing here
and would like your opinion.  Is it possible that one of the internet
culture sites, like Yahoo or Facebook, would wash funds through Forex
markets as if to invest in another country's internet, take a loss and then
come back to shock investors by buying one of their competitors without
giving owners of either stock a chance to buy or sell?  I mean, it's legal
and all, but unethical as hell.  When they lose money on the money trade,
the small investor might get skittish and jump out only to try and re-buy
when the merge happens and the stock jumps.  They usually get shut out when
all the nickel and dimers small folios get consolidated by a sweeper, those
guys who sit back and wait for the petty short sells." Miss Browne said
without lifting her eyes from the figures she was jotting.

   "Show me how you got to where you are." Selena said without another word
or checking to see how she was dressed.

   "DormTalk has been really hot in the past month or so and lots of new
money is propping them up, big buyers with big shares.  They're selling
Euro's and Dollars in the form of foreign loans to new start-ups in Africa
and Korea.  Meantime, the buzzing new social start-up IPO, CollegeDate is
raising their prices to meet DormTalk according to this article. 
CollegeDate has a slightly sleazy rep, but has 8 million subscribers, with
10 to 20% dropping off the service in the last 48 hours.  Both stocks have
made silly moves up and down the chart, but worth isn't changing with new
buyers girding up the skittish.  The 2 are so much alike and with the price
point switch, I can't but help think something is wrong and big money is
going to come from Forex sources with one buying the other."

   "You followed the money?"

   "Yes, definitely DormTalk opening like business ventures in those
countries and they seem to be buying cheaper CollegeDate stock.  It's
confusing."

   "Do we have any subscribers heavy into either?"

   "Yes, one in particular, one of Mr.  Fountains major folios."

   Selena picked up the phone and dialed J.  Trace Fountains extension.

   "Yes, Miss Browne." He answered.

   "Trace, this is Selena.  I'm sitting in with Jamaica for a few days and
she may have found something to interest you.  Can you come up for a
moment? Her boards are set up to show, otherwise we'd come to you."

   "Give me a moment and I'll be there."

   As they waited Selena made firm eye contact with Jamaica who dropped her
eyes and seemed to swallow a ball of emotion.

   "I took inventory last night and know I've been a screw-up.  I went
online to a site called "Are you Dependant?".  They ask you 5 questions
about yourself and I was 5 for 5 negatively.  I'm a drug and alcohol using
whore who uses money to get her friends.  I don't say that proudly and I
want to scream when I think of what I've done." She said as a knock came to
her door.

   "Compose yourself, you don't want to show emotion with him." Selena said
as she opened the door for Trace.  Selena let Jamaica do the talking as she
showed Mr.  Fountain the trail she had found.  He nodded, fingered his jaw,
and finally smiled a little as she finished.

   "That's very good work, you two, I . . . ." He started before Selena
interrupted him.

   "No, I just walked in, she was on her own."

   "Great!  I've been following the same thing and wondered if I was
over-thinking the scenario.  Now I think it's worth a phone call to the
investor.  I wouldn't cause a false panic in the investment world with it
unless we see something illegal.  This is unethical, but unfortunately
LEGAL.  Very good work, Miss Browne.  Now show me how you got your
deduction, what tripped your questions." Mr.  Fountain asked to be sure
they each followed the same route.

   Jamaica turned back her yellow legal pad and backed her saved screens to
show the how, where, and why she was inquisitive of the moves.  She looked
up to Trace and he smiled back to her.

   "That was great work.  Take this how you like, but, that was the first
time I've been able to say that to you and I'm surprised.  Let a journey
begin here." Mr.  Fountain said as he winked to Selena and quickly slipped
out the door.

   Selena looked to her and her face broke into tears as she hid behind her
hands.

   "I'm all of the things my Mother warned me about coming here.  I blow my
money on coke and booze and can't put names on 3 of the last 5 men I slept
with." She said before she broke down altogether.

   Selena locked her door and turned on her conference light so she could
cry in private.  She let her go for a bit before she went over and squat
down beside her chair to comfort her.

   "You aren't the first to fall prey to the city and you won't be the
last. Knowing and realizing what you've done is over half of the recovery.
Do you think you need help with the alcohol or drugs?" Selena asked.

   "No, I thought it over last night and called and talked to a friend back
home.  Most of it was to get to the sex, feeling loved away from home, even
though I hated myself afterwards.  The high wasn't the drugs or booze, the
high was the sex.  The other stuff just dulled the pain and remorse later.
Why do people DO these things to themselves?  I DID them and I have to ask.
I'm such a mess." Jamaica said through her sobs.

   "You don't know how far ahead of it all you are by coming to grips with
it.  I take it you weren't that sexually active back home?"

   "Oh, nothing until a couple boyfriends in college, but nothing that got
serious.  I was real innocent when I got there; more curious than anything.
But, I just got taken in here.  I had expendable cash, a Manhattan
apartment, and suddenly I had friends and lovers hanging on me.  I'm not a
whore, or a slut, not a druggie or an alky.  By getting out of town, I can
catch up on my reading, which I sorely miss.  Curling up with a book, with
my cat close by is more "me" than sleeping around.  I mean, I do want to
find love, but I wouldn't find it in the crowd I was with." She said
softly.

   "My husband should call today with details about the apartment he found
and maybe we can go there in the next few days.  Please keep in mind that
both Deneigh and I have leaned on each other's shoulder with problems
females can talk over and would do the same for you.  Now we have to get
cracking and back to work."

   Selena had just begun showing Jamaica the processes she used to begin
her day when the intercom rang.  Jamaica took a short message and hung up
looking to Selena.

   "Mr.  Curran would like a short meeting with you in his office, right
away."

   Selena rolled her eyes and left Miss Browne on her own once again and
went right to Curran's office.

   "Yes, Mr.  Curran, you wanted to see me?" Selena said as she walked
right into his office without knocking.  Ross waited for the door to close
completely before he said, "Yes, Selena sit down." as he sat back in his
chair and faced his hands together, as if to pray, in front of him and
rotated them back to rest his chin on the tips of his middle fingers.  It
was a familiar position he took when he was going to speak of great
importance, Selena knew.

   "When we recruited you and hired you to be one of our partners in
waiting we knew we were getting a logical, straight thinking, young lady.
We only hoped we could mold you into a leader.  Then, you were taken away
from us before we ever had a chance to begin a process by which we might
see you in that light.  To be certain, your beauty and pleasant veneer made
us old fogies think we might have to search elsewhere for an eventual
spokesperson or titular head of this group.  However, maybe that quality
was hidden before, or brought into light by the 9 years of hell you went
through, because what I've overheard in the past couple days has me ready
to pass that mantle from me to you." He said with a sly smile and sort of
wink.

   "I'm afraid I don't understand what . . . ." Selena began to say when
Ross interrupted her.

   "Selena, these walls are thin if one wanted to eavesdrop, as long as the
voices were raised that you wanted to listen to.  I seek solace from time
to time in The Great Room in the recliners in the alcove where the TV is
located.  I need time away from the flickering screens and news blab in my
office.  Pardon the expression, but I heard you rip new buttholes in two of
our "partners in waiting" with a passion that only I thought I possessed
amongst the group."

   "I'm sorry if I overstepped my . . . . . ." She began to say as she
flushed red when Ross held up his hand.

   "Stop!  It was called for on both accounts and perhaps you should have
said a derivative of the same speeches to each of us old farts; too many of
us going along to get along and not making waves.  Thirty years ago that
would have been me for as much as wasting a sheet of copy paper.  Not that
I care any less now, but certain things in life seem more important to
exercise my passions on.  You have the fire burning hot within you to make
this group keep sailing as we have been.  No one elected me to be the so
called "spokesperson".  I just took the responsibility because others
didn't seem to want to.  Now, I want you to take the baton from me in that
regard."

   "I don't know if I can be that strong." Selena said doubting her
abilities.

   "My dear, do you think that either of those two will ever challenge your
authority after what you've given them in the last 24 hours?" He asked her.

   Selena thought for a moment and a little grin slid across her face. 
"No, I doubt they will."

   "Where you see need for that sort of impassioned response, feel free to
give it, no matter whom it's aimed at.  I'll back you 100%." He reassured
her.

   "Suppose it's YOU it's aimed at?" She asked seriously.

   "There, you see?  You've already done it.  I will be at your beck and
call shall that ever arise." He answered as he stood to signal the end of
the little meeting.

   She shook his hand and went out of his office into The Great Room
wondering what just happened.  She smiled as she realized she had just,
more or less, become the "go to" head of the group.  All she need do is
exert the power when it became necessary.  Being outspoken was apparently
the only requirement as others had done through the years and then
eventually ceded that "power" to another member of the group.  Not that any
of them lacked the passion for the job at hand, but someone had to lead at
one point or another while the others trusted that person to know the way.

   Selena settled back into the office with Jamaica Browne and little by
little began to get into the groove of things while relearning the current
trends and stock movements.  She worked aloud and Jamaica began to catch on
to her little tabs and systems.  While watching Jamaica work she seemed to
almost be able to see the moment when everything clicked for her.  She
began to combine knowledge from the editorials and blogs of the financial
world with the reality of stock prices in reference to the bear and bull
movement of money and commodities.  She saw the relationship to overseas
movements in the Forex numbers to US pricing with gains and failures of
buys and sells with mergers and take-over's.  It was the application of
prior knowledge to the reality of how the market shaped itself.  Like
dominoes, things would fall into place and when something failed to fall
right, it was finding out why or why not.  It was all that complicated, but
just that simple to the educated mind whose propensity for detail in seeing
triggers and stops.  Selena's PolyTech mentor Doc Stevens once told her it
was like the optical illusion stereograms you saw in the Sunday funnies,
where you stare closely at the image and then pull it away slowly to have
an image form before your eyes.  ie: if you looked at it with the right
perspective, the answer would become obvious if you consider all the
aspects.  Stevens told her she had "the gift".  As the day progressed she
saw that Jamaica Browne had the gift as well.  She watched her work and
consume the information like a shark counting cards at the blackjack table.


   "Jamaica, I have to ask you, if all of this came together so easy for
you why did you struggle so, refuse to learn, and come within a hair of
losing your job?" Selena asked and waited for an answer.

   "No one explained how to apply it all, follow the leads and the like. 
It's really simple, I should have just figured it out, but I couldn't wait
to leave every day." She said with her head down.

   "You just need someone to push you, motivate you.  I won't be here to
kick your ass every day, you know.  You're smarter than me and you could be
me, better than me, if you applied yourself.  I think you look at the old
guys here and think these people are way past their prime.  Let me tell
you, some of them may be tired, but every one of them is as sharp as you
are right now, and don't forget it.  You spent your morning filling legal
pads with notes, freezing screens, cross checking.  When Trace came in
here, he already knew everything you did.  He probably did that as soon as
he came in this morning and looked at the opening numbers.  Now you know
how I do it and you've seen how the pieces fall.  What you did earlier on
pads and screens, Trace did in his head, making mental tabs like I showed
you this morning.  You know you can do it." Selena insisted.

   "I can, I know I can!" Jamaica said.

   "But, remember, if you fill your nose, drink the booze, wiggle your ass,
and bumpitty bump and suckitty suck your way around town, it won't happen.
You have to be sharp and realize that you made a commitment to this firm
and they will fill their commitment to you and make you a wealthy woman at
a young age.  IS THAT STRAIGHT ENOUGH FOR YOU?" Selena asked with the
trigger to her temper set to go off again.

   "Yes, ma'am.  That is STRAIGHT ENOUGH.  I don't need to be reminded how
stupid I was. . . . . .  and calling you "ma'am" was not being a smart ass,
I DO totally respect you and everything you are doing for me.  I know you
could have just as easily fired me yesterday.  I know you were serious.  I
saw the shredded check in the bin this morning when I dumped my shredder.
Thank you for saving me.  I will not disappoint you, or myself." Jamaica
said firmly, but clearly embarrassed.

   "OK then, let's get behind the desk and see what's happening.  Let's try
to both work aloud and compare notes as we go."

   Chapter 17

   For the first time since working with Miss Browne, Selena felt
comfortable enough to drop her attitude with her and begin to work as
teammates, side by side.  They watched the numbers flash on the screens and
the TV analysis shows with financial experts to get perspectives they might
have missed.  After an hour of note taking and passing ideas to each other
the intercom rang for a general message to all stations, "Ladies and
Gentlemen, in the Great Room in 5 minutes" came the call from Deneigh who
apparently had been summoned by one of The Five.  No more than a minute
later while she and Jamaica were collecting note pads the intercom rang
once again.

   "Ms.  Johnson, Alexis Konstantakis on your private line.  Would you like
to take it or call her back after Great Room?" Deneigh called out.  A
subtle muted beep let Selena know the intercom was open for her to speak
aloud.

   "I'll get it Ms.  Myersen, I'll keep it short."

   "Hello Alexis, I'm so glad we were able to do business with you on the
condo.  Thanks for considering us." She beamed.

   "Oh my Lord, not a problem.  The miracle of your recovery made me, and
all of us at The News Desk so happy.  I missed you so badly after the whole
thing came down, no pun intended.  You were the best lunch buddy I ever
had. A few years later I gave up my Wall Street job to produce for them and
I've branched into a few other things.  Can we do lunch today?  I want to
talk to you about doing another screen test, maybe filling in or even
getting your own nights.  We don't use one host anymore." She told Selena.

   "Well, YES, I can do lunch, can we meet at 12:30 where we always went?"

   "Yes, it's still there."

   "OK, we can talk then.  I'm not sure about tackling that now, but I do
want to talk about it.  Listen, I have a meeting in one minute.  Let's talk
at 12:30, OK?" She said finishing up.

   Selena and Jamaica were the last two into The Great Room and were about
to sit down when Selena saw Deneigh taking her usual place at the end of
the table with her digital recorder and steno pad.

   Before she sat down she looked to her and said, "In the future, Miss
Myersen, get someone from the steno pool to attend so you can properly
participate.  We'll work at filling your job up front so you can devote
more time to our work."

   As everyone at the table nodded in agreement with her, Selena saw that
Ross had been right about just taking the reins and doing what needed to be
done.

   John Branniff stood, making two fists that he leaned on as he spoke,
taking the stance he always took when he asked for the floor.

   "I think we need to look a little deeper into something that became
obvious to me in the news and trades this morning.  Anyone?"

   Each person at the table nodded and held up a notepad with one word
circled in their scribbling.  GOLD.

   "At least I know I'm not imagining it." John said as he held up his own
notepad with GOLD written in big letters before speaking.

   "There's been a lot of movement of the stuff in a lot of strange places.
It looks like a few of the rebel African nations are possibly buying
weapons from China and maybe Iran.  The transfer of gold has been too heavy
for it to be food or oil.  If its weapons I'm sure the CIA is watching it
closely, but I'm more concerned with all the selling, that it might drop
the price and panic a few people.  Gold is always security, but this is a
poor time to buy gold as an investment, it's at a record high and buying to
see more gains is risk speculation, but unless someone bought it in the
last 36 hours, it's still way ahead of the price paid.  It closed at 1917
yesterday and it's showing 1836 right now.  It was at 1786 two days ago, so
I wouldn't panic, but newbie investors have set off flags on 4 of the
folios I tend, wanting to dump it.  Do you think we should make a statement
considering so many new gold speculators?  Veterans can see the writing on
the wall, price wise, but if enough people are skittish of their new
investment and sell, it could set off a little panic on those who lost big
on the last crash.  I think we all know that if the dollar goes down, only
those with gold will financially survive."

   "Do you think it would be wise to mention the word "war", if we do make
a statement?" Ross Curran asked.

   "Ah, therein lies the rub, Mr.  Curran.  How do we convey the selling
and transfer of the stuff without saying the word and leaving it so obvious
that we don't need to."

   Slim stood up and put a finger to his chin.  "I think my friend at the
State Department could give me an idea if war in the region is a reality.
If it is we can say "rumored" or "suspected" in the statement.  I think we
have to show a valid reason why these people have sold their commodity, and
not let folks think they are just cashing in on the price change, although
it's the sale that caused the price change."

   Selena shook her head and opined aloud, "Those who bought gold to get
rich and would sell it on fluctuations deserve what they get, but when
they're our subscribers I suppose we should back them."

   Then, for the first time in any of these gatherings Jamaica Browne spoke
up, "We should be sure to approach them as not making it obvious that we
don't approve of their path of speculation.  We have to keep in mind that a
plus in their end of day net worth is their goal.  You'll never convince
them that sitting on a losing investment is secure."

   John Branniff was the only one at the table not taken aback by the fact
she had spoken.

   "THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is a salient point we should all carry with
us in any calls we make on this.  Also, in any statement we decide to do."
Branniff said wiggling two fingers on the hand outstretched over his notes
as he looked them over without looking up.

   Ross Curran beamed inside at her comment and wanted to go over and kiss
Selena Johnson for the shock treatment she had given to wake her.

   "Mr.  Beupour, why don't you try your friend at the State Department
right now, while we wait?  I think we should get a statement out before
closing today.  Does anyone think that's being too aggressive?" Selena
said.

   Trace Fountain chuckled as he looked to Selena with a shake of his head,
agreeing it wasn't too forward.  "Ms.  Johnson, your actions in the hours
you've been back with us indicate you have planned to stay for a bit.  May
I add a "bravo"."

   Selena smiled widely and then turned red, embarrassed at being singled
out, only to comment, tongue in cheek, "Someone had to get here and
straighten you old farts out."

   Everyone in the room knew the "old farts" comment was a reference to the
late Charley Ford who always said he felt like that around Selena, whom he
treasured as the daughter he never had.  They all had a good chuckle while
Jamaica tried to figure why such off color comments drew laughs.

   Trace stood and said "It's almost 12:30, let's break for lunch.  We can
all take an hour, Ross and John have business uptown.  I'll use the extra
time to do the first draft of the statement."

   "Oh no, Mr.  Fountain.  You go for your hour.  I'll do the first draft."
Deneigh said as if shocked by his words.

   "Don't be foolish Deneigh.  Get the service to answer the phones and you
take the hour.  How do you think you'll be able to sit in a partners chair
if you don't learn how to take a full hour?  I'll have it ready for you to
proof before the read through.  I'll hear no argument."

   "Oh, I suppose I could shop now instead of after work." She said.

   Slim came out of his office having spoken to his connection at the State
Department.

   "Well, for what it's worth, there are rebels already fighting and some
opposition armies are beginning to assemble.  They don't know how big this
will all get, but certainly the official governments are the ones moving
the gold to protect themselves and the part of the nations that are
supporting them.  We really don't know how widespread the rebel factions
go." Slim reported.

   "Thank you Mr.  Beupour, I may try to gently word a part of the
statement to show that there is a certain franticness or fanaticism pushing
the sales, and not REAL reasons to panic at all." Trace said as he took his
notes.

   They all broke for lunch and went about their respective business. 
Selena was the first one back and she called her code in to the service to
get the door buzzed.  In the Great Room Trace was eating a sandwich from
his briefcase while he scribbled a draft of the statement on a yellow pad.
He nodded to Selena and she went for her office, which she still hadn't set
up.  As she passed Jamaica's office she saw the door propped open and
Jamaica behind her desk with a sandwich and a catalog to thumb through. 
Selena nodded to her but heard her call.

   "Selena, have you got a moment?"

   "Sure, what is it?"

   "I have an embarrassing question, but my mind won't let me rest until I
ask it."

   "OK, what is it?"

   "Close the door please." Jamaica said as she flushed with embarrassment.

   "Well, this morning when you were chewing me out again you made
reference to "if you fill your nose, drink the booze, wiggle your ass, and
bumpitty bump and suckitty suck your way around town." I know I must have
been that obvious to everyone that I was hungover a lot, and doing coke. 
But, I never had sex with anyone that was even close to this company but I
realize that it might be common knowledge that young women enjoy sex while
high.  However, who told you I was . . .  er . .giv. . .  doing oral sex?
Someone in here?"

   "No one made ANY reference to your sexual habits Jamaica, don't be
paranoid!  My husband, who knows his way around Manhattan a lot better than
I wish, and mind you BEFORE he met me . . .  so much so we STILL probably
can't go to most of the trendy eateries because of who he has been with in
the past.  Anyway, he told me, and I know now from firsthand experience,
that EVERY woman gives head, blowjobs, or whatever you want to call it. 
Every woman acts like it's the worst thing you could do, but behind closed
doors, things change.  If you think you're more promiscuous than most
because you did, don't.  However, you really should know who you're with
and how you feel about the person.  My words were not aimed just at you
from anything specific I heard.  I assumed, and from your embarrassment, I
assumed right.  Now you may assume with every woman you come into contact
with.  We all love it with the right person." Selena said with a wink as
she got up.

   As she propped Jamaica's door the way it was and headed to her office
she heard Jamaica call out, "Thank you, I feel much better now", followed
by a little giggle.

   By 1:30 all of the offices were occupied with closed door and just
before 2:00 Deneigh opened the intercoms for final statement review in 5
minutes.  She read the statement prepared by J Trace Fountain with her
edits.  Each member nodded and took notes for changes and in 10 minutes
Deneigh had the final ready to publish.

   As they were about to break they all stood and waited for Ross Curran to
give them a time for the press to be let in for the reading.  Ross looked
to Selena and gave a stern tip of his chin as if to nod to her, wanting her
to assume the reins.  "Deneigh, inform the media that we will have a
statement at , um . .  3:45.  Make them aware that I won't be doing any
interviews beyond the subject." Selena said before they all repaired to
their lairs.

   About 3:30 the First Financial News crews were in to set up lighting,
pull out the backdrop curtain and hang the logo as WSGG was a long time
advertiser and sponsor.  At precisely 3:45, on a cue from Deneigh, the door
of each office opened and the group walked to assemble before the logo and
into the lights.  Deneigh stood with her arms folded chatting with one of
the newsmen when Selena called to her,

   "Miss Myersen, we're waiting for you to join the line so we can begin."

   Deneigh tried to act as if she weren't surprised and came up where
Selena positioned her right next to her, with Jamaica Browne flanking her
other side.  They all stood stoic and after a pause when the red light came
on Selena stepped to the lectern and read.

   "The price of gold has made some wild highs and lows in the past few
days causing concern in the eyes of some investors.  Be assured that no
matter what the price of this precious commodity, it is, and always will
be, the safest, most trusted, investment.  If I may give some . . . . . .
." Selena continued keeping the statement at just over 45 seconds.  When
she finished she turned and stood back with her colleagues until the red
lights went off.

   Reporters arms flew up wanting to ask questions, "Ms.  Johnson, Ms. 
Johnson?"

   Deneigh went to the lectern and simply said, "There will be no questions
today."

   As Selena was about to step into her office one reporter shouted loudly,
"Ms Johnson, does this mean you are back to assume your position with the
firm on a full time basis?"

   She was about to close her door when she stepped back into view and
said, "It is as it seems until it changes.", and then she closed her door.

   "I had lunch with Alexis today." Selena said as Joe poured wine for her
after she had changed from her work clothes.

   "She's full time with the network now?" He asked.

   "She could go back to the investment firm, but they consider her work to
be a conflict, now.  When she was just reporting, it was OK, like WSGG with
me.  She writes copy and editorial now, so they gave her unpaid leave for 2
years.  She's trying to figure out if she has a future in broadcasting."
She said sipping her wine.

   "She seems to hold a lot of the strings right now."

   "They're working on a shoestring right now until this hotshot from the
BBC comes in.  She'll be his top production assistant, but if she can run
the show without him, why do they need him?" She wondered.

   "Easy, hon, because she hasn't fucked up yet.  Her division just has so
many shows and she can't change that content, she just has to make sure it
all gets on the air.  When it came down that they wanted to cut 5% of the
talent budget she was going to sell the condo, but we're picking up the
lease on that to cover for her.  Why they leased 2 condo's for talent is
beyond me anyway."

   "Well, she must have some leeway, she offered me a job, but I'm not
sure. I certainly wouldn't do it for the money, a half hour of Union scale,
but it is fun and just across the street." She told him while making a
doubting face, unsure of how she felt about it.

   "If you want your ego fluffed by being recognized, you should do it. 
It's not like Joe Schmoe is going to recognize you, just stockheads and
people too lazy to change the channel." He said chuckling.

   Selena grew a little huffy at Joe.  "It's not like they'll be throwing
rose petals before me as I walk up the street.  It's more like dropping a
jar of olives in the market and somebody saying, "oh look, there's that
stock news lady, . . . . .butterfingers!", that's the extent of being
recognized.  I don't have that kind of ego." She said pointing a finger at
him in her defense.

   "Essy, whatever you want to do that makes you happy.  You were so proud
of yourself before when tried it.  Maybe it's good for your self esteem."
Joe decided.

   "Well, the media rewrote history after we came out.  They showed me
doing the report, but they were only demos.  9/11 was to be my first night
actually doing it, but I WOULD have been happy doing it, for my personal
sense of accomplishment.  Speaking of that, Ross told me today to show
leadership initiative and I could basically run the firm, not be CEO, but
hold the reins.  I guess no one really wants to call themselves the "boss"
and Ross says he overheard me giving a ration of shit to Jamaica Browne and
then to Slim.  He likes my style.  I told him I was just protecting my
investment, but he says that's the shot in the arm the group needs." She
told Joe as he stood and slammed his fist into his hand.

   "You mentioned Slim!  Shit, I FORGOT!  Slim and Shelly are stopping over
at 8 o'clock, on their way home from dinner.  They wanted us to join them,
but it didn't sound good to me.  I'm sorry, I forgot." Joe told her as he
stood and began to pick up what few things were out of place.

   "Well, I don't feel like getting dressed, but I'm not going to meet them
for the first time in 9 years in sweat pants.  Besides, it's good that Slim
and I establish a personal relationship outside work.  I ripped him a new
one today over a situation.  I hope he can sort it out, you know, what's
work, what's not." She said as she changed and Joe walked in to do the
same.

   "Was it necessary, or was it that damn ego of yours." Joe said jibing
her.

   Selena turned and jabbed a finger at Joe.

   "Joe, this isn't funny." She said straight faced and dead serious, "They
were going to blow away their whole investment in this woman, plus the cost
of finding another replacement and paying for his or HER education.  We're
talking probably a couple million dollars wasted and that comes out of
PARTNER shares." She said defending herself.

   "I'm sorry, that ISN'T funny.  Was this that fear of being politically
correct and possible harassment charges you were talking about?" Joe asked.

   "Yes, rather than handle it all directly they were all going to hide
inside their foreskins and save their damn male ego's, but it's over now
and we won't speak of it tonight, OK?" She said as she pulled up a pair of
designer jeans to finish her outfit, Joe looked on.

   "Goodbye cute little tushy, I'll see you later." Joe said trying to be
cute.

   Selena stopped and turned to him.  "Your "ego" comment just now will
leave you jerking off alone tonight and THINKING about my "cute little
tushy"." She snarled leaving Joe to figure if she was serious or not.

   "Oh, I get it, SEX as a weapon." He said smartly

   "No, SEX as a deterrent.  I get respect at work, I'll get it at home
too." She countered snidely as she walked past him.

   The evening with Slim and Shelley began as other reunion meeting began,
with tears and promises of not asking too many questions and remembering
the press conference where they answered all they wanted to answer.

   For the second time is as many nights Selena saw a former lover of Joe's
cry and blubber uncontrollably over seeing him again.  She was already a
little at odds with Joe over his kidding about her denial of the ego stroke
from Alexis job offer.  Right now she wondered if Joe was THAT good a
lover. He was all she knew, was he THAT much better than most others. 
These women acted like his dick spurted gold bullion or was the fountain of
youth.  Were their few times under him THAT good?  She was mad at herself
for being so snippy about their gushing, but he was still in her doghouse.
But wait, Slim was a renowned cocksman of his own rite and still Shelley
carried on.  "Maybe he IS that good, but he's not getting any honey
tonight." She thought to herself.

   As the night wore on and drinks flowed talks of old times came up and
the couples sat on opposing love seats with Joe's hand firmly gripping her
knee, pulling it to his and running his hand down her calf while they
laughed and reminisced.

   "Shit, he's making me wet as hell and he knows he's getting something
tonight despite what I told him.  I love him so much, I can't resist the
shithead." She thought while she turned and smiled to him

   They all made plans to get together at their upstate homes and perhaps
have dinner or some other social gathering.  As Slim hugged Selena good
night, he whispered "I know work is work and this is different.  It's all
understood."

   As the door clicked shut, Joe looked to Selena and they both quickly
began to pick up the room, straighten furniture.  Neither of them enjoyed
having maid service come in every day.  They preferred their privacy and
liked to leave their life out and live here as if it were their own
apartment.  Instructions were left at the desk that they would request
towels and linen changes and no other service was needed.  Selena also knew
that more than once maids had done more than clean the room and fluffed
more than pillows with Joe Johnson around.  She trusted him, she didn't
trust them.

   As Selena put the last glasses in the dishwasher Joe held it open and
had it ready to run as soon as he closed it.

   "Meet you in bed in a couple minutes?  I'll set up the coffee machine
for you." Joe said as he kissed her shoulder.

   "You can meet me in bed, but nothing will happen.  My ego is so big that
I just may get off sleeping with myself tonight." She said as she pulled
away briskly, even though she yearned for his touch.

   "Oh, come on Essy, you spoiled brat.  We kid and joke all of the time
and you let a harmless little joke, that rang of truth by the way, get
under your skin.  You get all the respect in world at home." Joe said
indignantly.

   Selena was just going to walk away, but she wanted the last word.

   "Joe, respect, RESPECT, . . .  would be taking my words at face value
and not twisting them to make your silly joke about ego to hurt my
feelings. I didn't play with myself 3000 times wishing you were near to get
my life back and have you think making fun of me is a joke.  I grew a set
of balls at work and asserted myself because I saw things happening that
NEVER would have happened when I walked out the door there on 9/10/2001. 
It was still the next day for me when I walked back in and I was shocked at
what I saw.  When dear old Charlie and Will were there this shenanigan and
the way they treat Deneigh would never have stood.  They would have been in
Ross's office in a flash.  Some of them are old and tired, I understand
that, but complacency has no excuse.  We're there to protect people's money
but, we piss ours away?  Not while I'm there, they won't.  Not when it's my
money.  If that's my ego, call me an egomaniac.  AND! . . .  " She said as
she began to turn away but pivoted back to raise her finger in his
direction again.  "If I want a break from all of the shit at work to walk
into the fantasy world at FNN, be treated special and have my face go out
to moneyheads with the days money news, EXCUSE ME for wanting some
recognition outside of those brownstone walls for what I do, what I know.
When I give that news, I know what I'm talking about and present myself
that way.  Half of the other women you see reporting finances don't know
the Dow Jones from the last jar of mayonnaise they held up in their last
commercial shoot.  Can't I feel like I'm doing something valuable?"

   When she finished she strode into the bathroom, stripped off her clothes
and put on pajamas instead of a nightgown.  She went to the toilet and
walked past a still stunned Joe and got into bed.  Joe still had no words
and went into the bath and performed the same things she did before getting
into bed.  She was turned away from him and had her body pillow she usually
hugged, behind her as a barrier.

   "Selena, I had no idea." Joe said, his voice breaking as he felt so
upset at hurting her.

   "Don't think the "spoiled brat" comment got past me either.  You're my
husband, not my fucking father." She said coldly to his near tears mea
culpa.

   "So this is the way we go to bed, you mad at me for a comment that hung
on a thousand other things I didn't know about?" Joe said hoping to roll
over to her side but she raised her voice once again.

   "I just want to go to sleep and have the day end!  I don't want it to
continue.  Someone told me that I chewed them out, was told I tore Slim a
new asshole, and then laid you out in lavender.  Can't this day END!!" She
said starting to cry.

   Joe listened to her sob for a few moments as it tore his heart apart. 
He slid out of bed and went to her side and knelt on the floor and put his
lips near her ear.

   "Selena, where in your beautiful mind do you think I would ever say
anything to purposely, maliciously hurt you in any way.  If you had a tough
day today we should have talked about it more.  Maybe the pressure of the
job is too much for you still.  We've been through a lot.  Please don't
think I said anything that was hurtful.  I was only trying to be cute with
you, hoping you would take it that way.  From where I see NOW, you were
correct in everything you did today, showing your passion, even when it was
aimed at me if you thought I was trying to make fun or demean you.  But you
know I would never do that.  Please put it in perspective, your crying is
tearing me apart thinking I may have caused it.  You know I would never
hurt you."

   She lay silent, seeming to process his words and then took the corner of
the pillow sleeve and wiped her eyes and turned them to look to Joe.

   "It's my passion for what I do for our group that drives me, and I'm not
seeing the passion the way we all had it 10 years ago.  When Will and
Charley died they must have taken a lot with them.  Ross knows I have it,
that's why he wants to pass the baton, and I want it.  But how do I build
the passion back in the others?  Deneigh and Jamaica both have fires lit
under them now, even Slim, they will be easy to lead, but I'm frustrated
with Ross, Trace and John.  I know you're thinking "what does this have to
do with us?", but this is what I brought home with me.  I felt so good
hooking up with Alexis and what she offered.  I thought it might be an
outlet for the passion I feel for what I do, if I can make one person
understand better.  Then I guess I thought you were making fun of me, and
that was childish of me.  It was like I was fighting you and you're the
last person I have to fight with.  I love you more every second and it tore
me apart to say the words I said to you.  I was a spoiled little brat in a
lot of ways.  Thanks for giving me the time and perspective to think this
out."

   Joe showered her with kisses on her forehead and even kissed away some
of her leftover tears as she spoke and then he offered her this, "If you
had a private meeting with the old partners and tell them what you just
told me, maybe it would shake them out of their doldrum, or maybe they just
want to move on."

   "That's what I'm afraid of, that they'll just give up and leave me there
and that ruins our plans." She said starting to cry again.  "I know you'll
tell me to just walk away now and let them wither, but I can't do that.  I
wanted to finish my 5 years before saying I wanted to leave a mark on the
world.  But walking away to let the group wither and die isn't the mark I
had in mind.  Just tell me you'll support me and I promise I'll get out as
soon as I can say it's all OK.  Can you do that?"

   "If it means making you happy, I'll go along with anything.  We're
getting the condo because I know you want to be here for at least a year,
you know I support you.  If this means you want to skip Jamaica and we can
do it again sometime later, that's OK too." Joe told her knowing she may
not want to leave for 2 weeks at this juncture.

   Selena bolted up onto her elbows almost cracking heads with Joe who was
so close.

   "If you think I'm going to give up 2 weeks of making love, getting
fucked every which way to Sunday, in paradise, with my husband, you've got
another thing coming.  We're going to Jamaica and I plan on draining all
sex juice we both can make for two weeks, and maybe even more.  The romance
won't stop.  It'll be dirty sex, romantic sex, under the moon, out in the
sun, on the bed, under the bed, everywhere.  We aren't losing this!" She
said with the passion of a child being told Christmas was cancelled.

   "Whoa, Selena.  I'm with you on this.  I was just saying if you didn't
think you could leave, I could go along with it, not that I wanted to." He
said defending himself.

   "No, my stand will be made with the entire group before I leave, I'll be
able to leave.  Now get up in this bed and show me how much you love me."
She said laughing like the old carefree Selena, "and take off those pajama
bottoms!" She said as she slipped hers down and into the bed.

   Joe was quite taken by her quick change in demeanor after she had orally
sorted out her problems almost like a trip to the psychologists couch.  She
had let stress get to her and had become very protective and defensive of
herself.

   Normally, he would have been sexually excited by just seeing her in the
bed, but this situation had left him without a sexual thought, until now.
He just wanted to hold her against him, feel her warmth and that would have
him ready.  He slid into the bed and maneuvered between her legs and
covered her body, pressing his lips to hers.  She panted between kisses and
slipped a hand between them.  She felt he was soft and began to bring her
other hand down between them causing him to lift up as if in mid push-up.
She filled her fingers with saliva and pressed it between her sex lips,
taking his softened, but encouraged, penis in her hand pressing the head to
her lips and lifting her hips to get him in her.

   "Grow in me, let my pussy mouth suck you hard." She said as she squirmed
to feel him, pubis to pubis.

   She flexed and kegeled as she brought her arms up and around his back
getting him all the way in.  Joe resisted the urge for force more blood
into his cock until she settled under him.  In one hard pinch from deep in
his groin he grew to full mast within her causing her to startle with an
"Oooof" as the head of his cock kissed the opening of her uterus.

   "You're so big, how do you hold it back like that?" She cried in a
whisper.

   "Willpower, lots of it, because I love you." He said as he started to
move within her.

   "NO!, No, wait!" She said, pulling him tighter, "Just let me feel you
fill me and taste your mouth, your lips and neck."

   She held him tight to her and she did as she intended, thrusting her
tongue into his mouth and then tasting his lips and running her tongue over
his chin and down to his neck ,as far as she could reach and then back up
to his mouth.

   "You know that no matter what words come out of my mouth, how mad I may
get, how poorly I might seem to treat you, I love you more than I did the
second before.  Forgive my mouth when it says things my brain hasn't
processed, thoughts I haven't deciphered.  Between the race out of that
building (the Tower) and the day you found me, I guess I lost some
patience, some ability to process others feelings.  Just give me time and
it'll all come together." She whispered as she began to undulate and lose
her grip on his back.

   "Cum together is always a good idea." Joe said as he began to pound her
hard and he saw her eyes roll back and orgasm begin.

   She gripped him tightly as her spasm lasted as long as she could hold
the top and then blew out a large ball of air.  "We can't cum together, I'm
not protected, just let me know." She protested, irritated that she hadn't
seen her Doctor yet.

   Joe showed great stamina, lasting a good 5 minutes before he gave up and
said he had to cum, and soon.  "I'll hose you down!" he said as his breath
caught, orgasm near.

   "No, this top will stain!  Besides, I want it!" She said pulling her
legs up and losing him as she scuttled under him and he sat back on his
haunches.

   Her mouth covered him just as he shot and filled her mouth.  She
swallowed hard once and then worked her lips back and forth over the head
as he seemed to pause and then shoot another hard shot, making her gag a
bit, still keeping her seal over him.  She laughed, though her mouth was
full of his penis and semen, and then swallowed.  She relaxed herself
resting her head on the bed as he deflated and allowed her to keep the head
in her mouth.  She played with it with her tongue until he cried uncle and
took himself in hand.

   Joe wanted to hold her and was moving to lay beside her when one knee
slid off the silk sheet and he fell the other way, his face even with her
bottom cheeks.

   "Are you OK?" She giggled.

   "Yes, I wanted to kiss you, but this will do." He said as he ran his
tongue between the cleft.

   She whooped and jumped up turning around to get face to face and share
the kiss he craved.  He tasted some of his semen yet and drove his tongue
further into her mouth.  When the kiss broke she smiled to him and then her
face turned sullen.

   "Why do I feel like I've lived the nine years at WSGG in just two days?
It's all happening so fast, it's like they knew I would just come in and
take everything over.  They all got lazy and needed a boot in the ass. 
What if I had decided to walk away?  I know there's a lot of pressure on
me, but once I get through these few days and we get off to Negril I'll be
able to decompress.  I'm kind of hoping that once I'm gone Ross gets the
itch to maintain his hand on the throttle.  As much as I'm willing to take
it, he can have it as long as he steers it right.  They were too blasé to
let that much time and money slip away."

   Joe put a finger over her lips, "We just made passionate love, and you
tasted my very core and seed.  It's not the time to talk about work.  10
years ago my recuperative powers were good enough that I could have stopped
you from talking in a most pleasurable way.  Now I'm just going to have to
tell you to shut up and go to sleep." He said as he kissed her nose and
pinched her bottom.

   "OUCH!  That hurt!  But I'm so sorry Joey for the work talk!" She
squealed as she jumped away and rearranged the bed while Joe slipped into
place and she covered him.  They spooned for a few moments until they faded
into sleep and their bodies moved away, she on her stomach hugging her body
pillow and he falls to his back.

   Chapter 18

   Selena was happy to have gotten out for work without ever waking Joe. 
She liked it when he got as much sleep as possible so he wouldn't fade in
the evenings.  They were up until almost 1:00 am that morning and if he was
up with her at 6:30 he surely would be asleep in the chair in front of the
news when she got home.

   She felt great this morning having spilled her guts to Joe about
everything bothering her and asking for a little advice.  Plus she had let
her mind invent some war with him that didn't exist in reality and she was
able to settle that while making love.  Mornings after sex, and there were
quite a few of them, always made her feel freshened and clear.

   Having finished her coffee and fruit in the hotel the concierge on duty
saw her walking to the entrance promenade.

   "Good Morning Ms.  Johnson, can I summon a ride for you?" He asked.

   "No, not necessary this morning.  It may be cool fall weather, but the
sun is bright and I could use the walk." She said as she pushed a pair of
sunglasses on and turned up her collar.  She arranged her brief under her
arm and took a wide brimmed hat from her carry bag she would hold in front
her that held her few personal items, sweater, scarf and some snack bars.
She thrust her other hand into her coat pocket for the brisk walk, her
fingers wrapped around the pepper spray can in her pocket.  She felt safe
overall in this area but feared the overzealous media-ite.  There was an
agreed "stay away and don't bother" to WSGG's media partners, but still
there were a few inquiring minds.

   Her walk the few blocks filled her lungs with fresh air and she felt a
spring in her step to get out in the cool fall air.  As she neared the
brownstone front of her goal she saw Jamaica Browne approaching from the
other way.  As they both crossed from the sunny side of the block Jamaica
gave her a peculiar look and then startled when they both turned to go up
the steps.

   "Miss, this is a private concern." Jamaica said coldly.

   "For God's sake, it's me Jamaica!" Selena said as she took off her
sunglasses and let her hair out of her chapeau.

   "Holy crap Ms.  Johnson, you've got a great disguise!" Jamaica said dead
pan and serious.

   Selena reached out and took her hands in hers.

   "Jamaica, first of all, PLEASE, let me be Selena outside of the office.
We can be friends, really.  I know you think I'm a hard-ass who's got you
in my sights, but nothing could be further from the truth.  What's gone on
here in the last few days is me protecting my money, our money, ALL the
partners money, and our jobs.  Once you attain partner you will have the
same say in any situation as any other partner, no matter how tenured they
are.  We have no Chief Executive, but an acting spokesman to set the lead
and take matters in hand that need to be taken that direction.  I know I've
only been back a few days but it looks like that has fallen to me, but it
could just as easily be anyone in here.  Yes, without a swift turnaround, I
would have fired you in a whisper a few days ago.  Now you seem part of the
team and until that changes, and I suspect it won't, you're safe until the
next partner vote.  Work hard and you'll pass muster easily.  Please, let's
be friends and work together.  OK?"

   "I feel like part of the team, I just wasn't sure where I stood with
you. Working with you in the office together is intimidating because I
learn something every time you open your mouth, and I want to learn.  Last
night I went and looked at the apartment your husband arranged for me and I
signed a lease, it will be perfect.  I took the train, or subway, half the
trip is above ground, to Rye and it takes an hour each way and at least at
the hour I took the trip, it's mostly business people commuting.  I even
met a cute guy who goes that way every day.  He showed me where to walk
before I got off the train." Jamaica said, seemingly relieved of any fears
she had of Selena.

   "He didn't get off with you, Right?. . . .  ,because that would have
been creepy." Selena said tipping her head wondering if the naiveté of a
non-city person had surfaced.

   "No, he even said he shouldn't since we didn't know each other.  He was
nice.  He filled me in about the trains.  The trip back was mostly students
going home to the city I guess.  Sweatshirts and backpacks were from Iona,
Sarah Lawrence, and some Japanese school I think right near the apartment.
The super said I could move in between now and the end of the month, once I
give him a deposit and a month rent.  I can have the rest of this month
free."

   "Well, get everything in writing, and don't trust anyone.  There are
lots of people in this city who want to separate you from your money, your
credit cards, your purse, and your panties.  Be careful all of the time. 
That guy on the train may have been cute, but until you establish who he
is, no matter how nice he is or may seem, don't trust him, nor should he
trust you.  I hate to make this sound so cold and daunting, but you could
end up robbed and raped and dumped in a culvert and no one would care if
you lived or died.  The city is as cruel and dangerous as it is fun and
exciting." Selena warned her just before they both finished going up the
stairs to have Deneigh buzz them in.

   When all of the partners had settled into their offices Selena was still
sitting with Jamaica watching the boards together while they read the days
business papers, read the biz-blogs, and watched the financial talking
heads.  Twice Jamaica Browne took herself away from their tandem work spot
to check out a trade or current price, trying to chase down "something
suspicious or out of the ordinary." When the coffee service had made its
mid-morning delivery with items for a snack or break (doughnuts, pastries,
granola bars, etc) along with a fresh urn of Joe, Selena smelled the
aromatic brew and got up and began to gather her things.

   "Ms.  Browne, I feel you're quite well off on your own.  I haven't been
in my office for 9 years and I'll bet it needs a bit of personalizing. 
Don't be shy about calling me, or any of the others with questions, but you
seem to have a handle on it."

   "Can I begin to personalize my accounts?" Jamaica asked.

   "How many do you have?

   "They've given me about 300, mostly new, mostly small folio, under
250K."

   "OK, eventually you'll spend a quarter to half your time combing
accounts, looking for safer ways for subscribers to manage their funds. 
Show your suggestions to Slim or I before you make any calls.  Just come to
one of our offices and knock, OK?  My baby sitting job is over.  I want to
be your friend, your partner." Selena said with a big smile and a wink for
her.

   Selena opened the door to leave as Jamaica spoke back to her, "Ms. 
Johnson, I could never thank you enough for the help and guidance you've
given me.  I was an out of control train about to go off the tracks and you
stopped me and got me right.  I had no self-esteem, no confidence, nowhere
to turn to.  Thank you and thanks to your husband for the assist finding me
the furnished apartment.  I've got a lot of little things to move from the
furnished digs Mr.  Curran had arranged for me her in Manhattan, but I'll
be in the new place by Monday morning when I leave for work.  This is what
I wanted when I came here.  Thank you."

   One thought ran through Selena's mind as she strode to her office,
"Three or four days and I've got her on the right track and they were fine
to just let her walk away and waste all of that money, time and talent.  We
should all have a talk about spine.  I'm not going to carry the weight of
this group on my shoulders."

   Sitting behind the desk in her office officially for the first time
brought back a lot of memories for Selena.  She opened her brief and put a
few personal items on her desk and turned the switch to "in" for the light
outside the door.  She picked up the coat she had dropped in her guest
chair earlier and went to hang it in the small cloak press in the corner
next to her book shelves.  There were three shelves with what appeared to
be hardware boxes and a clothes bar with one empty hanger on it.  At the
bottom of the press was a box labeled "Selena Hanson-personal effects to be
picked up".  Under the bold marker words were a pen scrawl, "Scott Hanson
notified 10/12/2001".

   She pulled the box out and brought it to her chair and set it in,
opening the four fold lock of the flaps.

   One by one, fighting back tears, and smiling at each memento she took
out.  There were framed photos of Joe, her parents, and one of her with Joe
in Jamaica.  She pulled out an appointment book that boldly said 2001 on
the front and a ribbon marker pulled through the page for 9/12.  There was
a teak wood block polished with a plate on the front with her name, and 2
pen turrets with the gold pens taped to the bottom.  She took from the box
a maroon address book she had since college with her friends and contacts
over the years in it.  She hugged it to herself and placed it neatly in the
top drawer where she always kept the tattered book.  As she set it in a
white envelope showed its corner from the book and she curiously pulled it
out.  It wasn't sealed and as soon as she opened the flap she remembered
what it was, mad money; five crisp 100 dollar bills for those "just in
case" moments.  At the bottom of the box were her framed diploma's and
awards.  As she took each out she returned each of them to the place on the
wall where they were, their hangers still intact on the wall.  It was
apparent that her office had not been touched since that day.  It had
obviously been cleaned and dusted regularly.  These people truly loved and
missed her, so much so that they constructed another office for Jamaica
Browne.  She knew her sentimental Dad could never have come to pick up her
effects, and if the office were to ship them, it would mean an end to
Selena Hanson Johnson for them.

   She sat back in her leather chair and cried hard tears, she was so moved
it all.  She turned on all of her screens and booted her computer as she
tried to compose herself.  Her monitor blue screened as soon as it began to
boot stating that the operating system was not compatible with the main
frame software.  Her phone rang and the caller ID showed "Internet and
Office Technologies".  She composed herself as much as she could and
answered the phone with a soft "Hello?"

   "Good morning, this is IOT, we manage your main frame and troubleshoot
your system.  You're trying to boot an old desktop computer to the main
frame, which is no longer necessary.  I know this office has been dark for
a bit but you need to only plug your monitor into the hot box on the side
of your desk.  There should be a free standing hard drive there for your
personal files and wireless mouse and keyboard.  They were all issued for
this office, but never registered.  Your in-house contact is a Deneigh
Myersen, who should help you straighten out problems."

   "Thank you for your help." She said softly as she hung up and began to
gather herself.

   She went to the press and got the biggest of the two boxes and opened
it, it was the hard drive the tech spoke of.  There was an envelope with a
cable in it and a notice from Deneigh about hooking the hard drive to her
old tower via USB, turning on the hard drive and restarting the tower. 
This would transfer files.  When transfer was completed it said to arrange
to return the tower to the storage room.  It was dated December 4, 2006. 
She chuckled but took the 10 by 4 inch unit from the box and followed the
instructions.  As soon as she restarted her tower the screen had a notice
from Internet and Office Technologies telling her to wait while files
transferred.  In a matter of minutes it was complete and she disconnected
all of her wires and went for the other box in the press.  It was a
wireless keyboard and mouse with two batteries wrapped snugly in poly
bearing an expiration date of Oct 2012.  She brought it all to the desk and
plugged her monitor into the "hot box", the top of which had two touch
pads, one said boot and the other hibernate.  She touched the "boot" button
and in a flash a Windows screen came up with all of the icons she would
need to conduct business as usual.  She put the batteries in the mouse and
a small light began flashing on the side of the hot box, the mouse and
keyboard were active.  She smiled at the new technology WSGG had stepped up
to, even though it was 5 years old and she and Joe had similar tech at
home.

   She opened her door and clicked her way up the walkway to the back of
the building to the storage room and opened the door hoping to find a hand
truck or rolling cart of some kind.  The rolling cart was where it always
was and she wheeled it to her office, all the while the only sound in the
great room was the murmur of TV's behind the office doors and clicking on
her heels on the tiled walkway off the carpet in The Great Room.  She
lifted her tower and other wired paraphernalia onto the cart and rolled it
back to the Storage Room.  Flipping on a light this time, to be sure she
put the cart out of the way until maintenance could take care of it, she
saw a large 4 foot by 5 foot frame covered by what looked like the deep
blue velvet back drop that was stretched out behind the group for press
statements.  Out of curiosity she pulled back the cover to see what the
framed picture was.

   Selena near fell to her knees when she looked at a painted portrait of
her own image, surrounded in a spectacular gold detailed frame.  At the
bottom was a gold plate reading "Selena Hanson Johnson 1980 - 2001.  We
shall never forget her wit, her smile and her brilliant dedication to our
purpose."

   Her knees wobbled as she stood back and leaned to the wall.  Her eyes
welled, once again, with tears flowing generously.  Perhaps for the first
time she had seen that she truly was dead and gone at one time in the eyes
of so many.  Had her fellow partners loved and respected her THAT much to
put this tribute up for her?  She walked into The Great Room and looked at
the blank wall where the velvet curtain was pulled for statements and saw
two hooks and the faint outline where a picture once was.  Overcome with
emotion, she rushed to her office and closed the door to sit alone.  She
turned off her "in" light and locked her door.  Once she was composed she
picked up her phone and called Joe.

   "Joe, can you come and get me and take me to lunch?" She asked abruptly.


   "Well, no, you should have planned it before I'm supposed to go . . ."
He began to answer.  "JOE, CAN YOU COME AND GET ME AND TAKE ME TO LUNCH? 
NOW!" She shouted into the phone.

   Sensing something was wrong Joe changed his mind, "Yes, Selena I'm on my
way.  I'll call when I pull up, OK?"

   "Yes!" She said hanging up and redialing Deneigh.

   "Miss Myersen, Joe is coming to get me for an early lunch, we have
business to take care of, and I'll be back by 1 pm." She said quickly, not
wanting to break down over the phone.

   She put on her coat and pulled the collar up and slipped her sunglasses
over her reddened eyes, hoping no one would see her or want to speak with
her before she left.  Joe must have been close because her phone rang
within a few minutes.

   "Essy, I'm pulling up in front, are you OK?" He said as she answered
with a terse "OK".

   She left her office and clicked her way up the hall and through the door
into reception and past Deneigh.  She kept her head down and did not
acknowledge Deneigh's confused call out of "Have a nice lunch."

   Down the steps quickly and into the car she bent forward and broke into
hard tears causing Joe alarm.

   "Selena!  Is there a medical emergency here?  Did you quit?  Were you
fired?  What is it?" He asked in almost panic.

   "NO!  Just bring me someplace where we can talk and be alone!  Don't go
home, I don't want to walk through the lobby like this!" She said
continuing to sob.

   "A courier from the TV station just came over with the key to the condo
and a lease for us to sign.  I was going there to look at the place.  We'll
be alone.  We finalize with Alexis at 5 at the studio, you're supposed to
read for her." Joe said quickly hoping he hadn't confused her.

   "That's fine, if we'll be alone!" She said sitting up and using tissues
to wipe her tears away from her eyes and blow her nose.

   In the pre-lunch hour traffic Joe got to the building quickly and drove
into the garage showing the attendant the lease and the key to get in.  The
key read "entrance A" and Joe drove to that section of the semi-underground
lot and quickly got out hurrying over to get Selena's door and walk her to
the A elevator.  He didn't try to flush information from her, he just
wanted to get her alone.

   He slid the key into the A slot and the door opened, using the key again
he put it into the slot in the elevator and he felt the car lift and then
stop on the 2nd floor.  When the door opened there was a short hallway with
4 doors.  Theirs was A-2 and he opened the door and found a furnished,
clean smelling condo with new carpet awaiting them.  They stepped inside
and Selena turned into Joe and hugged him so tightly he almost couldn't
breathe.

   "WHAT IS IT?"

   "I was dead to everyone.  I was memorialized.  They hung a portrait of
me, a painted portrait like I was an assassinated queen, some sainted
woman, Joan of Arc.  I was aware we were presumed dead, but it never came
home to me until I saw that." She said through her tears, still leaving Joe
confused.

   "OK, Selena.  You're going to have to calm down and put all of this in
order for me.  I can see how upset you are, but I can't find the reason in
your rambling.  Now sit down." He said showing her their new sofa in the
furnished condo.

   Selena sat and sup-sucked for a few moments and finally calmed down.

   "I had to go to the storage room to drop something off and found this
huge painting, about 5 foot tall and almost as wide with this gold leaf
frame, and it was ME!  Obviously they commissioned someone to do it and
there was a gold memorial plate at the bottom reading Selena Hanson Johnson
1980 - 2001.  We shall never forget her wit, her smile, and her brilliant
dedication to our purpose.  I went out and saw it had been hanging at the
end of The Great Room, like I was some Goddess, Queen or saint, like Joan
of Arc.  I guess I never thought of us as dead for all that time, just
missing."

   "Essy, my sweet, get a grip.  You knew everyone thought we were killed
in the attack."

   "But, I! . . . .  I! . . . . .I never considered myself to be dead.  It
just hit me that the world went on without me and I was an inspiration. 
Those people lionized me.  Then I come in like Jesus driving the
moneychangers from the temple, scolding Ross, ripping Slim and damn near
firing Jamaica.  Imagine what they think of me NOW?" She said, distraught.

   "Selena, that's exactly WHY they lionize you.  Your fervent dedication
and not letting anything stand in your way.  They needed you to wake them
up.  They WANTED you to wake them up!  Imagine the big player on the team
gets hurt and is thought lost forever.  Then out of nowhere he runs onto
the field and saves the day.  Who would be mad at him?  As far as being
"dead" the only people who never got a firm grip of the reality that we
were lost and presumed dead were your parents.  Even they had headstones
erected with our names on them so your Mom would have a place to go and cry
and talk to you.  Your Mom never got past holding your pillow and pajamas
in our bed.  I thought we had talked this out." Joe said hoping to make
sense with her and calm her.

   "Oh . . . . .  WE DID!  . .  and I don't need any more shrink sessions,
either!  Anyone would have a problem swallowing this.  We should sue those
assholes from the ambulance that day.  They fucked our lives forever!" She
shouted.

   "Selena, just calm down and chill a bit." Joe said as he held her
tenderly to him.  "How much money would it take for you to forget
everything that happened and to get your baby back?" He queried softly in
her ear.

   "Oh, NO amount of money would fix any of this and if they had known I
was pregnant when I got there they would have aborted me anyway.  Emory
Richards conscience saved our baby, but if he knew how to write out a
fucking report we might not have lost the years." She sobbed into his ear.

   "Again, though, how much money?  Let's live out what we have left and we
have so much to live for.  We'll meet and know our baby someday, I promise
you that.  We've already missed on raising her and showing her the love we
have and where she came from, but it sounds like her parents have done a
fine job, and we shouldn't dwell on what we have, or had, no control of.  I
promise you that we will know her someday." He said holding her tightly as
he pulled his head back to see her eye to eye.

   "I'm sorry for freaking out on you, it was very traumatic to see that
painting and the dedication, and you can understand that, right?" She said
hugging her face to his chest.

   "Yes, I understand it.  I would worry if you didn't have a reaction to
it.  We probably have more of these moments.  I've had mine as well, you
know.  There have been people who never heard the story of us rising from
the ashes.  After this taste of life as usual, going to Jamaica will be a
welcome break." He whispered.

   She tightened her grip on him saying, "I can't wait to make love in the
warm sand in the cabana beside our place there."

   "Sand up your butt and all?" He joked.

   She broke from him with a hoot and a laugh, "No No, I'M on the top if
we're in the sand.  Your hairy butt can sit in gravel and not feel it."

   "I don't knowewwww, if you get sand up your butt and in your pootie,
I'll have to lick it out." He said with a sly grin.

   "I don't think I'll need sand in either of those places to get your
tongue in them." She said patting his package.

   "Touché my darling, if we had the time I might go for the snack pack
right now.  However, I have to inspect this joint, sign the lease, and get
it back to them, get you back to work and still get lunch for us." He said
taking her hand and showing her to the window.

   "You see that deli across the way, in the TV building?  If you go down
and get 2 sandwiches by the time you come back up I'll have the inspection
done, we can eat and I'll bring you back."

   "What about signing the lease and dropping it?"

   "That'll have to be later; I have a lawyer reading the lease right now.
It appears to be standard boilerplate, but I want to be clear on the
get-out/renew option after the 1st year.  I just want to go through here to
be sure nothing is in need of dire repair that might get put on our bill."
He told her.

   "OK, I'll get the sandwiches, . . .  ummm. . .  roast beef?" She asked.

   "As long as it's rare, otherwise ham.  But always swiss."

   "Oh, I know the drill, and always rye.  That didn't change in 9 years,
did it?" She said as she walked out to get the elevator down.

   When Selena returned to the office she felt she had cleared her
conscience of any "guilt" over her embarrassment at being so revered by her
colleagues.  The lunch she had with Joe and the calming he made her feel
put things in perspective for her.  However, whenever she looked at the
blank spot on the Great Room wall she would still get a funny feeling.

   The market was just beginning to come together for Selena by the time
the market closed this session and she began to wrap up the day, but it was
far from finished.  She knew she still had to do a demo for Alexis at FNN
and meet Joe to sign the lease while there.  Alexis had emailed her earlier
that she was sending a car for 4:30.  She may not have thought she was
making it obvious, but Alexis had every intention of hiring Selena as a
reader with only a "fair" demo this evening.  Selena hoped it was because
she was really short of readers who understood the market, and not that she
might be trying to cash in on the celebrity of her 9 year rescue.

   She heard doors opening and chatter in The Great Room as other partners
began to unwind and prepare to leave for the day when her intercom rang.

   "Ms.  Johnson, are you still in?", Deneigh asked.

   "Yes, I'm just walking out, what is it?"

   "There's a woman who won't take NO for an answer, saying you WILL take
her call.  Her name is Lucille and she won't give me any more information,
saying you would know who it was."

   "OK, Deneigh, I'll take it.  I don't know WHY she's being so secretive."
Selena answered as she punched the button with the flashing light.

   "What is it, roomie?" She answered smartly.

   On the other end of the line Lucy burst into tears, trying to talk and
cry at the same time.

   "Lucy, you'll have to gather yourself quickly.  Let's have a cry later.
I have an appointment with a car coming RIGHT NOW.  Where are you?" Selena
asked firmly.

   She heard Lucy cough and choke a bit and then draw a deep breath.

   "I'm in New York, at the Regency on 61st and Park, are you at the
Seasons?" She said holding back tears.

   "Yes, I am, but I'm tied up until at least 7, why don't you come over
for 7:30?" Selena said impatiently, knowing her car was due.

   "I've GOT to see you alone first, I need to talk and explain a few
things.  Can you come over here alone when you can?" She asked.

   "(sigh) Yes, Joe won't like it, but OK!  Then we both come to our place,
agreed?"

   "Yes, most definitely!  I want to see Joe, but I really need to talk to
you first." Lucy said.

   "Is Jeromy here as well?"

   "We'll talk when you get here." She said abruptly and hung up the phone
on Selena.

   She opened her door and said a quick goodbye to John Branniff and
Jamaica Browne who seemed to be the last 2 there.  As she tucked her brief
under her arm and adjusted her coat Jamaica called out to her.

   "Selena, can I ask you a quick question?"

   "Only if it's very quick, I have a car waiting." She said stopping and
backing towards the door.

   "It's silly, but you've made me so wary.  The man I've met on the same
train every night this week has really interested me and he's hinted around
that we should get together.  He seems shy, but he did ask for my number. I
lied and told him I didn't have one yet." Jamaica said blushing.

   "Jamaica, don't trust anyone.  Ask him for his name and address and then
have him show you a picture ID with the same, after he's given you the
info. If it matches we'll check him out.  Take a different train to and
from the next day.  That's what I would do.  You should find out if he's
married, divorced, out on bail, has warrants et cetera.  I hate to sound so
cold, but you can read about rapes and murders everyday in the paper.  I
REALLY have to get out of here.  We'll talk tomorrow, OK, my friend?"

   "I understand Selena; I trust you and few others at this point." Jamaica
said smiling as she followed Selena out the door and saw the limo waiting.
Selena waived off the driver who began to get out and open her door, and
got in herself.  The limo pulled off and Jamaica headed up the street to
her station.

   She thought about the man she thought she might meet, Bill.  She had
given her name as Jaye, a name she acquired in college that stuck among her
friends.  Giving him the name Jamaica might make it too easy to find her in
the case she didn't want to pursue the relationship.  Her name "Jamaica"
was given her because of where she was conceived.  Her mother worked for
the airlines and a short lived affair with a pilot ended her career as an
"air hostess".  She went back to the Great Northwest where she met the man
who would serve as Jamaica's father.  The only real disadvantage to the
name was that people always expected a black woman and had been called into
job interviews at all black companies in the past.

   She took the 4 train from the 59th Street station to Grand Central where
she picked up Metro North to Rye.  Each day the trip was almost 1 hour to
the minute and the walk from the station to her apartment was about 15
minutes.  During bad weather it was a $5.00 cab ride to her home.

   The 4 train got into 59th Street station between 4:45 and 4:55 each day
with Bill sitting in the 3rd car right across from the door.  He took his
briefcase from the seat the last 2 days to give her a seat.  How much
further he rode after her stop, she didn't know.  She thought he was
handsome and pleasant to talk to, very helpful, but he seemed shy.  Had she
not asked if she were on the correct train her first day, they may have
never broken the ice.

   On this day the car was crowded and, for sure, Bill was getting eyeballs
and insults for "saving" a seat on the train.  His face lit up as soon as
he saw "Jaye" in the queue for the train.  He took his briefcase off the
seat and she sat next to him.

   "Thanks Bill, you're sweet, but don't get beat up holding my seat if
it's busy." She said with a smile leaving him wonder if she were kidding or
not.

   They traded pleasantries until they got to Grand Central and both of
them hustled quietly to the Metro North track as it seemed it waited for
the 4 train from Manhattan to leave.

   The talk on the Metro North train got a little more personal and after
taking what seemed like a thousand big breaths, a nervous Bill asked her
his big question.

   "Jaye, do you think I could take you to dinner some night this weekend?
I would really like to get to know you better.  I'm not sure if you have a
steady guy or anything, but I want you to know I would really like to see,
besides on the train.  That's why I asked for your number.  I'm no stalker,
you know." He said nervously with a chuckle.  Jamaica smiled at him, and
then frowned a bit.

   "That might be fun Bill, but first I have to ask you a few questions as
she pulled up her purse and opened it to get a small note pad.  What's your
full name and where do you live?"

   Bill was taken aback at first but paused and said, "William
Centofranchi, 2345 Ellendale Lane in Port Chester, NY."

   He looked very nervous as she jotted down the info as he spelled his
name.

   "Well, William Centofranchi, can you show me a picture ID with the same
information on it?" She asked.

   "Do we really have to do this?  I thought we were getting along pretty
well, you're making the spontaneity go down the drain.  Don't you trust
me?" Bill asked.

   "Bill, look around at the men on this train.  If this were a bar, how
many do you think would try to buy me a drink?" Then she leaned in and said
quietly, "How many do you think would "like" to get in my pants?"

   Bill blushed wildly and sat back and lifted himself to get his wallet,
producing a New York Drivers license with the same information he just gave
her.

   She looked at it closely and then asked, "Bill, are you married?" "NO."
"Divorced?" "NO." "Been in trouble with the law, remembering, I can check
this entire thing out?" "NO!" "Why doesn't handsome guy like you have a
woman to go home to?"

   "Wow, I can't believe you're interrogating me." He said in disbelief. 
"But, I suppose you can't be too safe.  I'm shy, and I'm picky.  I got
burned a few times in college, so I'm careful.  Don't think I don't date, I
do.  I have a couple ladies who you might say are, . .  um . .  pursuing
me. I like them, but there is something special I'm looking for and you
seem to have it, I guess."

   "Is it my looks, my red hair, the fact I'm tiny, My . . . ."

   "NO, NO, none of those things, and I do think you're very pretty.  It
was the tone in your voice when you asked me for help that day.  You
weren't needy, you looked to me as a fellow human being in this huge city.
Then when you got your information you were friendly and considerate.  You
wanted to be friendly.  You didn't put up a steel curtain, like you just
did, by the way, so I couldn't get near you." He said with a half smile.

   "This wasn't a steel curtain Bill, this is me protecting myself.  It's
one thing to be travel pals and sharing the day's ups and downs, it's
another thing to invite you to my home, inside closed doors and then go and
be seen with you in public and then back to my home, whether we went to a
movie or dinner.  I don't want a guy who's going to be looking over his
shoulder for a wife, or an ex-wife, or the police.  I want to trust you."
She said reaching out and touching his hand, the first time she had touched
him.

   "My word isn't enough?  What if I want all of the same from you?" He
said, obviously peeved.

   "You can have all of that, once I see who you are.  Is that fair?  I
WANT to take your word, but I don't know you.  Please understand.  You want
to come to my door, you know what I mean, don't you?" She implored him.

   "As much as I hate this, I suppose this is the 21st Century and we all
have to be wary, but I'll tell you it's taken a lot of the excitement air
out of the balloon, wanting to get to know you better." He said disgusted.

   "Look at it this way Bill," She said taking his hand in hers and
winking. "If I get to know you better this way, you may get to know me
better faster in other ways."

   Bill looked at her in her eyes and smiled a bit, but said, "That is, if
I think everything I learn about YOU is OK."

   "Of course, Bill.  You know, I like you too, and I want to get to know
you better and hoped you might ask me out.  It's just in my line of work
there are also certain people I can't cozy up to.  You don't work in the
financial world do you?" She asked.

   "No, I'm a manager for the Postal Service, in one of the Manhattan
branches." He told her.

   "Well, my stop is coming up so I better gather my stuff.  Maybe I'll see
you tomorrow.  How come I don't see you in the morning?" She wondered.

   "I have to be in my office by 6:00 a.m., that's probably the reason." He
said chuckling as she got up as the train rolled to a stop.

   "Goodnight Bill, TTFN." She said as he got off.

   Chapter 19

   When Selena got off the elevator at the TV station Joe and a younger man
in a suit were talking in front of the FNN logo on the wall.  Joe turned
and extended his arms and they hugged with Joe turning back to the other
gentleman.

   "Selena, I would like you to meet Seamus McHendry.  He's from Herzog,
Morris, and McHendry.  Mr.  McHendry, my wife, Selena." Joe said whisking
his hand to each of them.

   "Please, Seamus and Mr.  McHendry are both all too formal, Call me Sam."
McHendry said as he took her hand and clasped it between his as a sort of
handshake.

   "Pleased to meet you, uh . .  Sam.  Is the Herzog possibly Will Herzog?"
She asked.

   "Why yes it is!  Do you know him?"

   "I believe he represents my firm, Wall Street Global Group."

   "Of course, of course, that was the major client he brought into the
practice when we formed.  When Joe said you worked for a Wall Street
concern I never imagined.  I do real estate and trusts, Will handles
corporations, and Herschel Morris is our litigator." Sam said.

   "Do you think there's any possible conflict here?" She said looking to
Joe, but Sam cut in right away.

   "No, not at all.  Unless both parties benefit from a situation because
of the relationship leaving a 3rd party wanting, or a law is broken, and
that isn't going to happen." Sam said as Alexis came into the room.

   "Can we all sit in a meeting room and pass around the pens?" Alexis said
after a few handshakes and a hug to Selena.

   "Ms.  Konstantakis?  No legal rep?" Sam asked.

   "No, he read it over and showed me 3 things you might object to.  I'll
initial the changes and that will be it." Alexis said with a smile as they
all sat at a table.

   Alexis opened her copy and said, "I'll go first, Page one, line 64?"

   "Touché, we don't prepay first and last, that's for suburb dwellers."
Sam said seeing it was legal competition as both parties initialed.

   "My turn now, Page 2 line 41?"

   "Yup, that's the one, Johnson's don't paint if we terminate after a
year. It's silly anyway, it's all new now." Alexis said with a chuckle as
they initialed again.  "Can I give you a hint on #3?" Sam said obviously in
a flirting tone, amusing Selena knowing that Alexis was open to it.

   "Page 4?" Sam added.

   "Line....................24?" Alexis teased.

   "Yes, the Fox lawyer must have been a classmate of mine, "If EITHER
party (get that word either in there and initial) does not exercise option
to terminate between the 25th and 30th day to the end of the lease, said
option is enforced." Sam said emphatically.

   "Seamus McHendry, if you want to form a legal team someday, be sure to
call me." Alexis said jokingly, but with a definite serious flirt tone as
she passed on her card.

   Alexis' phone rang and she just listened, her face tightening at
whatever news was being passed to her.  Quickly Alexis grabbed Selena to
leave the two men talking.

   "Come, I want to get you into make-up and do a read for me.  We had to
do a re-write of the last update for the West Coast and Nikki already left,
maybe you can pull it off?  If not, I'll have to do it, but I'm going out
afterward and I don't want the make-up hassle." Alexis said as they both
rushed off.

   "Whoa, Lex, this is quick, I'm not even sure if I'm going to do this."
Selena said hesitating.

   "Come on, you owe me one for the time you didn't shoot 9/11." She said
with a smile hoping for the favor.

   "Cute, Lex.  I'll run through it and see if you think it's presentable."

   Selena sat in the make-up chair while the aesthetician lit her face and
worked her magic.  Selena normally wore little or no make-up, but under the
bright lights, her nine year hiatus from life might show a little.  On the
monitor screen she watched and read along to herself for 3 video playbacks
of the report she was to re-do with proper changes for the later West Coast
broadcast.

   "Your skin is beautiful, Miss, you just need to tighten up a few places
and you'll pass for 20 years old.  See how I've smoothed you out, and that
was just with over the counter products." The middle aged woman with the
Middle Eastern accent said.

   "Thank you, My name is Selena, and yours?"

   "Myrah.  I'm here in this studio every afternoon after 4:30.  If you
need me before then, I'm on the other side of the building.  I teach the
make-up girls there and work the live shows." She said coolly, as if she
had the most boring job ever.

   Selena smiled and nodded and began to read the script in a low voice,
along with the video tape.  After a second run through Myrah fixed the
tissue bib around her neck and turned down the lights pointing to a
director with a clipboard who seemed to be impatiently waiting.

   "This way sweetie, sit there and look right into the camera.  You'll
seem to be sitting low, the camera likes you like that.  Put your script
aside, the prompter will feed it to you." He said as if he was bored.

   "Hey!  I'm NOT your sweetie and I'm here as a favor to Alexis and FNN. I
don't need the money and I can usually find better things to do with my
time.  Can we get clear on that?  If not, you'll be reading the West Coast
feed yourself.  OK?" She barked at him, getting short at his brusque
treatment.

   "Yes, ma'am I'm clear.  Sorry, it's been a tough day and I've had to set
up 6 other readers and each was as bad as the next.  Hopefully you'll be
the one, Um . . . .  Miss Johnson." He said slightly apologetically.

   Suddenly an intercom opened on the set and Alexis' voice boomed out
loudly.  "George, do we have a problem down there?  I can send you back to
the all night shift."

   "No, Miss Konstantakis." The director said rolling his eyes.  "It's been
a long day and a long line of . . .  well, you heard them."

   "Let's not lose our nice ways, OK?  Ms.  Johnson is a friend of FNN and
me." She responded.

   He looked at Selena and gave her a quick smile.  "I'm sorry, there'll be
better days, I promise."

   As Selena sat back down, with full crew moving on set, different from
what she thought she would do, just an audition read through.  A set
manager of some sort went behind her and said "Arms down" and took off the
make-up bib Myrah had tucked on.  "Look in the camera," He instructed as he
held a light meter near her face.

   "Be cheery; be happy, you can do this, Ms Johnson.  Don't drop your
chin, face up" He said to encourage her as he walked away and nodded to
George.

   George hollered for quiet and then lights and began the count as Selena
searched for her spot on the prompter.  Once George pointed to her, the
words flowed like peanut butter onto warm toast, feeling natural and
remembering to be professional.  At the break for the commercial drop-in
George looked at her and said "Remember to smile big going out and coming
in.  Otherwise, you might have to reshoot and . . . .  7, 6, 5,"

   George's countdown and slashing finger cued her to finish the read,
remembering to smile in and out.  After she said the last word there was a
pause before George shouted out "OK, that's a wrap.  Honey you, . .  I'm
sorry, Miss Johnson, please stay put until they screen it."

   Some 5 minutes later he apparently got an OK over the headset and told
Selena she was done as he walked toward her.

   "That was aces Miss Johnson, you did great.  Where have you read
before?" George asked, his demeanor suddenly changing.

   "Here, 9 years ago, but I never got on." She answered.

   "Well, you should have.  Your producer must have had a rough day."
George said, oblivious.

   "Yeah, we all did that day." Selena said as her voice faded.

   She went back to Myrah's chair and sat as Myrah let the back down.

   "Close your eyes, dear." Myrah said as she brought a large white cloth
to her face.

   Myrah gently used the dampened cloth to remove anything she had put on
for the camera and lights saying, "There you've got that heavy stuff off
and I can see your pretty face naturally.  You have very nice features. 
I'm going to give you a couple bottles of cream that will tighten up a few
of your worry lines.  You really have a young face if you tighten up those
lines."

   "Thank you Myrah, I'll try them." Selena said as she got up from the
chair and saw Alexis walking toward her.

   "I knew you'd be great, I want to use that for the West Coast.  You'll
sign a one day contract, won't you?  Then tomorrow we'll set up the agent
and get you on a couple nights a week."

   "I'm leaving town for 2 weeks in a few days, we need a little stress
relief and recharge since the ordeal ended, but, OK, I'll do it.  I'll just
have to kick George's ass the next time he calls me sweetie." Selena said
with a chuckle.

   Alexis leaned in so only Selena would hear, "He's actually very good,
the best director I've had since Manny left.  He just gets bitchy when he's
either tired or just sick of the lines of bimbo's we get sometimes.  He's
been doing 5 or 6 auditions a day for a week now.  Between Nikki Provost,
who's been on a lot lately, and you, I think I have a team and I've decided
I'll be the backup.  I've used the weather girl from the local Fox
affiliate once a week, but her agent doesn't like it.  I've worked myself
into a good gig here and I've wasted so much time trying to fill this with
interviews and auditions that I've let a few things skate, so I'm done.  I
was hired to help write copy for ALL of the news division and financial
editorial for here.  Instead, they've got me slotted as production
assistant up here in the afternoons once the new boss arrives.  I can run
this by myself, they don't need this new guy, but I suppose I have to earn
my stripes.  If I do one night a week they'll see I'm a team player, and if
they say I'm too vital to do that, I'll know I'm doing a good job."

   "So, when I come back from our vacation, I'll do 2 nights a week,
Tuesday and Thursday?  Remember, I can't get here until almost 4:45. 
Everything has to go right if you air it at 5:15." Selena reminded her.

   "That's all right.  I did it that way for 7 years at least 4 nights a
week and I never missed it.  I did it "live" a few times, because of no
time, but we always made it." Alexis reminded her.

   "Give me the air times again."

   "At 5:15 on our financial network, it's a drop in the 5:30 half of the
5:00 news across the network in all time zones, but that means it airs 3
hours later on the west coast, so if anything happens after the markets
close, we sometimes have to edit or re-shoot.  Today was the first in a
long, long time." She told her.

   "Have the agent call me at work tomorrow, but tell him I am leaving town
after the weekend for 2 weeks and I'll see you here on that Tuesday, OK?"
Selena said as they air-kissed and she went to find Joe.

   She walked out to the elevator area and saw Joe sitting with Seamus in
the sofa under the Financial News Network and Fox logo's.

   "You did great!  We saw the playback on the monitor out here.  Now,
let's go home!" Joe said bouncing up from the sofa to get on the elevator
she had just called.

   Seamus stayed back to, presumably, meet up with Alexis.

   On the elevator Joe went to kiss Selena, but she stopped him.  "You're
not going to like this." She warned him.

   "They can't let you go to Jamaica?" He guessed.

   "No!  Lucy is in town and I invited her over, but, . .  she wants to see
me alone first and talk, and cry and go through some drama.  Then I'll get
us both a cab back to our place."

   "Where is she?"

   "At the Regency, can you drop me off?  I'm so sorry Joey."

   "If she's having a sexual crisis, remember you're married." Joe said
disgustedly.

   "Joe Johnson!  Thanks a lot for giving me credit.  You've screwed half
of Manhattan and are alone all day long and you have the nerve to say
that!" She spat out at him.

   "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!  It didn't quite come out the way I wanted it to.
I didn't mean what you think.  I meant that you've got a husband at home
and he wants to have dinner with you, spend time with you, we had a big day
today; signing the lease, getting you on TV, and your other crisis, all
that."

   "I hope you know me better that THAT!" Selena said patting Joes hand on
the stick in his little blue sportster.

   Joe pulled into the promenade of the Regency and Joe leaned over to kiss
her and she kissed him back, apparently forgiving his faux pas.

   "Order us something simple for dinner, a shrimp platter and maybe that
cold cut and cheese platter with the little rolls, just have them make it
for 3." Selena said as she got out.

   "Yes ma'am!" Joe said sarcastically, adding "It's 6:45, I'll order it
for 8 o'clock."

   "We'll be there by then, I promise." She said as a bellman closed the
door for her.

   Selena had been through one too many heart wrenching reunions and she
wished she was passed this one.  She loved Lucy, but she was going to have
to listen to all of the same clichés she and Joe had been hearing since
they were discovered.  She knocked on the door, holding her breath.

   Lucy said nothing as it was obvious she had been crying in the past few
minutes, at least.  She only opened her arms and let Selena walk into them
as they hugged tightly with Lucy hanging on as if someone were trying to
pull her friend away.

   `Lucy, LUCY!  Please, I'm not going anywhere.  Let's calm down and talk,
OK?" She managed to say to get Lucy to let go.

   Lucy grabbed tissues and finally at on the small sofa while Selena sat
across from her.

   "Let's cut all of the reunion talk and get to where I'm most curious. 
Tell me about Jeromy, why he's not here, and what's going on." Selena said
holding Lucy's hand.

   "I can't cry anymore about Jerry.  I did something so stupid that he may
never forgive me.  But it saved our marriage at the time.  Please don't
judge me!  I'm going to tell you the short version, that's long enough, and
you can ask questions later, just don't hate me."

   "The two years after we lost you two were terrible for both of us.  We
both lost our jobs from all of the financial fallout caused by 911 in the
travel and tourist industry.  Neither of us was real happy with our jobs
anyway, but they were jobs.  Jerry had been booking travel packages and
selling condos through a membership scheme, he hated when I called it that,
it was all legal, but half the people he got in wanted to get out.  It was
only good if you went away 3 or 4 times a year and wanted to travel abroad.
I was editing for a concern that published Travel and Food magazines.  It
sounded better than it was.  I had been hoping to get into a writing thing,
but after 911, it was dead end and they went belly up.  We were both
confident that we could get new jobs and didn't change our life style much.
After a year we were about 35K deep in credit debt, paying our car and home
loans with instant cash checks from the credit card companies and paying
the minimum payment from our unemployment and whatever we could sell in
garage sales and ebay.

   I saw an ad in the paper for nude modeling and answered it without Jer
knowing.  The man I met for it asked a lot of questions and was bonkers
over my body and my looks, saying they rarely got real "class" women to
answer.  Finally he asked me if I might be interested in doing adult
videos, for real big money.  He told me that another sister company of
theirs did adult videos and I would be a great seller if I could perform.
He made a phone call and the next day he called me back and said that his
partner wanted to see me via Skype.  He said they would give me $300 to
strip and flaunt my body for this porn company.  A few hundred would pay
our minimum payments for another month, so I did it.  I went to a hotel and
did everything this guy asked me to in front of a webcam.  Then he asked me
questions about sex, did I like to give head, did I swallow, did I ever do
anal, did I like girls etc.  I was so embarrassed that I hated myself and
when I got home that night I almost admitted everything to Jeromy, but he
was especially down after looking for a job all day.

   The next day I got a call from them and they offered to pay me 5K to
come and shoot 3 scenes with them in California, all expenses paid.  They
gave me a couple days to think it over and when I called them back I told
them that 5K was great money, but I was in deeper trouble than that and for
5K wouldn't even nick the problem.  It was tempting but being 35K in debt
and being 30K debt were the same.  They understood, even though they begged
me to come out and maybe I could find more work then.  I explained I was
married and could never explain to my husband and they understood.

   After another week they called me again and asked if I would meet them
at a local hotel again.  Against my better judgment I went.  Both men were
there with another porn actress to explain things to me.  They told me if I
could come to California and spend a week, doing 2 or 3 scenes a day, all
hard core, they would give me 40K, all cash.  It was then I realized how
illegal a lot of this was in some states.  They would give me 20K up front,
and then the balance upon finishing.  They told me if I skipped out with
the 20K, they would have me killed, plain and simple.  I knew they weren't
kidding around and it was obvious where the money was coming from."

   "LUCY, you're scaring the SHIT out of me!" Selena said as Lucy fought
off her words and begged to continue and finish.

   "They said they would book everything and that they'd call me within a
month.  They explained not to deposit all of the cash at once, but to put
it in the bank like $1500 a week.  I did that and after 5 weeks they called
me with instructions of how to pick up my plane tickets and what to pack
and when to be there.  I was very frightened but I had already started
using the money to pay off bills so there was no backing down.  I told Jer
that The Toy Co was bringing me out there for an interview.  Luckily their
home office WAS out there and that all worked out, but I'll get to that."
Lucy said catching her breath and sitting back as she got to the harder
part of the story.

   "Lucy, they gave you 20 thousand dollars after just seeing you strip and
pose?" Selena asked suspiciously.

   Lucy flushed and turned away and then with all the blood rushing from
her face she admitted, "No, I had to give this guy a blowjob on the webcam
for the director in California."

   Selena clenched her fists and looked down, not able to face Lucy as she
went on with her story.

   "When I got to California, a car picked me up and brought me to a home
studio up in the Malibu Hills.  They gave me contacts to change my eye
color, henna tattoos, and real long extensions for my hair, and even
birthmarks where I had none, while they covered mine.  I had sex on camera
for 3 or 4 hours a day for 7 straight full days." She said as she began to
well up.

   Selena was still in her clenched fist pose and about to ask a question
when Lucy put a hand up to stop her so she could finish what was becoming
very hard.

   "I had sex with women, men, 2 men, straight sex, gay sex, anal sex, oral
sex, and masturbation sex with toys of all kinds." Lucy said trying to
finish without crying.

   Selena stood up before her with face turning red and fists still
clenched, she opened her hand and slapped Lucy as hard as she could before
exploding.

   "You stupid, stupid woman!  WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?  You could have
easily gone to my parents and borrowed the money and if you never paid it
back they would not have cared.  They knew what you meant to me!  I cannot
fucking believe you let your body be used like that!  You were a
prostitute! Obviously Jeromy found out, he . . . . ."

   "STOP, I don't need you to hate me too!  If Jeromy had slapped me like
that I would have felt better about the whole thing.  That fucking hurt,
but I had it coming.  Please sit down and listen to me." Lucy said holding
her face and fighting back tears of pain.

   "You would barely know it was me in the videos, with the tattoos, the
birthmarks, the hair, and eyes, it was all deniable.  They gave me the name
Caren Swallow and the video series was a hit for them, releasing 7 movies
over almost 4 years, but I got no residuals.  But they released 7 features
with me and some big name male star as the leads.  Three years later Jeromy
was none the wiser until a couple we know was having a good laugh over some
porn star they told Jer looked like me.  They brought a video over one
night and we all watched it together, having a good laugh.  I tried not to
act embarrassed and thought I pulled it off.  I went to bed later and
Jeromy stayed up.  When I got up in the morning he said he wanted to show
me something and turned on the TV.  He was playing the video and where the
character gets up to go join her boyfriend in the shower she's wearing a
Magic Mountain super large t-shirt as a night shirt.  Jerry had used a
laundry pen to make a shirt I had of my own say "Magic Mountains", adding
the S, with arrows on each side pointing to my boobs, I wore that shirt of
my own, the one he made, in the scene without thinking.  The date of the
production was at the end and he compared it to the time 3 years earlier
when I went to California.  He never gave me a chance to deny and didn't
care that it solved all our money problems.  I did GET a job with The Toy
Co.  as a warehouse manager back here, but he had to know I wasn't making
THAT kind of money.  He said we would talk when he came home that night. 
When I came home from work, he and all of his stuff were gone.  He had
written WHORE on every picture of me in the house and on all of the
mirrors."

   "So where is he now?  Have you seen him, tried to reconcile at all?"
Selena asked.

   "I never really know where he is.  He answers my emails, says he still
loves me, but he hasn't finished punishing me yet.  If he finds I've had
sex with any man or woman or have a relationship with another man or any
woman, he will tell all of our friends about my porn career.  So I never
know if he's close by, or if anyone who hits on me is sent by him.  I only
know he works in advertising representing some huge companies and sells and
promotes with TV people." She said still rubbing her face where the imprint
of Selena's hand was fading.

   "So you're still a warehouse manager for them?"

   "No, I'm the National Merchandise Manager.  I have a team of buyers
working for me and make huge money, like I never thought I was capable of.
Not one, and I mean NOT ONE PERSON ever saw those videos and thought it was
me.  A guy on my team once said he saw a porno with a girl who looked like
a young skanky version of me, even asking me to show him tattoos I might
have.  I proved I didn't have any where he thought and that was the end of
it." She said actually holding her head up proud of what she had
accomplished.

   "So, legally, you're still married.  He hasn't strayed, as far as you
know?"

   "When I ask him he says that I'm the only adulterer in our marriage."

   "So how long is he going to keep this up?"

   "I don't know, but if he knows I'm in New York and seeing you two, and I
bet he does, he might show his face.  When he heard about you and Joe
walking away and recovering, he added confessing to you as another
provision of my punishment.  I don't have to tell Joe, but he knows you
will.  That email showed he was softening on his stance with me.  I haven't
seen him since the week before Thanksgiving 2007.  Almost 3 whole years. 
It seems he once wrote that 4 years may be his punishment time for me.  He
says he loves me and can forgive me, but maybe never trust me, fully.  I
can live with that, if he would just come back to me." Lucy said, beginning
to cry once again.

   "Do you think he's been true to you?"

   "He says he has, that he's not an adulterer whore like me.  I told him I
could never love him if he continued to call me a whore.  I made a mistake,
a mistake that seemed like a savior for us at the time, and it did help us.
I still feel, in many ways, that I made a sacrifice for the good of us as a
couple.  I could have done it differently, but what's done is done, and I
still love him, miss him, and want to see him." Lucy said through her tears
before she let the floodgates open and bawled uncontrollably for a moment
before looking up to Selena to say, "He says he jerks off to my video's,
that's how he's been true to me.  Somehow that makes me sick to think of
him watching me with other men."

   "How often do you hear from him?" Selena asked.

   "Almost every day now, we send an email back and forth.  It used to be
once a week, but now it's all the time.  Even when I don't tell him, he
knows where I am.  I don't know how, but he does.  That's why I know he's
probably in New York right now.  God, Selena, I miss him and love him so
much, but I want to beat the shit out of him for doing this to me.  I mean,
the reason I've probably been so successful at my job is because I know
he's checking on me all of the time and I really love what I do.  We've
never been so profitable, even in this shit economy, and I've instituted a
lot of buying measures for certain areas and pinpointed advertising.  If
they ever move the CEO, or he quits or retires, I've got a real shot at
it." Lucy said perking up and suddenly showing pride and self confidence.

   "Lucy, you said you made huge money.  Just how much are you pulling
down, if you don't mind me asking?" Selena wondered aloud.

   "I make around 300K and another 150K in incentives.  We retailed about
750 Million last year with a final profit goal of 3.5 percent.  We hit 6
last year.  I get offers from other companies all the time, but I make
enough and I'm happy, so I don't even listen to the talk." She said proudly
sitting up seeming to become another, more confident person as she told her
friend of her success.

   "So if Jeromy comes back today, just what do you say to him?"

   "I tell him I'm sorry for deceiving him, I'm sorry for selling something
that should never be sold.  But I do remind him that the 3 years following
the influx of cash it provided were the happiest years of our marriage
after all the failings we had, post 911.  The pressure came off our
relationship as we crawled out of debt and we began to enjoy life.  I was
able to put all the sins I committed in a neat compartment and never show
guilt or remorse for it because of all the good it did for us.  If faced
with the same situation again, knowing how much I hurt him by deceiving him
I would never do it, unless he told me I should.  I'm not going to lie and
tell him I hate myself for doing it, because as much as I try to, doing it
was the key to all the success I have right now, except that I lost him
over it.  If he told me he wanted a divorce and wanted someone else, I
would hate myself in retrospect.  I know that's all confusing and hard to
swallow, but you know I've always been a bit flighty at times, except for
one thing, Jeromy is all I ever wanted in a man, he is my soul mate and I
can't live without him.  Even if it's just through his emails, at least I
have him.  But, I'm not jumping through any more hoops for him.  I've done
everything I can to prove how much I love him and want him back.  Really
soon I will give him an ultimatum, we live the rest of our lives through
email or he comes back by a certain day.  I have to know what the final
story is."

   "OK", Selena said looking at her watch, "It's 20 minutes till 8 and
dinner is being delivered at our suite at 8, and you're coming.  You
haven't eaten yet have you?"

   "No, I've paced the floors waiting for you to show up.  A bite or two
would be great."

   "Well, get dressed, Joe is waiting to see you.  Call downstairs and get
us a cab and tell them we're just going to the Four Seasons, they'll
probably offer the shuttle." She told Lucy as she looked for the bath to
freshen up.

   Chapter 20

   The Regency Shuttle pulled into the Four Season Promenade almost exactly
at 8 pm.  Room service was just leaving the room as Selena and Lucy
arrived. Lucy jumped into Joe's arms and they both had their emotional
reunion before Selena whined that the food was there and she was hungry.

   They engaged in small talk and then talk of Lucy's career over dinner
and wine.  To each of them if felt like old times, another one of those
moments where the 9 year lapse seemed a lost second in a random minute. 
Each of them sat back feeling stuffed as Joe reached back and turned on the
coffee maker.

   "Wow, I'll have to visit the necessary room before I eat or drink
another drop.  I've been putting it off since we sat to eat, but it all
looked so good." Lucy said as she pushed away the stool she occupied at the
kitchen nook.

   When Joe heard the heavy bathroom door click shut, he looked to Selena
and said, "I don't know the whole story, but you'll have to fill me in. 
Jeromy called while you were over there and said there was a long sordid
tale you had to tell me, but I wasn't to say a word about him calling.  He
just wanted me to know that everything was fine with him and he thought all
would be fine with the two of them, but it was a long, complicated, and
embarrassing tale and that tomorrow he hoped everything would be back to
normal and not to ask about it ever again.  I can't begin to tell you how
confused I am.  One more thing, who slapped Lucy?  When she stepped under
the light here I saw a handprint she tried to cover."

   "I did, and you'll find out why soon enough.  So Jeromy is going to be
with her tonight?" She asked.

   "Yes, he said he would knock on her door as soon as she got back from
here.  Get this, he was at Fox FNN studio the other night and saw you do
the report.  He was doing an ad contract and saw you on the monitor in the
office.  OK, mums the word, . .  I just heard her flush." Joe said quieting
his voice as he anticipated the bathroom door opening.

   "Not that this evening hasn't been a pleasure, seeing you both," Lucy
said as she came into the room, "But I'm going to call a cab and get back.
I was up this morning at 5 to catch the flight here and I'm about ready to
drop."

   Joe sprung up and told her to put her phone away and he would take care
of it as Lucy sat down with Selena and held hands with her.

   "So what are your plans for the next few days?" She asked Selena.

   "I can barely keep track of the days right now.  Tomorrow I have to
begin to tie up things because we leave for vacation next Thursday right
after Thanksgiving dinner with Joseph and Shanna.  I know that sounds a
week away, and it is, but Saturday we move to our condo here in the city,
Sunday we drive back upstate and pack for vacation.  Monday we do our
Thanksgiving with my parents and getting things square for us to leave. 
Tuesday morning I'm back at Wall Street for two days to map out some
direction for a few things.  Oh God, I haven't even told you all that's
going on there, but let's just say I'm up to my ass.  Call me tomorrow."
Selena said trying to keep everything in short version format so Lucy would
leave and get her surprise visit from Jeromy.

   A knock came to the door and when Joe opened it there was a bellman.

   "Good evening Mr.  Johnson, you have a guest who needs transport to the
Regency?"

   "Yes, she's right here."

   "Any bags to transfer?"

   "No, it will just be Ms.  Bonacre." Joe said.

   "Joe, although we aren't together right now, I still use Fillion.  We're
still married." Lucy said after hugging Selena and kissing Joe goodnight.

   The door clicked shut and Selena faced Joe.  "Does Jeromy think he's
going to walk in and rule the roost over her?  If so, she has a few things
to lay on him.  He thinks he's punished her, but he's also given her lots
of time to think."

   "You're going to have to fill me in on this whole thing, because I am so
confused over what they split over and why he's coming back after so long."
Joe said shrugging his shoulders.

   Although tired herself, Selena proceeded to tell Joe the whole story as
she knew it after asking Joe not to question her until she was through. 
She was hoping to answer the morality questions in bed, where she wanted to
be more than anything.

   After hearing what she knew Joe kept up his end of the agreement and
went through the apartment straightening, cleaning, and putting away, as
they did every night before they went down.  She finished her night time
ministrations first and he joined her in bed not knowing what to ask her
first.

   "What do you think of her reasoning as to WHY she did it?" Joe asked
cautiously, knowing he had his idea already.

   "THAT'S where she got the slap across the face!  For being a whore who
need only ask my parents for the money to get themselves right." Selena
said ready to defend herself.

   "That she so easily sold herself for money, and a good sum of money,
bothers me too.  Surely she knew that if we were available we would have
helped her, but if the fact your parents never crossed her mind, she wasn't
thinking straight." Joe said in agreement.

   "Think of the fact that after she got the first 20K they threatened to
kill her if she skipped out.  How did she know they wouldn't kill her
anyway?  I mean she had plenty of time to tell someone about it all, but
she played with fire." Selena said sitting right up in bed to turn to Joe
to make her point.  "Obviously these people are mob connected!"

   "How does she feel about it besides shame?"

   "Well, this is where her thought process bothers me, and it may bother
Jeromy if she tells him.  After their bills were paid up and she DID get a
job with The Toy Co while out there, Jeromy found work and she said the
next three years were the happiest years they had as a couple.  She figures
if he never saw the video and figured out what happened they would be no
worse for the wear.  She was able to totally put the whole thing out of her
mind as something she had to do to make things right for them.  The guilt
he made her feel after finding out is the only guilt she feels.  Plus, I
can tell you that if he comes back with an attitude of her being a whore
and a cheater, she won't have him until he respects her.  She didn't say
that in as many words, but I know her well enough to read the writing on
the wall in her tone." Selena said bringing her knees up to lean on and
speak to Joe.

   "She feels like she carried the heavy load to get them out of debt, no
matter what it took?" Joe surmised.

   "For sure."

   "So how's the toy job working for her now?"

   "Wait until you hear this.  She's the National Merchandise Manager for
them and has a team of buyers working for her, like she never thought she
was capable of.  She makes around 300K plus another 150K in incentives. 
They retailed about 750 Million last year with a final profit goal of 3.5
percent and her strategies netted them a full 6 percent.  They love her and
she gets offers all the time."

   "I'm impressed.  All of that, plus she's still a very attractive woman,
who I am sure gets hit on all of the time.  I mean, I more than noticed
that the years had been very kind to her." Joe said, knowing it might get a
reaction from Selena.

   "She would probably hurt you, old man.  Why do you think I take it so
easy on you?" She said steeling her face to hide the smile she wanted to
show.

   Joe saw the grin hiding but played along saying, "And I thank you for
that so I have more strength for my concubines I have during the day."

   "If I thought there was a whisper of a chance of that, your balls would
be the knocker on the door." She smiled.

   "Don't think I don't know that." Joe said firmly, knowingly.

   "I love you, AND, I see my gyno tomorrow at lunch time.  There's a
pharmacy right in his building.  You'll be able to splash my ovaries by the
time we get to Jamaica on Thursday." She said before she leaned to him and
kissed him on the forehead, the top of her pajama shirt opening enough for
one breast to fall halfway out.

   Joe caught the nipple in his mouth before she could back away, and she
groaned.

   "Ooooo, you know what I like!" She squealed as she opened one more
button and leaned back to offer him more.

   "Fuck Joey, you're making my pussy run like crazy."

   "You can feed that to me too!" He said as he switched nipples and chewed
the other bud.

   Selena shuddered and pulled back from Joe throwing down her covers and
sliding her bottoms off before bouncing up and straddling Joe's face.  His
tongue wiped her lips clean of any fresh dew as she reached down and
stroked his temples while cooing loudly.

   "GOOD GOLLY, you suck my clittie so well!  Eat it baby, eat it!" She
demanded as Joe went to town licking her, satisfying her.

   His tongue was up her quim as far as he could force it when she began to
bear down on him and start an orgasm that piqued quickly causing her to
want to retreat but Joe's hands came up and gripped the firm halves of her
butt and kept her at his mercy for another 10 or 15 seconds before he could
hold her no more.

   "AHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!" She hollered uncharacteristically
loudly, usually trying to keep the noise down at night as she rolled almost
over straight back.

   Joe licked his lips and chuckled at the ruckus she had caused, always
surprised at the intensity of her orgasms.

   "Are you OK, my pet?" He said in a craggy old man voice, "I tried to
take it easy on you, being the OLD MAN that I am." Getting back at her jibe
from just before.

   "Holy sweet shit!  I thought I was going to have the big one there!" She
said giggling and still at a loss of breath.

   "Bring that delicious penis to me down here, I can't move." She
whispered.

   Joe was already up and kneeling beside her.  "I'm right here Essy, is
this what you want?" He said holding his half staff manhood in his hand.

   She smiled her sexiest smile and made a kissing motion with her lips.

   Joe moved and straddled a leg over her, his knees almost in her arm
pits, leaving the tip of his cock just inches from her lips.

   "Feed me, then fuck my mouth; let me feel you run over my tongue."

   Joe's cock jumped at her words as he leaned up and put the tip in her
reach.  She clasped her lips over it and teased it around and around as he
rose to full staff..  When he could take no more teasing tongue lolling he
fell forward a bit and let his dick slide half way into her mouth.  She
closed her eyes and hummed a loud approval as her mouth hollowed and sucked
him.  Her hands grasped his butt halves and pulled him toward her mouth,
deeper inside.  Joe knew what she wanted as he began to gently move in and
out of her mouth, while she sucked and busily moved and worked her tongue
and cheeks.

   Joe's breathing quickly became stilted and they both knew he was getting
close, fast.  The excitement of seeing her in full orgasmic regalia
certainly helped in having him ready, but giving up her mouth to satisfy
him like this was always a favorite of his, from his pre-Selena days. 
Although then, when he did it, this was showing him what a whore his
partner was, willing to have her mouth fucked as if it were a pussy.  But
here, he saw it as a supreme act of love.

   "I'm going to cum, lover!" He warned her if she didn't want to possibly
choke on his eruption.

   But as he slowed his movement in her mouth she lifted her mouth to get
deeper on him.

   "Ahhhhhhh!" He wailed as he spurt in her mouth and she worked her mouth
tightly over him as she swallowed.

   "Ohhhhh Goddddd, you're so amazing!" He cried out as she continued
swallowing hard, gulps he could hear.

   He stopped moving and she continued to tease the tip of his prick as
little streams of semen still trailed off onto her tongue.  When the
salty-sweet taste stopped she kissed the tip and moved her mouth away to
smile at Joe.

   "That was so sexy, so wonderful.  You came so hard and so fast. 
Something must have got you going.  I can't imagine what." She said
devilishly with a giggle.

   A few big city blocks away Lucy was walking up the hall to her suite. 
She had to get some final sales figures for her meeting Friday and then get
to bed.  Being with Selena and Joe had got her juices going and her pussy
was already running wet, knowing her panties were soaked whenever the cold
wet silk pressed to her.

   In the back of her mind she was deciding what fantasy she would run
through her mind as she played tonight.  She already decided on her Blue
Devil Double as the toy of choice.  It had an 8 inch beaded prong that went
up her rear hole and a thin, but wide dilly that went up her snatch.  She
had fallen asleep with that in her on more than one occasion.

   Most of her fantasies were of Jeromy and never of any of the men, or
women, she had sex with in her 7 days in the adult video industry. 
Although she didn't have to fake orgasms in that week, she actually felt no
bond whatsoever for any of the people she worked with.  In her mind it was
simply work and she never had a wish or fantasy for anyone she was with
then.

   As she finalized the sales figures for her presentation she noted that
the top DC (distribution center) in the Northeast was the one in Portland,
Maine.  When she saw the word MAINE, she instantly thought of her first
real love, Phineas, who took her oral virginity one summer up there.  She
often recalled the night when he became the first man she had ever tasted.
Not just his penis, but his semen too.  That night was so beautiful to her,
she relived it each time she went down on her partner, and there had been
lots whom she had tasted.  That would be the fantasy she would relive as
she pleasured herself tonight.

   She closed up her computer, chained the door, put out her clothes for
Friday, and slipped into a small teddy that didn't close at the crotch if
you didn't please to.  It was satin and when it touched her nipples the
coolness perked her buds and started the waterworks below.  She took her
toy of the night out of her suitcase and the little tube of KY she kept and
set the toy in the bed she had just pulled back.  She hurried like an
excited school girl to the toilet and voided her bladder, carefully wiping
herself dry, on the outside at least.  She squeezed a dollop of KY on her
index and middle finger and reached under herself as the toilet provided a
good opportunity to access her tight asshole.  She wiped the fingers over
her little crater, using her middle finger to rub around it and then push
in, causing her to shudder, but she kept pushing the KY in until she was
satisfied she was ready.

   She wiped her fingers clean and then washed her hands carefully to be
sanitary.  She was ready for a hot sexy send-off into slumber-land.  She
had just placed a knee on the bed to slide into the sheets when there was a
loud knock on the door.

   "Fuck!" She thought to herself, "Who could THAT be?  It's too late for
turn-down service and unless I checked the wrong box, I only ordered room
service coffee for the morning."

   She slipped on her nightgown and went to the door to peek through the
peep-hole.

   "Jeromy!" She shouted through the door ready to whisk it open, but she
stopped.

   "What are you doing here?" She asked through the door.

   "I'm your HUSBAND, remember?" He said sarcastically.

   "My husband wouldn't have ran off on me for three years without so much
as a chance to talk and defend myself for something I did." She said,
starting to well up.

   "Consider WHAT she did!" He answered.

   "She sacrificed her morals and her promise of fidelity in order to save
our floundering marriage.  The 3 years after I did it were the happiest
days we had.  I hated what I did, but it fixed us, it fixed everything.  I
can go through life without thinking about it for one second, it meant
nothing to me.  The only thing I can't do is go through life without you.
But if you throw this up in my face all of the time and call me a whore
then don't bother coming back.  That's not the man I married." She said
taking her stance through the door.

   "You don't think you did anything wrong?" He asked.

   "Yes, I did.  I said I was sorry to you more times than I can count. 
But, you have to understand that I couldn't feel guilty living with that
secret because of all of the good it did for us.  A man runs back into a
burning building to save his wife, or his child.  He's putting everything
on the line because he loves them and being without them will hurt more
than the heat of the fire.  If you can't accept that, and I'm not asking
you to like it, just accept that, then we shouldn't be together." She said
crying.

   "Open the door Lucy!" Jeromy said crying.  "I can't go another second
without you.  I was supposed to be punishing you, and I was punishing
myself.  I want to be your husband and pick the pieces.  Please Luce!" He
begged.

   Lucy undid the chain and slowly opened the door.  Jeromy stood there
with tears running down his face as if he had been beaten in a fight.

   "Please accept me back and I will accept you back.  We were both stupid
in so many ways.  I let my ego get in the way of common sense.  May I come
in?" Jeromy asked as a beaten man, a man who had beaten himself into a
corner thinking he had the upper hand.

   He suddenly realized she had to take him back and all of the male
bravado in the world wasn't going to change that.

   Lucy opened the door and Jeromy took one step in and she jumped in his
arms, holding him tightly, her head resting on his shoulder.  "There was
never a question as to whether I loved you." Jeromy said.  "I was just
hurt, and over time I hurt more knowing that you took it upon yourself more
than any other reason.  I'm sorry I was so mean to you and I've played this
stupid game."

   "Let tomorrow be the next day.  Let's just put it all away.  I love you
and want to enjoy the rest of my life with you." Lucy said.

   "Can I sleep with you tonight?" Jeromy asked.

   "You'll just have to kick my lover out of bed." Lucy kidded as she
pulled him by the hand to the bedroom, her Blue Devil Double on the pillow.

   "Oh, sorry to interrupt you.  Were you that involved, or had you just
finished drinks?" He kidded.

   "Ummm, I have KY melting and running out of my butt.  We were way past
drinks." She giggled.

   "I have to shower.  Carry on and I'll catch up to you." Jeromy said
kissing Lucy and patting her on her butt.

   Jeromy was so glad to have gotten things off of his chest and to have
seen and held Lucy again he rushed through his shower just washing his
hair, genitals and read end.  As he dried he heard soft moans from the
other room and when he opened the bathroom door its ambient light lit the
bed where Lucy lay.

   The athletic Lucy was there with both legs bent up and a hand working
the Blue Devil feverishly in and out of her pussy and asshole while her
other hand pinched and squeezed her nipples.

   "That's my kinky baby!  You couldn't wait for me?" He asked as her face
had turned white while trying to shake her head "no", but she was too deep
in orgasm to respond.

   The sight before him brought his lonely cock to quick attention,
watching her deep in orgasm and her body seeming to just quiver as if being
shocked electrically, except her hand plunging the toy in and out of her
holes.  He grasped his suddenly aching cock thinking he might take the toy
away and finish her, but she seemed too deep into what was happening.  Her
eyes though, were now glued to his cock, as she pursed her lips toward him.

   He knelt on the edge on the bed and scooted beside her face where she
was craning her neck to get close to his cock.  One final move of his put
it right into her mouth, her lips went over him taking him deep, but she
was so involved otherwise her neck movements were jerky and uncoordinated.
While on one knee he brought his other foot to rest on the other side of
her pillow where he could thrust at her mouth.

   She sucked hungrily at him as he moved in and out of her mouth as her
own body was peppered with her own orgasms.  It had been so long for Jeromy
that he wasn't going to last more than a couple minutes and he wasn't going
to do anything to delay his end.

   Jeromy groaned from deep inside his gut.  He hadn't gotten himself off
in almost a month, waiting for the right time to reunite with Lucy.  He had
hoped to deposit his pent up "load" in the conventional way, but seeing her
pleasuring herself with so much gusto had him ready in a few minutes.  He
pulsed 3 volleys of pre-cum and semen into her mouth before she began to
let it flow out, not being able to swallow that fast as it interrupted her
own orgasm.  She coughed once around his fat cock and began to swallow what
else he was ejaculating as she quit her own play and brought her hands up
to stroke him and playfully squeeze his balls.

   "Whoa, THAT was a surprise.  I didn't expect you to let me continue
diddling around, but obviously the visual was a welcome sight for you!" She
said laughing and wiping cum from her chin and neck.

   "I planned on filling you with cum, but this was spontaneous, and
wonderful, I might add." He said slumping back onto his haunches.

   "Let me turn the pillow over so we can sleep.  Tomorrow is for fucking
and talking.  I'm so tired, just let me fall asleep holding you." She said,
almost groggily.

   "How about less talk, more fucking.  We have to get back to where we
were before we both screwed things up.  I don't want to discuss it anymore,
just get back to us being, . .  US!" Jeromy said as he too was ready to
drop.

   Chapter 21

   Friday morning was a hectic time for Selena as she struggled to make
time for everything she had allowed to get on her plate.  Tomorrow was move
day, but today was her next to last day at WSGG for 2 weeks and she wanted
to be sure all was running smoothly before she left.  She would be there
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, but that time would be clearing commitments
she had already compiled.  She was going to use web cast to pipe into the
Sunday Night Letter Meeting from their home Upstate, but she still felt
uncomfortable leaving so soon after asserting herself so forcefully. 
However, she felt sure that she had righted the ship sufficiently that
everyone has renewed vitality toward their goals.

   She hadn't forgotten Jamaica and the first chance she had to slip into
her office she did.

   "So, did you confront your gentleman caller with a request for
information?" She asked.

   Jamaica blushed, "Yes, I did.  I felt a little funny, like I was
interrogating someone, but the more I got into it, the more I understood
why it was necessary.  I really had no info on him at all, and really
didn't know WHO he was.  He was insulted a bit at first, but as my
questions went on, he seemed to understand more.  He challenged me to give
him the same information and I told him he was certainly entitled and he
would get it as soon as I checked him out." She said as she handed Selena
the notes she had taken on her "Bill", one William Centofranchi.

   "Let me take this and get back to you later on.  I'll be sure to get to
it before you leave today, just I have so many loose ends to tie up, please
be patient with me." Selena said as she took the notes and slipped out and
into her office.

   Selena requested "no calls" for a half hour so as to tweak the many
irons she had in the fire before she left for her Thanksgiving and
vacation. As she made notes for her contribution to the Saturday Night
Letter she kept looking away at the jottings Jamaica had made about her man
interest.  Finally her interest was piqued to distraction and she pushed
aside her business notes and dug into the information Jamaica had given
her.

   Bill Centofranchi was just as he presented himself.  He was a career
employee of the USPS, a supervisor or manager of a downtown facility.  He
had no criminal record, not even a traffic ticket.  He had never been
married, had no debt, and owned his own home.  He did not have a passport,
was a member of The Elks and served 4 years in the Army as a supply
coordinator and facilitator during the first Gulf War.  He was 32 years
old. He had worked 2 years as a sort clerk at The Post Office before he
asked for a leave to join the Army after 911.  After he returned in 2005 he
was put into a management training program that rushed his career along. 
If he had skeletons in his closet, they were well hidden.  He didn't appear
to have Facebook or Twitter accounts; however, his name came up repeatedly
in the Facebook pages of 2 Long Island women.  He appeared to be a very
conservative man with few interests outside of work, who apparently had
spent ski and beach weekends with 2 particular women who lived or worked
nearby.  With all of the resources Selena had at hand to ferret out dirt on
someone, he appeared to be a very safe, and a good catch for any woman.

   Once she was satisfied she had done her due diligence for Ms Browne she
picked up her intercom and rang Ross Curran.

   "Ross, do you have a moment?  I'd like a private word."

   "Anytime Selena.  I'm free at the moment." He answered.

   Before she could do another thing she pushed herself from her desk and,
leaving the privacy light on her office lit, she closed the door and
knocked lightly on Ross's door and went in.

   "Ross, ease my mind that while I'm away you'll take a new interest in
Ms. Browne and be sure she is aware that we are keeping tabs on her.  Her
epiphany has brought her back to what you thought was advertised, but I
have been very heavy handed with her and tried to be a confidante, with her
still knowing I am her superior.  If she slips up again I will encourage a
NO vote on her partnership, even knowing how much it will cost us.  I just
can't babysit with her while trying to get back into my own groove." Selena
said while doing her best not to sound too self important.

   "My dear, I can assure you that I was truly embarrassed by her whole
situation that WE let get out of hand.  Her manipulation of the core here
was no accident and we know what she is capable of.  I agree that one slip
of that renewing would mean she could never be trusted.  I will be sure
that each one of us sees her daily to continue to encourage her." Ross said
confidently.

   "I can tell you that she IS a good person, and every bit the
intellectual commodity you thought you were cultivating.  She fell victim
to this city, and we all know how easy that is to happen.  When I brought
all of that to a grinding halt I really think she wanted to be saved from
the runaway train she was riding.  I just don't want to see her slide
backwards.  She may be entering a relationship and that will certainly
center her.  Also, let's get her fully involved in the Sunday Night
Letter." Selena added.

   Ross smiled and looked for a paper on his desk and held it up.  "Great
minds think alike, I have an assignment for her right here.  I'm asking her
to write a profile of herself and to explain her financial philosophies. 
I've written a preface for her that explains to our subscribers that she
may be joining our team as a partner and that she has already made
contributions to our member base.  You see Selena, this transition to the
team was easy for you, and you're an old soul inside, your values, beliefs,
like that.  She is like a Facebook version of you, using the new media and
technologies to color her thoughts.  Now, this is not a bad thing.  We NEED
that kind of thinking and I believe she could influence others here in many
ways.  She just needs to establish the trust.  She schemed, and that was
bad."

   "I think you have to stop right there Ross." Selena said, trying to
think ahead of Ross.  "I will back her and support her 100%.  What she did
before was a by-product of the drugs and alcohol in her system.  They made
her a desperate person.  She, on her own, sought out help on a website
called "Are you Dependant?" Wanting to help yourself is a great sign and
it, the site, humbled and shamed her greatly.  It shook her from who she
was to who she really is.  Her pride and ego were smashed by what she found
out.  Instead of making a cry of woe is me, she battled hard to show me who
she really was.  I believe in her, but I also believe that she is close
enough to her turnaround that she should be monitored."

   "Selena, in your absence I will be sure to run things as I have in the
past and you might in the future." Ross began.  "Having you to lift the
yoke from me of the organization and leadership of this group has freed my
mind in many ways that will help our cause.  Just keep in mind that this
position is neither voted on or to be appointed to.  I know I led you into
it, but you saw how easy the others let you cede the power.  You earned
that long ago, and in just these few days lived up to the reputation, I
should say, the legacy, you had here.  I know you saw the portrait and
script with it and it embarrassed you, as well as humbled you to tears.  I
don't miss much here.  Just know that our love and respect for you was, and
is, sincere.  Having you snuffed out so cruelly let us know how much we
missed and depended on you, knowing how much of the future we would lose
without you.  We had lost some direction and when you walked in the door
this week it was like everything was back on track.  It was then I realized
that you held the direction of the firm in your hands."

   Selena fought hard to hold her emotions back during Ross's words, but
she could no longer hide her tears and trembling lower lip.  Through a
broken voice and thinning ability to make words come out, Selena said,
"Ross, you have no idea what it was to be where I was, to have everything
trapped inside me, and to be here before you like this hearing your words.
Even my Joe . . . . . ."

   Her tears and emotion caused her to stop and Ross Curran stood and went
to her chair and knelt beside it on one knee to put an arm around her and
comfort her.

   "Let your emotions flow, it's the best thing.  You don't need to put it
in words, I understand much more than you think.  I've smelled the burning
flesh of the fires of hell while captured in Vietnam and wondered what my
own would smell like when my time came.  A moment later I was wrapped in a
tarp, thrown into a helicopter and before my mind could separate reality,
torture, and whose control I was under.  Rescued, I was on my way home."
Ross told her as his own emotions began to get the best of him.

   The two cried together before they began to compose themselves and look
at each other.

   Ross finally spoke.  "You get out of here today, enjoy a true
Thanksgiving, and enjoy your trip to your paradise in Jamaica."

   "Oh, I will enjoy, you can be sure of that.  Another thing you can also
be sure of, whether it's me at the helm, or any one of us under this roof
today, this firm will always respect the standards that you and the others
who founded it have stood on.  No one person or any one event will ever
change that." Selena assured him.

   "I know that.  Why do you think I've chosen you to hand the reins too?"
Ross said with a smile.

   Selena stood and hugged him, then kissed his cheek and wiped away a tear
he had left.  She quietly went back to her office where her intercom just
began to ring.

   "Ms.  Johnson?" Deneigh asked and waited for Selena to acknowledge her.

   "Yes, Deneigh."

   "That's 30 minutes no calls, do you need more time?"

   "No, that was sufficient.  Do I have any calls to return?"

   "Yes, Alexis Konstantakis would like to you to call her ASAP.  Also a
message from an admin-assistant at The Toy Company calling for Lucille? 
She had your private number so I assume you know her.  Simply, the message
is "All is fine".  I have the call back number for Ms.  Konstantakis, would
you like me to try her?" Deneigh asked.

   "No, I can get it.  Deneigh, make sure you call the agency and begin to
find the replacement for you.  I want you on this side of the door by
Spring.  Let's not put it off any longer.  Understood?" Selena said firmly
hoping she might finally stop procrastinating on the task.

   "Yes, Ms Johnson." Deneigh answered in quiet resignation that this step
had to be taken to move forward in her career.

   Alexis Konstantakis phoned barely rang once when she answered
frantically.

   "Oh, thank God you called!  I'd forgotten the agent for the Fox
Weathergirl is the same one I set you up with.  He signed you to a 7 day
deal until you can meet with him in person, and then he informs me that his
Fox client will no longer do it for me and she is scheduled for tonight. 
This is a huge favor, I know you're moving and getting ready to go on
vacation, but . . . .  please, please, please??"

   "Stop begging for God's sake, Lexie!  Why don't YOU just do it?" Selena
said, peeved she was called on for a "one time" type favor twice in two
days.

   Alexis sighed loudly before she spoke.  "I'll tell you the blunt truth.
If I do it, by the time I get make-up off and shower I'll miss a date I set
up for tonight.  It's more of a booty call than a date.  I've flirted with
this producer, and he with me, for the past 2 weeks and he's going west
until the new year on the red-eye tonight.  I haven't been good and laid in
a few months and I'm soaked just thinking about it.  Is that honest
enough?"

   "Holy crap Alexis, you don't hold anything back, do you?  If that's the
case, I'll do it, but you owe me big time.  I'll be there as soon as I get
out of here tonight.  God, do change your panties, you'll have dogs humping
your leg if you go out like that." Selena said with a chuckle as she hung
up.

   She smiled to herself as she dropped Joe an email to his phone so he
knew she would be a few minutes late.  She gathered her information on Bill
Centofranchi and went to Jamaica Browne's office and knocked before
entering.

   "I would say this guy may be a real good catch.  Seems to be very
stable, ethical, and hard working.  That's not to say he won't want to
dress in leather and thrash you with a buggy whip, but there's no way to
find that stuff out, but I'm guessing that's low risk.  You've done your
due diligence and now you just have to go slow and be careful.  I'm
guessing he wants a relationship, not a roll in the hay.  It looks like he
has a couple prospects pursuing him for that, but he doesn't seem to want
to commit to either.  I got that from Facebook entries."

   "You can get into Facebook accounts without friending?" Jamaica asked
astonishingly.

   "In our business there are a few go-arounds we can use for investigative
purposes.  I can make myself anyone's friend.  It's an old divorce lawyer's
trick.  Not ethical, but we're talking lawyers here.  I just picked it up,
there was no Facebook when I left before." Selena said, not wanting to say
anymore.

   Jamaica thanked Selena for her help and floated on air the rest of the
day with the prospect of dating Bill.  It was the first time she had been
attracted to a man where sex wasn't the main attraction.  He was older, and
seemed worldly, but mostly honest.  She really felt that what he projected
was the real deal.  She only hoped he was still interested after her
"questioning".  She looked forward to her ride home that night.

   Selena still felt she was getting up to speed with the markets and hoped
to spend the afternoon in study of trends of major stocks, oil, silver, and
gold.  She felt learning the trends before applying the political
ramifications would give her a clearer picture of what was a true trend and
what was knee-jerk reaction to socio-political news.  Just as she was
settling into her routine the all stations page opened on her phone.

   "In the Great Room in 5 minutes, called by Mr.  Fountain." Deneigh's
voice rang clearly in each office.

   In most cases to call a partner forum there would be consults and
double-checks to assure mutual importance, but when you heard the "called
by" it usually meant the request was urgent.  If it were called by a
"junior" partner, Deneigh might have run it by Ross Curran, or now Selena
Johnson, before making the call out.  But hearing Trace had called the
forum, you knew it was immediately important.

   A few minutes had barely passed when you heard doors opening and the
clicking of heels on the hardwood floor before feet settled into the carpet
under the meeting table.  Selena opened her door and looked directly where
Deneigh usually perched for such meetings and saw a steno setting up, and
Deneigh seated at the table.  When she caught her eye Selena winked at her.
There was no need for Deneigh to record the meeting and miss the gist of
it. She should sit in and be part of the forum if she were to become a
partner.r

   Selena settled into the armed chair and set a legal pad out when she
felt a presence behind her.  She turned her head and Ross Curran leaned to
whisper, "Deneigh heard you, this time.  I think she's getting it,
finally." Selena smiled and nodded and when she turned back she saw Ross
had placed his gavel in front of her.  She closed her eyes for a moment and
almost bowed to the definitive step this would be, showing everyone that
she was going to drive the team.

   Looking up she saw every participant was there and she quietly, but
firmly dropped the gavel, instantly silencing the room.

   "Mr.  Fountain, you've called us together, proceed." She said firmly.

   "Thank you Ms.  Johnson.  There's going to be big news at the top of the
one o'clock hour about the Euro and its stability.  The ripple effect will
take little time to make itself known on this side of the pond for sure. 
Fear drives bad decisions and to make much more of this than is necessary
will spawn a lot of fear.  We should worry about Greece until they get
propped up, but Germany will drive the Euro's stability as they won't bend
from their strict monetary policies and will take great effort not to panic
the taxpayers.  We're going to hear in the next few weeks how the Euro will
fail, or how some countries may try to convert out of it, but I think it's
all premature.  The ECB (European Central Bank) will be able save the banks
by offering unlimited liquidity for long duration against a broader range
of collateral.  As I see it that should hold things stable for the
foreseeable future.  Greece is not every European country as the media
wants to portray.  Making an outright statement to our subscribers may
cause a bit of panic.  But any of your portfolios you follow that would be
greatly influenced by the action of the Euro should be watched.  If the
Euro is in demise, it will be a slow process, and it won't be blind, it
won't be a surprise.  I just don't think the ECB will let it happen."

   Trace Fountain looked out over the gathered partners and looked for
reaction.  Selena was first to speak up.

   "Mr.  Fountain, no one at this table can speak more authoritivly than
you when speaking of the ECB and the Euro.  Like the average investor we
all read the panic that the media is trying to create to make our dollar
look better, despite the fact it's backing may not be as firm as the
Euro's. I agree that I see no reason to make a blanket statement, but we
should all check our folios for anyone who might feel the pressure of the
threat.  I'm not sure if I'm as assured as you of the future of the Euro,
but I do cede to your knowledge of those markets.  Does anyone at the table
feel we should make a statement?"

   The table was quiet, but Slim Beepo raised a hand and stood.

   "Mr.  Beupour, the floor is yours." She nodded to him.

   "If I may suggest after many years of working foreign money markets. 
Read the blogs, study The Economist, and you'll get a clearer picture. 
Working on the floors of other exchanges, I can tell you that Mr.  Fountain
has a better grasp of what's happening there than most everyone in
Washington.  Just make sure you make yourself knowledgeable of the
situation.  Remember we deal in stocks and futures, gold, oil and the like.
We don't usually deal in a currency that props up a good deal of the
financial world.  Read and learn."

   Trace Fountain stood and pointed to Slim.  "Listen to this young man,
his words are wise.  Know, know, know.  This is going to be something we
will deal with for a long time to come and we may have to deal with the
Dollar in some of the same ways in the future."

   Suddenly the table broke out in hushed mutterings to whomever they sat
next to while nodding agreement.  Selena dropped the gavel one more time.

   "If this is all we need to deal with at the moment I suggest we adjourn.
Is there any other business?" Surprisingly, Jamaica Browne stood up.

   "If I may have a quick word?" She said quietly.

   Selena nodded to her.

   "It may seem a small thing, but since I've been here you've all been
patient, more than patient with me, and I thank you for that.  I promise
you, there will be no more reasons for me to try your patience.  I have
been known in college as Jaye, J-A-Y-E.  I would like to drop my formal
name Jamaica and become Jaye.  I'm sure you will respect Jaye much more
than you did Jamaica.  A small thing, I know, but it's important to me."
Jamaica said before sitting down.

   "That is all fine Ms.  Browne," Selena said, "and I assure you we all
welcome Jaye Browne to our fold and look forward to her contributions to
the partnership should she further pursue that end.  Let's gavel this done
and ask the steno to present a copy of the minutes after lunch.

   With that, it's almost 12:30 I think we can all break a few minutes
early for lunch.  Be aware I'm not here Monday and remember to finish any
business with me next Tuesday and Wednesday morning.  After that I'm gone
for a couple weeks."

   To a man, each partner came over and wished her well as it had become
obvious she was taking the reins from Ross.  John Branniff and Trace
Fountain had their "turns" at the helm in the past and didn't enjoy the
time.  Ross had been the "go to" guy for almost 11 years and he had tired
of it and knew he had slipped on a few decisions and was glad to cede to
Selena.

   Despite it being Friday Selena was surprised to see most of the partners
sitting in the great room with bagged lunches from home.  Friday was
usually a "go out" day but apparently with the Holiday week coming everyone
felt obligated to stay in, even though it was understood that business was
never spoken over lunch.  Jaye Brown had opened a TIME magazine in front of
her and others had begun to read over her shoulders a story of a possible
Republican contender for the Presidency.

   Selena had thrown on her coat and excused herself saying she hadn't
brought a lunch and was going to the corner sandwich shop.

   "Selena!" Jaye Browne called out causing her to turn on her heel.

   "Here, catch!" Jaye hollered as a sandwich flew through the air towards
her.

   She caught the sandwich and looked back quizzingly.

   "Go ahead it's PB & J on sourdough.  I made two and I'll never eat them,
I may have a dinner date tonight." Jaye said with a smile.

   "Are you sure?  I can go out and get something, although I haven't had
PB & J in years and it sounds good."

   "Take off your coat and stay, you have enough on your plate." Jaye said
smiling as she turned back to her magazine.

   Selena nodded to her and set the sandwich on the table while she brought
her coat back to her office.  "Amazing!" She thought to herself, "If this
woman's change in attitude and outlook is at all the least bit phony, she's
got me fooled to my core.  This was truly a friend to friend gesture from
someone who I was resolved to terminate and I told in no unglowing terms to
her face what I thought of her."

   Since Jaye sat alone with empty chairs on either side of her while a few
others paired off to eat, Selena sat beside her after getting a bottle of
water from a courtesy cooler between two offices.

   "I've already told you," Jaye began in a low almost whispering tone,
"But I can't thank you enough for jolting me awake.  I can't believe who I
was and who I was turning into.  This was all I wanted for the past 5 years
and I was throwing it away."

   "Jaye don't dwell on it, and thank yourself for coming to the
realization.  Focus on the ground you have to make up and the partner's
votes you still have to win.  Be yourself and it will all come together."
Selena said quietly as she felt someone over her shoulder.

   "Is this the cool kid's lunch table, or can I sit with you." Slim asked.

   "This would have been the geeks table." Selena said as Slim pulled out
the chair on the other side of Jaye.

   The long conference table that seated 18 was now a table of unlikely
brown-baggers broken up into 3 cliques.  John Branniff, and Trace Fountain
were trying to solve the New York Giants problems, Deneigh and Ross Curran
were discussing a revival play she had just seen, while the 3 newest
members had just settled into light conversation.  The fact all had stayed
in on a Friday and brought their own lunches showed a new comfort they had
with each other and a new élan since Selena returned.

   Chapter 22

   Jamaica "Jaye" Browne would never have admitted it to anyone, but as she
waited for her train to pull up, expecting to see "Bill" holding a seat for
her, her panties were wet.  She certainly didn't expect to have a sexual
encounter with Bill so soon, but knowing it could happen if they played
their feelings right made her feel a certain freedom.  She thought, just a
few weeks before she was using sex to remain popular among a leeching crowd
of hangers on who were bleeding her dry of money and self-respect.  Now,
there was a man who was pursuing her for a relationship, whom she was
pursuing right back.  There was a special click between them and while sex
was certainly a possibility, it was not driving the pursuit.

   The 4 train got into 59th Street station between 4:45 and 4:55 each day
with Bill sitting in the 3rd car right across from the door.  Obviously the
4 Train originated at the station where Bill picked it up with empty
cleaned cars where he could always be in the same seat.  This day was no
different with one exception; Bill sat with a white box in his lap, about14
inches long and 6 inches wide, an obvious florist's box.  As Jaye got onto
the train he pulled his briefcase from the seat and Jaye sat down with no
words exchanged between them.  He handed her the box, simply saying "for
you".

   She smiled widely and her eyes welled a bit and she couldn't speak from
emotion as she looked through the window in the box and saw the half dozen
roses..  He looked her in the eye and said, "I thought about your
questioning of me and how I was insulted a bit, but I really examined the
situation, I was glad that you cared enough about me to really want to know
the things it sometimes takes weeks or months to find about someone.  I
also knew there was nothing in my past to make you NOT want to at least go
to dinner with me.  We have a 7:30 reservation at Frankie and Johnnies not
far from the station where you get off.  I'll be incredibly embarrassed if
you turn me down."

   She smiled widely and, still unable to speak, she shook her head to
indicate she wouldn't turn him down.  She hugged the flower box to herself
and swallowed the knot in her throat to speak.

   "Today was a big step for me where I work as far as acceptance goes,
this could be my life's career, and suddenly things are going my way.  Now
someone I really want to like, and like me back, has made my day as well.
From where my life was just a few days ago to now has been a wonderful
awakening." She said as she reached for his hand.

   He pulled his hand back and said, "No, no!  No until you tell me your
name and where you live.  I don't want to go door to door from your stop
until I find you." He said laughing.

   She reached into her purse and took out a Wall Street Global Group
business card and with a pen she crossed out Jamaica and wrote Jaye, and
then filled in her home address to hand to him.

   "I'll call for you right around 7, OK?  Dress nicely, this is a real
fine place." He told her before they continued their trip, changing trains
at Grand Central for the Metro North train.

   The talk was small as suddenly each of them became nervous over the
date, knowing it could be the start of something wonderful if the karma
continued so positively.  They found themselves not talking at all, but
staring off into nowhere until their eyes happened to meet.  Bill smiled at
her and took her hand and she covered his again with her other.

   "Don't worry.  This will be fine.  First dates are awkward, but we both
want this." Bill said to her in a quiet, comforting voice.

   "I know we do, but there is so much I wish I could tell you about the
last few weeks of my life so you could understand why I'm so . . . .  so,
something.  I can't say nervous, because I'm anything but that with you, or
the thought of being alone with you.  I just can't believe all of this that
has happened to me." She said, knowing she was holding back too much.

   He looked at her curiously wondering if there were things he should know
before they progressed any further.

   "Oh God Bill, I'm not a criminal or anything.  I just made some bad
decisions with my life and I've been given the opportunity for a couple
do-overs that people don't normally get.  I'll fully explain over dinner.
There's nothing to make you regret meeting me, OK?" Jaye promised.

   "I'm sure.  You better gather your things your stop is coming up." He
said with a smile as he helped her.

   As the train slowed she stood and fastened her coat and took her
briefcase and the box of flowers from him.  He stood and kissed her cheek,
whispering, "I'll see you soon and I can't wait to be with you.  It'll be
fun, I promise."

   Jaye floated home on her walk from the station to her apartment,
planning on what to wear and whether to invite him in before or after their
date.  Then all of a sudden she realized something, she really trusted him
to be a gentleman no matter what the situation.  He obviously respected her
and cared for her, the flowers in her arms as proof.  It would be a fun
night.

   As 7 o'clock approached Jaye began to relax after being in a nervous
hurry as she picked out underwear, fragrance, and ways to wear her hair. 
She wanted to be perfect for her date and suddenly she surprised herself
with a wave of confidence.  Her second choice for a dress made her happy as
it showed off her figure well, but didn't make her look cheap or easy.  She
knew her bust line and bottom were attractive features and while wanting to
accent them, she didn't want to draw the attention of every man she passed.
She wanted to look good for Bill.

   The mantel clock in her living room was just chiming 7 bells when her
intercom buzzed.

   She ran to the screen and saw Bill on the camera and she giggled to
herself before pushing the admitting switch.

   "Come up Bill, the door on the right at the first landing." She said to
him.

   She heard him come up the stairs and opened the door as he was about to
knock.

   "Please come in, don't you look nice, out of your "train" clothes." She
said with a laugh.

   "Ah, yes.  My trusty trench coat.  I wear that to keep the train smells
and whatever I may end up sitting in from ruining my day.  Might I say
while you always look nice, dressed for work, you look especially nice
tonight." Bill said politely.

   "Thank you!  Please have a seat and I'll be ready in just a minute." She
told him as she pointed to her easy chair and sofa.

   She went back to check her mirror and decided to gloss her lips before
getting a coat from her closet and draping it over her arm as she came out
to meet him.

   Bill stood and took her coat, holding it for her to slip her arms into.
As he helped lift it over her shoulders he put a hand on each shoulder and
drew his face to hers and kissed her cheek saying "You look wonderful and
thank you for agreeing to go out on short notice.  I've really looked
forward to seeing you."

   She turned and smiled and hugged him with an air kiss.  "I'll admit I
was nervous the whole day that you WOULDN'T ask me out tonight."

   "Two nervous teenagers on a first date?" He asked.

   "For sure." She giggled as she reached for the door.

   They went down the stairs hand in hand and he walked her to the car,
opening her door for her.  It was the beginning of a great evening full of
anticipation.

   At dinner Jaye was put at ease that the entire staff at the restaurant
seemed to know Bill and treated him special.  When she asked him if he
often brought dates there he simply answered, "Never a first date, usually
old friends; that made her feel special.

   Their talk throughout dinner was non-stop each seeming to be more
interested in the others thoughts, interests, hobbies, and careers.  The
fact Bill had served in The Gulf War and was a bit older intrigued her.  He
was 10 years older, but seemed to think younger, even noticing the music he
listened to in his car.  He was in great physical shape and apparently took
care of himself.  He didn't seem to be the hound type and seemed respectful
to everyone he came into contact with, from the parking lot attendant right
up to the manger of the restaurant who came over to say hello.

   The date was so inteesting to her that when she looked at her watch and
saw it was almost 9:30 she could barely believe they had been there 2
hours. As he was paying the bill she wondered what he had in store for the
rest of the night, or if he expected to go back to her place.  She worried
that he might make assumptions, because even though she was ready to dive
into this relationship, she promised herself to go slow.

   "If you think your coat is warm enough, it's a nice clear night, would
you like to walk the boardwalk at Port Chester Harbor.  It's well lit and
we can get a good look at the stars.  It's close by.  This is the last
weekend for the amusement park; they open most of the park Fridays and
Saturdays through November as long as the weather holds, so there should be
lots of people around.  I don't want you to think I'm trying to get you
somewhere isolated." Bill said wanting to make sure she knew she was in
trusted hands.

   "Bill, don't be paranoid about my questions yesterday.  If I didn't
trust you, I wouldn't be with you right now.  My screening of you had as
much to do with my job as it did my own safety." She told him hoping he
might understand.

   He opened her door once again for her, making her smile, he being so
polite and thoughtful.  Her younger suitors were never so gentlemanly.

   True to his word, it was a short trip to the harbor and there were quite
a few people in the area.  That side on Long Island often kept winters door
closed late in the year, many times till Thanksgiving.  Although most of
the boardwalk vendors were closed or closing at that hour, a walk out on
the pier was still well lit.

   Jaye felt a chill and grabbed Bills arm to hug up to as they walked.

   "I've thought of walking like this with you since the first time we
talked and I had hoped to date you.  Silly huh?" Bill said, embarrassed.

   "No, not silly Bill.  I've been mixed in a much faster crowd, in college
and all, and I find you quite refreshing.  I like being treated special,
and I do find you quite special." She said as they stopped near the end of
the pier.

   They both looked out to the stars in the evening sky, now more visible
away from the park lights.  She hugged his arm even tighter and looked into
his eyes as he scanned the sky.

   "Bill?  I would like this to be the place where we had our first kiss."
She said as he looked down to her.

   Nervously he pressed his lips to hers and they shared a deep kiss.

   "That was nice, I'll remember that first one." She said with a giggle.

   "I guess that means there will be a second one, too?" Bill said as he
pressed his lips to hers again, this one lasting longer.

   "You're sweet." She said as she pulled at him to turn and go back, the
evening chill getting to her.

   They walked arm and arm slowly back into the well lit boardwalk area and
to the car.

   He opened her door once again and she got in, not losing eye contact
with him.  When he got into the car, she had scooted a little closer than
before and when he went to reach to put the key into the ignition, she took
his hand.

   "I'm not trying to go too fast here Bill, but I do find you special."
She said as she sought out his lips again.

   This kiss lasted longer than the last and their tongues met just before
she broke it and sat back and smiled.  "That was nice."

   "It sure was Jaye, and you know I find you special as well.  But, we
should head back.  Unfortunately I have to work in the morning." He said as
he started the car and they drove from the park lot and back into Rye.

   When they got to her apartment building Bill got right out and got her
door, offering his arm to walk her to the door.  She smiled at his chivalry
and when they got to the outside door she turned to him.

   "Would you like to come in for a minute?  A private kiss would be so
nice." She said as she looked to the downstairs apartment window, where
someone could easily look out at them.

   "Sure, I'll come up." He said, only too anxious to be alone with her.

   They went up the stairs together and she opened her door and went
inside.

   She turned to him and they stepped into each other's arms, kissing hard
and passionately.  Their tongues played together as the embrace became more
intense.

   They broke the kiss to look into each other's eyes.

   "That was a lot nicer than having anyone peek at you, huh?" She asked.

   He smiled and kissed her once again, before asking, "Can I see you
again?"

   "That would make me very happy Bill, tomorrow?" She asked.

   "Sure, I work and won't get home until 6, though." He answered.

   "That's OK.  I've got to write a feature for our Sunday Newsletter, so
I'll be tied up most of the day anyway.  How does this sound, tell me the
stop where you get off the train and I'll go there and you can pick me up
and bring me to your house?  I'd love to see where you live and then maybe
we can get a bite or see a movie." She suggested.

   "I could just come and get you."

   "Don't be silly, you'll have worked all day.  Let me come to you and
then you can bring me home later.  I'll call you when I leave the apartment
and you can meet me at your stop.  OK?"

   Bill agreed and kissed her once more before turning to leave.

   He opened the door and her hand covered his on the knob as he drew it
away.

   "I had a wonderful night Bill, even more so than I had hoped." She said
as she sought his lips once again.

   They kissed and he was on his way.

   She closed the door and fell back against the door and swooned while
clutching herself.

   She thought, "THAT was the kind of date I always dreamed of." Chuckling
to herself so that she felt like Marlo Thomas from the old That Girl reruns
she used to watch in high school.

   It was barely 11 o'clock but she couldn't wait to get to bed and dream
about Bill.  She only hoped he was as excited as she was about their
getting together.  She was no more in bed when her hands found her
moistening sex between her legs.  Yes, she would dream about Bill, but
first she would fantasize about him.  He seemed he would be a perfect man
to re-start her life and career with.  She hoped she could hold out a few
weeks before giving into sex, even though it was what she wanted right now.
But in her mind it was different than other partners, especially those most
recently.  She wanted him, but not because she was horny and had needs to
soothe.  She wanted him to show him how much she cared for him and how she
wanted to please him.  This was a new tact for sex with Jamaica, and it
brought her a whole new perspective on love and relationships.

   She woke about 12 hours later with a smile on her face and only a pair
of thong panties around one ankle.  She lay in bed with a smile on her face
replaying her date the night before, and . . .  YES!  It was as much fun
and as satisfying as she had imagined it while it actually happened.  Now,
she wondered if Bill had the same thoughts.

   She bounced out of bed and made coffee and then jumped in the shower to
freshen up and give the coffee time to brew.  Once out she pulled her
laptop out and began to put together her article for the Sunday Night
Letter.

   At about 12:30 her phone rang and she thought of letting the machine get
it but since so few people had her number she was sure it could be a "good"
call.

   "Good afternoon!  I didn't get you out of bed, did I?  I figured noon
was safe." Bill said with a happy lilt.

   "Bill!  No, I`ve been up for an hour or so and just began writing my
article.  How is your day going?  So sorry you had to work." She answered.

   "So, do you still want to come over and see my house tonight?" He asked.

   "Yes, of course!  There's a train at 6:50 and I'll call you when it
leaves the Purchase Street Station and I'll get off at Port Chester and
hopefully you'll be there to get me." She said, having planned her trip on
the internet.

   "That will be good.  After I show you the house we can hit a movie and
then stop for a burger or pizza.  How's that sound?" He asked.

   "Bill, I have a feeling that as long as I'm with you, everything will be
fine.  You're really very sweet." She said blushing to herself and
wondering if she oversold her feelings too soon.

   "Ha, I have employees here who don't think I'm so sweet, but they aren't
quite as nice as you either.  I have to run.  I'll wait for your call and
look forward to tonight.  Kiss-kiss." He said, obviously having to take
care of another matter right away.

   That matter was another call coming in and Saturdays he was alone after
the window closed, so he had to be sure phones were answered promptly.

   "Hello Billy, it's Lindsey.  You didn't call me this week.  Did you want
to see a movie?"

   "Oh, I can't Lindy.  I've got something else going on tonight." He said,
trying not to sound too abrupt.

   "I wish I knew who my competition, this Rebecca, was Bill.  She seems to
get you most of the summer, but . . . ." She started to say, half kidding,
half serious.

   "Lindsey, I've told you I didn't want to be tied down and this was the
way it was going to be.  You aren't competing.  I have a good time with
both of you and, to tell you the truth, it isn't Rebecca.  I've met someone
else."

   "Bill, I know you're screwing both of us, and I can handle that.  I went
in this relationship with both eyes open, but if you're seeing someone else
. . . ." She said leaving the possible ultimatum open.

   "We don't have a relationship Lindsey, we're friends, and you made it
friends with benefits.  It's the same way with Rebecca.  She's a friend who
I've known a long time, and yes, it's also with benefits, and she knows the
story, all about you, as well.  Pressure like this is precisely why I don't
want a committed relationship." He said coldly.

   "I'm sorry Bill.  I don't mean to chase you away.  You know I'm 30 years
old and not getting any younger.  You are the man I thought could make me
happy, but apparently you're looking for something else.  Maybe we should
cool it for a bit." Lindsey said sadly.

   "Lindsey, there's nothing to cool.  You've known that we were just
friends for a long time and if you thought you were going to change that
with sex, you were wrong.  Don't make me say things to hurt your feelings.
We've always been a lot of fun for each other, and part of that fun for me
has been no expectations." He explained.

   "Bill, you call me when you want to see me again, OK?" She said
obviously hurt while knowing all along what the situation really was.

   Bill Centofranchi felt terrible about how he spoke to Lindsey, but cold
hard facts made it easier to explain to her.  She was divorced almost 10
years from a school buddy of Bill.  That buddy also joined the service, but
he never came home from Iraq.  They hooked up for company when he got home
and she pushed the relationship to sex, saying "no commitments", just
satisfying urges.  But clearly she felt that would make him fall in love
with her.

   Rebecca was a woman he met in Iraq, brought together because they were
both from Long Island.  She came from money, but got into drug trouble and
she joined the service after rehab to avoid jail time and get back in her
family's good graces.  She looked him up when they were on leave one
Christmas and Bill made a play for her.  She let him know that she wasn't
looking for a relationship and he accepted that.  Since then she wanted
more, and he let her down the same way he told Lindsey.

   Now, he actually found someone he might WANT a relationship with and he
knew that he could no longer see either "fuck buddy" if he were to pursue
Jaye at all.  As confusing as the situation seemed, he hoped to keep his
options open with both "friends" if seeing Jaye didn't work out.

   His fear of things not working with Jaye had to do with his own self
confidence.  She was obviously a very attractive young girl, why was she
pursuing him?  Did she see him as a father figure?  Was he someone to lead
her through life, and show her the safe way and spank her, either literally
or figuratively, when she strayed?  He didn't see himself as that much of a
catch.  He underestimated how much "stability" worked into the thinking of
a woman, no matter how old, when searching for a long term partner.  What
he didn't know or realize was that Jamaica was not looking for a long term
partner either, for that matter, when she met Bill.  It just happened and
the spontaneity of the situation put her in that thought process.  Bill
also was not "looking" when he found Jamaica.  He just expected a girl of
her generation X type to be cold and unappreciative of his help that day.
When she sought out the comfort of his smile and friendliness he found a
connection.  Now it was almost as he wondered when she might meet someone
her own age and be able to lose him, the older man.

   The truth was, Jaye never considered Bills age when her interest in him
kindled.  She had just dealt with so many "user" and "phony" types in the
city that coming across a real gentleman was a pleasant surprise.

   It was 6:48 when Jaye called Bill Centofranchi's cell phone to tell him
she was boarding the train at Purchase Street station in Rye.  Bill sounded
anxious to meet up with her as he talked her through the trip to Port
Chester station.  Nerves suddenly got to her as the trip unfolded,
wondering if she was chasing too hard, but as the train pulled into Port
Chester she saw Bill leaning against the hood of his red Buick LaCrosse as
his eyes searched the windows for Jaye's face.  She waved quickly before
getting to her feet and heading to the exit door.

   When she came out of the station she walked towards Bill and his car and
found herself almost running.  Her paranoia scolded her for appearing so
anxious to be with him but he opened his arms wide as he got to him and
they embraced firmly, ending in a kiss.

   "I missed you today, we had so much we didn't talk about last night." He
said, wishing he hadn't, his own paranoia scolding him.

   Suddenly they were both quiet as he drove the short trip to his house,
with Jaye only commenting that it was a nice neighborhood.

   As they entered the house Bill offered to take her coat and give her the
"grand tour", but as soon as he turned from the closet and went to take her
hand to lead her around the house their eyes met and they kissed deeply,
their tongues brushing each others.

   Quickly Bill broke the kiss and looked at her in fear.

   "Oh my God, don't think I thought you were here so I might seduce you.
That was just spontaneous, I'm so sorry." He apologized.

   "Easy Bill, I felt it too.  I know we can't rush things, but I respect
your intentions.  I think we're both trying to over think this relationship
through the sparks that have flown, and believe me, they have flown."
Referring to her thoughts and actions when she got to bed the night before.

   Bill had went to bed with a damp wash cloth in hand to catch his own
passion as he thought of her pert, and seeming, innocent, little body.  He
thought of that himself when she talked of sparks flying and simply said
"Yes, they have and I'm trying to deal with it all."

   "Let's agree that neither of us should try too hard to read each other's
mind, and just talk and be honest." Jaye said hoping to get things on the
right track.

   "I'll be honest and tell you that I'm already afraid you'll find me
uninteresting compared to guys your age that you may have dated.  I have
far right values from hard work, being a war veteran, and having to earn
all I have, and . . . . ."

   "You don't think a woman can have those values?" she said trying to
finish his thought.

   "I gave up a couple years of High School, Proms and all of that stuff to
pursue my career after my studies came to light of Wall Street Global. 
They comb the list of scholastic excellence achievers.  I had to sign
commitments to years of service to them for the money they invested in my
education.  I have a good chance of becoming a vested partner, and if you
don't think the values of this firm are on the right, you're wrong.  They
made sure I went to an institution with core values for what I had to study
to get to their level and they even chose the professors I saw to lead me
that way.  Bill, I HAVE those values and value my country and the
principles on which it was founded.  Don't mix me in with the rest of the
"Yes we can, hopey, changey" crowd who've been led around like sheep to the
tune of a new piper.  I'm John Wayne, not Jane Fonda."

   "Holy Cow Jaye!  I wasn't trying to touch a nerve, but I'm glad you
defended yourself so passionately." Bill said as he was so surprised at her
outburst.  "I wondered how you could just be almost 22, as you put it, have
4 years of college, and be on Wall Street for over a year."

   "Is THAT what you meant about there being so much we didn't talk about
last night?" She asked.

   "Yes, it is.  I guess the way I see it in my mind is Lady Gaga dating
Bill O'Reilly, wondering what you could possibly see in me when someone
your own age might make your life more exciting." Bill said in a self
deprecating tone.

   "Bill, I have a slice of my life I wasn't going to tell you about unless
we got terribly involved, but in fairness, here goes . . . . .  Just a few
weeks ago I was running with a crowd more my age and I was ruining my life.
Leeches were sucking the money out of me, the self respect from me, and I
was involved with a lot of drugs and alcohol pissing my life away while my
position at Wall Street Global was about to be terminated.  I had become a
part of the fast young crowd in Manhattan, a part I was most unlikely to
play, but was dragged into by the speed my life was moving at.  I'm ashamed
to tell you about the cocaine, vicodin, booze, and lack of morals I had. 
But, I'm back on track now.  I was bitch slapped back to my real life by
someone I respect more than you can understand.  This person got me my
apartment and when I was first taking the train to see it, YOU were the
first person I encountered in my new life.  You seemed so friendly, so
trusting, and I used you as a security blanket all the way to my stop. 
After I got off the train I was sorry I hadn't gotten your name, or some
way to get a hold of you, because in a city this big, what were the chances
I would run into the same person again.  Fate wanted us to try to be
together.  I'm not shopping for a relationship, or was I looking for one.
But, I think we have the start of one, unless I've scared you away."

   Bill was taken aback by her words at first, but reassured her quickly.

   "Jaye, anything that happened before I met you is none of my business
and I also believe that people can change.  I was not looking for a
relationship, but also feel I should give this one a chance.  I have a
couple girlfriends, and I certainly mean GIRLS that are FRIENDS and nothing
more.  They both pursue me hard to become their steady, but I've told them
more than once that it won't happen.  But you, YOU have a certain
something, an honesty that I can't put a finger on, that intrigues me,
makes me want to open up my life to you.  When I kissed you before I acted
like a school boy trying to seduce his date once he got her alone, and I'm
not trying to do that.  Am I making sense?"

   "Yes, you make sense, but maybe now we're both over analyzing things. 
Let's just say that we want to be with each other and want to get to know
each other, and if things work out, it will be great.  OK?  There won't be
any seducing, no matter how tempting it might be.  Before I do anything
committal for the wrong reasons, I want to be sure of what I'm doing." Jaye
responded as she stepped back in hopes of being shown the house where he
lived.

   She loved the fact he lived in this "Leave It To Beaver" type
neighborhood and not in some high-rise in the city.  His house was neat,
especially for a bachelor, and seemed to want or need a woman's touch. 
But, obviously, the two other women who courted him did little to try and
change the man's touch the home had.  After the full tour he offered her a
seat on the sofa while he got the newspaper to check movies and times.

   As they looked over the movies she couldn't help but notice how many
dealt with relationships, "Friends With Benefits", "No Strings Attached",
"Just Go With It".  They all made Jaye feel uncomfortable and then Bill
suggested a local Art theatre showing a sneak of "Midnight in Paris" and
they decided on that.

   Jaye later reflected to herself that the night was magical as they both
enjoyed the movie and spent an hour talking over its plot while eating a
midnight pizza at a corner tavern in Port Chester.  Bill brought her home
where they kissed and snuggled in his car before he walked her to her door.
She invited him up for a coffee for the drive home, but "coffee" ended up
being necking standing just inside her door.  Both of them had the thought
to move it to the sofa, but neither trusted each other to suggest it. 
Their necking was mostly innocent with possible exceptions being Jaye
obviously feeling his erection press against her and Bills hand cupping a
buttock trying to hold her closer.  They both wanted to be sure their
relationship was founded on their karma and not sex, so once it got a
little sweaty Jaye suggested he leave, but to be sure he called her in the
morning.  He agreed and their night ended with each of them causing their
own sparks once again, home alone in their beds with their fantasies.

   Chapter 23

   The Saturday morning move of Selena and Joe to their condo apartment
across from the Fox Studios could not have gone any smoother.  Since 95% of
the furniture in the Four Seasons suite was part of the room they had few
things to move after the 3 moving closets of mostly Selena's wardrobe went
out.  There was a jewelry armoire, a shoe rack and a straight backed wing
chair that Joe liked to relax in as it supported his back so well after
workouts or long days.

   Joseph had arranged with one of the restaurant suppliers to have a truck
at the Four Seasons dock at 11 o'clock to roll the 3 moving closets and
furniture onto.  The closets were far too tall for any van and the trip to
the new condo was a short one and an easy favor for Joseph to call in.  The
truck left the loading area at their new digs even before 11:30 and all
that was left to do was move the things into the new condo.

   As Selena transferred arm load after arm load of clothes from the wood
framed cardboard closets to the deep wardrobe walk-in of the new place Joe
simply chuckled to himself as she passed by him sitting on the bed.

   "Can I help?" He asked.

   "No, if I don't arrange my own things I'll never find them, besides I
have to pull out the things we're taking to Jamaica." She answered
brusquely as she tried to hurry so they could go out and get bedding for
the bed, that they had forgotten they needed.

   With the bedbug scare in New York, anyone who was moving into a new
place had to buy new mattresses, box springs and bedding.  The mattress and
box spring were delivered and still sealed as Joe sat on them, but nothing
to make the beds with was there.

   "We COULD try out the new mattress this morning." He joked.

   "You COULD just lie there and jerk off and tell me how it was." She
answered sharply.

   "My, aren't you in a mood?" He said back indignantly.

   "Joseph Johnson!" She scolded towards him, "I've worked myself into a
sweat trying to get this done as soon as I can so we can get over to Macy's
and get stuff to sleep on tonight, and then take a shower to freshen up
before we go to the theater tonight and still have time to pack for the
weekend, have dinner and then maybe even take you up on the invitation to
bed.  PLUS, I'd like to get a submission in for the Sunday Night Letter to
show Jamaica, or Jaye . .  whatever, . . . .  that one can't get too busy
not to make the effort."

   "We can skip the theatre if it's that much of a burden.  I just thought
it might be fun to come home to the new place after a nice night out." Joe
explained.

   "I agree, but I also want to have our weekend clothes sorted out, our
Jamaica clothes sorted out, so we can leave early tomorrow and then not
have to hassle next week with packing as long as everything has to be
handled anyway!" She whined.

   "If I can't help you, I'll be setting up the entertainment center in the
living room.  Let me know when you want to leave for Macy's." Joe said
leaving her by herself.

   A few blocks away at The Regency it was well after 1 o'clock but Lucy
and Jeromy were just waking up from a long night of reunion.  Jeromy looked
over at his beauty and wondered how he was able to be apart from her for so
long.  She saw him appraising her and smiled.

   "You know some of the best years of our marriage, the best times we ever
had were after I committed what you called "the sin".  I said we wouldn't
talk of it again, but I have to get this off my chest.  I sacrificed my
pride and any virtue I had left to save our marriage that was spinning just
above the downspout and ready to go into the sewer.  You had gotten
complacent and lazy and I had sold nearly everything I could to help make
minimum payments on the credits cards.  Even if we both got 50K jobs, it
would have taken 4 or 5 years to get out from in under those monthly
payments and we were already at each other's throats.  Admittedly, if I
hadn't got the job with The Toy Store while I was out there we might have
paid off everything and walked away from each other clean.  But getting
that job made me believe in us, that fate wanted us to stay together.  Once
the pressure came off you to find work, it all happened for you.  If I had
a half a brain I should have refused to watch the porno that night when
they came over.  It's not something married people do with other couples,
and I was cocky that I could get a pass on it from you.  Had that not
happened it would have been no harm, no foul, because I was able to put it
all behind me.  The good it did for us made me justify it and NEVER feel
any guilt, except when I had to admit it to friends, especially Selena. 
Now, THAT was the last word.  I had to tell you that in fairness.  My only
regret was hurting you, not that I had done it, but that I had hurt you."

   "I accept that and I want to apologize for the time I spent punishing
you.  You should know that I was punished as badly as you, if not worse and
more than anything, my goddam male ego and pride kept me from crawling back
long ago.  I was stupid and I'm ready to go on.  Last words." Jeromy said.

   "So when do we see Selena and Joe?" He asked.

   "Mmm, not sure.  Their day is full today and they go upstate tomorrow.
They won't be back here until Tuesday morning, and I'll be in Pittsburgh
Tuesday.  What's your schedule?" She asked.

   "I'm pitching a package in Atlanta on Monday and then Baltimore Tuesday,
but then I float for the rest of the week, Thanksgiving, and all." He
answered.

   "Float?  You don't float Mister.  You'll be with your wife back home. 
I've got a job jar so big you won't believe it.  You want to come live with
me again, don't you?" She teased.

   "Of course, but how can we call our home in Saratoga, home?  Your
corporate is in Glendale, and central shipping is in Pittsburgh.  My office
is in Oakland, but I'm on the road 3 or 5 nights a week." He wondered.

   "You've always be able to be close to me, spying on me.  Just where do
you call home and how much stuff do you have to move?" She asked.

   "Believe it or not, I just live in motels, and yes, I did always manage
to stay close to where you were, or make it seem so.  I have a storage unit
back in Albany with a wardrobe and a dresser of my things.  Just cheap
furniture that I would pack from.  Whenever you were home to Saratoga, I
was usually having my laundry done.  Most Sunday nights I was bringing my
clean clothes and empty travel bags to the storage unit.  I'd put things
away and then pack for the week.  I kept up with a few of our friends, but
no one you're really attached to without me.  It wasn't a great life, but
it was organized."

   "Now that you won't be shadowing me, do you really think you'll have to
be away that much?  Don't you have enough connections that you can do
internet presentations?" She asked as she propped up on one elbow and put a
finger to the middle of his chest, pushing him back.

   "I, uh . .  suppose.  I really thought we might travel together.  I do
most of my business near your corporate and then the east coast." He
proposed.

   "But for now, all of your Holiday ad programs must be laid out, set up
and sold, right?" She quizzed.  "I thought after I set up our Holiday
marketing plan I could spend some time at home, just me and you."

   "We just bought a lot of time for Super Bowl week and I'll have to get
out and pedal that soon."

   "I'll make you a deal, I can be sure to be home 4 nights a week.  Can
you commit to that?" She asked him.

   "I'll do that if it saves us.  With our two incomes and only one roof to
pay for, we should be able to save a lot of money.  If we invest right, we
should be able to retire young.  I like that idea." Jeromy surmised as he
began to see where Lucy was leading him as she moved in closer to him.

   "Geez Luce, didn't you get enough last night?  My dick felt like it was
ready to fall off when we went to sleep." Jeromy joked.

   "Hmmm, if it falls off I'll only need you one night a week then, as long
as I can take it with me." She said as she smiled and reached under the
covers for his already hardened prong.

   She pulled back the covers and moved her head to get close to the
beckoning purple head, but stopped to look up, "Perhaps you'd rather feel
the hand you used on it the last three years, than the wet mouth and pussy
you've had the last 2 nights."

   Jeromy just shook his head as he felt her mouth engulf the head.  "My
God, you are so fucking sexy.  I would have bet money that little Jeromy
would have been to worn out after last night.  You got me three times!"

   "Shut up and be a good boy and get your fat fingers in my pussy, then
number four will go right down my throat." She said as she shifted herself
to let him get at her.

   Selena came out of the bedroom and sighed deeply, "There!  All done! 
Clothes sorted for both of us, one load to go home with, and the rest to
pack for Jamaica, and everything else put away.  The closets are DONE!"

   She expected to hear Joe laud her accomplishment, but instead heard
nothing.

   "Joe?  Joe, aren't you right out here?" She said as she looked around
the corner from the living room where she expected to see him setting up
his music and their Bose with the existing media system in the condo.

   She walked past the few personal pieces of furniture they had just moved
in that were yet to be placed and then through the kitchen.  Still no Joe.

   "If he's pissed off at how long it took me," She thought to herself,
"That he just took off and went shopping alone . . . . .  SO IMPATIENT!"

   She felt her jaw tighten as she went to the window to see if he might be
walking to the deli or coffee shop.  It was there that she heard the buzz
of a light snore from behind her.  There, in the wing chair he so loved,
still set askew where the movers left it was Joe.  He chin firmly rested in
his chest as he snored away, the Bose manual in his lap.

   She chided herself for scourging him in her mind for offenses he hadn't
committed.  She quickly softened and went to the side of the chair and
leaned over to kiss his cheek.  He startled awake and looked up at her
confused.

   "Holy shit!  Are the movers here?" He asked quickly trying to get his
bearings.

   "Joe, we've moved and you've fallen asleep..  Remember setting up the
Bose?" She said with a laugh at his confusion.

   "Oh FUCK!  Was I out or what?  I was dreaming heavy dreams of . .  of .
. .Jeez, I don't even know WHAT I was dreaming, but I was deep down and
away." He exclaimed.

   "Maybe we should skip the show tonight and just go to bed early so
you'll be fresh for the drive tomorrow." She said as she affectionately
pushed his hair off his forehead and back.

   " . .  and get me my Metamucil and my wheelchair!  I'm not a hundred and
ten, I'm just tired and bored waiting for YOU!" He snapped at her comments.

   "Calm down Joe Johnson, there's nothing wrong with being tired and I
said nothing about you being OLD.  I'm sure you'll prove to me how young
and virile you are in Jamaica, over and over." She said with a soft smile
as she cuddled her face to his, settling in his lap.

   The stiffening of his back and the hair that was up on his neck both
settled as she calmed him and reminded him of their trip and the fact they
were so much in love and destined to proving it over and over real soon.

   "You know we don't have to be in Jamaica to make love you know." He said
suggestively.

   "No, but if you want to have sheets to cum on, or for me to leak cum on,
we better get to Macy's now, or we'll either miss our dinner reservation or
the curtain for the show." She whispered as she reached and gave his
package a squeeze before standing up from his lap.

   Joe stood and stretched and looked to the waiting Selena as she stood by
the door.  He smiled at her and went to her side moving them both towards
the elevator, his hand cupping her ass.

   On the elevator he kept close to her and leaned in to whisper, although
they were alone, "I can never get over how beautiful and sexy you really
are.  I couldn't love you more, you know."

   She tipped her lips up to kiss him saying, "The same thought passed
through my mind just now too.  We are so blessed.  Not that we need a
certain place to make love, but just think, on Thursday there will be just
you and me to quench our thirst for each other whenever we want in our
little Eden with the sound of the ocean behind us."

   The elevator opened and they alit with eyes locked on each other.  The
afternoon of shopping would fly by as they waited for their first chance to
be alone and intimate again.



   Chapter 24

   Jamaica Browne woke very early on Sunday morning after a frustrating
night of tossing and turning.  Her frustration was sexual and as many times
as she masturbated to solve her want for a man, and not any man, she had
found a man who treated her like she always dreamed of.  Bill Centofranchi
was older and more mature than any other man she had dated or been with. 
Her sexual experience before coming to New York was limited and she would
be the first to admit she gave into sex with many partners for the sake of
being wanted, being accepted into the crowd she had met in the dance clubs
of Manhattan.  She had money to burn on drugs and drinks that kept her
"friends" hanging on, and this group was only happy to drain her of her
cash in exchange for her need to be accepted.  On the night before she was
confronted by Selena to either get right or leave was probably the night
when her conscience had finally revolted and had her searching for answers
and a way out of the depths she had sunken.

   She had run around with another fast girl who showed her where to get
the drugs for both of them, plus she knew where to go to see the best bands
and how to meet the bands.  That night when she woke in a strange hotel
suite she remembered little, but she did know she had rolled around nude in
a bed with this girl while 3 members of the band who stayed in the suite
watched.  It was a matter of time before all 5 of them were on the bed and
having sex.  The each took turns with the 2 stoned girls and as Jamaica was
looking for something else to take to dull her senses she felt fingers
trying to pry her ass open and male voices talking about fucking them both
in their asses.  She struggled to get dressed and got out of there knowing
she had to be at work in just a few short hours, and she didn't even know
where she was.  Jamaica cried hard with the memory of her five-some, so
ashamed at herself, especially since she knew that it was just not her, but
she had sunken so deep she didn't know how to get out.  Then Selena saved
her, even though Selena said she saved herself.  Selena was the impetus
force that drove her.

   Now only a few days since she had found herself attracted to a man who
treated her like a woman should be treated, but she was having thoughts of
not being worthy.  She craved him, but told herself she didn't deserve a
man this good.  She tossed and turned in half sleep, half teary shame. 
Finally after her few hours of fitful sleep she got up, showered, put on
soft pajamas, and went to her computer in hopes of finding something to
take her mind away from her thoughts.  She saw the piece of paper she had
dropped on the keyboard with the email address, IM tag, and twitter name
Bill had written for her when they exchanged info that night after she saw
his computer.

   She rarely used any IM, twitter, or facebook type of networking, but put
his name in her IM queue.  Almost instantly his ID popped up and she
wondered if he had just left the window open all night long.

   But a few seconds later an Instant Message popped up, "R U up?  I can't
sleep either".  She wondered what kept him from sleeping, knowing it wasn't
as mind wrenching and disturbing as her sleep hurdles.

   "Just thinking about us, where we're going, if I" She wrote and sent.

   "If U what?" He sent.

   "My life was pretty F U.  You make me happy." She wrote.

   "Ditto here.  Life was hum drum.  You give me life." Bill responded.

   "If you knew me, you wouldn't think that." She wrote.

   "I'm trying to get to know you.  What are you hiding?  You seem so happy
when we're together."

   "You make me that way.  Ten days ago you would have tossed me aside like
something cheap." She tearfully sent.

   "Don't talk foolish.  We've all done things that bring us shame, just in
different degrees.  I doubt you're a murderer, and I doubt you're a thief.
By the job you have you must be pretty special.  If I dwell on things I did
in Iraq I could get myself in a rut as well.  But there are things we have
to do, and there are things we regret doing, but seemed either right or
fashionable at the time.  Don't kill yourself over it."

   "But," She started to write but she started crying.  Bill waited for her
to finish and then thought she might be too upset.

   "Answer me this, are you that person NOW?  After thinking about whatever
it was?" He asked.

   "NO!!!!!!!!!" she wrote back with many points to show her determination.

   "Then why dwell on it."

   "Can you come over?  Please?" She wrote.

   "Are you sure?  We got pretty heavy last night and I thought about you A
LOT last night after I got to bed ;-)"

   "Same here, but I can't stop thinking about you.  Nothing will happen
without a lot of talk." She fired off.

   "TALK, four letters ends in K and means to communicate."

   "Touche', there are other forms of "KommuniKation.  I promised myself we
wouldn't "talk" until we knew each other better.  It sounds silly, but I
really need to see you, touch you, and hear your voice." She typed hoping
he would get the gist of her meaning.

   "I promised myself I wouldn't go for that either, should we promise each
other?"

   "Promise what?  No penis in vagina sex?" She asked bluntly.  "I didn't
think you would put it that way, but yes."

   "I promise that we'll keep that special for another point in our
relationship, if it gets there." She wrote back with a big embarrassed
grin.

   "I'll be over in 15 minutes."

   "I can't wait to see you.  I'm in my PJ's and I'm not getting dressed."
She happily wrote as she saw him sign off.

   Jaye was a mess, having tossed and turned all night, not to mention
sweating through one nightie trying to get herself off, then showering and
changing, then crying in front of the computer.  Now she had a hopeful
smile on her face knowing Bill was coming over.  She had hoped to
communicate to him that she needed him, but didn't want to be coerced or
even tempted to give into as she called it "penis in vagina" sex.  However,
she thought a little heavy petting might put her right and see what kind of
man Bill really was.  She hoped he was the person she thought he was.  He
was on his way over.

   When Bill got into his car and backed from his garage it was the first
time he realized just how early it was.  It was still dark and the sun was
just beginning to show signs of rising.  It was just past 6:30.  He had
left her a little more than 4 hours ago.  As Bill drove over he was more
worried about her mental state than anything.  Yes, he would love to get
laid to satisfy his urges, but he really wanted to keep that special with
Jaye, if it ever got to that natural point.  It was obvious she was open
for some heavy foreplay but he was to make it clear to her that sex was
out. He didn't want this to turn into another "friends with benefits" deal.
He wanted a special relationship because he didn't respect his two other
female "suitors" because they used him for sex.

   Jaye spent the time waiting for Bill to dry and fix her hair.  She
wanted to do more with her face, but since she usually wore little or no
make-up, her tired and cried out look would just have to brighten
naturally. She put on a pot of coffee in the Mr.  Coffee and looked to see
if she needed to straighten up when the buzzer signaled Bill's arrival.

   She let him up and sort of held her breath wondering if this was a smart
move, to invite him over.  She feared he might think she was too needy, or
a constant project.  Always having to fix her.

   She opened the door as she heard his footsteps and smiled sheepishly as
he came in the door.  She wanted to jump into his arms, but let him make
the move.  He hugged her tightly, feeling her warm body through her snuggly
pajamas, and kissed her.

   "Let me get out of my cold jacket and give you a proper hug." He said as
he unzipped his coat and pulled off a sweatshirt to reveal a pajama top as
well.

   "You wore your jammies too!" She giggled as he left his coat on the
doorknob and dropped his sweatshirt.

   He turned away from her and undid the stay on his khaki's and let them
fall to reveal the bottoms of his pajama's as well.

   They both laughed as she leapt into his arms for a proper hug and kiss.

   "Are we the only two grown-ups who still wear PJ's to bed?" She asked.

   "Actually I sleep just in my underwear, but put on these to lounge
around until I get dressed." Bill told her.

   She blushed and said, "Me too".

   She took his hand and walked to the sofa and showed him where to sit and
she cuddled up next to him, resting her head in the crux of his arm.

   "This is what I needed.  Warm cuddling and understanding.  I don't want
you to think I'm such a mess all of the time.  Let me try to explain a
little.  You know how they say this city and eat you up and spit you out?"
She said as she got a mild rush from feeling his warmth next to her.

   "Uh huh, it can be mean." He agreed, wanting her to go on.

   "When I got on that subway car and saw you that day, it had just spit me
out.  The person who is now my mentor had shown me the fork in the road,
and my final check was drawn and I faced a shameful trip home as a failure
at life, or I could suck it up, man up, as they say, face my demons and
beat them back.  Your friendliness, cool demeanor, and seeming to actually
care for a complete stranger, showed me that life, this city, and all I
have worked for, was really worth the effort to crawl back and be where I
was supposed to be, be who I was supposed to be.  But now guilt is making
me think I am not what you think I am." She said as she teared up and
snuggled him tighter.

   "Jamaica," He said calling her proper name for the first time, "Is the
person I'm getting to know the real person, or is the one you walked away
from the real person."

   "Bill, I'M the real Jamaica Browne, not the one who I turned into.  I
did stupid things and made big mistakes and maybe I guess I think I need to
be punished more and don't deserve you." She said tearfully.

   "Jaye, I told you before, everyone lives with things they've done that
they aren't proud of.  I don't care, unless you're a criminal, what
happened before I met you.  I don't need to know any of that as long as I'm
getting the real thing as we build our relationship."

   She sat up and turned to look him square in the eye.

   "You really mean that, don't you?  I mean I read the words, but hearing
them come from you I hear how convincing you are.  You really won't judge
me later, because I will tell you all someday."

   "That's not necessary.  I just want to get to know you and see if the
magic feeling you've given me is real." Bill told her before she fell on
him and pasted her lips to his.

   The kiss was long and getting longer as her tongue slipped into his
mouth and he reciprocated.  They could feel the warm contours of each
other's bodies through their thin pajamas and it was having a quick effect
on both of them.  Her nipples were hard as rocks and she wanted so much to
squeeze them, and his pajama's were leaving little room for his erection to
go.  She sat back as the prong was pushing against her.  The points of her
tits were obvious as she looked down at his problem.

   She blushed hard and said "The reason neither of us could get any sleep
last night" as she bounced up to her feet and saying "I'll pour coffee. . .
. .  Oh my!  You DO drink coffee don't you?"

   "Yes, I do." He said going to stand up, but sitting down right away
because he had no way to hide his excitement.

   "How do you drink your coffee?" She asked raising her voice for him to
hear.

   "Black with one sugar, thank you." He answered.

   She came around the corner with 2 cups and she set them on the coffee
table and settled in beside him again, checking from the corner of her eye
if his erection had subsided a bit.  She had been able to give her nipples
a hard pinch in the kitchenette to soothe them, but she already felt them
filling with blood again.

   "Umm, . .ahh, . . .  er . .we're not doing too well in hiding our
excitement for each other, are we?" She said glancing down at his obvious
problem.

   "I'm so sorry." He apologized, embarrassed.

   "God, don't be sorry, look at me," She said sitting back straight to
show her points and knowing she could smell her juices, wondering when they
were going to leak through her panty.

   "You're so pretty and sexy and feel so incredible through those
pajama's, I'm afraid I can't hide what you've done to me.  I know you felt
it last night too.  It was why I knew I had to leave." He admitted.

   "Hey, we're both grownups here.  Let's help each other out with our
problems." Jaye said bravely.

   "OK, I'll act stupid and say, . .  Really?  How?" Bill said hoping he
might avoid making a stupid move.

   "You know I masturbated last night, and I know you did the same last
night, and here we are trying to hide the obvious from each other.  Why
don't we masturbate for each other,. . . . . . .  or maybe masturbate each
other.  That's not too weird is it?" She nervously asked.

   Bill flushed red and hid his eyes for a moment.  "You know I've been
with lots of women, not that I'm bragging, and I wouldn't hesitate to have
sex with any of them at this point.  But, with you, I really care for you
and doing this is really, really special.  I hope this sounds right, but, I
don't want to fuck you, I want to make love to you.  I can't use the word
"love" yet, but I think I will soon.  I mean, I'm so nervous that I think
it's going away." He said looking down at himself.

   "I don't think THAT will last too long." Jaye said as she pushed her
pajama top up over her head exposing her beautiful tits, like two perfect
scoops of ice cream topped with bright cherries.

   "My God, Jaye, you are . . . . . . . .  so beautiful, so perfect." Bill
said as he reached for her to hold her bare chest against him.

   "God Bill, my boobs feel so nice pressed against you.  Take off your
shirt so I can feel your skin on mine." She said panting a bit.

   Bill stood up to take off his shirt and as she predicted, his erection
came back quickly as the front of his bottoms were tented out.  Jaye saw it
and smiled and coaxed him to sit.  She turned away from him and leaned back
into the crux of his arm so both of his hands could be filled with her
breasts.  She reached down and held his cock through his PJ bottoms.

   He massaged her breasts and pinched at the nipples causing her to squirm
and sigh as her hand searched for the slash in his bottoms to put her hand
inside to feel him.  Once her hand went around him, he dropped one hand
between her legs and pawed at her pussy through her pajamas and panty.  She
craned her neck back to meet his lips leaving the two of them in an awkward
uncomfortable position trying to reach some sort of sexual relief.

   Suddenly she pulled away from him and shinnied her pajamas and panty
down her legs.

   "Bill, you've GOT to finger fuck me!  Let me feel your hands and fingers
inside me, stroking me!" She cried out as Bill squirmed to the floor on his
knees and turned to her, his eyes fixed on the lightly haired pussy she had
just exposed.

   He reached for her wet hole and did as she asked, sunk his fingers in,
and began to work her clit while she moaned and pushed her ass closer to
the edge of the sofa.  He was working two fingers in and out of her while
his thumb tried to keep pressure on her clit.  She hummed long choruses of
satisfaction as he began to bring her to a crescendo.  He watched her
squirm and jolt to his touches and he yearned to taste her, wondering if
she might think that over the line.  To ask would have been wrong and the
temptation was more than he could bear.  He bent and filled his mouth with
her wet, foamy quim, pressing his tongue hard to her engorged clit to suck
at it.  She humped hard at his face and then froze in a muscled, rigid,
quivering, goose pimpled orgasm.  After a few moments she cried out loudly
and put a hand to the top of his head to push him away.

   He moved back and looked down at the satisfied, quivering, ball she had
drawn herself up into.

   "Oh God Bill, that was the place I haven't been able to get all night.
You're so nice, so wonderful.  Ohh, Ohh, Ohh." She swooned before
collecting herself to sit up and look down at him on the floor.

   "Stand up Bill, I'm sure there is something I need to take care of." She
said quietly.

   Bill stood and showed that his cock was already through the slash in his
bottoms.  She reach out and took the waist of his pajamas to brought them
down and he stepped out of them.

   "I see you need some attention." She said as reached for his hardness
and began to stroke it.

   She scooted up closer to him and began to work her hand in earnest over
him, right in front of her face.  She kept looking at his eyes and then his
cock, all the while knowing what he wanted.

   "I've done this before, but never for me.  It's always to make the man
happy.  I was always ashamed.  But now, I really want to." She said softly,
averting her eyes from him.

   "Jerking me off?" he asked quizzically.

   "No." She simply said as she leaned up and put the head of his cock in
her mouth.  She worked her mouth over it a few times and looked up at him.

   "Don't think I'm a bad girl for this, you were just so nice to me, and I
just wanted to taste you.  Please tell me when you are close."

   "You look so beautiful doing it, how could I think you were bad?" He
said as he brought his hands to her cheeks as she filled her mouth over and
over again.

   He nudged at her mouth, almost like he was fucking it, trying to get the
rhythm he needed to get off.  She picked up on his movement and let him
move.  Suddenly he stood back and said.  "Oh, I'm close, I'm going to cum!"

   Jaye laid back and waited for him to spurt, something she had never seen
in the light and so close.

   "Cum onto me, Bill, spray me!" She said urging him to the point of no
return.

   Bill moaned loudly as his first spray of pre-fluids went over her head
to the back of the sofa above her head.  Then 3 long spurts of white
copious cum splashed onto her body, one between her breasts and the other
two on her belly.  She put her hands over her face and giggled loudly.

   "Oh Bill, so much!  You drenched me.  It feels so warm on me!" she said
in a giggle showing her naiveté of the situation.

   Bill stood exhausted over her and he stroke the last drops from himself
down onto her leg.  He smiled at her and asked "Where's the bathroom?  I'll
get a towel."

   She reached beside her and took her pajamas and handed them to him.

   "Here, just use these.  They're dirty anyway."

   Bill wiped her clean and then used them to wipe the end of his cock as
he turned to let himself fall onto the sofa, exhausted.

   "I think we BOTH needed that!" He said as he laid back closed his eyes.

   "Are we bad people, getting so naughty, so soon?" She asked.

   "It was what we wanted." He mumbled, "And we saved the most intimate for
when we're ready."

   "You are so special, Bill." She said as he hugged up to him.

   After a long quiet period she turned her face up to him.  "That was
true, what I said.  I've done that to make my man happy, but I never wanted
to do it, until now.  To taste you was so important.  But the end, I
couldn't do that."

   "Never do what you don't want to.  I'll never pressure you, no man
should.  We have a passion, and it's almost scary.  I'd love to say I love
you, but no person knows that in such a short time, but I want to love you.
We can't do this again for a bit Jaye, we have to trust our feelings so if
we do fall for each other, and it's for the right reasons.  Although I'm
getting excited again just seeing you naked in front of me.  You are quite
beautiful."

   Suddenly Jaye bounced up.  "Come shower with me, it'll be fun.  We might
even get off again.  We can go to breakfast, my treat!"

   True to her word, it was fun and they did both get off again, this time
masturbating themselves while the other watched under the hot spray.

   They laughed and talked all through breakfast, an uncomfortable wall
broken down in their short, but heavy relationship.  Jaye had to get back
to her apartment and prepare to go into work for the Sunday Night Letter.
Bill insisted on picking her up afterwards so she wouldn't have to take the
train at night.  She told him that once she had the connection correct, she
could e-conference to the meeting, but she really needed to "pay her dues"
by showing up in person a few times as the older partners did and were
accustomed to.

   That night when he finally brought her home after stopping for dinner
their goodbye was passionate, but it didn't leave them frustrated because
they both knew and understood the others feelings about where they were
going and if it might work out.  Jamaica Browne finally felt like a
respectable woman with goals in her professional and personal life.  She,
once and for all, put her 8 months of debauchery behind here as a bad,
painful, but valuable, learning experience.

   Chapter 25

   Selena and Joe were sleeping soundly after a full day of moving and
unpacking, going to dinner and then laughing all through The Book of Mormon
at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre, and then coming home to make love for the
first time in their new condo on their new sheets and bed.  What Joe wasn't
aware of was that Selena had set the alarm for 5:30am, even though they
hadn't gotten to sleep until 12:30.

   "Ohh Essy, you forgot to turn off the alarm!" Joe howled as the big
voice on the clock radio bellowed the news.

   Selena quickly bounced up and moved over Joe propping herself up over
his face.

   "The alarm was set on purpose.  I'm going in the shower to quickly wash
and do my hair.  You're going to turn on the coffee maker, it's all set,
and gather our packed bags.  Then take a quick shower if you like, but then
we're leaving here by 6 or a bit after so we can go to church with my Mom
and Dad at 10:00." She said through tired, but determined eyes.

   "Did I get a vote on this?" He asked.

   "Your vote was placed in abstentia.  You had fallen asleep after
absolutely tuning my body to perfection and spraying me with your cum.  I
talked about it from the bidet while I drained my own sex juice out of me
and got cleaned up.  When I got back to bed I realized you hadn't heard a
word, so I voted for you." She said smiling.

   "It's a good thing you're cute, but at 5:30, some of that cuteness is
hard to see." He said in resignation.

   With bags already repacked and her plan carried out as she had planned,
they pulled out of the parking garage at 6:03 and were headed home.

   "If we run into any delays, we'll go to church in these clothes,
otherwise, if we get a moment to get home, church clothes are laid out on
the bed.  My Mom helped out a bit in the plan.  My Dad doesn't know." She
told him as they zoomed through the early New York streets leading to the
Major Deegan Highway and home.

   "Diabolical, simply diabolical.  Hand me the coffee, I'm ready for the
second cup already, even though I'm sure you won't let me stop to pee when
it comes around in a hour or so, we wouldn't want to miss church." He said
sarcastically.

   "When you finish that coffee, the cup will be empty and you can pee in
it." She said looking away to hide her grin.

   "You're probably serious." He said smiling to her.

   "Depends how late we end up." She answered coldly, although he knew she
wasn't serious.

   Traffic was light and by the time the hit the Deegan Expressway and
zoomed past Yankee Stadium they were ahead of schedule.  The biggest
potential hold-ups, traffic wise, were behind them.  Although she hated to
sleep while he drove, she couldn't help dozing from time to time, hoping
that he didn't have the same urge.  She jostled awake as the little
roadster pulled into a rest area just north of Newburgh.  While she was
getting her bearings Joe leaned over and kissed her forehead.

   "I'm stopping to pee, and I'm not going to leave you in the car.  Come
on, it's not too cold to shock you." He said knowing she had unbuttoned her
coat and slipped off her shoes during the drive.

   He came around to her door and helped her and they ran hand in hand in
the morning chill into the building and made a bee line for the rest rooms.
More coffee was tempting but they didn't really want to make another stop
and they were on their way.

   Selena dozed in and out, although she insisted she hadn't each time she
woke and looked to Joe (I wasn't sleeping, I just had my eyes closed!), and
when they started to climb the hill past her parents street and only
moments from "home" she was shocked she had been out during the exit from
the Thruway, going through the toll booth, and stopping at traffic signals
getting into town.

   "OK, I WAS sleeping then.  Holy crap, I was out cold.  What time is it?"
She wondered through her fog.

   "It's 20 after 9 and we have plenty of time." He said as he pulled
through the overhang of trees and shrubs and pulled up the driveway,
hitting the garage door opener as he did.  "Wow, your Dad has the lawn
looking awesome.  He must have handpicked the leaves up, I don't even see
one.  He needs to get a hobby." Joe aid as he admired the perfect
landscape.

   "He HAS a hobby, taking care of our place.  He's been so happy to come
up knowing we're alive and well, it's his joy.  He took care of it before,
but it was always depressing.  Just be sure you tell him how good it
looks." Selena said as the car slipped into the garage and they both
gathered their things and got out.

   Upstairs it looked the same way it did when they left except it had all
been newly dusted and cleaned causing Joe to look to Selena and say,
"Apparently your mother has a hobby as well.", causing them to hug and
chuckle.

   True to her Mom's word, clothes were laid out for church just as Selena
asked, but Betty Hanson has put a tie in the sport coat pocket, not liking
the open collar, chain showing look.

   "Do you think she would be happy if I wore a Crucifix around my neck to
show on my chest?  I really don't need a tie.  Weddings and funerals, ugh!"
Joe muttered as Selena nodded in agreement.

   The venture into church went smooth as far as making points with the
Hansons who loved standing together in the pew with their daughter and son
in law.  But what they hadn't calculated was the congregation's reaction to
them coming in.  The church was three-fourths full when the four of them
walked up to one of the front aisles where the Hansons always sat.

   Scott and Betty always presented the gifts at the 10:00 Mass since they
"lost" their daughter in the 911 attacks.  Today as Joe and Selena walked
behind Scott and Betty up the aisle there was a murmur all through the
people already seated.  As they sat down, one person started clapping and
soon the whole congregation was clapping and standing.  Joe, especially,
and Selena could not have been any more embarrassed as Scott nudged Selena
to stand and acknowledge the accolades.  She pulled Joe, reluctantly, up
with her as they turned and waved around to the parishioners, and sat
politely down again.

   Joe leaned to Selena and whispered, "If they had anything to do with
this, I know where the tie should be tied, very tight!"

   Selena elbowed him and leaned to whisper that she was sure it wasn't
staged or planned.

   During the homily after the Gospel, Father O'Neil made mention of their
presence and made wonder of the power of prayer.  Joe instantly knew that
the walk out of church and to their car would be a long drawn out affair of
hand shaking, kissing, and questioning.  He rued the moment the alarm went
off that morning and wondered how they never thought of this possibility of
a "coming out" party.

   Scott Hanson was clearly uncomfortable and he leaned across Selena to
speak to Joe.

   "I can't believe your mother in law didn't think this would happen.  If
I had known we would have met at another church over the river.  I'm so
sorry."

   Joe tried to look unfettered, but his jaw was steeled.  When he looked
past Scott to Betty she was crimson with embarrassment and on the verge of
tears.  This was when he decided that it was not planned and simply a case
where Betty hadn't thought when she asked Selena for them to join. 
Although he was far from accepting what was happening, he would understand,
at least to Betty's face.  He reasoned that as much as he and Selena had
been through, Betty and Scott had been suffered as well and Betty was just
trying to get things back to normal.

   At the point in the mass where you extend to your neighbor the sign of
peace, it was customary for each of them to kiss their wives, daughter and
Mother-in-law, as well as shake hands with their mates.  Scott and Selena
usually sat down so Joe could lean over to kiss Betty and wish her "Peace
be with you".  Instead Joe pulled her close to air kiss and said "Don't
fret, we'll get through this.  I still love my mother-in-law", while
squeezing her hand.

   You could see a veil of shame, personal anger, and embarrassment lift
from her as he smiled to her as Selena and Scott stood to resume the mass.
As Joe fumed inside, he was happy to lift the blame from Betty and ease her
mind.  She had tried so hard to be the non-meddling mother-in-law that her
"son" could love and respect, and Joe knew it.  He wouldn't let her beat
herself up over this.

   When it came time for communion as they lined up as each pew emptied
there were many who paused to pat Joe on the back or try to shake his hand
or kiss or hug Selena.  Father O'Neil must have made notice of this because
when the mass was over and he usually made a few closing comments about the
upcoming week before he left the Sacristy, he paused.

   "Where I'm sure we are all so glad to have this fine couple of the
Hansons daughter and Mr.  Johnson back in our community, they have really
been through a lot as far as media attention and well wishers.  Let's let
them leave the mass today without fanfare.  They're trying to put their
ordeal behind them and get on with their lives.  Instead if each of you who
want to give them a personal greeting would just offer up a prayer of
thanks to The Almighty for their safe return and that will help ease them
back into normalcy.  We should all respect each other's privacy."

   Then he looked right to Joe and Selena and said "God Bless you both and
may you enjoy long happy lives together."

   The congregation abided Fathers suggestion and their exit from church
was smooth and quiet.  Father O'Neil customarily stood just outside and
shook hands and exchanged well wishes as the worshipers left.  When Joe
came by him he shook his hand hard and pulled him close to speak quietly in
his ear.

   "Thanks for the break, I'll call you in a few weeks about getting us
married before God." He said out of everyone's earshot.  He knew how happy
this would make The Hanson's and Selena.  It was something Selena wanted to
bring up, but thought might be a touchy subject with Joe.  Joe knew where
and how his bread was buttered and knew what would score points with them
all.

   Back at the Hanson house both Scott and Betty were waiting at the door
to apologize for the embarrassing situation.  Before they could say
anything Joe spoke up.

   "I know mistakes were made in the thought process of getting us here for
mass.  I know you hadn't calculated what might happen and I know that you
know how I feel about such things.  We can forget it, if you don't bring it
up.  We did it to make us feel normal again, we all forgot that people, for
the most part, aren't normal." Joe said holding Selena's hand so they knew
the words came from both of them.

   When Joe walked into the kitchen to get coffee a few moments later, as
Selena and Scott set the table, Betty grabbed Joe and hugged him tightly.

   "I know you don't want to speak of it, but it was my fault.  I was so
stupid, I'm sorry." She said as she finished the hug and kissed Joe hard on
the lips.  "Despite what you may have thought over the years, we really,
really love you."

   Joe smiled and even felt a little uncomfortable about her hard kiss and
then took turned her away from the door to speak to her in private. 
"Between me and you, and just me and you, I'm going to meet with Father
O'Neil about a church wedding for us.  I'm telling you this to show you I
truly forgive you, but you have to keep it to yourself, OK?"

   Betty kissed Joe again and left with a big smile on her face as she
prepared breakfast.  Joe knew he had scored points, big time, with her.

   Soon Betty was dealing poached eggs to the plates and Selena helped
bring out a plate of bacon and home fries.  Breakfast was quiet until both
Betty and Scott had their coffees and then talk turned to the following
days shifted Thanksgiving.

   "Now, you two don't have to do a thing for dinner tomorrow, I have
everything planned out." Betty said.

   "Mom, Joe's going to think I can't do a thing if you don't let me help
out.  I was going to make your pies, an apple and a pumpkin.  I watch you
enough and made them before." Selena said hoping to be able to help.

   Scott looked up to Betty saying, "See?  If you let her help you won't
have to get up at 4 in the morning to bake tomorrow."

   Joe piped in right away.  "Betty, don't be crazy.  We want you to enjoy
this meal, I'd hate to see you fall asleep in the mashed potatoes.  We can
make the pies."

   "I can make the pies, me, not we." Selena insisted, wanting to assert
herself as a homemaker.  "I know my way around the kitchen, even though it
doesn't have computers or calculators."

   "Yes dear, you bake the pies right after you bring me my pipe and
slippers." Joe said sarcastically.

   "Joe, you plan every meal and on weekends when I could do that, we end
up going out." She pouted.

   `Essy, I'm retired and home all day.  You get home from the office and
studio around 6.  What am I supposed to do?  Hang around and drink and nap
all day?"

   "No, but I CAN cook!  Let me have my fun for this tomorrow." She
insisted.

   "OK, I won't help, but for sure Betty, there's no reason to get up in
the middle of the night to start the Thanksgiving Dinner.  We all should
enjoy this." Joe said giving in but making his point.

   Betty broke into tears as she said.  `I'm so happy to have the two of
you to cook for I'd stay up all week.  Don't you both realize what a REAL
THANKS-giving this is?  The twist of fate that brought you two back is
truly the answer to a prayer we never thought possible, or even remotely
probable."

   Joe looked to Selena who put out her hand for him and then she reached
for her Dad's hand and soon the four of them were joined hand in hand with
their heads bowed as the gravity of what Betty said hit home.

   After their quiet interlude of prayer they finished their breakfast in
relative quiet, save for some small talk.  Nothing could compare with
Betty's words for now.

   As soon as Selena and Joe left Betty quickly went to the kitchen the
clear the breakfast dishes and prep so she could begin to make her big
dinner for Monday.  As she stood at the sink she thought about how dirty
Joe still made her feel.  To her, he was naughty sex, going back to the day
when she sat with him following the surgery where she was his ride and
proxy.  His sexuality was overt in her mind and each time she saw him she
was reminded of it.  She knew she still looked good and felt desirable. 
Although she would never cheat on her husband, that day she would have
thrown herself at Joe.  Right now she was ready to be taken; she only hoped
that Scott was as horny as she was.  She couldn't wait for him to come into
the room, and she heard him shuffling in with coffee cups clinking in each
hand from the living room where the 4 of them finished their small talk
about the next day's Monday Thanksgiving celebration.

   "I'm a little jealous of my daughter, going away on that sexy vacation,
just the two of them alone getting sexed up whenever they want." Betty said
uncharacteristically.

   "We don't have to leave the country to have sex Betty, we can have it
right here." He said rather blandly as he was going back to read the paper.

   "Right HERE?" She said slapping her hand down on the edge of the
counter, causing Scott to turn back to her.

   "Yes," He said "Right here in the house", smiling.

   "How about right here on the counter, right now?  That's how they're
going to do it.  Everywhere, whenever they want.  Spontaneous!" She said
fully turned facing him with a smile on her face.

   "What are you saying Betty?" He asked with a sly smile on his face.

   "Like when we were young.  Take down my panties and I sit on the edge of
the counter.  I love you Scott and thinking about my daughter getting it on
all week has got me a little envious."

   Scott went over and took Betty in his arms and kissed her deeply.  Her
ran his hands over her ass and below to find the edge of her dress.  He
slid it up over her ass and then gripped her waist, picking her up as she
asked and set her on the edge of the counter.  She used her hands to lift
herself up as he grabbed the sides of her panties and pulled them down.  As
he gazed at her glistening lips through her well trimmed cover of hair he
grabbed his cock through his pants, already hard from her suggestions.  He
quickly undid his belt and let his pants fall to the floor.  He stepped out
of them and kicked the step-up she used to reach the top cupboard over to
get himself at her level.

   Eagerly she reached out and took him in her hand and guided him to her
waiting slit.  He pushed, she grunted and she reached out to encircle his
neck with her hands.

   "Scottie, we'll never get old as long as we can do this." She purred
into his ear.

   "I'm sorry for the years I wasn't interested.  I never stopped loving
you." He panted back.  "Religion made it seem . . . ."

   "Shut up and fuck me Scott.  God gave us this gift and he wouldn't want
us to deny ourselves." She said as she humped up and almost lifted herself
off the counter, hanging around Scott's neck.

   With Scott nearly holding all of her weight as her ass left the counter
Betty rutted on Scott like a co-ed at a kegger.  She wouldn't tell Scott
that being near her son-in-law was what lit her fuse and making her act so
wanton.  Betty didn't look close to her late fifties age and could easily
pass for early thirties and had the body some twenty-somethings might envy.
While gray hair and a few forehead wrinkles denied Scott of looking less
than his sixty, his body showed no fat and he was well toned and downright
muscular in many ways.  They could easily pass as the brother and sister of
Selena and Joe.

   Scott held Betty by the balls of her supple ass as he felt his orgasm
building and she rutted on him.  He stepped forward, for fear of dropping
her and let her bottom set on the counter as he doubled up his effort
thrusting hard at her as he shot her full of his semen.  Betty had thrown
her head back, accidentally bumping it on the cupboard door, as her orgasm
came and she let it take her while Scott thrust his cock to her, depositing
his load.

   As their breathing returned to normal and they eased from their states
of euphoria Betty blushed deeply.

   "God, that was like college days!  We must have made love everywhere in
our dorms, the counters, the tables . . . . . .  when I get aroused like
that I feel 25 again.  Why don't we have sex every day?"

   "Because we're both pushing 60 and our libido isn't what it used to be."
He laughed.

   "I'll bet if you woke up with my mouth on your cock you might feel
inspired." She said with a sly smile curling at the edge of her mouth.

   "Just before 911 we went through one of these honeymoon spells where we
were at each other's business all the time.  Do you think we have another
one in us?" Scott wondered aloud.

   "If we never stop it, how will it end?  I'll tell you Scott; I could go
up in the bedroom and amuse myself until you were ready again, over and
over.  Sexually, I feel 25 again.  I don't want this to end.  Why would I
worry about getting old if my body, and your body, could make me feel like
this?" She swooned.

   Suddenly a loud plop was heard and Scott knew instantly what it was. 
The metal step stool he was standing on was being bombed from above.  Wads
of his cum were leaking from around his cock that was still stuffed inside
his wife.

   "We're making a mess." Scott laughed as he stood back and let his
softening cock fall from her pussy.

   "Don't worry, I'll clean it up." Betty said as she stunned Scott by
hopping down from the counter to her knees and taking his cum covered cock
into her mouth to taste her juices along with his.

   Despite thinking he couldn't go at her again, her mouth woke his ardor
again and he felt himself getting stiff in her mouth again.  She was making
animal noises over her satisfaction of tasting their passion and him
growing in her mouth.  When the head was round and fat she turned her
attention to just that, working it like a lollipop.  When she was sure he
could get no bigger she wordlessly looked at him and spun around on her
knees and threw up the back of her dress over her ass and lowered her
shoulders to the floor.

   Scott needed no invitation as he fell to his knees, kneeling between her
legs and pushing himself into her sopping pussy as she squealed like a
horny college girl as any fears of Scotts "libido" problems faded.

   With their daughter and her husband safe and sound after thinking they
had lost them, their passion for each other was re-lit and Betty was
already determined to do whatever she could to keep her husband interested.
Oral sex made her feel like a naughty teenager, and that was fine with her.
Feeling naughty around Scott had always paid rewards.  Just over 10 years
prior, their sex life was dead, then it flourished, and after 911 it was
hit and miss as they struggled to support each other.  Now Betty felt like
a co-ed again in the body she took such good care of.

   While her Mom and Dad busy making up time in the passions department,
Selena Johnson was getting the last few things from the little blue
roadster to bring in.

   "That's the last of it." Selena said as she set a small carry case and
two store bags on the sofa where Joe was sitting reading e-mail alerts on
his phone.

   "The overseas markets are soft.  I'm glad I'm not playing too heavy over
there right now, I'll sleep better in Jamaica." He said shaking his head.

   "You're NOT supposed to be playing there at all, REMEMBER?" She said
lightly scolding him to make a point.

   "We're retired and don't need to risk anything, anymore.  Low risk
securities, that's all.  We don't need to make it so I HAVE to work." She
said reminding him of the master plan they had since just before terrorists
scuttled their plans.

   "I'm not taking any big risks, just a few things to keep me interested.
I would need to go absolutely crazy to put the future in jeopardy, you know
that." He said not even looking up.

   "I also know YOU, Joe Johnson.  You've never done anything half-way. 
I'm not so worried about the money; I want to keep you away from the
"drug". If you're already concerned about sleep in Jamaica, you're playing
too hard.  Besides the portfolios we set up to pay us the rest of our
lives, how much extra do you have in play?" She asked as she went up to
him, hands on hips, knowing he was in trouble because he didn't tip his
head to look her in the eye.  "I'm not sure.  You know the master account
only grew 6% from the day we "left" until it was all recounted and put back
in our names.  The properties took a hit with the state of the world
economy, and your Mom and Dad drained $600K from the cash account." Joe
said in defense of his financial dawdling's.

   Selena exhaled hard and reached, taking his i-phone from Joe's hand. 
Joe went to fight her for it, but thought the better before he made a move
for it.

   "Who do you think you're talking to?  I'm not some bimbo you picked up
and now you're flashing numbers and percentages around to woo her into the
sack.  If the world economy grew by 6% over that time we might have
considered it a BOOM compared to what we have right now.  You bought the
properties at "steal" prices and they doubled in value, even though no one
was buying anything and money was soft.  Now they're still worth a bit more
than we paid, have netted enough to buy them over again twice as rentals.
All that while real estate investors all over the world were jumping out of
windows rather than face their losses.  You have huge balls to bring up my
parents.  They took $60K a year and put themselves in a 35% tax bracket
with their other incomes and probably spent MORE than that in upkeep of
this place.  You may be able to make your numbers talk and sound like we
were headed to the poorhouse, but on the whole, we look like the smartest
investors in the world from the plans we made and how my Dad managed it. 
So answer the question, HOW MUCH IS IN PLAY?"

   "Uhhhh, . . . .  Oh come on, don't be pissed.  You know long term we're
in no trouble." He said as he reached for his phone, but she pulled it
back.

   "Joe!  How about your health?" She said as she put the phone behind her
and used the other hand to grab hold of the button row on his shirt, making
sure he knew he wasn't escaping without talking about this.  "Stress is
your biggest enemy, as healthy as you are, you know both your Mom and Dad
were pre-disposed to all that stress baggage and it's the one thing Doctors
warn you of, because family history says there's no escaping it.  We don't
NEED to recoup any losses, especially losses we didn't really have.  Now
give me the figure."

   Joe knew who he was dealing with and sugar coating was out of the
question.

   "$725K" He said, resigned to the fact she would blow a fuse.

   She didn't blow the fuse, but it was clearly lit and burning towards the
powder keg.

   "You may as well start snorting cocaine, as deal with this stuff.  I
know you deal smart, but you KNOW you can't stop once you start with your
little day trades, buy and sell speculation deals trying to prove to
yourself how smart and canny you are." She started quietly, "But that's
over HALF of the cash fund that's supposed to make life smooth and happy
for us.  WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME?" She shouted to his face.

   "When I got everything back and I was happy with the cash fund total.  I
thought 2 mil was a nice round figure." He said trying to add a little
humor, but she was in no mood.

   "Let's go right back there, right now and start divesting yourself of
this.  I don't care if we take a loss or not.  We have 1.4 million,
MILLION!, in an account for play money, expense money, walking around
money, and ONLY YOU would think that wasn't enough.  People starve all over
the world, lose their homes and life savings and we live as the most
fortunate people on the planet, yet you aren't satisfied.  You have a
sickness.  You buy a billion shares at a dime and sell them at 11 cents and
you get a hard-on, you're so proud.  But if you have to sell it at 9 cents
you don't sleep for a week and worry yourself into a stroke.  WE DON'T NEED
ANY MORE MONEY TO SATISFY YOUR EGO!" She said as she took his hand and half
pulled and half led him to the computer banks in the back room.

   "Sit and sell!" She commanded.  "You're supposed to be retired and once
you retired I thought the days of you checking stocks incessantly had
passed.  I like to dabble the market as much as anyone and we played
together for a long while, but you promised to stop once you retired and
gave up the company.  Remember, you bought the houses so we could just
travel once I got out?"

   "But, Selena, you're still in!  You're going to finish your commitment
and I'm stuck again in the condo twiddling my thumbs.  I need a hobby!" Joe
said beginning to get pissed, but trying to avoid a drag out fight that she
was clearly in market for.

   "Joe, a hobby is playing around with 1 or 2 percent of our play pot, NOT
HALF!" She said forcefully, and then she turned sullen, almost turning a
little white.

   "Listen, I have to tell you something that I promised to keep to myself,
but under the circumstances it's not right.  It's never mattered before. 
Back when you have the knee reconstruction at Lenox Hill Doctor Payne told
me something.  Your Uncle Don died of a mysterious heart ailment at a young
age, and then your Dad had a car accident and died fairly young.  Dr. 
Payne says that your Dad probably had a heart attack that caused the car
accident.  It was something that wasn't supposed to be published because of
the will and everything.  Accidental death and a lifestyle related death
could have made a difference." She began as Joe was shocked at what he was
hearing.

   "WAIT!  What does this have to do with me NOW and what kind of balls
does Bill Payne have not telling me!" Joe shouted.

   "Calm down, calm down!  Just listen to me.  When Bill Payne was doing
your pre-surgery screening, he thought he would check back on some family
history because both your Mom and Dad dealt with hypertension.  When he
looked at the coroner's report he saw a discrepancy in dates.  The coroner
was an acquaintance and he called him just wondering why the autopsy report
was published and the coroner waited 4 days to file.  After being a bit
elusive, he told him that they had a second autopsy report filed because
the first showed he had some sort of attack.  He back tracked a little and
found the information on his brother, your Uncle.  He just told me that for
your own good, you should try and avoid stress, especially once you hit 50.
Since the only stress in your life was female companionship and worrying
about stocks, I thought I was home free once you said you were retiring. 
Even Bill Payne admits that your Uncle's death and your Dad's death may not
be even close to be related, but Bill really likes you and although he
could never tell you anything officially, because it would put a few
careers in jeopardy, he told me.  He even did it in a round-a-bout matter
where I could never pin him down.  Actually no one knew if there was a
lifestyle clause in the insurance, it's just your Father knew LOTS of
people, and they looked out for him, and you.  Now, I want to drop all of
this talk because it scares the shit out of me."

   "So, do I need to go and get checked out for anything, am I a walking
time bomb?"

   "No, no, he said nothing like that, just that we should be aware and be
careful.  I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to have a heart work-up, but you've
been through constant medical supervision for almost 10 years, and had two
major surgeries on your knees since, even so, Bill's words have always hung
with me.  Seeing you look like you did a few minutes ago reminded me of
when we first started going out, all nerved up over stocks, and it alarmed
me." She said softly as she moved to sit on Joe's lap and hug him tightly,
like he might go away right then.

   "Don't worry, I'm not going away that easy, that soon.  We've got a lot
of love to make.  I promise." Joe whispered to her.

   "Can you make me one more promise?" She asked.

   "For you, baby, anything!"

   "Don't get upset, I already promised I wouldn't beg you on this, but,
can we go and see our daughter soon?  I promise I won't make a scene, I
just want to SEE her." Selena asked as tears started to flow.

   "That's a big order, and one we said we wouldn't push, but if it means
that much, let me see what I can do.  Don't make me promise, but I'll do
whatever I can.  It would be great just to see her, what she's like." Joe
said hugging Selena tightly.

   "I'm sorry.  It's just I've been waking up at night and thinking about
her.  I'm resolved to the situation and know I can't change it.  When you
love someone you don't even know it's . . . . . ." She was trying to
explain but Joe stopped her with a finger to her lips.

   "I understand, I go through the same thing.  Let's not dwell on it.  We
have Thanksgiving and a honeymoon to plan and enjoy." Joe whispered.

   "A honeymoon?  We've never called this a honeymoon, but I suppose you
could.  I'd love to get married in a church with all our friends there and
go on a real honeymoon." She said staring off into space.

   "I'm going to take care of that, and I've even started the ball rolling.
Don't question me, but I'm working on that.  Just know that I promised you
and I'm working on it."

   Selena couldn't hold her emotions anymore and turned on his lap hugging
him tightly around his neck while crying happy tears that ran down her
cheeks like rain.

   Chapter 26

   In tiny Horicon, New York a young girl pushed her pencil writing an
essay for school.  In her composition book she wrote about the effects on
the world brought about by the 911 attacks on the United States.  She was
happy her mother had bought her a bound composition book as she was left
handed and having to lay her arm across the wire spiral always caused her
pain and left the lines.  She was happy that she had been allowed to use
her mother's laptop for research, for as much as a nine year old would
delve into a subject.  But this 9 year old was especially smart and wanted
to follow up on a story she had seen Bryan Willhelm of NBC tell about on
the school news feed they saw each week in History studies.  It was about 2
people who survived the 911 attacks, but were not identified as such for
almost 10 years.  She remembered the name Edison as one of the hospitals
because they had studied Thomas Edison and she considered him a real hero
of hers, because she had quite the inquisitive mind and couldn't wait until
she could participate in her first science fair, now that she was in 5th
grade.  Not many knew she was 8, going on 9, as she acted and looked mature
for her age.  She had been pushed along because he was so advanced when she
went to 1st grade.  Her mother had taught pre-schoolers in her day care and
she was there to participate from early on.  Her aptitude was incredible.
When she was 8 her body started changing like some of her older classmates
and on that 8th birthday, her mother and father took her aside to inform
her that she had been adopted.  They had planned to wait until she was 12
or 13, but she was already a "little adult" in so many ways.  She
questioned who her mother was and was told what they knew as the truth, her
mother had died in childbirth.  The only knew she had come from New Jersey.

   Searching the internet with little information is easy when you have the
right key words, and Edison, 911 attacks, brought you to the story of Joe
Johnson and linked you to Selena Johnson and their press conference where
they told the world of what had happened to them.  She clicked on the link
to Selena Johnson and thought for a moment she had found a mirror on the
internet.  There, save for a bit of maturity in the lines in her face, was
a picture of herself.

   As smart and perceptive as the young girl may have been, the thought of
finding her "real mother" never really crossed her mind.  The only person
she ever thought of as her mother was there for her every day.  When her
parents told her that she was adopted it caused little mental trauma since
she was as happy and contented as could be, and maybe caused her to love
her parents more for saving her from a life of orphanages and foster homes.

   She looked at the beautiful woman Selena Johnson was and marveled at how
closely she resembled herself.  She smiled as she looked at the You Tube
press conference and saw the woman walk out to the press table and then
walk back into her home.  She was very attractive and she knew her own
little body was budding breasts already and her hips were taking shape. 
When she saw her she hoped she might be as pretty someday as the woman in
the video.

   Smart and perceptive, yes.  But she was still naïve enough to think that
her mother told her that her real Mom had died and that was that. 
Realities of heredity, physical likeness, and medical traits passed on,
even heritage, never really crossed her mind.  She and her adoptive Mom
shared the golden hair and blue eyes and no one could ever question an
obvious difference in the two, they bore so many similar features.  But,
although she was not aware of it, a seed of thought had been planted in her
head.

   Selena stood by while Joe began to sell off the holdings he had unwisely
bought secretively.  While Selena trusted him she wanted to be sure he did
as he promised he would.  Buying and selling of stocks could be his hobby,
but not his job, and 2% was his limit for investing.

   While Selena was always aware of what Dr.  Payne had told her, it never
really crossed her mind until she saw the look on his face and furrow in
his brow that day.  Losing Joe now, after all they had been through, would
certainly break her spirit to a point she may not recover.  After all he
had been through if something was serious, it would have shown up, but
there had to be a reason Dr.  Payne made his comments.

   Selena was finishing closing the third large travel case when Joe came
around the corner to tell her that the last of his divesting would take
effect Monday morning.  Before he could get the words out he was taken by
the size of the 3 cases.

   "My God, are you bringing furniture too?" He said startled.

   "No, smart ass!  A lot of this stuff is for New York.  Two cases back in
New York are going to Jamaica, and one of these.  The other two are for the
colder months.  If UPS gets them tomorrow they'll deliver them on Tuesday
or Wednesday." She said snapping back at his comment.

   "Lordy, for a place where we'll be naked more than dressed, we sure are
bringing a lot of clothes."

   "We'll be going out to dinner and clubs, won't we?" She said as she
turned and hung her arms around his neck.  "You want me to look nice, don't
you?  Shouldn't I look . . . . .  um, fuck-able for you?"

   "You look fuck-able right now, in a sweater and slacks." He said as he
ran his hands over the roundness of the ass he loved so much to watch and
fondle.

   "Joey, don't tease me like that!  We rode in the car all morning, drank
so much coffee between the trip and my Mothers that I've had to pee 4 times
and poo twice.  I want to shower before making love and we don't have time
right now." She whined.

   "Wow, thanks for the graphic images, I'm sort of losing interest anyway,
. . . .  NOW!" He said as he turned to leave the room.

   He got one step up the hallway when he heard her call back.

   "Joe?  Can you help me with one thing?"

   "It doesn't have to do with bodily waste, does it?" He said as he
backtracked and looked into the room.

   There was Selena on her knees and her sweater thrown off onto the floor
while she fondled her gorgeous breasts.

   "I AM a little hungry and could use a protein snack to show my honey how
much I really do love him." She said devilishly.

   "Is this to make up for the scolding and financial emasculating you did
earlier, or to soften me to add another bag for the trip?" He said snidely.

   "Fuck You!" She said as she stood and picked up her sweater and turned
to bring it over her head and back down her body.

   "That was SUPPOSED to be a real show of affection and how much I love
you; I`m not some whore who uses her talents to open doors and get her way.
You were WAY out of line on the stock deals, using OUR money to satisfy
your cravings.  PLUS, I was looking out for your own well being.  As far as
the bags, I'll pack as many suitcases as I like for our trip as I TRY TO
LOOK NICE FOR YOU!  But at this point your chance of getting laid in
Jamaica is pretty slim.  If you're THAT upset of the stocks fiasco, let's
talk about it, but you know that I'm right on every level." She said as she
rushed past Joe and went to the bathroom where he clearly heard her crying.

   Joe felt like shit as he saw what his attempt at humor had cost him.  He
hadn't meant to sound as catty as the words came across.  He had clearly
misjudged her mood and temperament on the situation.  The last thing he
would want to do would be to hurt her with words, or at all.  She was his
life.  Her tirade was so unexpected that he was left stunned and speechless
as she had rushed by him.

   "Selena?  Essy, sweetheart?  Something happened here that clearly was
misunderstood.  After the words came out of my mouth I realized how they
sounded but before I could backtrack you blew up in my face and you stunned
me.  Honey, I never EVER, want to hurt you in any way, especially with
words.  I know the pain and heartache of life without you, and you without
me.  I was making light of a situation that clearly was harder for you to
execute than I judged." He said at the door, hoping she might listen and
come out to talk.

   "YOU DON'T THINK IT HURT ME TO HAVE TO DO THAT TO YOU?  I know the
things you love to do and the things that satisfy you.  Pulling the rug
from under you was, possibly, the hardest thing I've had to do in our
marriage and I had to do it in a way where I could show you how MUCH I love
you.  PLUS, I promised Dr.  Payne that I would NEVER tell you what I told
you.  Ethically, he could be stripped of his license and only the fact he
respects you so much made him do it.  I violated that trust, and hurt you
by doing so.  I was so worried that you might take the situation as
something emasculating and when you seemed contrite and understanding I was
relieved you hadn't taken it that way.  THEN, you accuse me of using sex as
a weapon or peacemaker bribe and say I "emasculated" you after you said you
understood.  Right now I'd rather be in the haze I was in at Hampden than
have to deal with the reality of this, AND TO HAVE YOU MAKE LIGHT OF IT
WHEN I WANTED TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU, just tears me apart." She said through
the door, starting to build to a rage again but quickly softening her tone
as she continued.

   "Essy, what you think happened, didn't.  Please understand.  I would
never cheapen sex like that.  You HAVE to know that about me.  Come ON! 
You're acting like I'm a stranger you hardly know.  Think about this!  You
had just made note of how many times you had peed and pooped today in an
effort to sway me from an afternoon quickie and I turn to see you look so
sexy a second later, I was just trying to make light of the situation." Joe
said loudly to the door.

   There was a long silence and then he saw the door handle turning.  It
stayed fully turned, obviously with weight on it, and then it opened with
the tear stained face of Selena coming into view.

   "Your words tore my heart apart!  I told myself that I hoped he doesn't
think I emasculated him, and when you seemed to understand I was relieved.
Then you used that same word in your poorly chosen time to make a "joke",
especially when I was offering you my mouth to make love to.  How could you
be so coarse?, was what I asked myself.  Now in putting things in
perspective, I know that wouldn't be you, BUT, choose your words better in
the future.  Just keep thinking, . . . .  I may be a little more sensitive
than before, my emotions are thinner after 9 years of confusion. . . . . .
. . .  OK?" She said from the doorway, not committing herself to coming
out.

   Joe simply held out his arms as if to invite her to them as his answer.
She slowly stepped out and quickly wrapped her arms around him, crying
again.

   Joe held her tight and they communicated wordlessly of their feelings.
Joe's mind reeled of this change in her emotional make up, never wanting to
see her hurt like this again.  His 9 year hiatus from life seemed only a
few weeks in his mental make-up.  She counted and knew of nearly each day
of the entire time with no outlet for her anguish.

   Selena pulled back to look Joe in the eye, tears streaming down her
cheeks.  "I KNOW you would never treat me like that and whatever possessed
me to think you did just overwhelmed me.  Maybe I'm still a mental case. 
I'm so focused at work, so centered.  Why can't I grasp this with you?"

   "Selena, remember when you saw the painting and dedication in the store
room?  It isn't just with me.  You've got some little quirks in your
emotions and after all the inner anguish and drugs you had over those
years, it's understandable.  Just hard wire in your head that I'm your
center and not your enemy." Joe whispered.

   "I know that and it somehow just escapes me when that little fuse blows.
I just snap and it's like someone else is in control." She said candidly.

   "We have to speak to Philly and have you explain this to her, tell her
about "blowing a fuse" if you really feel like it's something you can't
control."

   "It isn't that I can't control it, it's that I feel like I'm watching
these things happen from afar to someone else." She continued in her candid
self diagnosing process.

   "Come, you have to write these things down, while they're still fresh."
Joe said taking her hand to lead her to a table in the hall outside this
bathroom.

   He took a notepad from the drawer and jotted down a few of her words as
he remembered them.  Then she took the pen and looked where he had written,
"watching from afar at someone else".  She added "aware of blowing a fuse,
with no control" and then stood looking into space pensively for a long
moment.

   "There, I think those are the salient points of those thoughts I
expressed.  Thank you for being you, being my center, Joe.  I know that
right now at this point of my life, my recovery, I couldn't get by without
you.  That's why Bill Payne's words haunt me so." She said turning to Joe
again and holding him tightly as if for dear life.

   "Why don't you go and lay down for a bit?"

   "No, I should stay busy, try to think less about it, get my mind back to
what I was doing." She insisted as she walked back to the spare bedroom
where she was packing.

   She stopped and turned to him and pulled her sweater up and over her
head.  "Come here, my dear husband.  I have unfinished desires, and you're
one of them.  Let me show you how much I love you." She said as she dropped
to her knees and reached for him.

   "I know how much you love me."

   "But when we're one and I feel your sweet heart beating on my tongue,
hear you groan in ecstatic pleasure, and taste the very juices you make
from your excitement for me, it fulfils me in a special way like no other
sensation." She cooed while reaching for his belt buckle with one hand and
feeling for his cock through his pants with the other.

   "You make it hard to resist." He laughed.

   "Why would you resist?" She said as she fished out his cock and fit the
flat of her tongue on the underside of it while smiling before she closed
her whole mouth over it.

   "Argrrgh, Ooooo, gosh you wouldn't.  That feels so good!" he said
reacting to the rush.

   As she felt him grow in her mouth her hands went to his waist and pulled
his zipper down the rest of the way and began to work his pants and
underwear over his butt.  At one point she had to let his cock free to let
his pants fall, but it was only for a split second.  She then brought her
hands up hold the cheeks of his ass as she ran her mouth in short strokes
over the head of his cock.

   At one point she began to go deeper with feathered breathing before she
hunched up, almost touching him to the back of her throat.  He knew she had
an orgasm by only having him in her mouth.  She truly loved and devoted
herself to him that much, a fact that never failed to amaze him, but he
loved her with equal fervor.  Seeing her orgasm made him that much more
excited and he felt himself beginning to sway his hips just a bit to meet
her mouth.  The head of his cock became turgid, almost unable to accept the
sensations she offered and without warning he spilled his seed in her mouth
as she tightened her lips around him to milk him.  When she sensed her was
through she backed to just holding the head in her mouth and she looked up
to him, swirling her tongue around him once more, knowing the super
sensation it would cause as he backed from her, almost tripping over his
ankled pants.

   "You are SO amazing and I love you so much." He said through a graveled
voice.

   She only smiled and sat back on her haunches to show the dark spot on
her light slacks, she was so wet from her orgasm.

   "There's a LOT of that going around.  How are we going to get anything
done if we keep fooling around like this?" She said laughing as she got up
and pulled her sweater over her head and on again.

   She kissed him deeply and said, "You skedaddle so I can finish packing
here.  Then I'll go up and start the pies.  When I give you the shopping
list, which there's bound to be, you can pick up dinner while you're out.
After we've finished dinner and the pies come out, we can shower and go to
bed.  Somewhere in there I have to tap into the Sunday Night Letter
meeting, too."

   Joe barely heard her, as he was frazzled from her draining him.  He was
up and into the living room sofa within minutes and asleep.  The early
hours and events of the day had earned him a nap.

   Joe heard cupboards opening and pans clanging that disturbed his sleep,
but until Selena went out and shook him, he was not fully awake.

   "Wake up sleepy head, I need you to go to the store for me.  I must have
really worn you out before." She said before falling into the sofa beside
him.

   She kissed his smiling face and snuggled him.  "You were delicious this
afternoon.  When I first started tasting you as you began to work up, I
came right in my pants.  I knew you would be special.  After we shower
tonight you can do the same thing to my pussy, I need to feel your tongue
there." She teased.

   "Essy!  Stop it!  I have to go shopping for you and I'll have a hard-on
all the while." Joe said as he broke from her snuggle and stood up.

   She giggled and got to her feet and went to the kitchen to get the list
for Joe.  He put on his coat and was gone in a flash.  When he returned 40
minutes later he had 2 plastic shopping bags and a large paper handle bag
that smelled of something hot and delicious.

   "The Episcopal Church had a sign out for a Pork Supper so I got two to
go and it smells awesome.  They had everything you needed at the store as
well." He said as he set the bags on the counter.  Selena only smiled and
took the supplies out as Joe began to lay out the hot meals for them.

   Joe called her to eat and she was still quiet and had a curious grin on
her face.

   "What is going on with you?  You've had a poop eating grin on your face
since I came back and hardly said a word." Joe wondered.

   "Apparently my orals skills may be hereditary.  I looked high and low
for the ceramic pie plates and called my Mom to see if she had pirated them
away.  She had and I told her I would be right down to get them and she
told me to be quick and quiet, my Dad was down for a nap and she was going
to join him before she got up and did the stuffing later.  That sounded odd
to me, but when I went down she met me at the door and just stuck her head
out with the pie plates.  You'll think this is awful, but she had cum
breath and definitely smelled like sex."

   "Are you sure?  That's your Mother you're talking about." Joe said with
a grin as he scolded her.

   "Joe, I've eaten enough of yours to call myself a gourmet of the stuff,
and I've had cum breath enough to know what it smells like.  I'm not upset,
I'm glad the two of them are still getting it on.  My Mom looks awesome, I
see you checking her out all the time, I'm not stupid.  I should look so
good at her age and feel so sexy.  Don't deny it Joe.  If you were free to
cruise and saw her out, you would be all over her."

   Joe just smiled a shit eating grin and nodded.

   They finished dinner and Joe sent her off to get into the pies while he
cleaned up before he settled into some television.  Once she got them into
the oven, she fired up her laptop and joined in the Sunday Night Letter
meeting in New York.  Thinking Joe might be sleeping, she kept her comments
short and concise.  The fact that Jaye Browne was there in person was not
lost on her.  She winked into the camera to her, hoping she saw it.  She
spent 45 minutes in the meeting and heard her timer go off and Ross told
her to sign off and enjoy her night.

   Joe found his easy chair and the TV and after an hour or so he couldn't
help but reminisce with the smells coming from the kitchen.  It reminded
him of home, with his Mom and Dad, and the great Holidays they spent
together.  Whatever was on TV just served as background noise to his
thoughts and memories.  As the last pie came out and Selena finished
cleaning the kitchen she looked out and saw Joe not really watching the TV,
but staring out the big picture window.  When she went out to get him for
bed she saw his eyes were wet and full of tears, but they seemed to be
happy tears.

   "Are you OK?" She said putting a hand on his shoulder.

   "Yes," He said as he placed a hand over hers.  "Just thinking of my Mom
and Dad.  All the smells brought me back to a lot of Thanksgivings and
Christmas's.  Good memories, but nostalgic and sorry they still aren't
around."

   "They would be proud of you, for all you've done, how you took care of
the company like he wanted, and us too.  I'm sure they wanted to see you
settle down." Selena said before leaning over and kissing his cheek and
whispering, "I'm getting in the shower; you follow me and meet me in bed,
my lover."

   Joe heard the water start and he got up and straightened up a bit and
looked in at the pies cooling with towels over them to protect them, just
like his Mom would do.  He puttered a bit more and heard the water go off
and he headed for the bedroom.  As he undressed, Essy came out in a sheer
dressing gown and smiled at him.  He took the cue and went right into the
bath and got under the hot spray, anxious to be with Selena in bed.

   Under the shower Joe Johnsons mind wandered as he rinsed the day's grit
from himself.  "700K, what the fuck was I thinking, and to think she
wouldn't care?  I mean, I knew she would be a little pissed, but holy shit,
she flipped.  She really hates that she told me what Bill had said about
Dad.  I know Uncle Don died young from a heart attack, but they never said
it was genetic.  I'll have to bite my tongue with Bill around.  Lynn always
said that Marel, her mother, probably screwed him to death." He chuckled to
himself.  "She told me once she was able to figure a way out of her room to
peek around, she saw her screw a couple guys a week, leaving her cash and
gifts.  I know Lynn hocked a couple diamond bracelets that Marel never even
missed.  Once Lynn knew we weren't really blood cousins, she knew she had
the right person to experiment with what she saw her mother enjoying.  No
wonder I was so fucked up with women.  Thank God for Selena, God I love
her."

   Joe finished his musings and shower simultaneously, getting out to dry
off and spot a little deodorant under his arms.  He left the bathroom naked
and looked into the bedroom to see Selena stretched out, looking for Joe.
Her hands were full of her breasts, massaging them and pinching at the
nipples.

   "I'm saving my pussy for you, but hurry, I'll need handcuffs to keep my
fingers out in a few seconds." Selena said in a staccato breathy voice.

   Joe never said a word, he just went to the bed and knelt on the bottom
edge and put both hands on each of her thighs, encouraging them apart as he
dropped his mouth to her sopping vagina.  His tongue found the groove and
he pushed hard into it and dragged his tongue up and through, kissing her
engorged clit.

   Selena bucked on the bed and pushed her torso to his mouth as he went to
work lapping up her juices and pleasuring her lips and clit as she seemed
to vibrate in an unstoppable orgasm.  He hunched up and got her to raise
and spread her legs.  He dropped his tongue across her asshole, making her
jolt, but he had done what he intended, got it wet enough to slip a finger
in.  As he massaged her clit and mopped the juices from her slit he stuck a
finger sharply up her little hole.  She jolted hard and he felt an ooze of
warm cream on his tongue.  He let some run out and down to his finger to
help slide it in and out faster as her ass came off the bed to his mouth.
She held it there as her orgasm continued and then she suddenly pushed his
head away.

   "One more stroke in my hiney and I'll beg you to fuck me there, and
we're saving that for Jamaica.  Get up here and make love to me." She
swooned.

   Joe thought she may have expected him to present his cock to her mouth
to get it hard, but he was cast iron already as she writhed and begged
under him.

   He lurched up placing a hand on either forearm pinning her back as his
cock found her slippery hole and he lunged in.  He fucked her with wanton
energy as the only sound in the room was the slush of his penis in her
waiting hole.  Her mouth was attached to his neck, muffling her passionate
cries.  Only when he became aware of a possible giant hickey did he bounce
up and flip her like a rag doll to her knees and plunge into her once
again, this time with the loud slap of his middle to the backs of her
thighs.  Her mouth was open wordlessly as her throat leaked guttural sounds
under the onslaught.  When he knelt back on his haunches and pulled her up
with him the creamy white skin of her round ass came into the light cast by
the bathroom nightlight.

   "Whack, whack, whack!" rang out in the room as his right hand cracked
down on right buttock.  She hissed at the pain of the slaps, but then
giggled a bit, inviting three more, her lovely cheek now illuminated in red
as it traveled in and out of the light.  Joe admired his work and then let
a blob of spit drop from his mouth to her ass groove.  It no more than hit
her little hole when he forced his thumb straight up her pretty chute,
causing her to cry out.

   "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck," She cried
at each thrust as he felt her asshole grab at his thumb.  Joe wanted to
continue but he felt his orgasm rising fast and pulled from her pussy and
let a long volley of cummy mess stream all the way up to her neck, and the
next in the center of her back, before he collapsed onto her, reaching
around to hold her breasts and then roll back to have her on top of him,
both spread-eagled facing the ceiling.  She reached down and found his
softening cock under her and pushed it to her asshole as if to push it in.
He felt the head spread her open but quickly fall out.  It just wasn't to
be that evening.

   Once their breathing began to synchronize and calm to normal Selena
rolled from him and flipped to rest her head on his chest.

   "If that was make-up sex, we'll have to fight more often." She giggled.

   "NO, fighting upsets me too much.  I could fuck you like that every
night of we kept the circumstances the same.  We were just full of passion
and anticipating the Holiday, plus being home in our own bed, and don't
forget, it was making love and I love you so much." Joe whispered as if
someone else might hear.

   Joe pulled the sheet and comforter up over them and they remained
unmoved for another 7 hours.

   Chapter 27

   Joe Johnson awoke when he became aware of being touched on his chest, as
well as someone looking at him.  As he shook off the cobwebs he smiled and
opened his eyes to see Selena propped up on one elbow staring at him as she
fiddled in his chest hair.

   He smiled, and she returned the silent greeting, adding "Good morning
lover.  If last night was a preview to Jamaica we might never come home. 
Sex with you is like a drug for me.  The way you made love to me last night
had my head spinning."

   "You do it to me.  YOU, you're the drug.  You make me so . . . . . . .
." Joe started to say.

   "ANIMAL!  You're just a sex animal." She interrupted with a big grin. 
"The sting when you slapped my ass last night made my clit explode, and
then you did it again and shoved your thumb up my hiney and I thought it
had burst, my clit, that is.  I was thinking of giving you a special wake
up, but we're both covered in dried cum.  The bed is a mess."

   "How did innocent little Selena Hanson become so sexy, so wild, and open
about her sexuality?  I just look at you and see the girl who knocked on my
door in the middle of the night to call me out for rejecting her.  I could
not love you any more and you made it happen." Joe said in real wonderment.

   Selena's eyes welled with tears and hugged her head to Joe's chest.

   "Our love is so beautiful.  Look at all we've been through, all the shit
that's been thrown at us, the roadblocks, the rape, the psychosis we both
suffered, the world falling in on us, and here we are like nothing happened
because of our love.  I may be a little sensitive and mental sometimes, but
I have a good grasp on reality and that reality is, I love you so much. 
Maybe I should just bag the whole Wall Street thing and run away with you
and bounce to our places around the world." She mused in a lucid moment
detaching herself from the situation.

   Joe hugged her hard to his chest, drinking in her words and kissing the
top of her head as she hugged up to him.

   "You know, if I were to think it were possible, I would take you right
now and just leave and do that, but . . . . . .you're so principled, so
dedicated, that you would have deep regrets that would haunt you for not
finishing what you started at Wall Street.  You once told me that you had a
goal of finishing your commitment to WSG to make sure the world knew you
were here.  I don't think that has changed.  It's why I didn't fight you
when you wanted to stay in New York to finish, and it's why I support you
in your quests.  I've done what I set out to do, and I've got to see you
through as well.  I've fantasized over and over that you would finish at
Wall Street and we would run off to live and love around as happy retired
lovers, and then when our daughter is mature enough to understand
everything that's happened and transpired, find her and develop some sort
of relationship.  Maybe I'm just full of myself and over egoed, but I just
don't see how she couldn't love us." He said trying to keep his composure.

   Selena picked her head up and turned to look at Joe, her eyes streaming
tears, but wanting to kiss him through them while blubbering her words at
the same time.

   "All those things, ALL of them, have been in my thoughts as well.  It's
no wonder we love each other so much." She said while kissing and dripping
tears on Joe.

   They stayed quiet and pensive for a good long while until Joe finally
stirred.

   "Come on lover, let's let our day begin and take solace in the fact that
we know where we are and where we're going and it's together."

   Selena smiled and kissed him looking at him in total confidence and
bounced up and headed to the shower.  Joe went and put on coffee.  As he
worked to put together breakfast he couldn't help but smell the dried sex
juices from both of them on his body.  The combo of the two scents put a
little stiffness where he didn't think he had the stamina just a few
minutes before.  He was preparing a favorite of theirs, Skiers Toast.  He
quickly mixed the cream and eggs with sweet and pungent spices and quickly
sliced a baguette and put it in the mixture to soak.  The soggy bread would
turn to fluffy toasts that smelled heavenly as they slowly baked.  He had
it in the oven before she finished her shower and he was able to join her
for the last few minutes of her rinse.

   His erection was obvious and Selena got up in her toes and kissed him
deeply while holding his cock tightly in her hand while whispering, "Let's
wait for this till later.  IF we start now, we'll never get a thing done
today.  Just save this for me."

   Joe nodded knowing she was right and that his excitement would have to
wait, but it only added to the anticipation of being with her in Jamaica.
He washed as she dried and went off to dress.  Before he finished she stuck
her head in the bathroom to announce, "The kitchen smells heavenly and they
look to have about 5 minutes before they come out.  You're so sweet to make
us that treat.  Skiers Toast is the perfect morning after sex breakfast. 
You made it for me the first time I stayed over for breakfast.  I love
you."

   Joe didn't respond as he was rinsing his hair, but she knew he heard
her.

   When Joe emerged from the bathroom Selena was plating breakfast and
pouring coffee.  It was a wonderful cap to a passionate night of love
making.  Nights like that insured their times together were episodic where
they could recall each time with a little nuance that made it special. 
Even after making love so many times, that morning as they looked each
other in the eye over breakfast they smiled as they recalled the previous
evenings special quirks.

   "I almost got a little preview, it just popped in." She said blushing.

   "What on earth are you talking about?" He asked feigning ignorance.

   "It was more like a kiss, but if it weren't so soon after, I could have
got it in, you were losing it." She explained, with her face still red.  "I
felt you right next to my hiney and I just pushed it.  If it were firmer it
would have popped right up."

   "You naughty little tart!  I thought that was just a coincidental
movement!" He said continuing his faux act.

   The sexy smile that accompanied her knowing blush made his cock almost
jump through the slash in his lounge pants as he winked at her.  They both
knew he loved taking her bottom and was anxious for their time in Jamaica
where they would reintroduce themselves to the practice as she promised. 
Lately she was willing to forego the wait, but he was determined to keep it
special for her.

   They continued eating; making eyes at each other like teenagers until
she sat back and had a moment to think about what she was going to say.

   "You probably noticed I've gone a few days past where I usually shave, I
know you like me smooth and so do I.  I have a 10 a.m.  appointment at the
spa across from the community college for a Brazilian hot wax.  What do you
think?"

   "I hear it can be painful, are you sure?"

   "Shanna tells me that if the technician knows what she's doing, it
shouldn't be THAT uncomfortable.  I searched the internet and this girl
comes highly recommended.  You can't get an appointment with her the two
weeks before spring break and they come from as far as Plattsburgh." Selena
said with a little trepidation.

   "How long does it last before it begins to grow back?"

   "Shanna says about a month and when it does grow back it's softer and
lighter hairs and they wax off very easily.  This first one will be the
hardest, but I really want to do it for me and for you." She said with an
embarrassed smile, I know I said I would never do it, but the shaving is
getting cumbersome after so many years of not.

   "Ok, Essy, remember, it's YOUR decision."

   Selena actually thought Joe would give her a fight over getting waxed,
but as long as she knew that pain it may cause, he let he make her own
decision.  If it caused any irritation, it would be gone by Thursday, and
if it made her happy, so be it.

   In a short while Selena was ready to leave and went to kiss Joe saying
"Wish me luck."

   At the Salon Studio she was quickly introduced to the tech who asked her
to read a disclaimer and to sign and date it.  The disclaimer was very
basic and more of a warning for potential customers.  It said that if you
were modest and easily embarrassed you must put those feelings aside or not
do it.  If you would be uncomfortable being naked and moved into
compromising positions, some considered sexual, you might rethink your
decision to go through with it.  Finally, you might be touched in ways some
might feel were "sexual" but it is simply the nature of the beast.  You
must have showered within the last few hours and voided your bladder just
before going on the table.

   Everything on the list was things Selena considered and she signed it
and waited to be called.  Once in the room the tech put on a white coat,
rubber gloves and even protective eyewear.  She asked Selena to use the
bathroom and come out with just her top and a paper, cloth-like wrap around
her bottom.

   When she came out the tech asked her "hop up onto the table and let me
tell you all about this."

   She casually told her everything she was going to do and not to have
trepidations or stop the procedure once she started, and was she ready?

   Selena just nodded and rolled her eyes back as the tech pulled away the
cover and moved Selena's legs into a frog position and she began dipping
paddles into a hot wax solution and applying them to her body and deftly
twisting them off in the direction of hair growth, with minimum pain.  In
about 15 minutes she was hairless from belly button to butt hole and
smiling that she was through and didn't have to shave for a month.

   When she got home she came in the backdoor up the stairs instead of the
elevator and Joe was just putting the breakfast dishes away.  He turned and
looked at her for reaction, but she just smiled.

   "It wasn't so bad?" He asked.

   "The first application and next few rips were a little jolting, but once
your realized what it was going to be, it went smooth, no pun there.  The
woman who does it is very professional and handles your business like it's
her own.  Pulling, twisting, things to get at them.  The most embarrassing
was when she flipped me on my side and spread my cheeks to get between
them. Feeling somebody's thumb, not mine or yours, next to my hiney hole,
holding me open, was the most personal and uncomfortable.  But I'll do it
again, for sure." She said exhaling deeply, happy to unburden her feelings
to Joe.

   "Wow, it sounds like you made a love connection!" Joe joked.

   Selena darted at him laughing, "You fucking pervert, I KNEW you would
make a comment like that." She said as Joe caught her and grabbed her fists
so she couldn't swing them at her as he laughed with her.

   It all turned into a hug and kiss, which turned into a deep kiss with
Joe finally whispering, "Let's go in the bedroom and you can show me you
little pootie and how cute it is."

   "No, I'm a little tender there, and we'll save the unveiling for later,
besides, you've seen me nice and smooth many times.  It's just that this
will be velvet smooth for a few weeks.  Now let's get stuff together to get
down to Mom and Dad's.  I want to smell that turkey cooking."

   Tuesday morning was a typical return to The City day for Selena and Joe.
A 5 a.m.  alarm and on the road before 6 and the little blue roadster
zooming down the New York State Thruway at 71 miles an hour to make
Manhattan before 10.  The Holiday week kept the traffic down and by 8:45 it
was apparent they would be close to 9:00 or 9:15, as long as Manhattan
traffic cooperated.  Joe knew enough side streets and access roads to avoid
most jams and he dropped Selena off at Wall Street Global at 9:17 leaving
her to walk in with Ross Curran, who was running late himself.

   Ross waved to Joe and turned to Selena saying, "I expected you around
noon today, you're supposed to be on vacation and just stopping in to get
emails tie loose ends."

   "We got a good start and the traffic was light, until we got downtown
here, but I have a million things swirling in my mind that I want to take
care of before leaving.  You know how it is when you get this place, this
business, in your blood." She said as Ross held the door for her.

   "I do, just don't let it eat you up.  Charlie and Will learned that too
late.  When we first got together and set this place up those two almost
slept here, teetering on the verge of breakdowns.  They both lived long
lives, but didn't learn to take things in stride until later." Ross warned
her, delaying letting her passed so he could finish his point before going
in the reception area.

   Deneigh sat behind the tall mahogany front and greeted both of them as
usual before adding, "And, I want you to meet Berkley Quarters.  I'll be
training her to take over for me for a few weeks."

   Ross stepped closer to the high, wide mahogany shelf and saw a petite,
pretty brunette with an infectious smile looking back at him.  She sat so
low neither Ross not Selena had seen her at first glance.

   "Welcome, welcome Ms Quarters, and this is Selena Johnson another of the
partners." Ross said as the two women exchanged miles and nods.

   "Ms Quarters is on a two week contract through Network HR.  I
interviewed her on Saturday and she was anxious to get started.  I'm hoping
to meet with the partners and get her started through the process this
afternoon.  Ms Johnson, will you be able to fit that into your schedule
today?" Deneigh asked.

   "Ms Myersen, I'll be sure to make the time before I leave, if not today,
then tomorrow." Selena said with a smile and a nod.

   Ross and Selena excused themselves and went through the big door into
the great room to their offices.

   "If bright smiles can get you hired, she's a shoo-in, huh?" Ross said
before leaving Selena at her door.

   "For sure.  I'll have to get with you this morning to go over the whole
hiring process."

   As soon as Selena's light went on that she was "in" on each partner's
board, her intercom rang and her IM flashed.  Slim was the first one
through asking "How was your Thanksgiving?  Why are you here so early?  Can
I have a moment with you before you leave tomorrow?"

   That call was followed by Deneigh asking the same questions and Selena
stopped her.

   "Deneigh?  Why don't you call for a quick meeting in the Great Room in 5
minutes?  I'll turn my light off until then."

   She got her system up and running and checked messages and quickly
looked in the mirror in her desk drawer before going out to the Great Room.
There was chatter around her and everyone trying to get her attention.  She
smiled and made a wave with her hand and sat beside Ross and dropped the
gavel.

   "I want to thank everyone for your kind questions and well-wishes. 
Rather than answer the same questions over and over, I would really like to
see you all face to face.

   "Our anticipated Thanksgiving was wonderful and as you can all imagine,
we have lots to be thankful for.  We got back in town early this morning
and I really wanted to get here to tie up loose ends.  I'm not sure if I'll
stay the whole day, and with the markets you never know.  Please don't
anyone tell me that I'm on vacation and shouldn't be in here, I was gone
for 9 years and believe me, the alternatives to being here were poor.  I am
dedicated to The Wall Street Global Group and intend to finish my
commitment and perhaps beyond in some capacity.  If I had any doubts about
that last week, they have been solved.  I have never felt so attached and a
part of anything in my life as I do here.  I realize I am just getting up
to speed, but Joe and I REALLY need to get away alone after the press of
the media and life in general, trying to fit in so many missing puzzle
pieces.  Between today and tomorrow I will make a stop in each of your
offices before I leave.  I am truly touched and overwhelmed by the support
you've all given me.  If my psyche and self-confidence needed a boost,
you've certainly given it to me.

   In news, Deneigh has begun her search," She began and paused before
looking directly at her, "in earnest, . .  for her replacement so she can
begin her quest for a partnership with us.  I'm sure we all wish her the
best of luck with that.  I assume you've all met her first candidate, . . .
umm . .Berkley Quarters.  I hope I got that right.  Ms Quarters I can
assure you we will all give you the utmost cooperation and understanding
during this trial period and we only ask you do your best and never be
afraid to ask a question.  The only stupid question in the one you fail to
ask.

   Unless there are any pertinent questions, we should all get back to
work." She said unceremoniously dropping the gavel again.

   Selena went straight to Ross Currans office and followed him in.

   "You weren't here yesterday so I took the liberty of starting the
background check on Ms Quarters.  I assume that's one of the questions you
had.  Here is a list of things we will look into." Ross said handing her a
letter he had from the lawyers office..

   Selena looked at the letter, especially at the items highlighted in it.

   "Hmmm, She has to be bondable, a clean drug screen, no former
affiliations with any firm we do financial business with, adept at all
basic office skills, and no arrest record.  This all seems basic common
sense.  Do you have a first impression, Ross?"

   "I have no problems on the surface; there is one thing Deneigh could do,
that I hope she can.  If faced with tremendous personal problems and her
world crumbling around her, you would never know it with Deneigh.  Just so
professional, and that's why she might make a good partner, so we have a
Catch-22 if we deny her the opportunity to become partner.  Strictly off
the record, Deneigh is a very sexy and desirable young woman and if she has
fallen into bed with anyone here by succumbing to the close quartered
intimacy we have of mistaking familiarity for attraction, you would never
know it.  I know the men who have worked here during her 14 years and I can
tell you, it has surely been attempted." Ross said and waited for Selena's
reaction.

   "Putting your personal life aside to do your job as well as she does it
is certainly the mark of a professional.  I know from girl talk with her
that she has been here under highly pressured circumstances, and like you
say, you would never know it.  This Berkley Quarters was vetted by Deneigh
and that holds a lot of weight.  It's just that certain qualities can't be
taught, like where Deneigh absorbs everything around her, watches and reads
what goes on around her and has learned that she has an aptitude for this
business.  I think we know Deneigh will never reach the level of having
"the gift", as you put it, but she's very smart and savvy to what we do. 
When we sit with her it will be interesting to see how her mind has been
trained to work.  She knows the thought process, but I'm not sure if she
can find the genus thought.  Is that unfair to say?" She asked trying not
to be a snob.

   "No, that's fair.  She'll never be invited to join Mensa, but there is a
lot to say for street smarts.  Truthfully, she has doubts, and she worries
she could end up on the outside looking in if this doesn't work out.  I've
assured her that if she only applies herself she will succeed." Ross agreed
and expounded more and looked again to Selena.

   "Yes, she doesn't know the numbers end, but she knows the business end
of it all and that will help her.  She only needs to prove herself to the
partners for her votes.  If she gets the votes, each partner would put up
the usual 5% each towards her seat, Charley Ford and Will Menard each left
a small trust to take care of her seat, if she decided to try, with the
balance going into our scholarship pool.  So that's 35%.  The University we
send candidates to usually agrees to pay another 40%, but she didn't have
that luxury as she stayed local and worked, so we voted, while you were a .
."away" to pick up that 40%.  So when the vote goes through, she only needs
25% for the seat and we've agreed to payroll deduction if she hasn't got
that much saved.  Now if we vote Ms Browne in on January's vote, Deneigh
will have to wait until September for hers.  That should give her time to
save, AND she will know from 3 test votes, after her 6 month probation, how
she is doing.  Although Ms Browne went through her stipend like water, she
was actually a saver and we are holding 25% of her seat in a down payment
trust, her parents insisted.  So she is all set and as long as she stays on
the straight and narrow, she should pass muster."

   "So, with 7 seats we have to bring in at least 25 per cent more business
to keep our shares up to value, we've got a hard year in front of us."
Selena surmised.

   "Yes, we do.  THAT'S why I passed the gavel to you.  You're just the
person to lead us through this.  So rest up and relax, we have a lot of
hard rows to hoe when you come back." Ross said with a little smirk on his
face.

   "Thanks, ummm . . .  I think?" Selena said as she hurried out to get
back to her office and plan out her day.

   After spending 2 hours checking out the stock boards and her usual leads
Selena turned her light off and went out to make the first of her personal
visits she promised before she left for vacation.  She decided Jaye Browne
would be the first.  She knocked on her door and waited to be asked in
before opening it.

   "Please!" Came Jay's voice in response to the knock.

   Selena opened the door and walked in, sitting right across from Jaye.

   "So, you were very quiet this morning, keeping to yourself at the table.
You usually rub elbows with Slim and sit beside me.  Don't tell me there
are problems I need to deal with." Selena said in a slightly accusatory
tone.

   "No, I'm still in my own 10 step program and I GUARANTEE no fuck-ups. 
Sorry about the language.  I just had a lot on my mind this morning and I
have a lead I'm following here that's troubling me." She said pointing to
the screen over Selena's head.

   "I can help you with the lead and give you tips on who to see when you
get a cold trail on something you think is real.  But, what's troubling you
so deeply?  I'm still here for you until think you're ready for the deep
end." She said smiling.

   "Well, it's Bill and it's all good, but maybe TOO good."

   "Explain" Selena said sitting back.

   "Well, I see him every day on the train and we've talked every day as
well.  We went on two dates, he met me here on Sunday night so I wouldn't
have to go home on the train in the dark, and we talked on the phone for a
couple hours last night, not to mention texting this morning before I got
here.  I can't get enough of him, and he of me.  I've known him for 10 days
or 2 weeks, and been out with him a couple times and I think I'm falling in
love with him.  It's so soon and I'm afraid we're going to screw it up.  We
both realize it's happening too fast, but neither of us wants to slow or
quit.  I'm already thinking of when I can move in with him, and he's
mentioned it should be on our horizon.  I'm not crazy enough to do that
this soon.  I would think a year together before we got THAT personal.  I
would prefer to be engaged before I ever did that.  See, there I am! 
Thinking about a life commitment after such a short time.  I'm afraid." She
said in a sullen tone, but brightness in her eyes.

   `To purposely stay away from each other when you WANT to see each other
is stupid.  You both have to take a deep breath and just slow the pace a
bit.  Stay busy and don't offer opportunities where intimacy is the only
thing you end up doing together.  Keep your life private, but please don't
tell me you've slept with him already."

   "No, I haven't, but it hasn't been for not wanting to.  It's been
discussed and we both know THAT has to wait.  We don't want to become fuck
buddies, we want it to be making love.  But, we have given into other
urges." She said blushing deeply.

   "Just know that some of those urges will lead you to a bed and an urge
hard to resist."

   "God Selena, I'm certainly no virgin, but I've been around the block a
few times.  Sunday morning after a hot goodnight session at my door at 2
a.m.  I was up at 6:30 and he was on Instant Messaging already.  He
couldn't sleep either.  I invited him over and we were naked before you
knew it and got pretty involved to satisfy each other.  I don't think I
need to explain."

   "No, already more information than I needed.  Just be careful.  Actually
it sounds like you two have got a hold of it, pardon the pun.  If you want
to be sure of each other's feelings before you consummate, you really need
to do a lot of talking, and spend time together WITH other people.  See
friends, be out in public and talk where you won't be distracted with sex.
Listen, I'm a financial person and not a couples counselor.  I'm flattered
you trust me with your intimate details, but you two have to work things
out and not let it interrupt you work, OK?" Selena said before reaching
over the desk to pick up her yellow pad of notes.

   "Honest, Selena.  I haven't let it bother my work.  In the meeting this
morning I was more tired than distracted, but after coffee I'm pretty
focused." Jaye said defending herself.

   "Your notes are interesting here.  Liberia, huh?  I'm just catching up
to them politically.  I guess civil unrest has calmed recently.  What's
your note here, US dollars and UNA Rubber?"

   "UNA Rubber is a fairly new American company investing big dollars over
there, and literally mostly OUR dollars.  US currency is legal tender
there. They've opened a few plants there and hired a lot of people,
improving their economy, but everything they do, every transaction, even
payroll, is in cash, our tender cash.  Coincidentally, their oil price has
plummeted and they have low reserves.  I have a feeling these two facts
have to talk to each other, some kind of connection.  We have 4 members
shoving big bucks into UNA Rubber and I'm thinking something funny is going
on, maybe all legal, but I'm not comfortable with some of our people
investing so hard there.  Others are following and UNA looks to be strong
right now but . . . ."

   "Well, if you feel that strong, you should get Slim over here.  He's
pretty savvy on the foreign markets.  Buzz him and ask him to stop by."

   Jaye picked up her phone and punched Slims number and he knocked on the
door in a few moments.  Selena got up and handed the notes to Slim and let
him sit as she excused herself.  Slim read the notes as Jaye explained her
feelings.  When she concluded Slim reached into his pocket and pulled out a
folded yellow pad half sheet, folded down to a 3 x 3 square.  He opened it
and held it up for Jaye.

   It read, "Liberia WTF, all our cash, and missing oil futures."

   "I was going to call a friend of mine in the Tokyo exchange today to see
if he had a sniff of what's going on over there.  It's not odd for their
oil futures to crash, with civil war and all, but with so much cash fluid
in their system, that shouldn't be the case.  I smell a dirty diaper, but I
can't find the right butt to check.  How did you come across this, I'm
curious to know?" Slim asked.

   "I read a piece online how UNA Rubber employees were buying stock in the
company, not through a company payroll option, but pooling finances
together to form small investment groups and it mentioned them paying for
everything in cash, and all US dollars.  I was interested in the US cash
angle.  I know they fashion their government after ours, but I didn't
realize they accept our dollars as currency, as well as their own dollars.
In the article it mentioned that only 1 in 5 households have a car, and
then it spoke of the big shortage of oil and things didn't add up.  They
don't export much of their oil, and those figures hadn't ballooned anyway.
So there's definitely a missing piece to the puzzle, and whatever that
piece is, it isn't good for investors over here." She said confidently and
almost shyly, unsure how Slim was going to react.

   "Well, you did a great job.  Unless you have a warm lead, let this lie
until I check with my overseas connections.  Just as an aside, when leads
keep coming up cold, but you're sure something will develop, do just what
you did.  Check with one of us, confirm, and then move on.  There's lot of
trading being done all over the world and to keep concentrating on
something that has gone cold on you is a waste of time.  As you bring in
other factors watching the whole picture you may find a new thread or a
lead to your old one.  OK?" Slim said standing and admiring Jaye's new
commitment, as well as how pretty she was after dropping all the things
that made her look cheap.

   On his way back to his office he stopped at Selena's door and knocked.
When she replied he stuck his head in quickly, "She's going to be great for
us.  She's got a great head on her shoulders.  Picking that up lead was
awesome.  When I saw it I thought I would be the only one to add that
entire thing up, since I know that whole oil thing so well overseas.  She's
very good."

   "Good to hear, Slim.  I'm encouraged as well.  I'll make time for you
later today.  Please close the door." She said rather abruptly as she knew
she couldn't get involved with a long conversation on Jaye at the moment as
she checked through her daily routine.

   As Selena checked her usual tells and signs what ran through her mind
made her proud of herself.  "I think that girl likens me her protégé.  Good
Lord, except for the naiveté, that's me 10 years ago.  If she wants she can
dominate this firm in a few years."

   She wasn't about to tell her fellow partners how she felt about Jaye,
she was still in the infancy of recovery from what she was, but Selena knew
the drug that Wall Street was, and how susceptible Jaye was to addictive
behavior.  Ten days ago the partners would have sacrificed their investment
in her, so making wild predictions of her success would be premature and
show a short-sightedness on Selena's part.  However, she felt very strong
about her convictions.  The fact she might be entering a serious
relationship only furthered her comparisons to herself.  She thought, "If
she channels her youthful energy into this guy and uses the sexual
satisfaction as a conduit to the laser sharp focus the markets require, it
will all come together for her."

   Selena was well aware that the distractions of youth hold back the best
of young minds as they seek stimulation and satisfaction of going faster,
feeling higher, and shunning any thoughts of ever leaving this world,
feeling invincible.  Feeling love and giving love with unbridled, no speed
limit sexual satisfaction fulfilled all the urges of youthful rebellion and
the impulsive, reckless bravado in a young sharp mind.  That left her mind
free to pursue her professional life in total focus.  She saw Jaye possibly
being very much as she was in that way.  She only hoped Jaye realized the
potential and opportunity she had here.

   Chapter 28

   The jolt of the wheels hitting the runway and the sudden sensation of
rolling on terra firma as opposed to floating in the sky woke both Selena
and Joe from their deep sleep.  The culmination of the past weeks rush, the
past 9 + years ordeal, and the anticipation of reliving their most
passionate experience, left them exhausted to where the hum of the jet
engines became a lullaby to put them into restful deep sleep.

   "Oh God!  I missed the whole flight!  The view of the island countryside
is so beautiful, why didn't you wake me?" Selena asked as she got her
bearings.

   "I was out too.  The last thing I remember was the steward asking us if
we wanted a drink." Joe said trying to shake the cobwebs.

   "The steward tried to wake you," the pretty woman in the seat across the
aisle said, over hearing them.  "She was about to shake you and I acted
like we were all together and said to leave you be, I would take the
drinks. You were sleeping so soundly, I hated to see him wake you.  I don't
like flying so the two drinks made my flight easier.  Besides, it just got
dark here and there wasn't much view." She said grinning.

   "Let us pay for them." Selena piped in.

   "No, no, don't be foolish.  I enjoyed the buzz and still envy the fact
you could sleep so deeply on a plane.  This isn't exactly a pleasure trip
for me so the alcohol distracted me enough to make the flight go fast." The
woman said.

   "Even to come here on business must be exciting." Joe added as the plane
slowly taxied to the still distant Montego Bay terminal.

   The woman's eyes welled up a bit and she looked down before picking up
her eyes and sadly smiled, "I'm bringing my husband's ashes here.  We met
here on a cruise stop, later we honeymooned here.  It was our favorite
place.  It's what he wanted." She said bravely pursing her lips to her
teeth to avoid crying.

   She looked away and then refocused on Joe and Selena, simply saying,
"Cancer."

   "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry." Joe said as Selena put her hand over her mouth.

   "Please, don't let my situation bring you down.  It's been a year.  I
think he asked me to do this to be sure I came back.  I'll make the best of
it.  If you can get to Negril Beach while you're here, it's beautiful." She
said as the tone sounded signaling the OK to un-belt and gather your
things.

   "That's where we stay." Selena said leaning forward.  "I hope we run
into you there.  My name is Selena, and this is Joe.  This is kind of a
honeymoon for us."

   "Well, congratulations.  My name is Odalys, please call me Dallie." She
said shaking hands with both of them.

   "What a beautiful name." Joe said.

   "Life would be easier if it was Mary or Sue, but Odalys was my
grandmother's name so my mother kept it for me." She added.

   "If you're going to Negril maybe we'll be on the same shuttles.  We take
a bus to a boat that brings us to Negril." Selena said.

   "Is it the Chiascuro Resort boat shuttle?"

   "Yes!  Are you there as well?"

   "Yes, that was our spot.  That boat is a booze cruise and they tell you
all about Chiascuro and Negril."

   "Well, GREAT!" Selena said.  "You won't have to be alone!"

   Joe elbowed Selena and looked her sternly in the eye, saying "Unless she
WANTS to be!" Selena realized she had assumed a bit and looked to Odalys
embarrassed.  "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be pushy.  I just hated to
think of you alone, but under circumstances . . ."

   "That's OK, I appreciate you thinking of me.  If my husband were here he
would be telling ME to mind my own business.  I would love to have some
company." Dallie said.

   Dallie stood first and turned to get her overhead bag showing a
perfectly shaped ass close-up to Joe Johnson as he waited for the aisle to
clear to stand.  The tight pants left little to the imagination that she
was either wearing a thong or no panties all, obvious there were no lines.
Although she was obviously pretty when they saw her sitting there, the fact
she was so shapely wasn't so obvious, until she stood.

   Joe's eyes fixed on the fine moon before him and wanted to look away but
a nice ass was hard for him to not admire, . .  until he got a well placed
elbow into his side.

   "Get a good look?" She whispered in a huff.

   Joe grabbed his side where her elbow had stuck and looked at her with
fire in his eyes.

   "How could I avoid it, JEEZ!  It's not like I looked up her skirt." He
whispered back in anger.

   Dallie turned to see the commotion and smiled as her blazer fell open
and it was obvious she was blessed in another area.  Dallie was a knockout,
and she dressed to show it off.

   Joe stood to get their overhead and discover his laptop bag hadn't been
zipped back up from airport inspection and his Kindle had slid out to the
back of the overhead compartment.  He was going to have to almost stand on
the seat to reach it.

   "Essy, you go ahead with Dallie.  Something came out of my bag and I
can't reach it until I get some room here." He said as he scrunched back to
let Selena pass as he handed off her computer bag.

   Selena and Dallie made their way through the plane as Joe waited for the
last person from the back to pass so he could stand on the seat.

   "My outfit's already got your husband in trouble, I'm sorry.  My husband
would have been happy.  He sent me here to meet someone." She said in a low
voice.

   "Who?' Selena asked, not understanding.

   "Anyone.  As he laid there and it was obvious the end was near he began
to ask questions, like would I ever marry again.  Of course it was not what
I was thinking at the time.  I told him I could never love anyone again and
he had a plan all worked out for me.  It was obvious he had thought about
it a lot.  He wanted me to come here and meet the Windswinger when it came
through and made its stop.  They stay here for 2 or 3 days.  We always
admired the hot men and women that came through on those cruises.  He said
if I waited a year to be with a man he would be happy and then to come here
a find someone." Dallie explained, blushing a bit at the nature of their
girl talk.

   "To find another husband?"

   "No, not necessarily, maybe to find a guy to sleep with, and put myself
back in circulation, at least in my head.  We talked and set a year as my
period of mourning.  It was so weird to talk about but it made him happy.
I'm not sure I could ever love another man, but I sure have been lonely."

   "Well, my husband is off limits." Selena said half kidding, but serious
in her tone.

   "Oh Gosh!  Don't think I would ever make a play for a married man, or a
man someone else was dating.  I'm not a home wrecker or anything like that.
I'm going to be here when the Windswinger comes in and there will be plenty
of men, and they all come for the same thing." Dallie reiterated.

   "You don't seem the type." Selena said wishing she hadn't.

   "If you mean swinger, I'm not.  I've only been in two relationships in
my life, and those are the only men I've ever been intimate with.  I need
to feel what it's like to be with a man again.  If I do it here, I don't
have to worry about the gossips back home.  I come from a small township in
Pennsylvania and half the men there have asked me out.  If I get into
another relationship it will have to with someone who never knew Michael,
my husband, or me before.  That's baggage I couldn't carry over with a new
beau." She explained.

   Joe was almost the last person off the plane and he quickly caught up to
Selena and Dallie as they queued up near the sign marked "Negril-Chiascuro
Shuttle".  A tall thin black man with a megaphone approached to crowd
saying, "You must have a reservation for this trip, your ticket must read
9:15, or you will have to wait for the next one.  The bus is totally
booked. Arranging for another ride to the boat cruise will do you no good.
That too is totally booked.  Baggage over 50 pounds per person will have to
wait for the morning cruise."

   Joe looked forlornly at Selena.  "You hear that?  50 pounds per person.
How can we manage that when you have 3 cases?"

   "The two I checked are 23 and 24 pounds, mostly all clothes.  The bag
you checked is everything else and that weighs 49 pounds.  We'll have to
buy a few things here that I had to leave out.  I did read the brochure
carefully, you know." Selena said smartly.

   "Like?"

   "Flip-flops for walking off the beach, and personal products,
toothpaste, shampoo and conditioners.  I have sample sizes to cover us.  I
didn't bring sweatshirts in case it gets chilly at night.  I knew about the
weight restrictions.  Don't be a nervous Nellie." She kidded him.

   Joe just smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

   Dallie smiled at both of them and remarked, "You two remind me of
Michael and myself.  I can tell you're really in love and really respect
each other.  You're a team.  It makes me wonder why I came here at all. 
It's not me."

   "I don't understand." Joe said looking to both of them.

   Dallie looked at Selena and nodded, giving her the OK to explain to Joe.
But just then they were given the OK to board the bus that would take them
to the boat.  The three of them got on together and sat in a 3 a side row.
Selena got in and Dallie pushed ahead of Joe to sit between them causing
Selena alarm at first, but then she sighed and looked to Joe.

   "She came here to get back in the saddle, start dating.  Specifically,
she came to get laid, her late husband's suggestion." Selena told him.

   "As a guy, I can tell you, you won't have a problem finding volunteers."
Joe said with a sly grin.

   Dallie wanted to cry for a moment, but steeled herself, drawing a brave
face from her husband's memory.  The way they were sitting let her speak
without having to broadcast to others on the bus, suddenly taking her new
friends into confidence.

   "Michael meant well with his suggestion, Joe.  I had told him I would
never love another man.  He told me if that was true, I should come here
every year and wait for the sex party cruises come through.  Find a guy and
take a ride.  He told me that I would find another love, but I'm not so
sure of that.  I DO miss being with a man though.  I find that strange
because I've only been with my husband, besides something stupid I did in
high school." Odalys said quietly

   "Dallie, your body will tell you when it craves love and when it craves
release.  Don't do something stupid just to satisfy something your husband
said in a moment when he may have not been considering all the
circumstances." Joe said leaning forward in a low tone that Selena could
hear as well.

   "I do want to be with a man, but I'm afraid of letting a situation get
out of hand.  I want to control things.  I can't trust a stranger that
way." She said realistically.

   "You're smart Dallie, you'll know when it's right.  I don't think you'll
jump into bed with a stranger.  Just enjoy your time here, and don't focus
on this." Selena added.  "It doesn't have to be here.  You came here to
make your husband part of this forever.  I really don't think you came here
to, . . .  um . .  get back in the saddle." Joe said with a knowing smile.

   "I think you're right.  I envisioned myself getting drunk and doing
something stupid, and I can imagine doing that.  You two are sweet.  Can we
go to dinner some night here?  I like thinking I KNOW someone here." Dallie
said with a sigh and a smile.

   "See, even there, you're being too trusting.  You don't know us, we
could be shysters." Joe said.

   "No, I know you're OK.  I knew you each looked familiar and I just
recalled where I'd seen you before.  I won't call attention to you, but you
two are very brave people.  You've both managed to keep a low profile,
where someone could have made themselves celebrities over it all." Dallie
said knowingly.

   "More lucky that brave, and proof of the power of love.  We just want to
be celebrities to each other, that's all." Selena added.

   Dallie patted each of them on the knee and smiled.  "You two have made
me feel so good, where I thought I was going to feel a little cheap on this
trip.  You guys are just as special as the stories say.

   The bus pulled up to a dock and a group of dark black men in black pants
and white shirts stormed the bus to take the bags off as a man with a
captains hat held a clipboard and supervised them.  As they got off the bus
they saw their bags being stacked on flatbeds that were being pushed into a
center hold on the cruise boat.  People shuffled off the bus and onto the
boat taking their places at tables scattered over the deck.  Joe, Selena
and Dallie stayed together.  Dallie's eyes welled up and she turned away
from Joe and Selena.

   "Are you OK?" Selena asked.

   Dallie turned and steeled her jaw so as not to bawl and quickly shook
her head yes.  "This is where I met Michael, on this boat.  We both came
stag and we never spent another night apart."

   Selena nodded to Joe and he extended his arms and Dallie fell into them,
as he patted her back.  "He would want you to be happy, and not crying. 
Try to compose yourself and we'll have some fun."

   Dallie pulled back and thanked Joe for the hug, and for comforting her,
and then she turned and hugged Selena.  "Your husband gives good hugs. 
He's a good man, no wonder you never gave up."

   "You know what it's like when a love is special.  I can only imagine the
hurt you feel right now.  Don't sully his memory by doing something you'll
regret."She whispered back.

   Odalys sat back and looked at her two new friends.  "You both have made
me look to the real purpose of this trip.  To honor Michael and spread his
remains where he wished to always be, where we found our love.  His idea
for me to "find someone" was in hopes of me recreating what we had.  I was
so sure of him; I slept with him the first night and that was only the
second time I ever offered myself."

   "That magic doesn't just happen." Joe said as he ordered drinks for the
three of them from the waitress wandering the deck.

   "No it doesn't," Dallie agreed, "if I meet someone I make a connection
with I won't have expectations.  But my one night stand will be vetted IF I
have one.  I am, uh . . . .  "anxious enough" to let it happen, but I'll
know who I'm getting involved with before I do.  My original thoughts of
seducing a man from the dance floor or beach are gone after understanding
what I should fear."

   For the rest of the hour and 40 minute trip the conversation drifted
from Dallie's quest to the things they love about the resort, the reason
why Joe and Selena were returning and subjects of that ilk.

   "This is the first month of their drier seasons.  They get lots of rain
in October and May, but it usually drops right off in November, but of
course it's almost always 85 there during the day.  Being from the east
coast," Selena said, "their days are about the same as ours.  When we
landed, I think it was before 6, it had just gotten dark here, like home.
With no delays we should be in our room before 9 o'clock." She finished
giving Joe a knowing eye.

   "Are you in the resort building, or do you have a cottage on the far
beach?" Dallie asked.

   "We have a cottage, it's much more private.  I even got Joe to skinny
dip with me, but I was young and impetuous then.  I'll see if I still have
my nerve." Selena said with a deep blush.

   "Oh my God, what do you have to be self-conscious about?  You have a
lovely body, as does Joe, and most everyone at that beach is naked, at
least the last time we were here they were, but that was 5 years ago, just
before Michael was diagnosed.  If I haven't lost my confidence mojo, I only
put on a bikini or clothes if I cross the warning fence." Then Dallie
leaned up to say something in the confidence of the three of them.  "I plan
on going home to Rome with milk chocolate boobies and buns so all the town
will talk."

   "Rome?" Joe asked.

   "Don't get too excited, it's Rome, Pennsylvania.  Michael had a business
office in Scranton, about 70 miles away.  It's an hour and a half by car,
hilly back roads, but we made an airstrip on our old farm property and when
I let him, he would fly in our plane.  Any threat of any weather and I
couldn't bear to think of him flying.  Then I lose him to cancer, so much
for being careful." Dallie said.

   "So he drove all the other days?" Selena asked.

   "No, the company would send their copter to get him.  They insure Bell
and have the famous Bell 206 with the company name in big red letters on
the side.  It could make the trip in about 40 minutes.  My husband was the
CEO, so he could do it anytime.  I didn't like him flying the plane, even
though it really was safe." Dallie said, uncomfortable that she sounded
like she was bragging.

   "Must have caused a commotion in a little town like that." Joe said as
he wondered.

   "The people in Rome are very unassuming.  While we were probably the
most well off of any of the mostly farmers, farm workers, writers, some
artsy people in the town, we were never treated any differently than the
half of Rome that lived in mobile homes.  It's nice.  I get together with
"the ladies" for coffee three times a week and I dress no differently than
they do, and we never drove big cars or any of that.  Michael and I helped
paint the church hall with the rest of the town, go to the Bean Suppers and
all that.  We were never ones to put on airs despite our money and all.  We
both came from simple backgrounds and enjoy the life." Odalys said as her
face got a little whimsical as she spoke and then she sat up close again as
to not broadcast.

   "No one who ever fell on hard times in the area was left to dangle. 
We've helped a lot of them, but quietly though.  Not one ever asked for
help, but our church pastor kept us on top of situations.  I swear the way
people acted you would think they all had their own private planes.  I
suppose if we rubbed it their faces it would have been different, but we
were middle class at heart didn't mind using our money to help others. 
Keeping all of this in mind, I really don't want to restart my life with
anyone local, or who knew Michael or the both of us before.  I would have a
hard time with that and, . . .  I'm not sure I could ever love someone else
like I did Michael." Dallie finished showing a somewhat "relieved" look
about her, having poured her heart and feelings out about the situation.

   "If you don't mind me saying," Selena began, "I think you have a great
grip on the situation overall, I mean looking at it in the right light and
all.  As far as disqualifying anyone local, when there's magic between two
people, you'll know it.  It could be someone you see every day.  If you
made a list of a 100 guys I might have fallen for, Joe wouldn't even had
been considered.  Besides, the last thing I needed was a relationship, at
the time."

   "I've thought about that aspect too, but the fact so many know about us
in Rome, I just couldn't help but think my financial status wasn't a
factor. I hope that doesn't sound too shallow." Dallie said sitting back
exhaling deeply.

   "Well, all three of us are supposed to be on Holiday and we've gotten
into some deep subjects and moods.  Let's have another drink and celebrate
the good fortune of new friends, the great weather, and the great times
ahead of us this week." Joe said as he signaled the waitress walking by.

   "Another round of drinks for us here, please."

   As interesting as Dallie's story was and as beautiful as the evening
ocean trip was, Selena began to think about being alone with Joe with no
distractions from their life to sully things.  She caught Joe's eye at one
point and it was obvious he was having some of those same feelings too. 
The free spirit of the vivacious Odalys being so close didn't hurt as far
as lighting Joe's fuse, but the ache he felt in his sex was strictly for
Selena.  There was a day when he might be fulfilling Dallie's needs already
in a stall in the ships bathroom, or a secluded hold somewhere onboard. 
But while looking her over with a leering eye was one thing, Selena was all
he wanted and more than he could ever hope to satisfy.  If he or Selena had
any wonders if his "hound dog" days were over, this evening proved it.

   Odalys looked into the eyes of both Joe and Selena and saw the passion
burn.

   "Maybe I should leave you two alone now.  I think I'm cramping your
style." She said as she went to push her chair back and get up.

   "No, no, no, please!  We're enjoying your company.  We'll have enough
alone time all this week and even later tonight.  You remind, at least me,
of both of us, you and your husband." Selena insisted.

   "Unless you want to schmooze the crowd here to find your "love
connection" " Joe said with a chuckle.

   "No, I might have to fly back with one of these people, besides I may be
the only stag on the trip.  I'm looking for the Windswinger crowd when they
stop at Negril, and even now I'm apprehensive about that." Dallie said
looking over the people around her.

   Selena leaned over to whisper, ""You can always go to an adult store to
get a friend, you know.  You don't need to risk anything that way."

   Dallie smiled big and looked at her proudly, saying "Well armed in that
manner, my friend.  I haven't been a total nun." before looking at Joe with
a blush.

   "I just don't want to worry about you.  Don't put yourself in dangerous
situations." Selena said.

   "Essy, she's a grown up, you know.  She can handle herself." Joe scolded
at Selena tried to mother her new friend.

   "You can give me your cell phone number, if you like.  I'll call if I
have a problem." Dallie said patting Selena's hand.

   "Pardon my wife.  She worries too much." Joe laughed.

   "It's sweet.  I think I gave the impression that I was going to put a
red light in my window, and I'm not.  If I can find some male
companionship, it would be nice, but I'll be careful."

   "I won't say another word." Essy said finishing her one drink and
picking up the new one just delivered.

   The rest of the boat ride around the tip of the island to Negril was
casual talk and telling each other their expectations for the week, sunning
on the beach, nude of course, and getting Joe to drop his inhibitions (and
worry about erections) and join in the naked fun.  The two women finally
got Joe to admit that he assumed that if you sunbathe nude, it meant you
were a swinger or looking for a hook-up.  They both laughed at him
derisively until Odalys sat up to lean and talk to them privately.

   "Women spend their lives wearing restrictive bras, worrying about panty
lines showing through their skirt or pants, thus meaning sometimes we have
a panty floss up our cracks, sometimes wearing an embarrassing pad at
inopportune times of the month, have to make the double jointed move of
lying on our stomach and untie a bikini and still not expose our breasts to
get a tan on our backs, and then still pick clothes that don't show our tan
line, leaving some of our best outfits out of bounds.  HERE, we can just
walk out and show off our bodies, get tanned all over, not worry that our
next door neighbor is taking pictures to post on the internet, AND be able
to look at a guy and not wonder what he might look like in the altogether,
if we happen to be shopping around.  So I don't care if you want to look at
my goodies, and please don't be insulted if someone checks out yours.  It's
a form of flattery.  If you have a saggy belly, man-breasts, or a tiny
pee-pee, don't worry, we won't look.  We don't want to see that anymore
than you want to see a 300 pound woman naked.  If someone isn't impressed
how you look, they won't look beyond a glimpse, just like men look at men
in the locker room."

   "I wish I had a tape of that to play for Joe over and over.  I keep
trying to make the impression on him that no one cares, but you explained
it beautifully." Selena said giving her a fist bump.

   "All right, all right, point taken.  I'll be a brave little soldier out
there." Joe said with an embarrassed grin.

   Their conversation was broken by talk from the loudspeaker informing
them they would be docking in 5 minutes and to stay with their bags until a
bellman took them and their bags to the check in desk.  If you were
pre-checked and paid they would have your key and bring you right to your
cottage or room.

   "That's us, Joey.  We prepaid so we won't have to wait in that line at
reception.  We can go up there tomorrow and get all the other goodies."
Selena said anxiously, wanting to be alone soon.

   "Me too." Dallie added.

   As the boat neared the well lit docking area the paved lane leading to
the dock from the check-in suite was lit with in-ground lighting, looking
very impressive.  The lane was lined with golf-type carts manned by neatly
dressed men in white coats and black ties.  As soon as the boat docked and
people began to pair up with their luggage names were being announced.

   "Seversin party?  Seversin party?" came from the loudspeaker as a couple
waved and they were helped with their bags and then whisked away to their
cottage in the first cart.

   Quickly other names were called and people scuttled to carts with
baggage and were gone.

   Mercer, Mercer?" came the call and Odalys stood up saying, "That's me! I
have one of your cell numbers.  I'll call you to meet you sometime." She
said as she got up and dashed off after locating her luggage.

   In no more than a minute "Johnson" was called and Joe and Selena quickly
went to stand near their bags and check them off with the "hold bursar" as
their attendant approached with his hand truck to take the bags.  He rushed
them up to the cart and showed Joe and Selena to the 2 passenger seats and
gave the hand cart off to the next attendant.

   He handed Joe the key to their cottage and said "We'll be there in quite
a jiff, sir and madam." And then took to the driver's seat and zoomed up
the lane and slowed as he reached a fence and the end of the in-ground
lighting.

   "We'll go slowly over the sand, it can be rough sometimes." The driver
warned as he slowed the cart.

   Numbers on palm trees guided the attendant to the proper cottage and he
pulled right onto the rear brick floored porch.  Joe got out and opened the
double sliding door with his key as the attendant bellman put their bags
inside.

   "That's fine right there, Sir" Joe said as he pushed a $50 bill in the
gentleman's hand.

   "Your name?' He asked.

   "Gregory, sir."

   "OK Gregory, my name is Joe and please drop the "Sir".  Should I need
services may I ask for you?" Gregory looked down at the $50 bill and smiled
big saying "Most Definitely Sir, or Joe!  I usually work days.  I
volunteered for the Holiday for the extra money.  Thank you, thank you!"

   "Is it a Holiday here, as well?" Selena asked.

   "Somewhat, depending on your heritage, but since most of our visitors
this week are American, we treat it as such here." Gregory answered.  "When
you ask for me please just identify yourself by cottage 19.  My boss thinks
names are too formal.  Thank you so much."

   Quickly Gregory was off to line up his cart for the next group or couple
and Joe and Selena stood alone in their cottage.  They closed the doors and
Joe turned off the light Gregory had turned on when placed the bags inside.

   "You want me in the dark already?" Selena said with a chuckle.

   "Well, that and wanting to see the moon washed beach out there.  It's so
beautiful and serene." He said as he looked out over the golden, almost
shimmering sand and the dark ocean, looking almost like black ink as the
waves came and ran up the distant shore.

   "Funny how dark the water looks with so little light to catch it besides
the moon.  Tomorrow it will be such a blue, no words can describe it." Joe
said as he took her hand.

   Selena kissed his cheek and fell into his arms before pushing the button
to close the curtain on the beach side double door.

   "It's magnificent out there, but I don't want anyone to see what we're
going to do in here tonight.  Let's get the bags situated and start our
vacation." Selena said as she gave Joe a pat on his package and took one of
the bags toward the bedroom lit only by the moon through the skylights in
the ceiling.

   Joe opened one case on the stand made for same and began to move things
into the dresser while Selena took the smallest bag that was mostly HBA and
personal and began to set up the bathroom.  When she took out the little
squeeze bottle of Mount, a water based lube, she smiled to herself and
slipped it into the waist band of her clothing to begin to warm it.  It was
a lightly scented and flavored lube made specifically for anal play.  She
found it where she bought her books online and it had been shipped with her
last book order, unbeknownst to Joe.  This was the act she considered the
most personal, giving, and loving of all.  They hadn't had it in almost 10
years and she was saving it for this trip after teasing Joe with it for the
last few weeks.  She felt "re-virginized in her little hiney", as she put
it to herself, because she felt some of the same trepidations she first
feared when she goaded Joe into trying it with her.  She knew it was a
little fetish of his and wanted to satisfy his sexual needs.  She grew to
greatly enjoy it when everything was "right".  There were times when they
began it and stopped.  There were times like only in the last week where
she was willing to forego the promise of this special night.  While lying
on her back on his belly after sex where he had finger played in her tight
hole, she reached down and tried to push him into her stretched little
wrinkle.  He began to pop in, but simply wasn't erect enough, post-sex, for
it to happen.  Tonight between her excited angst and her hinted promises,
it would happen.  If, for any reason, it wasn't right, there were plenty of
other nights in Jamaica to make it happen.  She recalled the first time
they did this during the last trip to Jamaica where she made great
preparations, enemas and lube potions deposited in her colon.  Now that
nervousness, that of not being clean, was gone.  She knew if she had
regular voids each morning, she was ready.

   She set up the rest of the bathroom as Joe finished filling the dresser.
When she came out he was just opening the third case that had all of the
"hung" clothing.  With one fold they were laid into the "suiter" and
together they lifted the whole bunch out and got them on the hanger bar in
the closet, hopefully to self-straighten as they hung.

   She turned and hung her arms around his neck and smiled up to him.

   "Do you remember our last first night here?" She quizzed him.

   "Is this a test?"

   "No, just wondering if it made as much of an impression on you as me."

   "Hmmm" He said strumming his chin as if to conjure up a memory, "I think
eating your pussy until we both passed out is hard to forget." He said as
he swept her up in his arms and went to the bed, dropping her on top of the
spread, the bottle of anal lube falling out as she bounced on the bed.

   "What is this, you naughty girl?" Joe said as he sat on the bed and read
the bottle.

   She crawled to his side and turned to lay her head and shoulders across
his lap and he lifted his arms, both hands still holding the bottle and
reading it.

   "Naughty, naughty, naughty.  I think you want to be a dirty little
girl." He said with a faux glare.

   "You KNOW what I really want, and I'm just as afraid as the first time."
She cooed.

   "Really, you shouldn't be.  I thought you were looking to get spanked
for being a naughty little girl to get this all started." He said admitting
he miscalculated her play.

   "No, not tonight.  We can play that game later in the week.  Tonight I
want to see if you can make me beg for it in my little hiney.  You always
play so nice, so sexy.  See if you can make it right and have me ask you to
do this.  It's been a long time, but I remember you lying on me, our skin
pressed together by a little nervous sweat, and you all the way up inside
of me with my very being wrapped tightly around you and my little hole
hugging you tightly so you couldn't get out.  I never felt so full of you
and my pussy just ran like a faucet.  Let's try to redo that." She
whispered as she felt Joe firming under her head, almost pushing her up as
he flexed.

   "I know it's been a long time, but remember when YOU would instigate it
and be anxious for it.  I don't like that you're afraid, you know I never
want to hurt you.  I'm worried you did that just for me endured discomfort
to make me happy." Joe said in an apologetic tone.

   "No, no, NO!  I promise you!  I did enjoy it, even craved it at times.
You really showed me things that made my body feel ecstasy in ways I never
imagined.  Any time it hurt or made me uncomfortable, I told you.  The only
fears I have are that after giving birth and being cut there it might make
a change in the way it will feel. . . . .  and . . . .  it's still not
exactly . . . . ."

   "Essy, my sweet little flower.  You know what I told you from the very
start of our relationship, even before I fell so deeply in love with you.
Anything we do, that we both enjoy, . .  is "normal".  When we're alone
together making each other happy and not causing any angst or pain, is all
normal."

   "I know that, and I would never let you hurt me to think I was making
you happy.  Now would you like to undress me?"

   Joe smiled down at her and brought one hand up to begin unbuttoning her
blouse.  Once the last button came undone she pulled herself up to sit on
the bed and let the blouse fall behind her as Joe found the front clasp on
her bra and let her breasts free.  He couldn't resist bending to put his
mouth over one of her nipples so as to tease her and begin her juices
flowing.  He pushed her back onto the bed as he filled a hand with her
other breast, kneading and squeezing as she moaned in approval.

   "Oh God," She said shuddering as goose bumps rose all over her body,
"this is going to be one of those nights where you pluck every string of my
being into tune.  I can feel it already.  I want you so badly."

   "No need to want, I'm here for you.  I love you and I'll show you every
way." Joe said as he ran his tongue down her belly stopping to tongue and
drill at her navel as his hands pulled down the rest of her clothes.

   He pulled his mouth from her as he knelt up straight and she raised her
legs before him as he shinnied her clothes up her legs, panty, and all.  He
kissed the bottoms of her feet and let her legs down either side of him as
he bent and put his face to her pussy.

   The sweetness of her pussy always made him crazy, but she was so smooth
after her wax he couldn't believe the difference.  She had been shaved
almost from their first times together, but this was quite different and
only added to the pleasure of tonguing her.  Her little slit was truly a
tender flower and he was only happy to lick and taste her dew.

   She was puffing through her mouth already in staccato breaths before he
really got to work and she was flowing her honey like she had 10 years
before as an innocent learning the new ways of sex.  He let some of his
laps roll off his tongue and slide off her coral lips and over her exposed
little rosette.  He pushed a finger deep in her pussy to gather more cream
and as his lips sucked the swollen bud of her clit he pushed the gooey
finger right up her anxious ass.

   She cried out at the sudden intrusion lifting her body and pushing her
pussy into his face, but she quickly relaxed to enjoy his mouth and finger
again as she let loose of the bed cover she had been clenching and filled
her hands with her breasts, fitting her hardened nipples between her index
and middle fingers as she titillated herself.

   Joe heard her try to control her breathing, drawing long breaths and
blowing out through her mouth, as she tried to enjoy his mouth without
losing control, but she was having a hard time.  Her body wanted to
flip-flop like a fish out of water to the tune his tongue and middle finger
were playing, but she was trying to hold strong to enjoy the heavy
vibration of pleasure that was playing through her loins.  That was
becoming harder to do much like trying to hold an electrical wire with a
soft charge, eventually it was going to make you jump.

   She began to surge and jerk under Joe's tongue, even "punching" Joe's
chin with her mound, but he was undaunted, determined to get every lick of
honey from her pot while relaxing her tight rear entrance.  Her efforts to
control her breath and maintain some continuity in her orgasm was out the
window now as she gasped and hunched and flailed under Joe's mouth.  She
let out yelps and squeals of delight interspersed with cries of "NO",
"YES", and "Ahhh" that she apparently had no control over.  However one
thing was now apparent, she was pumping her hips down to meet his thrusting
middle finger up her bottom.  If she had any hidden fears of anal
copulation, that spell was broken now as her orgasm-addled desire was to be
taken in there, no matter the pain or discomfort of getting him to fill her
that way.

   Suddenly she could take no more as she pushed both hands to her crotch,
one covering her squishy sloppy pussy, and the other to the top of Joe's
head to push him away.

   "No more, no more, NO MORE!" She cried out as she pulled herself away
from his mouth and off of his finger and curled into a ball.  As she lay
there catching her breath she already felt the emptiness where his long
finger had been.  Joe got to his feet and stood beside the bed looking at
the quivering, satisfied, bundle of beauty she had curled herself into.

   "My God Selena, you're just as beautiful now as when I first laid eyes
on you, I swear.  I'm sorry that I'm starting to cry, it doesn't seem very
manly, but I can't help it." He said as he openly sobbed.

   She looked back up at him and was confused at what was happening, never
seeing him like this while making love.  "I'm just thinking of the years
that passed when I was someone else and you were lost in yourself.  All
this passion and love wasted for so long, what we missed." He emphasized as
he tried to gather himself.

   Selena smiled and brought herself to her knees and went to him hugging
him tightly.

   "I think of that too, but we have to savor every moment we've gotten
back Joey.  It's the strength of our love, the power of our bond that
created the karma that brought us back to each other.  Now dry your tears."
She said as she strained her neck up to kiss his lips and taste his tears.

   She sat back on her haunches and reached to unbutton his shirt and
pushed it up over his shoulders as he cooperated and let it fall.  Before
it hit the floor her hand was on the slide clasp on his pants, letting them
fall from the weight in his pockets.  She looked up at him innocently as
she reached under his balls and held the weight of them through his briefs.
Her other hand went to trace the length of his penis from its base to the
head.

   "This is what connects us, makes you part of me, me part of you.  The
pleasure we share is just frosting on the cake of our love.  You being
inside of me, connecting us, make me complete.  Whether you're in my mouth,
deep in my pussy, or up inside my very being through my little hiney, it
makes us one.  Since the first time you were ever inside of me making us
one, you only had to touch me to make me feel like we were connected.  With
the sadness that we may never know the child of love we created, there is a
joy in knowing that somewhere on this earth there roams a product of our
love and there is some sort of satisfaction in that.  It's the proof that
we were here, we lived and loved.  The world may not know it, but God does
and someday our spirits will all be one." She said almost in a tone of
devotion to a being greater than either of them.

   After her words her fingers crept into the waistband of his briefs and
pulled them down exposing his cock and balls, making her smile.  She
quickly pushed his underwear down his legs and he stepped out of it.  She
lay back on the bed and he knelt up onto it and then lay beside her, his
middle near her head.  She reached out and took his cock and raised it to
her lips.  The emotion of the moments before had let the blood out of his
excited state, but she knew she could quickly recreate that situation.  She
let the head of his love into her mouth as she reached a hand behind him
holding one of the moons of his ass and she used it to create an in and out
motion of his cock in her mouth until he need no more prodding.

   Joe slowly fucked her mouth as she lay passive for a few moments and
then would occasionally burst up onto him, trying to swallow his entire
length, and then lie back and let him enjoy the warmth and gentle feel of
her mouth and tongue.  When she began to taste a bit of pre-cum beginning
to leak she knew the time had come.  She took hold of his cock and moved it
away from her mouth.  "Get the tube, I want you there NOW."

   Joe surveyed the bed and saw the end of the tube peeking from a fold in
the bedspread as Selena rolled over to all fours and then let her arms
slide out so her cute white ass was in the air and her right ear was
pressed to the bed.  When she felt Joe kneel behind her goose bumps
sprouted all over her rear as Joe filled two fingers with the lube.  He
quickly transferred it to her crease as she sucked in a breath.  Joe used
his dry hand with a thumb firmly beside her little anus and pulled a bit to
open her aperture letting some of the melting slickum drain into her.  He
placed his greasy middle finger to her hole and pushed firmly as she drew a
breath again.  It slid in much easier now with the lube instead of her own
juices and with the second plunge he added his index finger and twisted it
with each subsequent push.  Her start at the first intrusion calmed quickly
to a purr as he twisted the two stretching fingers in her.  He bent over
her and kissed her back and his dry hand now reached under her side and
stroked her belly in rhythm to his finger fucking of her ass.

   "Joey, let me have you now.  Fill me up.  Please fuck my hiney.  Slide
up me and lay on me.  Let me feel every bit of you." She purred in a
whisper that she knew he heard.

   She felt him move and his fingers leave her ass.  Her fingers gripped
the bed cover once again as he anticipated him.  She heard the crackling
like sound of him stroking his cock with the lube as she became aware of
him kneeling behind her.

   Her anticipation was almost more than she could stand and was about to
voice her impatience when she felt him wedge himself into the open dimple
of her asshole and push firmly into her causing her to fall forward to lie
flat while he nuzzled up to her and forced more blood into his cock.  She
held his full weight on her back and what felt like a baseball bat up her
bottom into her very being.

   Her eyes teared up, but not in pain, but in the joy that it was as she
remembered, a tremendous feeling of fullness, seemingly through her body.
There was pain, but not the stinging pain like the first time.  This was a
sharp, yet dulled pain that peaked and ebbed as fast as it presented
itself. She and Joe were one.  Not that they weren't "one" with any other
copulation, whether oral or vaginal, but this was a special fullness that
knew no depths.  There was no cervix to block him, no gag reflex to reject
him.

   He spread his arms out to shadow hers and fit his chin into the nape of
her neck.  She whispered whimpering tear soaked words to him.

   "I love you so much, I missed you so much for all those years trapped
inside myself, longing to be taken like this by you once again.  This is
the proof we are one, our two hearts beating as one, just as our little
girl breathes our air and pumps our blood." She said before snuffing and
choking up a bit on her tears.

   "I know this sounds bizarre," She started again, "but I feel she is here
holding each of our hands and I only wish . . .  (sob) . . .  I only wish I
could see her face, but I know she knows we love her."

   Joe couldn't help but get emotional at her words that he somehow
understood.  He understood the spiritual side of her words and didn't think
them bizarre at all.  He knew there would be a day when the 3 of them would
be together, if only to share the knowledge of their connection.  Knowing
now would be harmful, but a day would come when she should know.

   They laid together for 4 or 5 minutes without a word as their bodies
melded together.  Occasionally Joe would flex to keep himself firm, and she
would try to grip him tighter.

   Then she pulled her arms from under his and cradled her hands under the
side of her face.

   "Fuck me Joey.  Stroke yourself in and out of me and fill my bottom with
your juice, your cum.  Ravish my hiney so I'll feel it whenever I want
tomorrow.

   To push himself up he had to relieve the pressure of his arms and put
all his weight onto her back.  She grunted at the added weight but he
quickly braced himself up to begin to thrust into her.  She stayed flat as
he began to rut on her.  As he hunched more, the longer the strokes became
and the harder his middle slapped her bottom.  She began to push her bottom
up to get him as deep as she could with each stroke as she tried to kegel
down on his fullness.  Where Joe could easily last much longer now than
when he last loved her before 911, this night she was dragging his orgasm
out faster than he had in quite some time.

   "Oh God, Selena.  You're going to make me cum!  Your sweet ass is going
to make me cum!" He bellowed out as he looked down at her form underneath
him, but he wondered if she heard him.  She was stiff and bright red under
him as she, too, was peaking on her orgasm.

   As she let go of the peak to breath and rasp out a celebratory grunt,
Joe was doing the same as he pounded her ass emptying his balls in her ass.

   Unnngh, ungh, ungh, Ohhh GOD!!" He shouted as he finished in her slowing
to a push pull slide of his softening cock in her loosened little circle.
He needed to relax and catch his breath, but didn't want to fall on her, so
he pivoted on one knee, pulling quickly from her and falling beside her.

   She let out a little squeal at the void he created and then she just lay
prone as her rear door began to shut, but not before two long bubbly farts
came out.  She normally would be embarrassed from this and jump up to run
to the bath, but instead just let them happen as Joe's cum drained from her
with the rude noises.

   "Why don't I get you a towel?  I know you probably can't get up." Joe
said with a pat on her bottom.

   "Ohhhhh, that last orgasm even sharpened my toenails, it was so intense.
I squirted all over the bed.  It's going to look like I peed.  I won't be
able to look the housekeepers in the face." Selena moaned

   "We'll just leave an empty beer can on the bed and make it look like we
spilled beer.  God, don't worry.  With the crew who comes in here on those
Windswingers I can only imagine what they leave behind.  Shit happens." Joe
told her as he walked to the bath to gather a towel.

   "Oh, shit probably won't happen for a few days after the packing you
gave me." She said with a giggle as she sat up and took the towel and sat
on it.

   "I was clean, I checked with a white tissue.  No packing occurred, I
just thought you might pinch me off." Joe said semi-seriously.

   "Joe that was the most incredible love-making we've ever had, not just
back there, but EVER!  You talk about the wild days and nights that you
never get back, well this is one that will never happen again.  We can try,
but . . . .  Oh my God!!!  I'm not sure if I can even stand up yet.  My
legs feel wobbly."

   Joe smiled proudly at his accomplishment of shaking her to her core and
then picked her off the bed to bring her to the bath.

   "Joe!  Are you sure you should be doing this?" She asked as she threw
her arms around him to hold on.

   "Selena my sweet, I have new knees, remember?  If you weigh much over a
hundred, a hundred five pounds I would be surprised.  I'm in my 50's, not
my 70's." He told her as he delivered her to the bathroom.

   He set her on the toilet, figuring she couldn't handle the bidet quite
yet, and turned to leave her some privacy.

   "No Joey, don't leave.  I want to be with you.  Hold my hand." She
begged.

   Joe leaned against the counter and smiled down at her as she took his
hand and kissed it while clutching it tightly as she expelled more air and
cum.  She looked away in embarrassment, but she wanted him near.  When she
thought she was through she turned back to have him help her to her feet.
But when she turned her eyes fixed on his cock at her eye level.

   "I know something that would make the night complete before we went to
bed." She said in a sing-song tease.

   "What's that?" He asked, still worried that she might not have her
bearings yet.

   "Come here." She said grabbing his wilted cock.

   "Selena, I'm not sure if I can go twice so fast anymore." "You remember
when I couldn't decide how I wanted you to finish, I usually wanted both.
After how good tonight was, to taste you, your sweet cum would make me VERY
happy.  I'll bet I can make things happen."

   Joe already felt a flutter in his loins, knowing how much she enjoyed
feeling him in her mouth, tasting his seed.

   "I'm not clean." He protested still hoping to avoid a possible
non-performance issue.

   "Wet me a wash cloth and I'll bet I'll have him sitting up and doing
tricks in no time." She said with a sexy smile and wink of her eye.

   Joe reached over her head to the towel rack over the toilet and took a
wash cloth and ran some warm water onto it and Selena quickly grabbed it
from him and took his penis in her hand and began to wipe it from the base
to the tip, turning the cloth at each stroke.  Already he no longer was
resting against his leg, it was beginning to firm.  Once she declared it
clean it had risen to face level.  She opened her mouth and engulfed the
tip with her hungry tongue and lips.  Joe groaned as he felt blood rush to
his cock and her mouth slipped over the length.

   "God, Essy!  You know how to make me crazy.  Make me cum baby, I'll feed
you all I can muster." He said as he rolled his eyes upward and she smiled
around his fat cock in her mouth.

   She was leaning on her thighs rocking her head over and over his cock
when he began to move to her motion and soon she was still and he was
gently fucking her mouth.  As he began to feel his balls flourish he
brought a hand to the base of his penis to coax his orgasm up and as it
began to become inevitable she pushed his hand away and pushed her mouth
over him, as far as she could, 4 or 5 times.  Joe groaned deep and even
buckled a knee as pleasure overtook him while Selena hungrily swallowed
what she had brewed for herself.  When she finally let him free of her
mouth Joe was the one finding hard to keep his footing while Selena took
some paper and wiped before straddling the bidet font and cleaning herself.
She slipped an arm around Joe and walked him to the bed.  She pulled back
the covers and they both slipped in.  Exhaustive sleep was only minutes
away.

   Chapter 29

   It was after 9:30 in the morning when the air conditioning kicked on and
the hum woke Selena up as she looked up through the skylight to see the
edge of the suns corona about to creep into view.  The angle of the ceiling
made it just right for catching the mid-morning rays and soon the sun would
be right their faces.

   She sat up on her elbows and looked to Joe who was still in a coma-like
sleep.  She bent and gently kissed him between the shoulder blades and then
trailed kisses down his spine as she pulled the sheet away.  When she got
to the top of his butt crack she saw he hadn't put any bottoms on and
couldn't resist biting his cute cheek.

   He quickly picked his head up, startled.  He surveyed the situation and
said, "How do you know I wasn't dreaming of being in the ocean and having a
sting ray, or crab bite me?  You could have given me a heart attack."

   "How about a heart-on, or do I mean hard-on?"

   "Didn't you get enough last night?" He groggily asked.

   "That was last night.  Today is today and I'll have . . . . .  more,
please!" Finishing in a cockneyed tone.

   "Can't we go to the beach first?" He whined.

   "Yes, and we're going naked.  Man up and be ready.  If you get a boner
you'll have to do me in the deep water" She cracked.

   "Suppose it's not you who gives me the boner?" He said punching the
pillow and readjusting his head.

   "Then you'll wish that a sting ray bit you in the ass." She joked in a
most serious tone.

   "I tell you what.  I'll sit on the porch and watch the other men walk to
the beach.  After I see the first one go by in the altogether, I'll come
join you." He said hoping she might agree.

   "Ok, if that's what you want.  But, I get to wink at the first guy who
stares at my ass, my WHITE untanned, very obviously a nude beach newbie,
ass.  Not to mention my ivory white TITS.  I know you like tan line white
skin bikini's that make the nipples look even redder.  I'll bet I get a lot
of admirers." She said as she stood on the bed before him and preened her
body with a nice light tan, but very white bikini lines.

   "Oh stop!" Joe said peeved that she was tickling one of his little
quirks, seeing the very white T & A of an otherwise tanned body.

   "Oh gosh, when I bend over to adjust my towel on the sand they might
notice my little hiney hole is all red and maybe a little dilated.  They'll
know I like to get it back there, but don't worry, I won't let any of them
come onto me."

   "You really want me to drag my sorry NAKED white ass out for the whole
world to see?" Joe said sympathetically.

   "YES!!  Please Joey.  I'm proud of your ass, I think it's cute, . .
.and. . . . . .  aren't you proud of my ass? . . . .  and the rest of me?
We'll never see any of these people again and they don't care what we look
like.  Their all worried what THEY look like.  Besides when they see me
aren't the guys going to say, "what a lucky guy, he's screwing THAT?",
because I know most girls are going to look at your cute little fellow down
below and wish they could have it.  Your cock is perfect.  Why do you think
so many women wanted you over the years?"

   "I thought it was my sexy personality." He said proudly.

   "No, it's your dick!  I've only seen a few in person, but enough of them
in movie and pictures.  Yours is cute!" She insisted.

   "You're teasing me now!" Joe said perturbed.

   Selena knelt and sat just forward of his knees and took his cock in her
hand.  "Do you think I would tease you about your dick, your beautiful cock
after I've had it in my mouth so many times, and even in my little hiney,
besides the fact it made a baby in me too?"

   "OK, I'll go with you, but if I feel uncomfortable, I'm going to come
back and put on my trunks.  OK?"

   "OK, but I should warn you, I didn't pack any for you.  I anticipated
your reluctance.  Come ON Joey, this is our chance to really be free of ALL
the bonds." She sing-songed in a whine.

   At first he wanted to lash out at her for forcing the situation upon
him, but he thought about the 9 years she was away from him and he softened
a bit.

   "We should have discussed this, but I'll take a stance that, "when in
Rome . . ." BUT, if I really feel self conscious I'm going to come back and
at least put on a pair of boxers.  No one is more sexually open than me,
but not in this kind of public.  I suppose I won't feel so weird if there
are enough other men in the same situation."

   Selena bent and kissed the head of his cock and looked up to him and
smiled.  "Do you think I would want you to do anything that would embarrass
you or make you feel uncomfortable?  This just should not make you feel
this way.  This is a nude beach and everyone is free to come that way, why
shouldn't we?  It's not a meat market, and if you're worried about being
outsized by another man, you're being vain.  There are much bigger boobs on
the beach than mine, tighter bellies, and a lot tighter asses, and I just
don't care.  What I have suits me and you just fine and after all we've
been through, who else should we care about?"

   Joe thought for a moment and reached for her hands and he pulled her
down to him so he could kiss her saying, "I KNEW there was a reason why I
thought to look for you after I got my memory back.  You make sense, and
I'm sorry.  But, keep in mind that I am not personally responsible for any
erection I get while scanning the beach."

   The two of them got up and foraged in the kitchen for something quick to
eat after utilizing the Keurig for coffee.  Although they would have to
provide their own food, the Resort did have some fresh fruit, Pop-Tarts, 2
individual boxes of cereal, and two small cartons of milk.  There was a
shopping checklist they could fill out and have their attendant, Gregory,
get for them.  They quickly checked off a few essentials and left the
envelope in the mailbox on the rear porch as instructed and then called the
main house to ask that Gregory pick it up.  Gregory was already aware that
Joe would "grease" him well for any favors he performed.  Joe believed in
taking quite good care of the help to build trust and respect for each of
them, just as he always did at The Four Seasons.

   After a quick breakfast they both took quick showers to rinse off before
going to the beach.  After Joe dried he looked at Selena sheepishly asking,
"I can wear my towel to the beach, right?  Please Essy?"

   "Of course you can!  I'm not your Mother!  I just want us to feel a
little freer, maybe a little international.  After we start visiting our
other houses around the world, won't that make us Bon Vivants?" She joked.

   "Actually, YES!  Well, I suppose if you want to consider, Maine, Florida
and The Grand Bahamas being International.  Not exactly the Duke and
Duchess, but Bon Vivants?  Oui, Madame."

   Selena laughed and snickered at him.  "A Bon Vivant would be proud to
parade around with his dick out."

   Joe lurched at her to wreak revenge on her but she moved too fast as she
let her towel drop and opened the sliding door, running onto the porch
while grabbing her beach bag in the process.

   Joe hesitated, but picked up a towel and wrapped it around himself and
chased her onto the beach.

   The sight of her running nude in front of him stimulated him at first,
but the fact she was there for all to see somehow calmed that rush of blood
to his groin.  She had stopped running now and simply turned to look back
at Joe, almost posing in her white skinned bikini.  Her breasts were still
pert and her bottom firm, she was a picture of female sexuality with her
feminine charms highlighted by their paleness.  Joe knew that every man on
the beach would look at her lecherously until her tan filled in, or so he
thought.

   Looking around at other sunbathers Joe saw more than half of the women
out this morning were new to the freedom of openness and there were lots of
white tan lines to admire, along with other fully sun bathed beauties.  He
began to see men with towels like him, but mostly men with their maleness
out and not either embarrassed or unduly proud where it might seem
appropriate.  The premise that "everybody has one" suddenly hit him and
that clothing was a concoction of man, not of God.  The other point made by
Odalys on their boat trip was that "nobody cares", and suddenly he
understood it.  He had no reason to inspect another man's genitalia for
either comparison or derision.  Everyone was simply "out there".  Yes, he
did admire a woman or two, but since she wasn't hiding her charms it took
the lecherous aspect from the situation and made it a case where God had
done a great job in creating some of his creatures.

   After a 10 minute walk some 30 to 40 feet behind Selena and looking
around him he let his towel drop and was about to jog to catch up to her
when she found the spot she wanted to lie out.  It was near a palm that
would seemingly serve as a sundial with its shadow cast.  Fore and aft the
high sun point it would be possible to get refuge from the sun if needed,
but Selena had plenty of sun filtering oils to create a quick tan and not
worry about a malicious burn.

   When she turned and looked at him, his towel now under his arm, she
smiled and opened her arms to him and they kissed.  She hugged him tightly
and whispered "I want to make love out here in the moonlight some night".

   Joe only answered by dropping his hand to the roundness of her buttock
and squeezing it.

   Selena laid out towels and they both took their spots and began applying
oil to places they could easily reach and then assisting each other with
places not so easily reached.  While erotic, the act didn't stimulate Joe
like he thought it might.  It wasn't a prelude to sex, it was simply
applying oil.

   When they finished Selena took out two cans of spray on sun block
instructing him, "that oil we just put on should last the day in theory,
but the spray will help when you think you're being over exposed.  I'm told
when you begin to feel over exposed in THIS sun, you'll know it
immediately, until you get that bronzed glow you see on some of the people.
Don't get burnt!  I need that body." She said sexily, making her point
obvious as she stretched out, semi spread eagled in the suns rays.

   With few words said, they laid out for over an hour in the bright sun's
rays, turning from time to time, applying spray sun block occasionally to
calm a suspected hot spot.  Finally Joe stood and extended a hand to
Selena.

   "Come on, let's go take a cooling dip in that blue water."

   Selena smiled and took his hand and followed him to the ocean and they
waded out almost a 100 feet and still the water was barely to their waists.

   Selena pulled on his hand and looked at him.  "This is far enough.  You
can see a darker hue out a bit and I'm afraid it drops off." She said as
she dipped her whole body to her neck in the water.

   Joe joined her as they both squatted and then knelt on the ocean floor
as the light waves lapped at the back of their necks.

   "Mmmmm, this is nice.  The tide will shift soon and this side the isle
will get stronger waves.  We'll have to remember this calm period for just
lazing in the water, not having to worry about the waves."

   They made small talk about plans for the week until Joe became aware of
getting too much sun on the back of his neck.

   "I'm getting a little water logged and way too much sun.  Let's go back
to the towels and get some oil.  We can get Gregory to bring us drinks on
the beach?"

   "Yes, we just have to let him know our location.  Each gaggle of Palms
has a number on it to tell them where we are." She said knowledgeably.

   "What, did you memorize the WELCOME package?" Joe said with a chuckle.

   "No, I did my research.  Remember when I vetted you?  I knew you were a
good person under all that Freddie Fuckerfaster persona." She laughed as
they waded out of the water.

   "Wow, you must have thought a lot of me after hearing about my
exploits!"

   "No one, not even Lynn, who says she hates you but really loves and
respects you, could say a bad word about you.  I only concluded that you
had a bad perception of what a relationship was after having your heart
broken so many times." Selena said matter-of-factly.

   "Wait, I never heard of this "vetting", . . .  and Lynn does hate me in
so many ways."

   "Lynn hates you in the fact that you could screw around with so many
different girls and not come running back to her begging that you never had
it better.  She even screwed her boyfriend in front of you to make you
jealous, but you quietly did the fix-up she had for you without a word. 
THAT'S the genesis of all her bile."(reference to my very first on-line
story Joe and Lynn, which I don't think is around any more)

   "If I had even an inkling that she wanted to get back together and all I
had to do was kiss her ass a bit, I would have." Joe admitted.

   "Even now?" Selena asked with a knowing smile.

   "Everything that has happened in my life was something to make our
getting together possible.  We have been tested and proved to be the
greatest love of all time and I'll stand by that with the proverbial gun to
my head.  I would die to prove my love for you."

   Selena stopped and turned to Joe and took his hands in hers and brought
them to her lips, gently kissing them.

   "I know, and you know the same for me.  We damn near proved it.  I
didn't drag you down out of that building, and you didn't drag me through
the Lincoln Tunnel for laughs.  Our love for each other is unquestioned."
She whispered as tears formed at the corners of her eyes.

   "You never need to say it, just look at me and I know, as you do." Joe
said pulling her tight to him wishing he could make love to her right there
in the sand.

   Selena quivered in his arms, once again realizing the gravity of all
that happened to them and yet here they were as they were years before,
more in love than ever.

   She pulled from him saying, "Let's go oil up and get some more of that
Sun." grabbing his hand and running with him to their spot.

   Selena grabbed her phone and dialed the main house.

   "This is Cottage 19.  When Gregory is free could he please bring us 2
tall drinks, as big as you make, a Rum Runner and a Pina Colada, to the
beach?" She said into the phone smiling at Joe.

   "Yes," She answered into the phone, "we're at 2-33.  Thank you."

   The two smiled and oiled other until they laid back, closed their eyes,
and just let the sun do its work until they heard the whirr of the courtesy
cart nearing.

   Gregory smiled, obviously enjoying the charms exposed by Selena, and
reached for the cooler he had stowed beside him.

   "Delivering your drinks, Sir and Madam." He said averting his eyes from
what he really wanted to look at.

   "Gregory?" Joe said a bit sternly.  "Formalities?"

   "I'm sorry, your drinks Joe and Selena!" He said proudly as she flipped
a small change purse to Joe from her bag.

   Joe fished through the bag and found a $20 bill and went to Gregory.

   "I realize your job is to serve us, but I will never be pompous enough
to have hired help around.  Please let us value you personally as a man we
can trust during our stay.  I will be sure you are properly compensated
when you perform a service for us, but please don't make me feel as I'm
your boss.  No Sir's or Madam's, alright?"

   "Just understand, my supervisor will call me and say "your master at
Cottage 19 calls", which demeans me, but I am well paid so I put up with
it. Although some make me feel like a slave, I DO respect you and the way
you feel about the arrangement.  Never be afraid to call me at any time,
Joe."

   "I just don't want to feel like I am buying you.  I realize you are paid
and that is built into our price, but we truly appreciate any help you can
give us and are not afraid to express our gratitude monetarily." Joe
explained.

   "Joe I understand our relationship and I can't tell you how I appreciate
you not talking down to me as others sometimes do." Gregory said guarding
his words.

   "It's respect for the working man, and I can tell you I worked
construction for a long time and know the experience and value of hard
work. I owned the company and worked side by side sometimes with what the
union calls laborers, and I called MEN." Joe said patting him on the back
suddenly not feeling self conscious about the fact he was without clothing.

   Gregory thanked both of them and went off in the courtesy cart to his
next stop.

   This was typical of how they spent their first four days at Negril
Beach. Gentle lovemaking in the evenings and daylight hours filled with sun
and leisure sipping rum drinks and devoting their time and the sexual
energy to each other.  They truly were erasing the blackboard of the stress
and memory of their ordeal.

   Day five at Chiascuro was as fulfilling at the other four as their first
week came to a close and the second started.  They had spent 3 days of the
"vacation" celebrating Thanksgiving and in New York working half days
before they left on Thursday.  Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday were
just more days in paradise.

   Late mid-morning on Tuesday they sipped the rum concoctions as the sun
made its turn and let the palms cast their shadow upon them.  It wasn't
long before they both slipped into a light doze to rest from the morning
dose of sun.  It only took a short time for the tilt of the sun began to
allow for new rays to hit Joe's eyes first and he began to wake as his mind
took a groggy inventory of where they were and what they were doing.

   Suddenly something was blocking the light that had begun to reach his
eyes and he opened them to see the sexy, voluptuous, proudly naked, figure
of Odalys Mercer.  They hadn't seen her since their first day and wondered
what had become of her.

   "Your wife apparently wore you out last night, good for her!" She said
with a giggle.

   Joe was still wiping cobwebs as he took in the body of Dallie.  Her
breasts still sat fairly high on her chest, her areola were huge with proud
pert nipples on her still white breasts.  Although the tan line below her
waist was small from apparent tanning in a thong bikini, her shaved pussy
area was like a white exclamation mark on her body.  Joe already surmised
that her turn-around would reveal a round perfect ass that had barely begun
to spread and show signs of gravity effects.  Shapely asses, no matter what
the size, were still a favorite of Joe Johnson.

   After a quick inventory of what was before him Joe quickly sat up
saying, "If you're trying to attract a man, you shouldn't have any
problems. In the haze of sleep you were certainly a sight for me to wake
to. Excuse me for staring." Joe said as he reached over and shook Selena's
foot to arouse her.

   Still in the shade of the palms, Selena blocked her eyes from the sun
drenched image of Dallie, who reminded her of the full figured models in
the older copies of Playboy her father used to hide in his studio.

   "Wow, you are stunning, I'll have to blindfold my husband . . .  uhh,
that was a stupid thing to say after we both told him how silly he was to
be modest." She said looking to Joe.

   "Oh!  I hadn't realized she was naked!" Joe feigned as the ladies
chuckled.

   "You're both beautiful specimens yourself.  You're enjoying the sun, I
see." Dallie said as she looked around.  "Have you been enjoying your
days?"

   "Yes, and they've been just like this.  Relaxing all day, eating and
spending our nights together." Selena said.

   "It appears I'm the only one to recognize you here so far.  I was really
afraid your degree of celebrity might draw some lookie-loo's, but if they
missed you on the plane and the boat, and so far on the beach, you might be
home free here.  Besides, with the name Johnson in this place, they might
think it's an assumed name.  I'm sure there are married men who sneak away
here "on business", she said using her fingers to accent the quotes, "with
their girlfriends or secretaries." Dallie determined.

   "I don't mind the occasional congratulatory handshake or pat on the
back, but I hate when they make it like we did some heroic thing.  We were
two frightened people who were lucky enough to save our own butts.  Wanting
to survive isn't heroic, it's natural instinct." Joe said as he looked to
see if any of his drink was left.

   "It's all perspective Joe.  I look at it as a spit in the eye to the
terrorist.  You're two they thought they killed and you showed them they
weren't strong enough to get you.  You live while Bin Laden sleeps with the
fishes.  Fuck you al-Qaida." Dallie said forcefully.

   "After reading all the stories, that was what I walked away from it
with." Joe nodded at he drank the remains of the melted ice of his drink.
"Nothing heroic, just a finger in their eye.  I wasn't aware for a long
while, and Selena was lost in her little world of fear.  We really don't
like to talk about it."

   "Understood, so . . . .you two had a good week?" She asked looking at
both of them.

   Selena rolled her eyes and blushed.  That sufficed to be the only
answer.

   "I've been fairly quiet.  I've spent a few hours at the beach each day,
and one night I went out to spread Michael's ashes so I spent that night
and most of the next day crying and depressed, but it's what I wanted. 
This is the last night the Windswinger Cruise is here.  I'm going to the
nightclub tonight and see if there are any single guys worth prospecting."
Dallie said with a blush of her own.

   "Please be careful." Selena said quietly.  "I know you're old enough to
take care of yourself and you don't need mothering.  Just don't play with
fire."

   "I sort of fantasized last night, and I don't mean to be presumptuous
but, . . . .  ummm, have you two ever made love on the beach?"

   "Well, we've wanted to, at night.  Just afraid of being seen.  We saw
another couple here once and . . . ." Selena said, stopping short of giving
up too much private information.

   "Well, don't think this is strange or kinky, but if I hook up with
ANYONE, it won't be at my cottage or his, it will be out here.  If I hooked
up and were with you both, as a couple, and we were in close proximity we
could sort of be look-outs for each other and I would feel somewhat safer
with a stranger." Dallie said trying to make sure her words weren't taken
wrong.  "I mean, I have no interest in watching or anything, just if you're
afraid of not being private and I don't really trust my partner, we could
help each other out."

   "Oh, I don't think so Odalys." Joe said as he looked and saw Selena
shaking her head in agreement.

   "We aren't prudes, but we're no exhibitionists either.  Our love is
private and I wouldn't feel comfortable at all." Selena said.

   "But, you're not comfortable being out here alone either, we could at
least look out for each other.  I'm just asking you to think about it.  I
haven't met anyone I have any interest in and doubt I will.  I was just
throwing it out there.  Don't be put off by my suggestion; it was just an
idea during a moment of fantasy." Dallie said apologetically.

   "Listen, we've hit it off as fast friends, but this would be just too
personal.  I understand where you're coming from, but the situation just
isn't for me.  Joe?" Selena said trying to convey a sense of understanding.

   "Oh, I agree.  What we have, we wouldn't share."

   "You're forcing me to sound like I'm trying to talk you into this, and
I'm not.  I just don't think you understand.  We wouldn't be next to each
other, and wouldn't be watching each other, just in earshot at a point at
the beach where we would see an intruder or peeping Tom coming.  To tell
you the truth, I'll bet anyone else out at night might be doing the same
thing.  I'm not a voyeur or a kink and I'm not trying to say that I am or
think you two are." Dallie said to defend herself and make sure Joe and
Selena didn't get the wrong impression.

   "OK, I get it.  No harm, no foul.  I thought you misunderstood our
reaching out to you as a friend on this trip." Selena said with a smile as
she got up and hugged Dallie.

   Joe added an apologetic chuckle, saying, "My wife likes to fix broken
things and your story touched her, but your proposition had her thinking
she misjudged you."

   No, please think of the love my husband and I had to be much like your
own.  We were private and didn't swing like that either.  Um, . . . . 
"swing" was a poor choice of words, .  . . . .  we didn't "operate" like
that either.  My wanting to do something sexually adventurous at my
husband's behest might make me seem loose, but I'm not."

   They made plans to meet at the nightclub for a drink before the
entertainment started that night.  Joe and Selena already had a pit table
for two reserved, but a drink at the bar sounded nice.  After they gathered
their things and walked back to their cottage arm in arm, but Selena felt
uncomfortable.  Her hug and kiss with Dallie had caused something.  When
their breasts touched she quickly flashed back to her drunken foray of gal
pal playing with Lucy.  Although it wasn't a full breast press, she had to
admit, her pussy was running like a faucet.

   As they arranged things on their porch and go ready to go in Selena took
Joe's arm.

   "When we get inside, go rinse off that pretty cock of yours.  I don't
want you to get any sand in my pussy.  Holding you as we walked made me
horny as hell." She said with a sly grin.

   Joe said nothing and held the slider open for her and went directly to
the bathroom to do as she asked.  When he came out she was kneeling in the
easy chair, facing the back with her right shoulder pressed to it while her
head hovered over the wing, watching and waiting for him.  When he saw her
he walked to the left of the chair as she opened her mouth to make sure he
was hard enough to get the job done.

   "Ohhhh, GOD!  What has you so randy?  You're sucking my cock like its
candy!  Don't worry, I'm not going to take it away from you." Joe said as
he nearly buckled under the pleasure.

   Selena wouldn't say that pressing her breasts to Dallie's turned on her
faucet, but she surely wanted to cool her loins to be sure she wasn't
tempted to act on her itch in any other way.  She knew she would never,
ever, cheat on Joe, but this was her insurance.

   "Oh God!!  Put that big wet cock in my pussy Joey!  The sun, the ocean,
your touch has me on fire.  FUCK ME!" She commanded as she rested her head
on the wing as Joe moved behind her.

   Joe bent and licked her pussy with one long deep swath, being sure to
leave a wet puddle on her asshole before he stood and wiggled the head of
his cock between her lips and pushed all the way in.

   Selena sucked in her breath and swooned loudly at being fully penetrated
as his hands reached under her and grabbed her tits.  He started to plunge
hard into her as she jerked back for every punch and pushing out a loud
"OH!" each time he hit bottom.

   Joe stood to look down over her as he fucked her with abandon and saw
the red ring of her sore asshole coated with the wetness he had deposited
there.  He wet his middle finger and pushed it in with no warning for her.

   "Oooooooooooooooooow!  Joey, you CAN'T fuck me there today, tomorrow or
the next day!  Your finger feels fine, but don't get ideas!" She yelled,
angry because he broke her mood.

   `Take it easy Essy, you know I wouldn't do that.  God!  I thought you
were enjoying this!"

   "I am!  I guess my mind was someplace else." She admitted as Joe stood
there a bit confused, his cock and middle finger still buried in her.

   Joe began to move within her and it took but a few seconds for her to
start to pant like she had been.

   "God, Joey you have me so full.  Pump that cum into me!" She whined
through her hard breaths.

   The stop and start hadn't affected Joe at all as he felt his orgasm
rising, pulling his finger from her red ring and slamming his cock home as
she hollered approval.  When he was finished he fell forward across
Selena's back placing one arm around her middle and bracing himself up with
the other on the wing she was sort of resting on, although most of her
weight was still on her shoulder in the back of the chair.

   The only sound in the room was their heavy breathing until Selena
coughed and cleared her throat.

   "Oh Joe!  I can barely move.  Good God, there's making love and then
there's fucking.  THAT was fucking and I must say we did it quite well."
She chuckled.

   "That little bit of titty to titty touching got you all that bothered?"

   Selena flushed red and spun under Joe to sit in the chair as he stood up
to face her.

   "You knew?"

   "Essy, you flushed red as soon as you let go of her and were acting all
. .  all . . .  all something that I recognized as sexual fluster."

   "God, am I THAT obvious.  Do you think Dallie picked up on it?"

   "Why?  Did you want her to?" Joe asked facetiously, but was still
interested in her answer.

   "Joe, you don't even think I'm CAPABLE of cheating on you?  Do you?"

   "Of course not!" Joe said, almost scolding her for the thought.  "Not
after everything we've had and went through.  I understand your excitement,
but I think you did what you might always do in the same situation: Run
home and get your "tires" aligned and balanced." Joe said with a knowing
curl to his lip that turned into a full smile as he reached down and
scooped her off the chair.

   "Joe!  Put me down!  Where are you taking me?" she yelled as she hung
onto him as not to fall, while feeling unbalanced in his arms.

   "Relax, I'm bringing us both the shower, and then we'll get dressed and
stroll into the village for lunch.  Sound OK?" Joe said as he set her down
in the bathroom, but not before giving her a smack on the ass.

   "Ouch, that hurt, but I suppose I had it coming." She said rubbing the
spot as she got into the shower stall.

   "Essy, a woman NEVER has it coming.  I just like slapping your ass, it
has a nice feel to it." He said patting the site of the blow.

   "I know, I have proof of your love of my ass." She said as she rubbed a
hand over the middle of her butt and grinned.

   Dressed and refreshed the two were off for a short walk into the little
village that was basically supported by the local tourists.  They had
avoided the area so far on the trip, just spending time with each other,
but this last week they vowed to get out in the area a bit.  While many
other parts of the area were poor and depressed, this would be considered
upscale.  Mostly food, jewelry, trinket stores, bars, and nightclubs, they
survived on the upscale visitors.  Groups of small foot-pedaled "surreys"
sat on every few corners to ferry tourists around the village and back to
the resorts.  As the strong legged owners of these primitive, but quaint,
taxis hawked Joe and Selena for their services, but Joe waved them off,
choosing to walk.

   From their first trip, Joe remembered a place called "The Rum
Plantation" and hoped it was still there.  He remembered an awning covered
cool shaded area of tables with pretty local waitresses serving strong rum
drinks and skewers of jerk shrimp or chunks of spicy beef (God, he hoped it
was beef).  After filling up on the beef and shrimp they served breadfruit
roasted over a fire and then soaked in coconut milk.  If you mentioned
Jamaican food, it was all Joe could think of.  The most popular Jamaican
food was probably Curry Goat and Joe would have none of that.

   Turning off the corner of the main street Joe saw the familiar green and
white striped awnings hanging low off The Rum Plantation.  The smell of
grilling food filled the air and they made their way through the door and
made their way to the tabled patio.  Young dark and light skinned black
women in brightly colored sarongs that usually showed plenty of cleavage in
the front and criss-crossed around their bottoms barely hiding their charms
from the back.

   "It figures you would remember this place." Selena said as she poked Joe
who had turned his head to examine a smiling waitress that passed them.

   "Selena, I love pretty women so much, I married one.  If looking at
these women lights a fire under me that only you can cool, it seems like a
win-win situation for you.  Like before, you'll know when I'm making love
to you and when I'm fucking you.  Either way leaves you breathless and
satisfied.  Looking never hurt anyone.  You know where I butter my bread.
When we were "young" in Manhattan 10 years ago I understood you being a
little possessive or jealous.  There's simply no reason for it now." He
said softly enough for only her to hear, but sternly enough to know he
wasn't kidding around.

   "I'm sorry Joe.  I guess it's just a natural thing.  I do not doubt your
love or loyalty and I shouldn't act so silly.  I know you don't even try to
hide it which should convince me more.  I'll learn to bite my tongue, but
when a woman comes onto you, she better look out." She said with a serious
smile.

   "Listen, Joe Palooka, IF that ever happens, and at 52 I might be
flattered, make sure you give me a chance to tell them I'm married before
you start a brawl." Joe said laughing it off.

   "As long as you know I'm serious." She said with a smile.

   Just then a pretty young light skinned black came to their table, her
breasts nearly falling out of the top of her sarong.

   "Greetings my friends.  From where do you hail?"

   "New York City, and are you local" Joe answered.

   "Somewhat.  I was born in Kingston, but spent most of my childhood in
the UK where my father was a businessman.  We came back here about 6 years
ago and I work here to pay for University."

   "Where do you go to school?" Selena asked.

   "I've finished 3 years in Grenada and now I'm saving for a year to go to
Baylor in Texas for Medical school to finish."

   "A doctor?"

   "Maybe, perhaps research.  I do want to work in medicine, but I can only
do what I can afford."

   "Commendable." Joe said before he looked at the menu card, even though
he already knew what to order.

   "We'll have the skewers platter and a large Pina Colada and a large
frozen Rum Runner.  Please tell me uh, I don't believe I got your name?"

   "Jelan Sir, my name is Jelan" She answered shyly

   "Please tell me, Jelan, that the meat on the skewers is beef and not
goat."

   Jelan smiled and knew she had a paranoid American at her table.

   "What if I told you it was neither beef or goat?"

   Joes mind reeled wondering WHAT it could be, but Jelan could no longer
toy with him.

   "Relax, it is beef, brought in by plane from Texas, I promise you." She
said with a teasing smile while turning to Selena.

   "Your husband is quite the charmer, keep an eye on him.  There are
others on the island, much prettier than me, who would like to have his
company." Jelan said semi-seriously and part seeming to kid.

   "He's been married too long to me to chase younger women anymore.  I
keep him close." Selena said smiling.

   "You are a smart woman.  I'll be right back with your drinks and put
your order in." Jelan said.

   "Her accent is so refined, heavily British, but enough of this island to
assure you she's native." Joe said as they watched her walk away.

   "Her face is so innocent and pretty, but the way she talked, I doubt the
innocence.  I don't think she wears a thing under that sarong.  I think
there's an arm hole and it crosses her front and wraps under her butt and
back across her breasts to the other arm hole.  Only the bubble of her butt
keeps it taut and on." Selena surmised.

   "If she bends over, it's all over." Joe snickered.

   "Seriously, if I wore that it would slide up over my butt the first time
I moved.  She can almost wrap it under and it stays." She said, still
analyzing.

   "Really!  Hadn't noticed." Joe said, still snickering.

   "I'll bet!"

   `There you go again!  Do you really think that there is any ass I want
besides yours?  You are the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on,
perfect for me in every way.  Yes, she has a very round and prominent butt,
nice to look at.  But, she's not you." Joe said shaking his head.

   Selena leaned up to say quietly, "The kind you used to like to fuck?"

   "OK, you asked for this, NO!  Not as good to fuck.  With all that flesh
you can't get deep enough." Joe said confidently.

   "OK, stop.  Sorry I asked and sorry I started it." She said as Joe
smiled and turned to see Jelan walking in with their drinks.

   As she put them on the table Selena perked up.  "Now you can't tell me
that sarong, or whatever it is, is comfortable."

   Jelan looked both ways and lowered her voice, "No, it isn't, but it kind
of forces them to only hire native women, or ones shaped like us.  We tend
to have big back ends.  I get my share of nice tips from the American and
British tourists, but I'd rather be in a bikini.  Many girls can't wear
this, it tends to ride up unless you have something for it to wrap around."

   Joe couldn't believe she asked the question and the discussion that
ensued as he sat with his forehead in his hand waiting for it to end.

   "I'm sorry my wife asked you these questions." He apologized.

   "I'm sorry I have to be on display like this, but the money is good. 
It's worth the pinches and propositions I get every day.  I'll start school
next semester!" She said as she quickly went off to wait other tables.

   "Happy now?" Joe asked.

   "Yup.  I KNEW it had to be uncomfortable.  Management just wants to put
the girls on display.  I guess everybody wins, except for the women's
rights groups." Selena said with a chuckle.

   The place got much busier and when their food came out they barely
exchanged more than smiles with Jelan as they both dug in.

   "Good Lord!  Look at us as if we haven't eaten in days." Selena said.

   "Hot sex is hard work." Joe grinned.

   "Building your strength for more?" She teased.

   "All you can dish." He said confidently.

   "That could be more fucking and less making love." She said wiping her
mouth.

   "It's all about the mood my love."

   " Mmmmmm, actually it has a lot to do with the time of day too.  Late at
night, early in the morning, THAT'S making love.  During the day,
especially when we have these days to ourselves, I just can't get enough of
your body and what it does to me.  It really is making love, but it's just
not the tender kind." She said as she picked up the strawberry garnish from
her drink and playfully ran her tongue around it before popping it in her
mouth with a sly grin.

   Joe's imagination quickly leapt to the thought of what her mouth can do
and he gave her a pleasured wince.

   "Penny for your thoughts." He said wistfully.

   "You KNOW what I'm thinking of, and I can't wait.  I'll get you in the
chair we just fucked in and scoot you to the edge and all that cockaballs
is mine!" She said accenting her words with a snaky tongue loll.

   "And how am I supposed to concentrate on anything else now?" Joe asked.

   Just then Jelan returned to their table to ask "Wow, you guys ate that
fast!  Was that an appetizer?"

   Selena perked up and said "It WAS an appetizer, but what we're going to
feast on is back in our cottage."

   Jelan may have seemed innocent, but she was quick to pick up on Selena's
intentions.

   "Good for you.  I'm rather a fan of "private dining" myself.  I hope you
both get your fill.  Would you like another drink, or just your check."
Jelan said.

   "How about one more round, AND our check, then you won't have to make
two trips." Joe said.

   "That's fine, but I wouldn't mind . .  uh . .  coming a couple times."
She said with a snickered tone before she walked away, seeming to accent
the sway of her hips.

   "Were we just hit on?" Selena asked.

   "We were!  If you ever thought about a threesome, now would be the
time!"

   Selena sat stunned at his words, horrified he would even think it.  She
looked up to him and he said "BA-ZINGA!"

   "Oh my god, I was beginning to think you were serious for a minute." She
said relieved.

   "Selena, if such thoughts were ever to enter my mind it would be long
discussed and with someone we both loved in one way or another.  I have no
thoughts of sharing you, nor do I want to be with anyone but you.  I may
look, but it's only window shopping, as you know.  If Jelan seems innocent
to you, think again.  She spoke to that couple behind you just like she
spoke to us.  When the wife got up to go to the Ladies Room Jelan almost
ran over to him and arranged something where he gave her money.  Not
innocent, not discreet, but paying for her education the only way she knows
how to get off of this island."

   "You sound like you approve." Selena said, surprised.

   "Not morally, but as life goes on this island for many, she's had a
taste of college life and education in Grenada, all she and her parents
could afford.  Now she wants to fulfill her educational and life dreams and
she'll never accomplish it any other way here.  Her avenues are limited. 
She gets an A in resourcefulness.  You would be hard pressed to find a
college girl who didn't suck a few dicks, or fuck a guy or two to ease the
stress and boredom of studying.  She's just getting paid for it."

   "I guess in her case, . . . .  whatever it takes.  I just couldn't live
like that." Selena said, surprisingly understanding of her situation.

   Jelan was just coming out with their drinks and the folio with their
check.  She set the drinks down and handed Joe the check and he asked her
to wait while he looked at the total.  It was $103.23 USD.

   Joe took a Hundred and a Fifty from his money clip and slipped it inside
for her with a smile.

   "Good luck with your education, and be careful." He said with a smile
that she returned, knowingly.

   Their walk back to the cottage was decidedly slower that the walk to. 
The two tall drinks took more of a toll on Selena than Joe but they were
both in stages of "tipsy"

   "You didn't forget that I plan to have a sex feast on you, did you?"
Selena asked.

   "My body is yours to enjoy.  I'm sure I'll have no complaints." Joe said
giggling.

   Joe locked his arm around Selena and they walked with a bit of a stagger
back to their cottage.  When they got there they entered through the patio
sliding door and pulled the curtain tight.  As soon as Joe turned back to
Selena after securing the door she reached between Joe's legs and held his
package while locking eyes with him.

   "I love you, my Joseph.  I can't tell you how many times I lay in bed
and dreamt of having you in my mouth while in that godforsaken mental
institution.  It was an intimacy I knew you alone had shared with me and
that we enjoyed so much.  The night time orderlies and staff looked for
ways to get me alone to see if I might relieve the itch they knew I had. 
Philly got reports of me masturbating all of the time, so they knew I was
ripe.  What none of them knew was the fantasy never changed.  You would
walk to the bed and I would take you in my mouth to let you fuck me there.
So sit in the chair and let me feel you and explore you with my lips,
tongue, and mouth.  I want to excite you, tease you, taste your man sweat,
and bring you to a wonderful satisfying orgasm that I can taste and savor.
I love you Joseph and I want to please you in every way that I can, as you
do me.  Tasting you and the seed you make is the most intimate thing I can
think of besides you making love to me." She said all the while backing Joe
into his chair as she slinked to her knees.

   She undid the little shorts he was wearing; already knowing he hadn't
put any underwear on after their shower.  She smiled as she reached up
under him to pull them down and he accommodated her by lifting his butt off
the chair.

   She smiled at what lay before her knowing she fantasized about it so
many times in the hospital.  She had him this way many times since her
release, but this moment was to satisfy all times she wished he were there.
Even then, as hopeless as she felt, as confused as she felt then, she
somehow knew they would be together again in some world in some way.  She
buried her face into his cock and balls and filled her lungs with his manly
scent before being overcome with her need to feel him on her tongue and
fill the hollow of her mouth with him.  She would bring him to the brink
many times that afternoon before letting him shoot his cum over her tongue
as she pinched and pulled at her clit.

   Chapter 30

   Joe woke from his afternoon nap feeling satisfied and fully relaxed.  He
took a moment to put all the pieces together and gather his senses as to
what, when, and where.  The sometime fear of waking to find that
rediscovering Selena was just a dream made him bolt for a moment, only to
see her curled up on the floor at his feet, sleeping.  Her little shorts
were at her side and her bikini top was pulled down and around her waist.
The oral sex she had shared with him was now fresh in his mind and he
remembered her sweet mouth and soft words coaxing him to climax for her.

   As he shifted his feet to stretch she startled and her eyes flew open
only to have her face soften and look to him with her adoring eyes.

   "I hope I made you happy.  I love you so much, to taste you is so
pleasing.  I came when you did as well but you were groaning so loud I
don't think you heard me.  That and our drinks put us to sleep pretty
fast." She said softly.

   "Demon rum." He whispered.

   "and delicious cum." She said winking and licking her lips before she
bolted to her feet.

   Selena walked quickly to the bathroom where she quickly rinsed her
mouth, gargling and spitting loudly.

   "How can something that tastes so good when it's warm from your body
leave such a wretched after-taste after you don't rinse." She said to
herself, loud enough for Joe to hear.

   "I wouldn't know, but your pussy still smells good on my lips in the
morning, but my fingers do have a smell that's not too pleasant." Joe said
smiling as she came back into the room.

   She put her fingers to her nose and did a quick turn around and went
back to wash her hands, all the while chuckling.

   Joe got to his feet and went to bathroom where Selena was still washing
her hands.  Joe put his fingers to his mouth and filled them with spittle
that he wiped through the lips of her pussy as she jumped and began to turn
until she felt him put a hand to the center of her back and his cock nudge
through her lips up into her vagina.

   "Really?  Already?"

   "I watched your cute little ass rock back and forth twice to the
bathroom in the last 2 minutes, that's all I can take." He moaned as he
felt her warmth surround him.

   Selena let her pelvis rest against the front of the counter as she
folded her arms into the sink, warm water still running.

   "Oh God!  You feel so good in me.  We needed this, just making love and
fucking whenever the moment moved us.

   Joe held her hips and glided in and out of her at an easy pace, enjoying
every moment in her warm tightness.

   He looked down and her little butthole was winking with each stroke and
the temptation to touch her there overcame him.

   "Easy, I'm still a little tender." She said as she looked to her side
and saw the tube of lube gel.

   She reached from the sink for the gel and put the tube to her mouth and
twisted it as her mouth held the cap firm.  Once open she set the tube
down, spitting the cap, and squeezed some onto the counter.  She used two
fingers to scoop it up and reached behind herself to put it on her tender
asshole.

   Joe gently put his middle finger to her lubed target and began to double
penetrate her, pushing and pulling each one after the other.  He saw her
stiffen and orgasm, feeling a flush of wetness around him as her pussy
began to slosh in her white creamy cum.

   She quickly came a second time as she gasped into the sink and thrilled
in her squeaky orgasm voice.  Suddenly she reached behind her and took
Joe's cock by the base, coaxing it out of her pussy.  She slid her hand up
to the head, and holding just behind the corona, pushed it at her tired
wrinkled hole.  She gasped as it popped into her and pushed herself back
over him.

   "Fuck my hiney, Joe."

   "Are you OK?  Not too sore?"

   "I'll be fine, what could be bad about this?  We are one right now. 
Push up into me and hold me." She said between thick breaths.

   Joe pushed up as far as he could reach and bent over her, his hand
finally reaching for the handle to turn off the water.

   "Been too busy to do that." She gasped and giggled.

   "I could stay like this forever.  We are one body, I feel so full of
you." She continued.

   "I can't stay that long, I'm about to cum." Joe whispered.

   She pushed back on him to start his stroking but only 2 or 3 slow
thrusts put him over.

   "Uggh, ughh, uhh, uhh Oooooo!  I'm shooting into you.  Not much there
but the feeling is awesome." He said as he flexed and stroked a few more
times before he became over sensitive quickly, having cum now twice in the
hour or so.

   Joe almost fell over as he moved from her, but regained his balance
enough to plop down on the closed toilet admiring the round sun-pinked
bottom in front of him.  Little farts of air escaped from the red little
wrinkle as a small wad of cum oozed out and went down her leg.

   "Oh God!  I'm so rude, I've got to stand in the shower." Selena said as
she slowly stood and walked clumsily to the shower and reaching in to turn
the water on and test it's temperature before stepping in.  She turned a
short pirouette under the water before taking the soap and lathering her
bottom crease and washing it meticulously, pulling at her little hole to
let more of the air pumped into her escape.

   "Oooo my little hiney is going to be sore, but worth the trip." She said
to Joe through the still open shower door.

   "How can someone who looks like a pure angel be such a devil inside?"
Joe asked to no one as he admired the pert, firm, perfect form before him.

   "Joe, I know you hate it when I talk like this, but I love being your
little whore, your cum slut when we get behind closed doors.  I crave to
have you touch me, fuck me and violate me in every way.  Giving myself to
you makes every sex molecule in my body sing and throb.  I live to make you
happy, and that, in turn, makes ME deliriously happy.  I truly love you and
want to please you.  I dreamt of you standing beside my bed fucking my
mouth while I lay motionless, only my jaw, mouth and tongue moving.  I had
that dream a thousand times, wanting to feel like your whore, your pleaser.
Now I don't have to dream it.  We're together and I'll be your whore a
thousand more times, but never think of it as anything but making love
Joseph.  I truly love you in every way I can to make you happy.  Just
thinking about it now makes my little clittie tingle."

   "Well, I have no words to describe the depth of my love for you and I
cannot bear to hear anyone speak ill of you, and I guess not even you.  But
if you want to feel like my whore, my pleaser, I can't stop you but you
know I respect you to the highest degree." Joe said even feeling bad using
those words she used about herself.

   "My Joseph, you KNOW that I know that and wouldn't stay with you one day
if I didn't think that.  Right now it would make me happy to go out and
walk in the afternoon sun along the beach with you.  Holding you next to me
while the waves lap at our feet sounds so romantic." Selena said as her
face brightened and she reached out to hold Joe close.

   "We can do that, it sounds like fun, and yes, sexy too."

   "Prove that, do it with me naked?  We`ve sat out there naked a lot but
you haven't been big on parading around."

   "GOD!  You are a tough one!  You're going to make me get used to this,
no matter, huh?"

   "Think about how you like to see me naked, well I like to see you the
same way.  AND, I'm not afraid to share the way we look, and we look damn
good, with others who feel the same way about their bodies." Selena
insisted.

   "OK, but remember, I like to look, so if my eyes wander . . . . ."

   "Don't worry, I know you may look but you where your bread is buttered,
um . .  or should I say your cock is lubed.  Hahahaha, I can be such a
dirty girl!"

   "More like CORNY girl, let's just go before I lose my bravado." Joe said
as he headed towards the door.

   "I'm right behind you, I just want to stop at Dallie's cottage, if she's
in I want to invite her to join us for dinner tonight.  I know we asked her
join us for a drink, but . . .  " Selena said as she hurried.

   "Sounds good." He said as he walked and put his hand out for Essy to
catch up.

   They didn't meet anyone on the walkway and Joe was getting used to being
commando outside, but he wondered what Dallie's reaction would be when she
answered the door.

   Just as Selena was about to knock they heard a wail from inside and Joe
quickly reacted as if he were about to go in and defend her when a second
wail turned into a low moan followed by rhythmic reports one might hear
when someone was getting laid.  Good and laid!

   "I think we should leave." Selena whispered, glad her first knock hadn't
hit the door.

   As they moved away to continue their walk to the beach Joe turned back
to look through the open sliding door through the screen.  The curtain
wasn't fully closed as he looked in and saw Dallie on all fours on the sofa
being penetrated from behind.  He swore they met eyes and she smiled before
dropping her head to moan as she absorbed another hard push from behind.

   "No doubt she's enjoying it, she smiled at me!" Joe said to Selena.

   "You saw her!"

   "Yes, I looked back through the screen and she was getting it from
behind on all fours."

   "Oooo, I wish I had seen those big ol' titties swinging with the fuck
push."

   "You're a naughty voyeur, and you wouldn't have seen much, she was
hanging onto the end of the sofa for dear life." Joe said to scold her.

   "I love watching mine in the mirror at home.  I think it's sexy.  Hers
are a lot bigger than mine and I`m just curious.  I DON'T want to fuck her,
if that's what you're thinking.  You like to fantasize about the asses you
admire, I like to fantasize about some women and I would no more do
anything about it than you would." Selena said defending herself, sure of
her words.

   "Calm down there, I didn't accuse you of anything, just noting you're a
voyeur, and so am I.  If she hadn't smiled at me I would still be there
looking!" He said with a chuckle.

   "God, I hope she knows what she's getting into with whomever she's
with." Selena wondered aloud.

   "She's a big girl, and knows the risks."

   "Did you see the guy?"

   "No, my eyes were glued to her, and there wasn't that much light."

   "God, maybe he was black and that's why you didn't see him."

   "Problem with that?" Joe asked

   "No, but if he was, more than likely he's on staff here which means he
would have access to her whenever he wanted."

   "Selena, whoever it is, let's not paint him a stalker.  She wanted to
get laid and I'm sure whoever it is he liked what he saw.  Forget about
it." Joe said patting her on her bare bottom to remind her that she was
with him and walking nude to the beach.

   The beach was almost deserted as most people left to satisfy their urges
after watching each other naked all day, or were breaking for the dinner
hours.  This is the time at public beaches where they fill up with families
with kids; families that ate dinner early and wanted to avoid the heavy
beach goers.  That wasn't the case here at Chiascuro, there were no
children.

   They walked slowly in the very edge of the surf where only their toes
and ankles felt the wash of the warm blue ocean water.  After walking
slowly with arms locked behind each other for close to a half hour they saw
a sign ahead.  "Clothing Required Beyond Dune".  The dune was more man-made
than anything, with sand pushed up to hide prying eyes, even though there
was almost a hundred yard open space between the two beaches.  In all
likelihood most of them on the "clothing" beach, would try the clothing
optional at least once during their stay.  The sand, sea, privacy,
anonymity, and general attitude of the resort tended to break down a lot of
inhibitions.

   They turned and walked back and started to see some couples out for an
after dinner stroll.  The beach would become somewhat crowded briefly, but
as the sun set, usually only a few couples braved the dark stroll.

   They had slowly walked for just over an hour when they saw Dallie
walking up out of the surf towards a towel she had spread in the white
sand.

   They avoided eye contact until they got close and heard Dallie yell.

   "Busted, huh?"

   Joe couldn't help but grin widely.

   "I should have pulled the curtain all the way, but I would have told you
I got my wish anyway.  I would have burst if I didn't, it was so good."
Dallie said, not seeming to be embarrassed.

   "You made a new friend, huh? . .  and without hanging with the
Windswinger cruise gang." Selena noted.

   Dallie sighed and shook her head.  "No, actually it was Dennis, an
acquaintance from back home.  We volunteer at the Community Center.  We've
been doing a flirt back and forth for a long time, like the last few months
or so.  He even asked me out before, but I refused.  I told him where I was
going and gave him contact information if I was needed and said, "if you're
in the area stop by and see me" as sort of a joke.  Well, he must have
spent a fortune on a last minute air fare.  He knocked on my door when I
went back to grab some lunch after I saw you two."

   "So, is he going to stay with you the rest of the way?" Selena asked.

   "No, I couldn't give him that much free reign and I didn't want him to
make the assumption that I was "his".  The gossip is bad enough back home.
He's a widower too and all of the church people have been trying to pair
us. That fact alone made me keep my distance.  You know you just hate to
satisfy nosy people's imaginations.  But, when I saw him I knew what was
going to happen.  He's quite an Olympian at sex."

   "Are you really attracted to him and playing somewhat hard to get? 
That's what it sounds like." Joe observed.

   Dallie sighed again.  "Yes, I am.  I miss him already after I've washed
all of him out of me in the ocean.  I never in a 100 years thought he would
ever show up here.  He said he wanted me that bad and knew by the way I
looked at him back home that I wanted him.  I'm not so sure about that, but
I WAS interested, but I promised to wait the year and it was supposed to be
a zipless fuck.  This wasn't zipless, it was downright passion.  I did
things I've ONLY done with Michael, it was THAT passionate." She said
talking frankly as if to intimate friends.

   Joe nodded knowingly, as if he understood but Selena looked at her
confused.

   "Oh for God's sake, you're going to make me come out and say it?" Dallie
said while Selena still looked confused.

   "Oral sex!" Dallie said turning a deep red as she admitted the act.

   "Oh! . . .  ummm, just WHY were you so reluctant to see him back at
home?" Selena asked, just not understanding the situation.

   "Oh, small town gossip, knowing grins, smiles, and winks from those who
can't mind their own business.  I guess I'm just self conscious like that.
But, LORD, when I saw him at my door here, my juices just ran like a
faucet, literally." She exclaimed with a big smile.

   Joe leaned forward and put a hand on her shoulder to be sure she knew he
was bringing her into his confidence.  "We found out early on that all of
that is THEIR problem, not yours, or his.  Let them gossip and make up
stories, the two of you know the truth and you deserve to let your love
grow, or find out that it won't work.  True love and affection for another
and knowing that the feeling is mutual can be one of the greatest gifts our
species has.  Don't let it slip away for the thoughts of others.  I was a
three time loser at long relationships and had become a hound of sorts with
a long list of usual conquests who were at my door regularly.  Selena was
the young, virginal, gifted prodigy, who already had her career mapped out.
She felt a spark she had never felt before and I resisted with all my might
for what I might be accused of.  She literally pinned me to wall with a
finger buried in my chest scolding me for denying us the chance without
trying, all for the vanity of pleasing others thoughts.  Now we have the
most beautiful love ever."

   A shiver ran through Odalys with her nipples visibly hardening as she
thought about the prospect of losing what she had just found by worrying
what others thought.

   "You two can spend your last week really getting to know each other and
maybe finding out if the attraction is just physical, which was all you
came here looking for, or if you have something you can build a new loving
relationship with." Selena said hoping her words would help.

   "You know, even my husband would be angry if I let this opportunity
pass. He was so afraid I would shrivel up and die a widow, mourning him. 
That's why he was adamant I make this trip.  I always told him I could
never love another." Dallie said, nodding to herself that she should follow
her instincts and let what others thought pass.

   "How did you leave it with him today?" Joe wondered.

   "He was disappointed when I was non-committal about seeing him again.  I
told him I would call him, and left it like that."

   "Do you see yourself in a relationship with him, beyond just a sex
partner?" Selena asked.

   "Yes, he's sweet man.  I've worked at the church with him, as well as
the community center, the Farmers Market.  Don't look at me funny, these
are small town folksy people, and this is how things get done.  The people
do it themselves.  I had to stay busy after my Michael was gone or I would
have gone crazy.  I think he was in the same boat.  He works for the county
with farmers assisting them with grants and like that."

   "Go and find him before he decides to cut bait and go home.  You might
not be able to fix that rift.  You remember all too well what a broken
heart feels like, right?  Don't let things fester in his mind.  Go get
him!" Selena said emphatically.

   Joe just nodded and watched Dallie turn and walk away swiftly towards
her place to get dressed.  Joe didn't mind watching her walk away either.

   "Don't you have a better ass to look at here?" Selena said smartly,
knowing it would get Joe's goat.

   "Yeah, but I can look at yours anytime.  That one I have to memorize."
He said with a kidding chuckle as he threw his arms around Selena's waist
and picked her up, his package pressed against the cheeks of her newly
tanned ass.

   "Now THAT gives ME dirty thoughts.  We better get walking before you
have a problem or I have to go in the ocean to take care of one." Selena
joked as she broke away and jogged ahead of Joe a few paces.

   Close by a now fully dressed Dallie was knocking on the door of the man
she had put off just a few hours ago, after their sexual tryst.  Dennis
answered, fully dressed as if he were about to go out.

   "I know you probably have plans for the night Dennis, but can I have a
few minutes of your time?" Dallie said.

   "Actually, I was waiting for a bellman to come by and move my things.  I
was going to move to one of their other properties on the island.  I only
had this for the day.  There's another tour boat coming in tomorrow and all
of these rooms are taken." He said with a bit of a choke in his voice.

   "Is it close by?  Are you moving into a cottage like I have?" She
wondered, confused at his demeanor.

   "No it's at the inlet where the boat that brings you here starts."

   "Why so far?"

   "It's all I could get.  I let my mind jump the gun a little.  I sort of
thought I was going to be with you.  I guess I thought you invited me here.
I'm so sorry.  I really hate myself for making these assumptions in my
mind. You know how it is when you spend so much time alone.  Since Kerry
died I've been a little . . .  uh, I guess nutty is the word." Dennis said,
not quite able to look her in the eye.

   Dallie stepped toward him and took his hand.  "Dennis, I haven't been
totally honest with you.  While I never, ever, thought you would show up
here, it was like my most amazing dream come true when I opened the door
and saw you today.  I guess after I didn't want you to think I was "yours"
and . . . ." She said tailing off, not quite finding the words she wanted
to say instead of "easy".

   "The truth is," she continued, "I really want you to come and stay with
me, be with me and let us see if we have that spark we seemed to have back
home.  I never let a man in my bed so easily, but I felt like I knew you
and it was destined to be.  Maybe that's MY mind making wild assumptions.
You're only the third man I've EVER been with.  I'm a year alone and I'm
here to open up my life to men again.  Why not with someone I'm truly
attracted to?"

   Dennis shuffled his feet, saying, "I don't know what to say.  I tried
everything back home to let you know I was interested and always laughed
off when people would smile and wink, thinking they paired us off in some
natural match made in heaven.  I didn't want to come on strong and scare
you away, yet you were always there when I was doing something to avoid
going crazy from loneliness.  But, you always seemed to make yourself
unavailable when a chance came up for us to be alone.  I never knew what to
think." Dennis said near tears, even he unsure if his tears were happiness
or self-pity.

   "I was so unfair; I should have just told you the situation.  The truth
is, I thought about you sometimes when I was alone." She said flushing with
embarrassment.

   "Don't be embarrassed, I was often ashamed at myself for doing the same
thing.  What happened earlier today wasn't from pity because I came so
far?' He asked.

   "NO!  I told you that you were only the third man I've been with. 
Dennis, you were and are special.  The little dance I was playing with you
at home was a very poor decision.  I should have been up front with you."
Dallie admitted.

   "I should have been more assertive, . . .  and honest." Dennis said
reaching out for Dallie to step into his arms.

   As Dennis' arms encircled her Dallie felt wanted and needed for the
first time in a long, long time as she gripped him tight to herself.

   "Come back to my cottage, make love to me." Dallie said boldly.  "What
we did before was just lust, it was fucking." She chuckled, "and I really
needed a fucking."

   "There was no passion?" Dennis asked, seemingly disappointed.

   "I would be lying if I said no.  Using my mouth . . . . .  uh . . .  .
That's . . . . . . . .I'm so sorry to be embarrassed after I was so brash.
You were only the second.  You're THAT special.  I was so cold and mean to
send you away, so afraid to let someone in.  But I know I should give us a
chance.  I just met another couple who almost threw it away, and one of
them took the initiative and now it's one of the great love stories.  They
thought I should do the same."

   Dennis let go of her for a moment and picked up the hotel phone and
waited for the desk to pick up.  He explained the change of plans and that
for the aide to still show, but to just move his things to Dallies cottage.
Then, off they went to walk to the cottages. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

   Selena and Joe got back from their walk and were hungry.  Joe quickly
went for the recliner and thrust out the bottom to put his feet up.

   "Oh no you don't!  You aren't going to lie there for 5 minutes and fall
asleep and then tell me you're too tired for dinner." Selena said as she
laughed and un-reclined the chair with its electric switch.

   "If you're saying I'm too old to just lay down for a minute, Come here
I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S NOT AN OLD MAN!" Joe said as he grabbed his package for
emphasis.

   "I'm not saying you're old, I'm saying I screwed the daylights out of
you today and your body can't take anymore." Selena said with hands on hips
and a smart attitude in her voice.

   "Bring that little mouth over here and I'll bet I'll be screwing your
lights out in a few minutes." Joe said in a faux challenge.

   "Another good screwing and I'll be ready for a nap and I'm sure that's
what you have in mind.  Not going to happen.  I want some of those big
prawns roasted over an open grill with roasted veggies.  It's all I've been
thinking of since I got here and we've avoided going out so far just
getting the comp barbeque dinner at the big house.  Let's go OUT to
dinner." She declared as she started to put on a bathing suit and looked
for a cover up to make herself decent for public places.

   "Oh boy, you mean we're wearing clothes!" Joe said in a mocking tone.

   "Joey, See?  You're tired and grouchy!"

   "I'M NOT!  Where do you want to go?" Joe defended as he looked for
shorts and a tee.

   "There's the big open grill place just up West End Road, I know it's
still open, I could smell the smoke the night we arrived, and I saw an ad
in the welcome package." She said excitedly.

   "OK, lets go!  Walk or call Gregory?"

   "Let's walk to the main house and if Gregory isn't busy, OK.  Otherwise
we can walk and get a pager number for him to get home." Selena decided.

   As they walked toward the main house they passed Dallie's cottage and
she was meeting Gregory with all of Dennis' things.

   "Moving out?" Joe hollered from the walk.

   "No, Dennis is moving in.  I came to my senses." She said with an
embarrassed smile.

   Just then Dennis walked out the door to see who she was talking with.

   "Dennis, I want you to meet Selena and Joe, my new friends.  Be nice to
them, if not for them you might be on your way to the Montego resort.  They
talked sense to me." Dallie said as they exchanged handshakes.

   "Do you think you two can keep your hands off each other long enough to
go to dinner with us?" Selena asked with a big grin.

   Dallie looked at Dennis and he motioned her inside holding up a finger
to Joe and Selena as if to ask, "wait a minute".

   As they went in Joe asked Gregory about a lift to or from dinner.

   Inside Dennis asked Dallie, "I know you to be a friendly sort, but you
don't really know these two and you trust them with personal stuff and now
you want to leave with them?"

   "Dennis, I'm not that naïve.  They are special people.  They aren't
exactly faces you see in the news every day, but their story has been out
for a bit.  They want to remain anonymous.  Have you read about the couple
who survived 911 in the Towers and found each other 10 years later?" She
asked.

   "Oh God!  The blonde!!  I knew she looked familiar in a sense.  So you
know celebrities?" Dennis asked.

   `They're a sweet couple and don't want to talk about the ordeal, but I
do trust them, they want to remain as anonymous as possible.  They aren't
scam artists or anything like that.  We exchanged a lot of personal stuff
in the few hours we've spent and I think I have friends that will last for
a long time.  I really want to go with them.  This is just the thing to
cement our friendship.  My Michael called it "breaking bread" and thought
it was a very intimate way to get to know people.  What do you say?" She
asked.

   "Bringing up your ex isn't making points with my ego, I'll say that."
Dennis said uncomfortably.

   "Dennis, let's get one thing straight.  I'll never stop loving Michael,
just as, I expect, you'll never stop loving your wife Kerry. . .  and never
call my husband or your wife "my ex".  We'll both be married to them
forever.  It doesn't mean I can't love you as well, and I really want to,
but don't treat them as jilted lovers.  Now, I would really like to go with
them.  What do you say?"

   "I say, I'm liking you more and more all of the time.  I like your
style. I've worried about trying to put someone on her pedestal and you're
just told me that there's room for two on that." Dennis said as Dallie
stuck her head out and hollered, "We're in, give us a minute."

   Chapter 31

   Over dinner Joe and Selena couldn't believe that Dennis and Dallie were
denying their attraction to each other when they were back at home.  They
seemed like the perfect couple, perhaps even drawn together because they
both experienced the heartbreak of losing their spouse.  Although they had,
just that afternoon, satisfied the physical attraction to each other, their
eventual connection must have been inevitable.

   "I must say, you seem to know so much about each other, the two of you
must have been keeping notes." Selena claimed as she shook her head at
their obvious attraction.

   Dallie flashed her eyes at Dennis as if she were about to say something
he may not approve of.  "Ummm, he was so supportive of me after I lost
Michael, it wasn't long after the funeral that I realized he was special
and I could become interested.  BUT, when the busybodies began to push us
together I resisted, not wanting anyone to think I was desperate to have a
man, although I was, but I had my promise to Michael.  But then, the real
"churchy" old folks would make comments about "my wedding vow" and
"mourning time".  Everyone just seemed to be in my business.  They all
meant well, but it did sort of force me to reject Dennis, at least
publicly."

   "I was so flustered," Dennis continued, "That when she jokingly said to
drop in if I was in the area I was determined to find her here.  I guess I
feared public rejection back home, but you can tell by the way a person
looks at you.  They can communicate their feelings.  The last time I saw
Dallie back in Rome she looked at me with eyes I only know as want.  Her
off the cuff comment had a certain amount of truth in it, a seriousness, or
wish in it."

   Odalys had a longing look on her face once again now as she reached and
took both of Dennis hands, which were folded in front of him on the table,
into hers as she looked into his eyes, almost as if Joe and Selena weren't
even there.

   "Dennis, I want to finish our time together here as our little
relationship honeymoon.  I can make no promises as to what will happen when
we get home.  To judge how I'll feel then would be unfair to say now. 
Right now, I DO really want you in my life.  But, even you'll have to
admit, that when we get home our feelings might be different.  I'm not
worried about facing others in town, or what the gossips will say.  Just
remember that I always looked at life there as a Michael and I proposition.
I really WANT to think that I can change that to a Dennis and I outlook. 
Do you understand that?  The last thing I want to do is break your heart
over mis-understood feelings.  You and I both know what we want to be when
we get back.  Old feelings and memories might change things.  Are we square
on that?"

   "I understand.  I even had a little remorse when I got back to my room
this afternoon, but when I opened my door and saw you; I have to admit that
those feelings went away.  To say I think I could love you is a great
possibility, but right now there is passion and lust to deal with, agreed?'

   "Jeepers!  You two belong on one of those afternoon talk shows, Dr. 
Phil or whatever they are." Selena said.

   Joe laughed, "Since when do YOU watch those shows, my little
workaholic?" Selena's face sobered quickly and she looked at Joe with dead
pan seriousness, "I didn't spend EVERY waking moment in the hospital
thinking about you.  They had TV's on to stimulate us."

   Joe shot his eyes quickly to Dennis and then to Selena, not wanting to
give their "celebrity" away.  But Dallie caught the look.

   "Dennis knows, he's cool.  He questioned how I could trust total
strangers, whom I knew nothing about.  He understands." Dallie said
quietly.

   Dennis put on a half smile and extended a hand to Joe, "Congratulations
to both of you on your little triumphs over terror.  I'm sure it wasn't
easy and I mention it again.  I know I could never understand how you feel
and how you dealt with everything, but God Bless You both."

   Joe smiled and Selena whispered a quiet "Thank You" just as the waitress
came to their table.

   "Can I interest you in a native dessert?" She asked.

   "Name something." Joe said.

   "Umm, the house specialty is what we call "Drunken Fruit".  It's mango,
banana, pineapple, and star fruit in a dark rum bath with fresh cinnamon
over it.  I would just suggest you not drink any more tonight until you get
home if you get it.  It serves four nicely."

   "I'm in!" Selena said quickly and everyone else nodded and the waitress
was off to prepare the dessert.

   The four of them laughed at Selena's eagerness for the rum and fruit
concoction.  After they finished it any thought of walking back to the
resort was dashed by the darkness and late of the hour.  They called the
Chiascuro for the lift back arranged with Gregory and were told the jitney
would be there directly for them and NOT to start walking back.

   Selena closed her phone and told the rest what the resort had said and
then as if in a drunken dream asked, "What the fuck is a jitney?"

   They all laughed loudly causing the ma"tre d' to come out and call to
them in his heavy island/British accent.

   "Please wait inside for your ride.  There are too many scalee-wags along
the road for you to draw attention to yourselves."

   The four heeded his call but not before Selena asked, under her breath,
"What the fuck is a scalee-wag?", causing them to break out laughing again.

   The short ride home was quiet as the settling in the seats of the
"jitney" van and the alcohol began to take a toll on all of them.  The two
couples were transferred to the courtesy carts they all first arrived in
and brought to their respective cottages.

   Joe and Selena undressed and made slow passionate love until they fell
asleep without really consummating their union that night, with neither of
them feeling slighted at all.

   Selena woke the next morning as the sun began to peep through the upper
casement windows.  Joe's heavy snore probably assisted in her rousing, but
she quietly got up, letting him sleep.  She put on her bikini and decided
to go out and take in the morning sun.  as she reached the door she thought
about the fact they had paraded nude for the last few days and reached
behind herself to untie her top.  Her bottom would stay on since she was
leaving without a towel.  She knew exactly where she wanted to go, just
over a dune near the cottage where one lone palm was and she could face the
sun and watch the mist rise from each breaking wave as she stared into it.
It brought her mellow feelings of peacefulness.

   As she got close in on the dune it was apparent someone was sitting
towards the ocean side of it as their head came into view as she got
nearer. She was about to veer off to find her own place of solitude when
she realized it was Odalys, and she was crying.

   "Dallie, honey, are you OK?  Is there anything I can do, or don't you
want to talk?"

   "Please sit with me.  I'm so torn, yet so happy, and so guilty all at
once." She said as Selena saw she was dressed as she was, topless with only
a bottom to protect her goodies from the sand.

   "Remember I told you yesterday that Dennis was quite the sexual
athlete?"

   "An Olympian, I believe you said."

   "Yes, well that was an understatement.  I thought my Michael was a
virile experienced lover, but unless not having sex with Michael for the
last 20 months changed the way I remember it, I didn't know what hot sex
was." She said tearfully.

   "You can't compare lovers Dallie, its all expression of feelings and . .
." Selena started before Dallie stopped her.

   "No, Michael made me happier than I EVER felt and just looking at him
made me wet and want him, but I never knew how many times I could . . . .
umm, be happy . .  uhhh . ."

   "Cum?" She said to finish Dallies thought.

   "Yes, CUM in a night.  Last night and yesterday afternoon I came more
than I did in all my time with Michael.  Not that I wasn't happy with
Michael.  I mean, he never asked me about oral sex and I never thought I
would EVER do that, yet one day I was just so much in love with him I did
it to please him as much as I was by him.  It seemed so natural and it
shocked him that I would do it.  Yesterday Dennis' penis just came close to
my face as he was switching positions and I went at it like a hungry wolf.
He was bending me in ways I never knew you could reach each other's junk. I
thought I was such a sexual person and he made me feel like a virgin.  Well
actually, quite literally, he did something to me that I never imagined and
it was exciting, yet very scary.  You'll think I'm awful." She said as she
wiped away a tear.

   "As long as you both consented to everything you may have done and it
was done out of passion and love, you can feel no regrets.  Joe and I often
practice what I think you're talking about.  It's different, exciting and
VERY passionate.  It's making love." She said to console her and allay
fears of chastisement.

   "I thought he just missed but he started with fingers and I didn't know
what to say, he had me so strung out and wanting so much more.  There was
pain but I ignored it.  I never felt so vanquished, so taken." She said,
her face reddening.

   Selena reached out to hug her and Odalys embraced her, crying out, "It
was so dirty, so passionate, and I wanted nothing less at the moment.  I
feel so many great things about this man." "You have to slow down on your
feelings a bit.  Even you realize that things can change once you get home.
But while you're here, let yourself go as far as you feel you can.  If you
feel the love, let it flow, but talk to him like you just talked to me. 
Let him know how innocent your sex life was before." Selena said before
breaking the hug and looking Dallie in the eyes, whereupon Dallie kissed
her.

   "You are so special to have here at this time.  I feel like a high
school girl." She said after the kiss.

   She then flushed again saying, "I've experienced the feeling of
receiving oral sex before, but Dennis consumed me.  It was so fulfilling on
its own.  He never stopped!"

   "Dallie, I am, in no way, a woman who has experienced a lot of lovers.
I've been with 2 men.  One of those was stupidly and briefly, and Joe. 
Luckily, Joe is a sex animal and when he loves me; he loves me with passion
and variety.  Things I imagined as perverted and certain doorways to hell
and worse became commonplace in our sexual relationship and I enjoyed every
moment because it all happened consensually and with passionate feelings of
love between us.  Never go down a road where you don't want to, or feel
trepidation about.  You'll know if he is the right man by how you feel
after the hangover."

   "The hangover?"

   "Yes, the love hangover, or maybe the morals hangover.  It's what you're
experiencing right now.  Sitting here wondering whether what you just did
with him makes you feel ashamed and disappointed in yourself, or wanting to
go back and let it all happen again." Selena gently explained.

   Dallie became overwhelmed with what her night of love and passion
consisted, she wanted to confess all to make sure she shouldn't have raised
eyebrows to his wishes.

   "If I can be so rude, I'd love to run back and shove my pussy into his
face, he made me feel so good before.  He's such an animal, God forgive me
for telling you this.  He worshipped my pussy with his mouth and then did
the same thing to my other side and I had fingers in me everywhere and I
was unable to speak, I was so overwhelmed.  Then in one move he knelt
before my face and I knew what I wanted to do and I did it.  Then he picked
me up and laid me over the edge of the bed, poked a fingerful of spit in my
rear and then made love to me there.  It hurt like hell at first but he was
wrapped around me whispering in my ear instructing me to breath deep while
his fingers mauled my nipples and suddenly he began to move and it was
wonderful in so many ways.  It was like I was on a drug and he was all I
wanted.  I craved him and the burn in my rear didn't matter, but he knew
and stopped, saying something about having lube the next time as he stroked
his penis in front of my face.  I thought he was going to explode on my
breasts until I realized both he and I wanted it in my mouth.  I couldn't
believe I let it happen and I couldn't believe I WANTED it to happen.  You
must think I'm the worst woman in the world, but I want to go back and do
it all again."

   Selena felt uncomfortable to hear the "confession", but she understood
everything she was feeling, for she had confessed the same things to Lucy
early in her relationship with Joe.  Another reason for feeling
uncomfortable was the fact her own sex was running like a faucet now and
she wanted to get home to Joe as soon as she could.

   Selena hadn't spoken and Odalys didn't know how to take her silence and
began apologizing.

   "God, honey, I'm so sorry for burdening you with all of this, you must
think I'm awful."

   "No, not at all.  It just reminds me of when Joe and I began to
experience all of the same things and the ways I felt.  I knew right away I
was in love and in lust with Joe.  The love and the lust never faded for me
or Joe.  Now you have to work on that.  If he is the man you want, it will
become obvious to you the first times you're apart.  Let things happen and
follow your heart.  Now go back and be with your lover." Selena said as
matronly as she could sound as she got to her feet and planned to head back
to Joe.

   "Thank you so much and, . . .  uh . . .  this is just us? . . .  right?"

   "Yes, your words are just ours.  I share everything with Joe, but not
this.  I understand.  Go."

   Odalys got up and brushed the sand stuck to the back of her thighs and
looked at Selena.

   "You've made me feel so much better about everything on this trip.  I
thought I was going to be a siren seeking a man, and instead I'm the virgin
with so much to learn.  Thanks for giving me confidence." Dallie said as
she rushed off.

   Selena stood and knew what she wanted.  The sun wasn't too high yet and
she knew Joe would still be sleeping, but she knew a few tricks to wake him
to continue what they hadn't finished the night before.  Falling asleep
while making love wasn't exactly the insult one might think.  They were
spooning and both ready to collapse from exhaustion after a long day of
sun, fun, food, and alcohol.  Joe was hugging her tightly to him whispering
"sweet nothings" in her ear as he filled her in their spoon.  She smiled to
herself at his sweet words and relaxed into her pillow and Joe rested onto
her and the next thing she knew the sun was peaking.

   As she rushed back to their cottage she was aware that she was the only
person out and maybe half of the only couple not making love that morning.
That would change soon.

   Walking into the cottage she was surprised to hear the shower going and
their bed empty.  She slipped out of her bikini bottom and opened the
bathroom door.  Joe was facing away from her and she quietly opened the
glass door to the shower and made a grab at Joe's ass.

   "You better be fast honey, my wife will be back real soon." Joe said
without missing a beat while Selena responded by giving him a solid crack
on the butt.

   "Your chances of a blowjob in the shower just went down the drain." She
said cracking him a second time on his butt.

   "Even if I've been thinking about you and hoping you'd be back soon?"
Joe said as he turned and displayed a full erection.

   "Oooooooo, well maybe it won't be a blowjob, but I still think I can
think of something to do with that." Selena said as she turned and bent
reaching between her legs and using her fingers to form a V holding her
lips open.

   Joe didn't hesitate and scrunched his knees down a bit to get into her
and slid in easily.

   "Wow, you've been thinking about me, or at least thinking about little
Joe."

   "I was going to come in and wake you up with my lips around that
beautiful penis, but this is better.  God, I wanted you so bad this morning
and THIS is what I wanted." She said panting a bit.

   "We had to finish what we started last night anyway.  It was beautiful
falling asleep inside you." He said between breaths.

   "Mmmm, it was.  I dreamt about you all night, about how I missed you in
the hospital.  But let me tell you that your cock is MUCH better than
FINGERS." She said as her voice rose to a high pitch as she orgasmed.

   "I'll never be away from you again and make love to you every day." Joe
said as he sped his strokes into her building to his own orgasm.

   Suddenly he groaned loudly and pulled from her squirting his load onto
her back, the water washing it away quickly.  Selena reached back and took
him into her hand and, as she began to kneel before him, kept stroking him
until her face was right in front of his dick.

   "Save a little for me?" She said with a teasing pout as she put the head
in her mouth and Joe pulsed a small pearl of cum, all he had left, for her.

   "Mmmmm, the bottom of the balls is always the best part." She giggled,
licking her lips, causing Joe to force one more large pearl that she
missed.

   "Ohhh I missed that one." She laughed.

   "Don't worry, I'll make more." He joked as she stood and took the soap
and began to wash herself and Joe grabbed the shampoo to finish his shower
as well.

   Selena chuckled to herself each time they walked by Dallie's cottage and
saw the shades drawn and the NO SERVICE TODAY - DO NOT DISTURB sign on the
door.  She figured Dallie may be walking a little funny by day's end and
Dennis would have a smile burned into his face.  She really hoped they each
had found someone, and especially Odalys.  She had been so happy, sexually,
with Michael and now Dennis opened so many new doors for her she was having
a real new couples honeymoon all over again with all of its thrills and
surprises.

   It had been a lazy day for both Joe and Selena who spent the day at the
beach tanning and playing a bit in the water, but overall just enjoying the
freedom to just relax with no worries of anything.  The only time they left
was to go back to the cottage for a light lunch and grab a new book to
read. Life was beautiful and so were they.

   In the middle of the afternoon in between reading, napping and taking
occasional dips in the azure blue water Joe sat up straight in his lounge
and said "I've got a great idea!".

   "Seeing as how you're acting like it's the first in a long while let me
hear it." Selena said putting her book down.

   "We've only got two nights left here and I saw the sign twice today, why
not go to the house barbeque tonight, their having giant grilled prawns,
island veggies and rum runners.  It's only a $100 dollars each.  I know
we've gone most every day for the free dinner barbeque, but it's usually
hot dogs or jerk chicken and beer.  This is the only one they charge for
and it's the only one the riff-raff will stay away for.  The WindSwinger
Cruisers all left this morning so just the serious couples will be there
tonight.  We'd spend a couple hundred on food and drinks if we went out and
we can stay here and meet and greet with the others scattered about the
beach." Joe uncharacteristically bubbled.

   "We just had prawns but, if I remember correctly the shrimp here are as
big as baby's legs and rum runners make me horny as all get out.  I'm in, .
. .  as long as you're buying." She joked.

   "If I buy you dinner, I'm getting laid tonight." Joe said

   "You might even get a hummer wash for your dinkie." She joked.

   "Dinkie?  Please, a little respect for the monster." Joe laughed as they
bumped fists, adding, "I love it when you talk slutty, not all the time,
just when you're being cute."

   As the sun began to go down behind them, they knew it was 5 o'clock or
close.  They picked up the few things they had brought and folded up the
beach chairs and put them in the rack near the palm grouping 2-33 that they
had sort of claimed as their own.

   As they neared Dallie's cottage they saw the blinds open on the slider
so Selena ran up ahead and knocked.  Dallie came out in a long t-shirt,
obviously not hers.

   "Why don't you guys come up for air and go to dinner with us again,
right here at the resort, our treat." Selena asked, noticing that Dallie's
hair was in great disarray.

   "If I can wake Dennis up.  I think I wore him out, or he wore me out."
She said just as Joe caught up to Selena.

   "Why don't you ask them to join us honey?" Joe asked.

   "I already did, she's not sure she can wake Dennis up."

   "Tell her your special method." Joe said with a grin and walked away.

   "What does he mean?  What's so funny?" Odalys asked.

   Selena leaned in to her ear and whispered, "I peel back the sheets and
put his cock in my mouth.  Works every time."

   Odalys turned crimson and then squealed, "Ooooo, that will be fun."

   "We'll be by at 6:30.  Please come with us, its grilled giant shrimp,
veggies and rum runners."

   "I'll do my best to rouse him.  Uh . . .  you know what I mean." Dallie
said with a grin.

   Back in their cottage Joe and Selena each showered to wash the sand and
surf of the day from them, being careful not to get too close to where they
would end up getting too sexual.  After the day at the beach, a roll in the
hay would have both of them asleep before dinner and Selena wanted to save
all of that for after dinner with a full stomach and a few rum runners
under her belt.  A Chiascuro Rum Runner is 12 ounces over 4 ounces of
crushed ice in a frozen glass and has 4 different rums, 2 flavored
brandy's, with a 5th rum, 151 proof, to sit on the top.  Your third one is
usually your last, it usually comes out on a little plastic stretcher if
you've had the same server all night.

   After their shower and a little relaxing they started over to Dallies
cottage.

   "Do you remember what you called their rum runners the first time we
were here?" Joe asked as they walked.

   "Umm . . .  it was something sexy or dirty, I really can't recall.  I
was usually pretty drunk after a couple." Selena replied, miffed that it
escaped her mind.

   "You said they should call them Pussy Juice, and when I asked why you
said to stick my fingers in and feel how wet they made you.  You were
pretty drunk." Joe laughed.

   "Did you take advantage of me that night?" "You bet, until we both
passed out."

   "Good boy!!" she exclaimed offering him a fist bump.

   They walked through the sand and as they started up the walk to Dallie's
Selena stopped and looked queerly at Joe.

   "What is it?" Joe asked as if something was very wrong.

   "Oh my God!  I started thinking about what you said, you know the things
I said about the drinks and calling them Pussy Juice.  At the time I had no
recollection, and now it's like a whole door opened in my head and that
whole trip and all the hassle I had with my Mom and Dad over it.  There was
the asshole trying to hit on me to go to Spring Break with him at PolyTech.
Holy Shit it's like a whole freaking movie playing out in my head.  How
many other memory doors are there to be opened." Selena said holding her
temples with her eyes squinted as if in deep thought.

   "I mean, are you OK?  Is there headache or anything?"

   "NO, no.  Just the rush of everything coming to light, like there was a
tarp over it all and it suddenly got pulled off.  Shit we had a good time
and we must have made love a hundred times." She marveled.

   "You mean you didn't remember that?"

   "No I knew we were here and had a great time and made love a lot, but
every little detail is coming out like it happened a few days ago.  It's
quite a rush." She said.

   "So are you OK, do you want to go back and lay down?"

   "No, I'm fine, it was just the rush of it all." She insisted.

   Dallie and Dennis came out front to meet them as they approached, both
looking well rested, but definitely a little slow to reality.

   "You two just got up, didn't you?" Joe asked.

   Dallie smiled real big and winked at Selena causing her to give Joe a
little elbow and say, "Leave them alone, they're honeymooning."

   "Oh!  OK!" Joe grinned as they started the walk to the main house.

   "Just why are we walking?" Dennis complained.

   "We called Gregory, but he didn't have an opening after 6:30 so he's
going to meet us along the way.  We didn't call until late." Selena said,
not really worried if they had to walk.

   They made small talk and soon they were off the sand path and in the
walkway beside the paved thoroughfares for the carts.  From around a stand
of palms ahead they saw Gregory speeding his cart up the macadam towards
them.

   "Oh, Johnsons I'm so sorry for being late.  Everyone wanted 6:30."
Gregory began to apologize.

   "Not to worry my friend.  The walk is fine." Joe said as he and Selena
sat on the back seat and let Dallie and Dennis get in the seat behind
Gregory.

   Selena held Joe's arm tight as they zoomed to the main house, not liking
the rear jump seat.  She breathed a sigh of relief as she realized they
were just moving onto the wider path near the main house.  The smell of the
wood fire and sounds of laughter and merriment told her they were near just
as the cart slowed to a halt.

   Gregory rushed to help the women alight and he showed them to the
admissions gate for the Shrimp Roast.  Joe quickly flashed 4 100 dollar
bills and they were whisked in and taken to a small 4 person picnic table
by a server who quickly took a drink order.

   Dallie and Dennis sat close and their hands were holding the inside of
the others leg.

   "Haven't you two had enough today?" Selena asked with a big smile.

   "For the first time in my life, I don't know what enough is.  We've
really gotten to KNOW each other the last two days after we've known each
other for about the last 6 or 8 months.  People trying to throw is together
threw us both off, but getting together here was the best idea this man
(hugging her head to his arm) ever had.  We've both admitted how much we've
wanted each other over the last 3 or 4 weeks especially." Dallie said
before Dennis smiled and add, "It was hard to get a moment alone where I
could really ask her out or at least tell her how I felt towards her. 
Calling seemed so awkward, so, uh . . .  high school.  So when she said to
drop by if I was in the area, I took her serious.  I just figured it was
now or never."

   "Now we just don't know how to act when we get back home." Dallie said
looking longingly at Dennis.

   "When people see you look at him that way, they'll know." Joe told him.

   "It's none of their business anyway.  You know, don't be snotty about
it, just tell people you've admired each other a long time and have decided
to get to know each other better.  Let people take that any way they want,
and just like when you were married, what happens behind closed doors is
none of their business.  Why should they judge you as long as you're happy?
If anyone really has a problem with it, they aren't your friends anyway."
Selena professed, knowing how to deal with adversity and people talking
behind your back.

   With small talk and relationship talk and advise out of the way the
servers began bringing drinks and appetizers and all of the tables seemed
to get quiet until the grilled shrimp came out and the ooo's and ahhh's
could be heard from each table.  The prawns were no more than 5 or 6 to a
pound and the native woods used in the grill just added to the exotic
flavors they had been brushed with.  The island veggies were fresh and
crisp; basted on the grill with some of the same glaze the prawns were
treated to.  The prawns kept coming until they had their fill, and more
than 4 would fill you, for sure.  The servers came around asking who might
like coffee or coffee / liqueur combos.

   "I think one more round of Rum Runners before we get to coffee," Joe
said.

   The server smiled at him winking her eye, something not missed by
Selena, and said, "I'm sorry, we can only bring 2 rounds of those to the
table now, no more little stretchers.  They want to know you can still
walk, I guess.  They are still available at the Rum Bar, but you must go
and get your own."

   Then she leaned into the table to say something privately, but looking
right at Joe with another suggestive wink, "I think they want to make sure
you can still get up to get a third."

   Selena motioned her over as if to ask a private question and she took
the girls arm in her hand squeezing it tightly to where her fingernails
began to dig into her skin while she whispered in her ear.  "Keeping
looking at my husband that way and I'll kick your ass all over the island."

   The server abruptly stood up and put her tray under her arm to use her
hand to rub the spot where she had been grabbed.  She looked around the
table quickly, speaking as if now in a big hurry.  "So, no dessert drinks
for you now.  Thank you."

   "My dear Selena, I take that you took umbrage with the way she flirted
with me?  You know there's no reason for you to be jealous." Joe said,
unhappy that she had made the little scene.

   "Joe, I went through hell to . . . .  umm, well you know the story, but
I told her I would kick her ass if she came onto you again.  I think she
was going to give the "I thought you were his daughter" bull shit and then
I would have dropped her right here." She said sweetly, the tone of her
voice denying the intensity and seriousness of her words.

   "OoooooKAY!  I think someone has had enough to drink but will insist on
one more to mellow her out." Joe said as he stood and motioned to Dennis
that they both go to the Rum Bar and get a round.

   As soon as they left Selena looked at Dallie, "I'm sorry, but when they
openly flirt like I'm not even here it just enrages me.  I don't worry
about Joe, his roving days are over, but little sluts and whores like that
just piss me off."

   Dallie was supportive and told her so and then looked to be sure they
were alone and she would have time to talk intimately.

   "Can I bother you one more time with talk about sex?" She asked
sheepishly.

   "Sure, I'm wasted enough, go ahead." She giggled.

   "I've had more sex in the last 36 hours than I've had in the last 3
years.  I thought Michael and I were active, but Dennis is . . .  um . . .
just wonderful!  I've found that I was not very experienced and he's just
been so patient and loving with me.  We've done things I thought were
beyond the fringe of normalcy and it's all done with love and patience. 
That, and he doesn't ask if he can do something, we just seem to get into a
rhythm where things happen.  I told you before that he took my "other"
virginity and we've been there again and even with a little pain to start,
it was so passionate and affectionate.  He's proved so much to me about my
body, my feelings, and what love can mean.  I don't want this to ever end
and I'm so afraid it will when we get home." She finished with a tear in
her eye.

   "Why does it have to end?" Selena asked.

   "Can we be so loving at home, so carefree about things like we are
here?" Dallie asked confused.

   "It's a good thing you caught me while I'm a little drunk, I usually
don't talk this way, but, when you get home and are driving from the
airport, give him a little road head."

   "Road head?"

   "A blowjob, right in the car.  Set the standard for how you want it."
"How do I do that?" Dallie asked avoiding the obvious.

   "You reach over and grab at his cock and as soon as it's too
uncomfortable for him, take it out." Selena said with a big smile.

   "You've done that before haven't you?" Dallie said, incredulously.

   "Oh yes I have.  My man knows what I like, and I like to keep it hot. 
You know the first time we were here we made love every way you can think
of, every day!  When we were on our way home he told me that it was
relationship honeymoon sex and we would probably never have days like that
again, but he would remember them forever.  He said it always worked that
way.  I made sure it didn't.  He's putty in my hands when I want him to be.
I just need to walk past him and show him my ass and he's on me, he wants
me.  All he has to do is hold me, squeeze my ass and nip at my ear and his
cock is down my throat.  I want to devour him.  We might go a couple days
without making love, and then make love 4 times a day for the next week. 
We both know what we both want, and we both want each other ALL of the
time. Once he knew I was always open, he was hooked, just as I am to him.
So if you crave to have him in your mouth, can't wait to taste his seed,
have him fuck you till it hurts, and when it does, . . .  turn over and
give him your bottom and have him slide right up into your very being with
him breathing in your ear.  If you crave all of this, and he craves right
back, you know HE'S the ONE." Selena said finishing her drunken tale of
debauchery.

   "Wow, you've got me horny just thinking about all of that, because
that's how we've been the day and a half.  We've been animals, horny dogs,
and loved every second of it." Dallie said flushing.

   "Just don't let it stop when you get home, IF . . .you still feel the
same way." Selena said as she nodded towards their two men coming to the
table, each with two Rum Runners in their hands.

   "Dallie, the boys are here and they both have two handfuls of Pussy
Juice." She laughed drunkenly.

   "Excuse my naughty mouthed wife, but she says these must be Pussy Juice
because they make her so wet." Joe said boldly as he sat down and covered
her mouth with his and they necked for a bit.

   Dallie looked at the two of them and then to Dennis.  "I think we've all
had too much to drink, but isn't that why we came here, to indulge?"

   Dennis got a serious look on his face and said to her, "I came here to
tell you that I loved you."

   "Oh God Dennis, don't say things out of passion.  I think I love you
too, but let's not get all hung up in that war of feelings and wondering
what he thinks, she thinks.  Let's let this happen and turn out as it may.
If I didn't have deep feelings for you do you think I'd have given myself
to you the way I have?  Let's just enjoy every moment we have here and see
what happens when we get home.  No one wants this to work more than me, so
let's just have fun." She said finishing with a kiss on his cheek before
turning to Joe and Selena and poking her.

   "OK, you two, either get a room or join the party."

   Selena broke her kiss with Joe and looked at the two of them saying, "I
told you these made me horny as hell, but I'll be good."

   The four of them drank their last drink slowly as they began to mellow
out and nibble at the dessert cakes they brought around.  Little by little
the ice melting in the drinks made them too weak to sip and the coffee Joe
had motioned for seemed inviting.

   As the 11 o'clock ending time began to roll around the carts began to
line up to bring guests back to their rooms and cottages.  Gregory came to
their table.  As he came towards them Joe looked up and smiled at him,
"Gregory!  Are we up?"

   "I have one group ahead of you Sir.  Is that satisfactory?  I can find
you another shuttle if you're in a hurry." Gregory said politely.  "I'll
come by the back road to your left here, Sir.  About 5 or 6 minutes."

   "That's fine Gregory.  We'll be ready." Joe said as Gregory went off and
helped two other couples into his shuttle cart and drove away.

   While Joe was the most sober of the drunken quartet he did his best to
round them up and safely walk towards the back lower shuttle path that
Gregory alluded to.  There was a bench and Joe encouraged the other three
to sit and not wander onto the paved path.  True to his word, Gregory was
there in the 5 minutes he promised.  Joe made sure the girls sat on the
inside seat while he and Dennis sat in the rear jump seat and dropped the
little used upper harness over the two of them.  Joe kept the four of them
talking to be sure no one dozed off on the short ride back to the cottage
area.  When the cart pulled up to Dallie's cottage both Joe and Selena got
out as well telling Gregory they would walk to theirs, as it was a short
trip.

   As they went to walk the path to their cottage Odalys ran up to Selena
and hugged her, whispering in her ear, "Thank you so much for all your
thoughts and words about Dennis and I.  You really helped me out with
things I wasn't so sure about."

   Selena smiled and kissed her cheek, but she was anxious to be with Joe.
She had just grabbed his arm when Dennis hollered out.  "We could all strip
down and go down to the ocean and play."

   "We'll play by ourselves, thank you." Joe yelled back, "and you're in no
shape to be near the water.  Dallie take care of him." Selena looked back
to see Dallie pushing him in the sliding door with hands on either side of
his khaki shorts pushing them down.

   Selena laughed as they disappeared into the cottage saying "She'll
settle him down quickly."

   "I hope he wasn't thinking of a foursome, because even drunk, that's a
stupid idea if he's trying to win her heart.  I guess he's pretty uh . . .
over the top in the bedroom." Selena said cuddling into the crook of Joe's
arm and shoulder as they walked.

   "He told me Odalys was pretty "white milk and dry toast" with sex and he
was trying to turn her into a triple-decker sandwich with the works.  I
guess she's quite the willing firecracker."

   "She's pretty breathless trying to keep up with him, but he hasn't dealt
anything she can't handle.  She loves the sex she always thought was dirty
sex." Selena confided.

   "Sounds like you." Joe said with a chuckle in his voice.

   "I tried everything you could deal because I loved you so much.  I
couldn't get enough and you were patient with me.  Every girl and every guy
needs an experienced mentor to show them where fulfillment lies.  I just
happened to be in love with mine, the way it should be." Selena said
pulling him a little tighter.

   "After I got my confidence and knew HOW to make a woman crazy I sought
out prospective uh . . .  students.  I'm not proud of that now, but then it
was exciting and daring." Joe said, a little bit embarrassed.

   "Well, schools out and the teacher is retired." Selena said stopping
abruptly and turning into Joe, her hand thrust under his balls to grab them
firmly, not hurting him.

   "Don't worry about me, baby.  I lost what I had and was lucky enough to
find it.  I even hope to die before you because I couldn't live without
you."

   "GOD, don't talk like that!  I thought we were both dead once and it was
a nightmare that never seemed to end." Selena said with fear in her voice.

   "Honey, people don't live forever and it's something we need to talk
about seriously someday, how to handle the end, but this is not the time or
place for that." Joe explained as he kissed her forehead and then slipped a
hand behind her to squeeze one of her supple cheeks to urge her to start
walking again.

   He hoped that her fear of thinking of the inevitable had passed and
looked to her face to see worry lines across her forehead and some
bewilderment in her face.

   "What is it honey?  I can't make love to you if you're all stressed out
about things you can't do anything about." Joe whispered tenderly.

   "No, it's not that.  You know before when that whole rush of memories
about our first trip here ran up on me.  That door just kind of opened and
suddenly that book opened."

   "That shouldn't worry you Essy, we had a great time here, and I'm glad
you can remember every little detail now."

   A certain look of horror came across Selena's face as she looked Joe
square in the eye.

   "What if the rape, and having the baby, and God only knows what else
happened to me, all rushes back some day?  I don't think I could handle
it." She said as the furrow in her brow got deeper.

   "Selena!  What happened has happened and you survived it all.  Yes,
those moments will certainly cause you pain if you remember them, but, you
survived.  You made it.  I'm here with you, and you're here with me.  I'll
always be there to help you through anything.  Just think about how tough
we are!" Joe explained.

   Selena broke down crying and hugged Joe tightly.  "What if it happens
after you're gone?"

   "You're talking crazy now, baby.  Don't dwell on things you can't help.
Maybe when we get home you ought to go and see Philly so she can add some
perspective for you.  She probably knows you better than anyone, except me.
Plus she knows how to help you put things in perspective.  OK?" Joe said
looking at her worried.

   "Get that look off your face, Joe.  I'm not a nut ball.  I just NEED the
perspective and you're right, Philly is probably the best person to talk
to. Do you think I would have taken the responsibility of my job if I
thought I wasn't grounded, TOTALLY.  I was chosen to lead the pack and be
the direction finder for the firm.  I'm not worried that I'm a little
crazy. I'm just worried that something that caused me to go into a hard
shell will playback in my head and start everything all over again,
although I'm stronger than that now.  Philly forced me to kick down that
shell and I remember how good it felt."

   "That a girl!  That sounds like my Essy!" Joe said hugging her tightly
once again.  "Fear of the unknown is rational and you've learned how to
face it.  Now, let's put it out of our minds."

   Selena hugged him back tightly and then whispered in his ear.  "You
better be ready to fuck the daylights out of me, over and over, because my
pussy is wet and sloppy ready for you."

   Suddenly she broke away and ran the last 50 feet to the door, with Joe
chasing close behind like a dog in heat.

   Chapter 32

   When Joe got inside the sliding door Selena was just next to it in the
corner, squatting down, the bottom she wore pulled aside with her fingers
in her quim.

   "I told you those drinks were straight pussy juice.  I want you right
now like I've never wanted you before.  Close the drape and I'll be a
naughty girl for you.  I can be the little whore you picked up at a bar, or
I can be an innocent on her wedding night.  Either way, anyway, I want you
every way." She growled.

   Joe's cock jumped at the sight of her as she spat out her wishes.  He
hooked a thumb in the waistband of his shorts but Selena's hands beat him
to pulling them down as she grabbed the white piping edge of the bottoms
just at his knee and took them down.  As soon as his cock popped up, free
from the shorts, she thrust her mouth forward and took him in her mouth
once quickly as far as she could, wetting it's length, and then wrapping a
hand around it as her head dipped under it and took one of his balls in her
mouth as she stroked him.

   "Mmmm, I can feel you've got a nice load in those balls for me.  I'll
bet if we play enough these will get real tight as we get that cum ready to
shoot.  I like when you fuck me and these swing and hit me in my asshole.
But when they stop slapping my little hiney hole I know you want to shoot."
She panted like a starved vixen.

   `Just WHERE do you want me to shoot it?" He asked taking her tease and
running with it.

   "Where ever you want, in my pussy, up my hiney and right down my throat.
Spray it all over me if you like." She whispered.

   "Up your hiney?  Hasn't that little hole had enough?"

   "Enough?  There is no enough.  Feeling you within me is all I ever want,
all I need.  We are the world's greatest love.  I'll please you however I
can because I know I can use you to please me as well." She said before
locking her eyes to him and devouring his cock once again, closing her eyes
and moving her mouth up and down over him.

   "Oh Goddddd, Selena!" He groaned in utter pleasure.  "Get over to the
bed where I can eat you while you do that."

   Selena popped to her feet, never letting go of his man handle and walked
to the bed.  She backed him to the bed and let him sit and then lie back.
She let go of him and stripped off her bikini bottom and climbed on the bed
straddling his face and diving her mouth to him, cupping his balls in her
other hand.

   Joe licked the heavy dew from her pussy as she groaned approval around
his cock.  In a few moments she could take little more of his intense
treatment of her pussy and sprung her head up from her job as she vocalized
her orgasm.  She hissed and whooped as she ground her pussy in his face
before popping her hips up.  "NO, NO, NO . . . .  no more!!  God!  I think
my heart stopped!" She wailed as she fell off to the side of Joe.

   He went to reach for her wetness but as soon as he touched her there she
bolted like it was an electrical line touching her.

   "PLEASE NO!  Every nerve ending is glowing!" She whined as she rolled
into a ball on her side puffing like a distance runner.

   Joe let her calm down, having not seen her get this intense since before
the tragedy.  If she had suffered any loss in her 10 year ordeal, her
sexuality wasn't involved.  He took himself in his own hand and tried to
comfort the steel she had raised.  He ached for her mouth or something to
calm the engorgement he sported.

   She was on her side and just beginning to breath normally when she
turned her head back to see him squeezing himself to relieve the blood
fill. She stretched out a bit to reach under the pillow and grabbed a tube
of sex lube she had stashed there.

   "Here Joseph, my lover.  For me, for you.  Kneel beside me and fuck me
good up my hiney." She said softly and tenderly.  "We've only done it here
with you laying on me, skin to skin rutting deep, and tender.  Get behind
me where I can look up at you giving it to me hard with all your passion.
I've never wanted you more."

   Joe was always the master in his sexual escapades and rarely had to be
told what a woman wanted.  Now he almost didn't understand what she wanted.
She saw his confusion and said while still looking back with her back
toward him.

   "Kneel up, lube us both, and get in me.  Fuck me hard." She said barely
believing she was making the request.  "I want this."

   Joe knew when she meant business, was serious, and she, despite being a
little inebriated, was ready and wanting him.

   "Are you sure you're just not drunk?" Joe asked.

   "I was drunk, but I'm just horny now and want my lover so bad."

   "I can just crawl onto you and get in you that way." Joe insisted.

   "NO, THAT would be making love.  I want to be fucked in my ASSHOLE, can
I make it any clearer?  I'm here on my side, with my ass waiting for you.
Pull that cheek up and get in me." She said making sure she sounded like a
tramp slut.

   Although Joe loved it when she threw all caution to the wind sexually,
this wasn't a way they had done this for a long time and he worried about
her.  Selena saw the worry and tipped her head and gave him what she called
"the stink eye".

   "You're NOT going to hurt me, we've done this before.  Yes, it hurts
when you start but I feed off the pain and the burn until it feels so good
that my pussy starts a deep vaginal G-spot orgasm.  If it happens I can't
deal with it, I'll tell you.  We've have that deal from almost the first
time we slept together.  Now, are you going to fuck me or not?" She said
authoritivly.

   Joe took the lube and filled his hand with it and ran it up and down his
dick, the sticky sound of the slickening the only sound in the room as
Selena watched intently.  Then he wiped his hand hard and over the round of
her bottom and used a finger to gather the ridge he left there, separated
her cheek and wiped it onto her little hole.  She inhaled deeply as he
touched her as if she were preparing for penetration, but he went back to
load up his finger with more.  He circled her little hole a few times and
pressed his finger to the middle and heard her draw a deep breath before he
pressed it in.  He swirled it a little and pulled out reloading his middle
finger this time and repeating the same motions.  He pistoned his middle
finger in and out a few times and heard her moan a bit.  He could wait no
longer and knelt up behind her holding her tender cheek apart so he could
take aim.  He wiggled the tip of his penis on her little hole until he saw
it spread a bit and he pushed, but the head of his cock seemed to want to
slide up through her crease.  He repositioned himself and saw her hand come
over her hip and take his cock his behind the head and push it into her
cute little ass.

   As soon as he felt the tightening warmth envelope the head of his cock,
relieving it's blood filled rage, he groaned in pleasure and without
waiting for an OK from her, pressed himself fully into her bottom.  Her
face went straight into the pillow and Joe heard a guttural gasp.  He
waited for her OK to continue.  It took her a half a minute before she
turned her face out of the mattress and slowly blow out the air she had
sucked in through pursed lips.

   "Fuck me, baby.  Fuck your little ass whore and shoot that cum up my
ass." She said loudly.

   Joe was going to give her what she wanted until she cried uncle, not
that he was going to try and hurt her, that would never happen.  He began
to slide out and then back into her.  She was very tight at first but her
muscles were easing their grip around him and soon he was doing her as she
asked.  She had worked a hand between her legs and had her middle finger
inside her vagina massaging her g-spot while her other hand twisted at a
nipple.  She began to pant as hard as Joe was, he starting to really lay
into her.  He felt his own orgasm building up and he wanted it badly.

   Selena began to tremble under him as she bucked and stiffened pushing
herself back to him.  Her mouth opened and a long low pitch screech came
from her mouth as Joe felt a warm rush of fluid between them.  She was
squirting with her g-spot driving her orgasm, fueled by the stroking of his
cock behind her.  With little warning of his own he felt himself surge and
he blasted his load up into her as he grunted and grit his teeth slapping
her hard two more times before holding himself deep in her bowel as his cum
surged.  As she caught her breath from the grip of the spasms that shook
her she began to squeeze Joe with her kegel, milking the last of his sperm
into her.  He finally rested back to his haunches and dropped from her,
falling beside her on the bed.  He heard air bubbling out his cum from her
cinched little hole as it struggled to find its correct size.

   After a few minutes of dead silence with only their heavy breathing
breaking it Selena broke into laughter.

   "Oh my God!  That was fucking awesome!  I may not walk or crap for 2
days, but it was worth it!" She giggled.

   "My little angel, she loves being a naughty girl."

   "Joe, being your whore in the bedroom is so satisfying when the timing
is right.  You love me so tenderly, but sometimes I just need to be that
animal, that slutty whore who comes out." She confessed.

   Although Joe hated it when she called herself those names, her totally
open sexuality when they were alone was one of the reasons he loved her so.
She had no fear to take any path to his or her ultimate satisfaction.  Any
man who ever looked at her, probably wanted her.  She was not the buxom or
vivacious Playboy type, or the sexy siren type who seemed "any mans".  She
looked the innocent, intelligent, though blond (not ditzy), clear skinned
woman with a classic figure of the 21st Century.  Not a Sophia Loren or
Bridgette Bardot, but a Kristen Bell, Amy Adams, Taylor Swift type, whose
pretty smile melted butter and turned strong men into slaves. 
Approachable, but not easy.  The fact she was near insatiable sexually and
open to anything was far from the minds of any gawker who secretly pined
for her.  She was devoted to the man she loved, her heart pure and innocent
to him.  Joe saw all of this and knew some men, as he would, if he didn't
know her, would lust after her.  That was why when she paraded nude on the
resort site it made him crazy inside to know all were seeing what he had
only been privileged to.  These thoughts filled him as he fell off into
deep sleep on the bed next to her.

   Selena stirred thinking Joe would pop up to help her to the bathroom,
but she saw he had slipped into deep exhaustive sleep, aided by the
evenings alcohol.  She pulled herself up to shaky legs as the inner body
orgasm was still working its way from her.  She teetered as she walked
bow-legged to the bathroom with cum running down the inside of her thigh
and bubbly farts of air escaped her.  She plopped down on the commode and
let the air and semen run from her as she held her stomach hoping the
cramps would soon ebb and her body return to normal.  Finally the last
burst of air escaped her and her urge to pee fulfilled.  It was normally
here where Joe would help her to the bidet, and when he did she would very
often want to hold him in her mouth as he would have just washed himself
while she took care of her post coitus ministrations.  It was a kink she
started back when they first began to live together and it served as a
finishing to their love making and he was always able to perform a second
time right away.  For that reason she missed him at the moment, but knew
she had to get to the bidet for cleaning and moved slowly to it.  As the
water washed up over her genitals she was reminded of the mess in the bed
where she had let go a burst of her g-spot fluid.  She thought of gathering
towels to lay over it so she could sleep beside Joe.  She only hoped the
maid staff would understand the possible stain it might have left on the
mattress, then figuring it probably wasn't the only one on it.  Once dried
she made her way to the bed and laid two towels over the wet spot and
curled beside Joe to join him in deep sleep.  Reality would hit her in her
sleep as she dreamt of work and Wall Street Global, with only one full day
left of their vacation.

   "Housekeeping!  HOUSEKEEPING!" was the call Joe and Selena heard to wake
them on their last full day in Jamaica.  Well, actually it was Joe's shout
back of, "COME BACK IN AN HOUR!" that woke Selena.

   She slid off the bed in a panic to the side of the bed you couldn't see
from the inner doorway, as she was nude, thinking the maids were already in
the cottage, but they were still at the threshold calling out for anyone.
It was Thursday and that was a mandatory day for full inspection to make
sure there was no damage or linen shortage as most stays ended on Thursday,
allowing a day travel to get home for most people.  Selena had paid for the
extra day since they could fly into Upstate New York on Friday night by 6
if they left the resort on the 10:00 pm boat.  It gave them all weekend to
retool for New York City and Selena's job.

   "Holy shit, Joe, what TIME IS it?" Selena hollered to him as he stood in
the doorway to the bedroom with a sheet in front of him.

   "Twelve twenty, we must have been dead, because I had an alarm set for 9
just in case and we slept right through it." Joe said looking back at his
little angel Selena.

   "Must have been more tired than drunk, I don't have a hangover." She
said smiling, despite her hair being in disarray and sitting on the floor.

   "How's your little bottom end?  We gave it quite a workout." Joe asked.

   Selena kegeled a few times and said she was OK.  "I even think my
constitutional is going to be on time."

   "Ugh, more info than necessary." He said with a smirk as she got to her
feet and went to the bathroom and closed the door.

   Joe put on coffee and checked the weather to be sure it was going to be
a good beach day, he wanted a few more hours in the sun.  Although he
wasn't real hungry after the big feast the night before he pulled some
fruit out of the refrigerator and sliced it into a bowl for the two of them
for a little energy before they went out.

   Selena opened the bathroom door and called out for Joe to come and he
put down the knife and rinsed his hands and went to her.

   "What is it, lover?"

   "Remember last night when you said I had worry lines across my forehead
from stressing over the hidden memories thing?"

   "I do."

   "Well, I was just checking to be sure I didn't still have them and I
noticed that I really don't have the crows feet by my eyes and my smile.  I
had used some cream the esthetician at Fox gave me for them, but I haven't
used it but once or twice and I don't even think I brought it here." She
stated, not really making a point.

   "Your point being?"

   "Well, as I look at my face, I think a good part of the 10 years I aged
has faded.  I seem pretty smooth."

   "Are you sure it's not just puffy?" Joe asked trying to be a help.

   "NO!  Shithead.  I would have bags under my eyes if it were puffy.  What
do you think I am, an old souse?  Seriously, do you think all the cum I've
swallowed, and don't think it hasn't been a lot in the past two weeks or
more, has fortified my skin?  I've heard it's good for it." She said while
she ran her fingers over the lines she had been trying to hide 2 weeks ago.

   "You know there is such a thing as Semen Therapy where some Brit or
Austrian researcher swears it's like the Holy Grail.  One of the therapists
at Edison told me that while I was recuperating there." Joe added.

   "Just HOW did THAT come up?'Selena wondered suspiciously.

   "She had been trying to tell me that as one of my personalities in DFS
she had an affair with me and couldn't believe I didn't recall her at all.
She said she swallowed the evidence.  She apparently wasn't the only one I
had sex with, another wanted a repeat performance as Joe Johnson, but of
course I turned her down."

   Selena glared at Joe.  "They said there was a possibility that some of
the female therapists may have had a fling with you, some of your
personality's were flirty, like the Old Joe.  But I never knew any of them
ever fessed up to you.  Couldn't they get in trouble for that?"

   "Of course, but who was going to charge them or testify.  The people I
was didn't exist in reality, and apparently I was good enough that there
were no complaints." He said with a big smirk.

   "I want to get pissed off at you for this, but I guess I can't.  Tell me
more about semen therapy." She said with a suspicious eye.

   "She said it was on the internet, she Googled it, but 3 times a week was
the recommended dose for good health and skin." He said with a smart smile.

   "I've been overdosing a bit, but, I think that may be the answer here."
She said turning back to the mirror.

   "Get in the shower and I'll have coffee and fruit ready when you get out
and then I'll get in and we can go to the beach for our last day." Joe said
as he heard another rap on the door.

   "Hello, everybody survive here?" Odalys hollered.

   Joe stepped out of the bathroom to look out to the slider.  "Yes, how
about you two?"

   "We were out on the beach at 10 and saw there was no movement here. 
We're just going back for lunch, if you know what I mean." She said smiling
broadly.

   Selena laughed and stuck her head out to comment.  "When you finally
come up for air, meet us down at our regular spot and bring some drinks,
you know, the kind with rum in them."

   "Will do, girlfriend.  We want to take YOU out tonight to say thanks for
everything.  Don't say NO because I bought an extra night to do this.  We
have seats for the floor show at the Chiascuro Club." Dallie shouted as Joe
looked to Selena and she nodded enthusiastically.

   "Sounds good, we'll see you at our spot later then and make
arrangements." Joe told her as he walked out, remembering Dallie would be
nude from the beach.

   As Selena started the shower Joe stood in the doorway to watch Odalys
walk down the path and admire her sturdy, sexy, Playboy type body while
thinking, "That Dennis has a job at hand to keep that hot body satisfied."

   "Think you could handle that?" Selena shouted from the doorway of the
shower where she watched him.

   "Don't get pissed Essy, I was just looking and she really puts on a show
when she walks.  She's nowhere near as pretty as you.  She looks like a
centerfold in the nude like that.  Teasing and unattainable.  You know
you're my heart and soul."

   "I know and I'm not mad.  I actually came out to ask you one more
question about the women you had when you were incarcerated." She said
innocently.

   "I wasn't INCARCERATED, I was a patient in a hospital, not a jail!  But
anyway I only know two that I might have had sex with, one for sure.  What
do you want to know?"

   "Did they look more like me, or more like her?"

   "Nobody looks like you baby, you have the right amount of everything,
PLUS you're smart as hell and that's a big part of my attraction to you."

   "You're avoiding the question."

   "They were thin, brunette, a little tease-like, sexy, you know tight
jeans and always smiling giving you the eyes.  They knew men wanted them,
even though their husbands left them.  Why do you care?" Joe wondered.

   "It's something more that I know about you, that's all.  I regret you
had other women in that time, but I don't hold that against you, I
understand the situation.  Just let me be inquisitive."

   "Were you afraid they looked like Dallie?"

   "No, that wasn't it.  I was wondering if they screwed you every time you
changed personalities." She said with a smile.

   "If so, I got laid a lot.  They said I was 4 or 5 different people a
week sometimes." He said with a big grin.

   `I may have to go there and interrogate them. . . . . . . . .  just
kidding, my Joseph.  In some sick way, I'm glad they kept you happy until
you found yourself and then found me." She said, somewhat facetiously.

   " Ummmmm, They might be easy to find there, just look for the ones with
the best complexion." He said with a sly grin.

   Selena slammed the bathroom door...........although she was chuckling
behind it.

   Chapter 33

   The beach could not have been any nicer on their last day of R and R. 
Both Joe and Selena had fine tuned all-over tans that bordered on native
bronze.  The only thing that drove Joe crazy was when Selena bent over and
the white between the lovely halves of her ass showed.  He loved the bikini
tan, with white titties and white snatch and crack patches, but this was a
new "flavor" for him was something he had never imagined.

   It was easy to pick the new comers to Chiascuro and those who had been
there for a week or so by the darkness of their skin and this day it seemed
there were just both ends of the spectrum out; new white bodies with pink
and rosy nipples and those cloaked in the suns darkening.  This last day
Joe did more ogling than on his first days when he was more worried about
who might see his white ass.  As shy new couples slowly paraded to the
edges of the water for the first time, Joe couldn't help look over the top
of his paper or Kindle for a peek.  "Think you could handle that young
stuff, superstud?" Selena asked once when she caught him peeking.

   "Are you kidding me?  I can just about handle you, sex maniac." He
chuckled.

   "I have no complaints, but those young things might last longer than
me." She said.

   "Selena, you have no idea, I swear.  Let me call on my years of hounding
around to tell you that you have more sexual energy now than any other
woman I've EVER been with at any age.  Remember back when you first
discovered our sexual selves and we couldn't keep our hands off each
other?" Joe asked.

   "Yes, we were at each other at every chance we got, sometimes 3 or 4
times a day."

   "So," I asked, "What's the difference now?"

   She thought for a moment and looked at me with the sly grin sure to
ripen my banana saying, "None, I guess.  We just have more free time here.
At home with work, keeping house, making meals, it eats into our "we" time.
So do we assume that if I retired and we got a home staff with chef we
would be at each other 3 or 4 times a day?"

   Joe smiled and looked at her up and down the chaise she laid her perfect
body on.

   "No doubt, in my mind.  How about you?" He asked.

   "Touché.  Although there would be days when I would go shopping." She
said with a grin.

   "And I would be home alone with the help." He joked.

   "So true, but I would have your dick in my purse when I left if that
were the case." She said without looking up from her book.

   "Touché, right back at you." He said.

   She put her book down and looked at him with that smile again.  "Between
how much I love your cock, and how much YOU love your cock, I don't think I
have to worry about you straying.  But I know you're true because how much
you love me, and not out of fear of a de-dick-a-tation."

   "You know you don't need to worry about me." Joe said as he looked and
saw Dallie coming with a cooler in hand and Dennis not far behind with a
beach bag.

   Dallie smiled as she dropped the cooler and announced, "I've got a
pitcher of rum drinks, 4 glasses and some ice.  As long as we all share
there isn't enough to get any of us plastered and leave us in shape for
dinner tonight, OUR treat.  Then, I would like to go out and fuck on the
beach, our last night here.  I hope you two could join us, and I don't mean
swapping, witnessing, or anything kinky.  I just think it would be fun to
do what we're going to be doing anyway in close ear shot of each other
making sure we don't attract a crowd."

   Selena looked at Joe and then to Dallie.  "I don't think so.  I know
nothing funny would happen, but picking sand out of my hoo-haa doesn't
sound like fun and with the threat of someone else coming upon us would
just take the enjoyment out of it.  Don't think I'm a party pooper."

   Dennis looked at Dallie like he had won a bet.  "See, they have the
right idea.  I know you want to go crazy our last night, but we can have
lots of special nights once we get home.  Keep your memories of making love
on the beach with your husband as your special times.  I don't need to take
his place in your fantasy about being here."

   Dallie stuck out a pouty lip and said, "I suppose you're right, I just
wanted something special to remember like I did with him, but you've given
me a lot to remember.  A LOT!"

   "OK, you two, keep your special times to yourself.  If you share too
much, it's not special.  We'll have plenty of special times, the four of us
to remember." Joe said.

   "Oh, you two won't ever see us again." Odalys said sadly.

   "I'll tell you what," Selena said, We'll invite you to New York and show
you what our lives are, and then we'll go to Pennsylvania and see what your
lives are.  Promise!"

   "That would be awesome!" Joe said.  "We could go to a church supper or
something with you, a farmers market.  I used to do that with my Mom and
Dad."

   "Really?" Dallie asked, "That doesn't seem too boring to you?"

   "Dallie, have you ever been to New York, to Wall Street and that
hubbub?" Selena asked.

   "I've been to New York, but not Wall Street, never been involved." She
replied, wondering where she was going with this

   "I won't complain because it's the life I've chosen and deep down
inside, I love it, but . .  my job NEVER stops.  Every little thing I see
on the ticker, on the news, every rumor I over hear in line at a store can
have a bearing on how I think, how I direct our firm.  Currently I'm the
lead partner, I direct the path of the firm.  I didn't choose this, I was
told it was my job to get the firm back on point.  Then after I leave my
office each day I go to the Fox Studio and tape the financial report for TV
that gets dropped in different news reports across the country.  It's only
a half hour from the time I walk in the door until I leave and it keeps me
in that fold should I choose a different path in the future.  You see, I
talk about retirement, but I'll always do something to keep my mind busy,
no matter where we end up.  But, if I get a chance for a break and a
getaway on a weekend, like to go see you and your life, it's heaven."

   "Really?  You're the Stocks lady on the 6 o'clock news?" Dennis asked.

   "I've only done a couple since I got back to work, but starting Monday I
should be on most every day." Selena said.

   "I see that all of the time, there's usually a dark hair chick named
Alexis or a brunette named Nikki and sometimes the Weather girl." Dennis
said.

   "Dennis, were you THAT hard up for a girlfriend that you ogled the Stock
Report ladies?" Dallie asked, loving the fact she could send a barb his
way.

   Dennis flushed, but quickly recovered, saying "Well they ARE easy on the
eyes and it's going to get better!" He said looking at Selena.

   "and . . . .  you've seen her naked!" Dallie added making Selena blush.

   "So he has." Selena said wondering if that could make a difference in
how the 4 of them might get along in the future.  They've ALL seen each
other naked.

   "Selena!  Don't go and get self-conscious on me!" Odalys said. 
"Remember WE were the ones who professed our freedom to your husband when
HE was worried about who saw him.  Every man here has a penis and
testicles, and every woman has breasts and a vagina.  Hiding them doesn't
make them disappear, and hiding them does not change their function, we all
use them the same way."

   "I know, it's just that he can tell people he saw me naked and it's a
little creepy thinking there may be others here who might recognize me on
TV." She said sheepishly.

   "I wouldn't worry about that, Baby.", Joe said.  "We're all anonymous
here and it's not like people are snapping pictures.  We're all here for
the same reason, to get away from life.  Plus, on this side of the dunes
there's only 50 or so cottages and maybe 2 or 4 in each and everyone here
is getting away from something.  Your fears are unfounded." He said hoping
to console her.

   "I just said that to be a smart ass.  I'm not the kind of person who
would actually do that, and if I did, who would believe me?" Dennis said.

   "OKAY!  I'm passing out the rum drinks, come get a glass, and I'll
pour!" Dallie shouted, changing the mood instantly.

   Soon the mai-tai's were adjusting attitudes and putting more things into
proper perspective.  As the four of them soaked up the sun and chatted
Selena looked at each of her friends and Joe and said to herself, "Look at
us, each one of us could be a magazine cover.  Nice all over tans, Joe
looks awesome and is hung naturally, perfectly, for me, Odalys has great
tits, that despite their size they remain firm and she's got a real Playboy
ass, and Dennis has a nice 6-pack and a nice circumcised cock with a huge
head, but that only looks that way because I'm not used to seeing a cut
man. But we're all beautiful, and so lucky.  If he tells anyone he saw me
naked, he better tell them I looked awesome."

   They each had 2 drinks by the time the pitcher emptied and Joe had
called the bar for Gregory to bring shots of "151 rum" to top each of them
off as they poured their refill.  When Gregory came by Joe got up to sign a
slip for the drinks and tip Gregory.  Being their last day he had a $100
bill to stuff into his pocket.

   Gregory took four little airline bottles of the rum and gave them to
Joe.

   "Please Joe, these are on me, you've been so generous and nice to me. 
This is my job, but you make it a privilege to serve you." Gregory said
sincerely.

   "So nice of you, Gregory, but not at all necessary.  You've made our
stay very enjoyable." Joe said as he shook his hand and passed the bill in
the shake.

   "Oh please!  You've been too kind!" He said as he felt the bill exchange
to him.

   Joe put his hand on Gregory's shoulder and spoke privately.  "I know
things are tough here on the island, and we lead a good life.  You do a
great job and we appreciate it.  Don't be embarrassed, you earn it all. 
You make us feel like we live here.  Be well, my friend." He said finishing
with a pat on the back.

   Joe topped off all of the refills from the pitcher with the 151 and by
the time they were ready to retire back to the cottages to get ready for
dinner, each had a sufficient buzz on.

   As the four of them walked arm in arm back to change, Odalys was
probably the one with the best buzz and not afraid to speak up.

   "When you two see us at dinner tonight, we will have been good and laid
beforehand.  I'm not wasting this high on a shower and a change of clothes.
My little button is bouncing as we walk."

   "I think you've had plenty to drink for now, Dallie, But . .  I . . 
have had just enough and will fulfill your wishes to show you what a
gentleman I am." Dennis said, just slightly slurred.

   "I thought it was safe to assume we were all going to get laid before
dinner." Selena said laughing hysterically.

   Joe just shook his head and laughed with her.

   They came to the fork on the walk where they would separate and go to
their respective cottages.  Joe spoke up, "If you get into bed, be sure you
set an alarm.  We could all end up sleeping through dinner."

   "Yes, set it for 7, reservations are 7:30.  Gregorys coming at 7:20 for
us all.  I won't forget, I'm hungry and I know what snack I'll have in the
cottage." Dallie said with a chuckle.

   Dennis pinched her ass, that he was holding, and gave her a look.  "Come
on my drunken beauty, we need to get behind closed doors before you
embarrass yourself."

   "Too late!" She said as she walked up the walk leaving Joe and Selena to
their own intentions.

   Selena looked at Joe as they watched Dallie and Dennis walk away.  "I
would definitely like to fuck in the same room as them.  That would be
hot."

   "YOU, my love, are DRUNK!  Let's get going." Joe said, disturbed she
would even say that.

   "No, I don't mean swapping or anything!  God, I would never let any
other man touch me, and I CERTAINLY don't want anything to do with any
other man.  It would just be hot to hear them, and to know they would hear
us." She slurred.

   "And watch us!" Joe added, leading her by the arm toward the cottage.

   "They've already seen us naked, over and over again, and we can watch
them.  It might be sexy." She said softly, seeming more lucid.

   "Wouldn't you be afraid I would become infatuated with Dallie and want
her?" Joe asked, knowing he had no interest, but wanted to frighten her.

   "Who are you kidding?  You can barely handle my pace.  I have no worries
whatsoever.  If you want to do something a little kinky and sexy, now is
the time.  I'm just horny and drunk enough to do this.  Just the room heavy
with sex would be . . . . . . . .  exciting!  I've never heard another
woman cum by a man, or another man cum from another woman for that matter."

   "You're serious, aren't you?  I thought a second ago you were just
testing me or goofing on me." Joe said looking at her, his eyes trying to
pierce her cover, if she indeed had one.

   "I wouldn't test you, I know how much you love me, how much you're
devoted to my every breath.  I wouldn't goof about sex.  I take sex very
seriously.  I've done things I'm ashamed of with another woman, yet I don't
regret it happened, because I know how hot it made me and her feel.  I've
fantasized of you fucking me when I was the loneliest I ever was, yet I
didn't cum until Lucy sucked my clit.  Lucy fucked me with a strap on and I
was so drunk, I thought it was you.  I fucked her with a strap-on because
she made me feel so guilty, like I owed her something.  I'm ashamed of each
of those things, and NONE are part of who I really am, but the thought of
each reminds me of how excited I was when they happened.  I want to do
this." She said in total seriousness.

   "You could never talk Dallie into it." Joe said pulling on her arm
again.

   "Dallie is talking Dennis into it right now.  When you were talking to
Gregory and Dennis was arranging the glasses for the refills, we talked
about it.  Both of us were making snail trails in the chaise's, leaking
horniness and this was BEFORE the second drink with the extra shot of 151.
Walk out to the cut off in the path and look to their slider.  If she's
standing in the doorway, it's on.  If she see's you walk back, they'll meet
us at 7:20 with Gregory to go to the restaurant.  No harm, no foul." Selena
said quietly.

   Joe stood dumbfounded for a moment and then thought that if she was so
sure of this, why not?  But he still asked, "There is no thought of any
swap, or any touching between us."

   "NO FUCKING WAY!  Dennis' balls will be on the table if he lays a hand
on me, same treatment for you with Dallie." She answered forcefully.

   Joe left her there and walked down the path to where he could see their
doorway slider.

   He looked back at Selena and hesitated, thinking it was his last chance
to flake off or do this.  He motioned to Selena and looked back to Dallie
and saw her jump up and down, her big boobs rocking and rolling as she did.

   Selena giggled as she danced down the path to Joe.  "Come on Joey, this
will be fun, like watching a live porno."

   Joe soberly commented, "I don't watch porno's and neither do you."

   "Tell me this is YOUR first time you've ever been in the same room with
others having sex." She said, already knowing the answer.  "Come on Joey,
this will be HOT and if we sober up, we won't do it.  It will be different
than with Joe and Shanna that night, we couldn't see each other in separate
rooms."

   Joe was going along to make her happy but suddenly he decided to let all
caution go to the wind and he reached down and held a cheek of her ass as
they went into the open double slider.

   Dennis was sitting in front of the main sofa, his back against the front
and Dallie was squatting in front of him, stroking his hard cock.  Joe
immediately steered Selena to the love seat across from the sofa and they
sat down.  Selena immediately turned to Joe and placed her mouth on his,
throwing her tongue down his throat.  She slid a hand down under his balls
and began to fumble them, waiting for his erection to start, and that
didn't take long.  Once his penis rose out of his lap she began to stroke
him as they kissed.  They heard Dennis groan and a peek across the room saw
Odalys bent over bobbing from the waist over Dennis' cock.  With her feet
that far apart and bent over that much her whole crack opened up to the
white crease with her very pink asshole almost glowing.  Joe firmed like an
icicle in 30 below temps.

   Selena turned her eyes away and back to Joe deep soul kissing him again.
He slid his hand down her back through the crease of her ass to find her
wet pussy.  She wanted to give him better access, so she shifted and bent
putting her mouth over Joe's cock and began to suck him as his finger found
her wet pussy.

   All of their heads were eyes closed in enjoyment or devotion to their
work when suddenly there was the sound of movement on the sofa side and Joe
opened his eyes to see Dallie had stood and turned around and sat over
Dennis penis, reverse cowgirl style and lay back so Dennis could fill his
hands with her breasts.  She had a short stroke going over him and while
enjoying the fucking she was getting, as well as the breast massage, her
eyes were glued to Selena sucking Joe in earnest, bobbing her head, while
one hand held his balls and the other steadied her.  Her little torso was
squirming as Joe had at least one finger plugged up into her.  She started
to make noises like she was going to cum and then pulled her mouth off of
him, standing on the love seat, turning her pussy to his face and pushing
it to Joe's face.

   He put both hands around the globes of her ass and held her quim to his
face as she squealed as his tongue tore into her, lapping and stroking her
clit.  She had a quick orgasm and turned on the love seat, still standing
and lowered her pussy to sheath onto Joe, also reverse cowgirl and facing
Odalys.  They began to bounce in unison.

   At first they either couldn't or wouldn't look at each other in the eye,
but eventually they locked eyes and smiled at each other until orgasms
began to build.  Where Selena usually rolled her eyes up and gave a look of
unbridled joy and pleasure until she peaked when she looked like she was
trying to pass a basketball with a loud grunt and whoop, Odalys got a look
of pain as she climbed the ladder to her peak and as she neared it she
began to sound like someone had pinched her and was twisting it, not to let
go.  She too, finished with a loud grunt and a whoop.  They each studied
their ecstasies and used them for fodder to heighten their pleasures. 
Where Dennis held tight to Dallies big tits as she bounced, Joe held
Selena's lovely ass cheeks, almost like he was helping her bounce.

   Then suddenly Joe brought his hands up and around her belly and lifted
himself up to twist her down on the love seat, his cock falling from her.
She was facing away from him and dropped one foot to the floor while
keeping the other leg bent and on the love seat while Joe stood behind her,
also placing one knee on the love seat.  He filled his hand with spit and
brought it to the head of his penis and leaned up to her pussy and sunk in
fully from the back as she lowered her head and shoulders, groaning at the
deep intrusion.

   Joe leaned up and filled his hands with her breasts as they hung to
their greatest fullness in this position and began to slam her hard as she
pushed back to get the maximum depth on each stroke.  Selena cocked her
head to the other side to see what Dallie and Dennis were doing.  She saw
Dennis had stood and Dallie on her knees letting him fuck her mouth as she
took his entire length, mashing her lips to his scrotum and holding it
there.  She let him go and fell back to the floor where Dennis mounted her,
her legs over his shoulders and began to pile drive her as she yelped at
each stroke.  Suddenly Dennis began to holler, `I'm gonna cum, I'm gonna
cum, your tight pussy is going to make me cum."

   Dallie yelled back to him, `Splash it on me, feed it to me, Give me your
juice!"

   Joe had now taken his attention from looking down at the prone Selena in
front of him to see Dennis fully stand up and stroke his cock a couple
times that sent a long splash of cum onto Odalys as she sat up to catch the
rest in her mouth and then she held him in her mouth, her hands tightly
holding his ass pushing his front to her face.

   Joe looked back and down and saw Selena had now closed her eyes and
begin to catch her breath ready to orgasm.  He knew he was close, but
wanted her to finish and used every trick he knew to postpone and once she
whooped and grunted he made the same declaration that Dennis had, "I'm
gonna cum, I'm gonna cum."

   Selena didn't wait for anything, she squirmed away from under Joe and
spun to quickly sit on the edge of the love seat and take Joe's pussy
soaked cock in her mouth and push her head over him a few times before he
groaned and grunted loudly, bending the top of his torso back as he
ejaculated over her tongue as she swallowed hungrily.  Once she knew he was
through and getting over sensitive she gave him up and pulled him onto her,
lying back on the love seat to lock faces once again, as they began.

   Selena and Joe were in a pile on the love seat, Dennis and Dallie were
in a pile on the floor.  All remained quiet for 4 or 5 minutes before
Dennis groans out, "That was VERY hot.  We enjoyed your show, I hope you
liked ours."

   "I'm glad I was drunk enough to do this.  I'll be sorry tomorrow, but it
was HOT!" Selena said quietly with a giggle at the end.

   "Ditto here, girlfriend, but it WAS hot." Dallie added.

   "If we already hadn't seen each other naked, it wouldn't have happened,
but when sex is in the air, it just makes it seem hotter, dirtier and
that's half the fun." Joe piped in.

   "What's the other half?" Odalys asked, trying to be a wise ass, thinking
it was just sex.

   "The other half of the fun is that I love my wife so much I'm not
ashamed to show it and I know we brought each other a lot of pleasure no
one else could." Joe said hugging Selena closer.

   "NO ONE ELSE?  Dallie is pretty wild." Dennis said, being skeptical,
adding, "that is once I unlocked the bedroom whore in her, and she's not
insulted by that term, she knows what it means."

   "It will piss my wife off to say this Dennis, but I've had at least 500
women in my life and believe me, I've found the one who makes me not want
to shop around anymore.  Dallie is certainly hot and if I were stag on that
boat coming over here I would have had her right on the boat AND over and
over again these 10 days and you would never had a shot.  She probably
fantasized about me tonight" Joe said smartly and confidently.

   The room went quiet, not quite knowing how to take Joe's words until
Odalys piped in.

   "He's right.  When I watched him tonight, there was a part of me that
wished I was with him.  AND if he wasn't with Selena on the boat, I would
have went anywhere with him to have him, the ladies room, the engine room.
He was making me wet just talking to me and I gave him the eyes more than
once."

   "Even with me there?" Selena said, insulted.

   "Honey, your man oozes sexual confidence and you don't know it, but you
should.  I hadn't been laid in a year and you both had me wondering if you
were swingers.  I would NEVER have made a move unless you explicitly told
me to." Dallie explained.

   Joe smiled smugly to Selena and buried his head as she popped up, like
he knew she would, on the attack.  "You fucking smart ass.  Look at him,
eating it up." She said getting behind him and smacking his ass, spanking
each cheek repeatedly.

   Finally he sprung up and turned his butt down onto the couch.  "Stop it,
it's not my fault other women want me, I'm just being me!"

   "Fuck you Charmer!" Selena said folding her arms in a faux pissed off
stance on the love seat looking at him again and calling out "Braggart!"

   "Selena, it ain't braggin' if you can do it.  I thought I was paying you
and our marriage a compliment when I said you brought me pleasure no one
else could.  You always thought I was the player, but most of the time I
was the played.  It was why I set myself up to get my heart broken so many
times."

   "I guess you did." Selena said but then she took his hand saying, "I
couldn't love you any more than I do and now I love you all the more
because I know the reason you were reluctant to do this today; because I
was going to find out this about you, not just you and Dallie, but you and
a lot of other women.  You could have them, but you don't want them, but
they still want you.  You just have that thing that makes women feel at
ease, feel like they can trust you with their feelings and you make no
promise to go beyond wanting them, but you wouldn't act on it.  Or . . 
maybe I should say, you do WANT them, but you channel all of that to me. 
No wonder I never gave up hope that someday you would come and find me. 
You held all of the keys to my sanity, but you just weren't there and then
suddenly one day you were, and I was too."

   As Selena hugged his hand to her face she started to cry happy tears and
after hearing a sniffle they looked and both Dennis and Odalys were crying
too.  Dallie took Dennis in her arms saying, "After what you heard me say
just now, you should be pissed off, but don't be.  He didn't have me, you
did.  You're still only the third man I've ever been with, and I think I've
had more sex this week than in all my life.  You know what I said, but you
know who I was with."

   Selena looked to Odalys, "You know, Joe didn't want me.  He rejected me.
I had to knock on his door in the middle of the night and get him out of
bed and poke my finger in his chest to tell him that he SHOULD want me, or
at least give me a chance.  My attraction to him wasn't even sexual, it was
cerebral.  He was so smart, so organized and so . . .  something.  He
treated me like I was a child, kept saying he could be my father, but I
asked him out on a date, but only after asking him permission to ask him,
just to see if he would accept.  I made him admit that he did LIKE what he
saw when he looked at me.  I'm not stupid or conceded, but I know I'm
pretty.  We went out and he tried to tell me a lot of what I learned here
tonight, and that was why he didn't want to see me again, he didn't want to
stain an innocent.  He broke my heart and didn't know it.  I couldn't sleep
over him and snuck out of the house and beat on his door.  I ended up in
bed, but NOTHING happened, he wouldn't let it, like I would have given him
the chance.  At this point my biggest attraction to him was that we were
"stock heads" IE slaves to the Wall Street game.

   Joe looked at Selena and said, "It was always just you.  You were all
that I ever wanted and my reputation gave you so many instances for you to
think I might not be who you thought I was, even though I told you over and
over.  But tonight you saw it, you heard it.  But know, it was always just
you.  From the moment I answered the door that night until now, it's always
been you."

   "Let's go shower, get cleaned up and get dressed for dinner.  Dallie,
Dennis?  This has been an awakening and an experience I will never regret,
but never admit to (chuckling).  I hope you two give yourself the chance to
fall in love like we are." Selena said taking Joe by the hand and walking
out the double slider door.

   Dennis felt his ego hurt a bit by all that transpired and looked to
Dallie with a little pout on his face.  "You settled for me?"

   "NO!  Silly!  If I had hooked up with Joe it would have just been for
sex and because I was alone and he was free or they were open to it as a
couple.  I would choose you 10 times out of 10 for a relationship because,
how could I trust him?, or all the other women in the world.  Selena may be
the only one who could swing the hammer in a relationship with him.  She's
told me that when he gets in her doghouse he's devastated.  He has a magic
with the opposite sex, yet she is all he ever wanted, not that he's
"settling" for her.  God, she's a beauty.  If I ever switched teams, she
would be my first attempt." Dallie explained.  "Hmmm, switch teams.  Now
that's something we might try sometime." Dennis said with a big smile, he
ever the experimenter.

   "You are a sicko Dennis, you've made me into a sexual something I never
thought I could be here these 10 days, and I'm grateful.  Your wife must
have been a happy woman with your imaginative sex ideas.  But, I'll switch
teams, go down on another woman the moment I see a guy shove a cock up your
ass." Dallie said, hoping to nip his idea in the bud.

   "OUCH, don't worry honey, I'll be happy with you staying on one team."
Dennis said as he got up to shower and get ready for their last night
dinner with Joe and Selena.

   Chapter 34

   Back in their cottage Joe and Selena stood under the shower together. 
They had both washed the sun, surf, and sex from their bodies and Joe just
finished a rinse of his hair and face when he cleared his eyes and looked
at Selena and saw her adoring, fawning eyes.

   "What?  Did I leave suds in my hair?"

   "No, I'm just looking at you, admiring my husband.  All these years I've
had you pegged as a hound, a wolf who couldn't get enough of women, and
I've seen you admiring women so much I figured you were incurable.  Why did
you take so long to tell me that it wasn't you who was the chaser, but the
chasee?"

   "It sounds so self serving, and even you called me a braggart at Dallies
place.  Everyone THINKS I'm some sort of Romeo.  You know Lynn once told me
that my steel blue eyes, my smile, my personality, and the way I fear no
situation and never look like I don't know my next move, plus a nice body,
made me walking sex bait.  Now before you go tearing that apart let me tell
you that besides trying to keep my body in shape, the rest of that just
happens, it's me.  When I was younger I was involved with a lot of
athletics and it helped shape me nicely, but my knees stunted all of those
activities, so I had to do things in the gym with no impact to my knees and
watching my diet to maintain." (He turned off the water and reached out to
get a towel for Selena and put it to her mouth and waved a finger at her to
not say anything until he finished, after getting his own towel) "If I do
anything intentionally, it's the size up I do on people when I see them,
not when I meet them, when I SEE them.  It was something my Dad did as a
business trick and even when I was a kid with him going on job sites he
would prompt me "Watch this Junior, when we meet this developer I'll look
him from head to toe and then focus on his eyes and smile like he's my lost
Uncle Earl".  He would say that just as a secretary was about to walk us
into the guys office.  I used to ask my Dad if there was a lost Uncle Earl
and he would laugh like hell.  So the way my Dad sized up people, was the
way he taught me and I did it.  I mean, when you walked down the street
with my Dad, where no one knew him, he would look at a man and they would
say Hi, how are you?, all unprompted.  Women always smiled at him and he
would nod, or tip his cap to them.  Now, my Dad might have been a handsome
guy when he was younger, but this was later on when he was pudgy and had
his nose broken a couple times while working.  But, the women always smiled
at him.  So, little by little I picked all of that up and it became second
nature to me.  Lynn and I had been having sex from the time I was 15 or 16
and I thought it was quite normal to do that with any woman.  So when I
looked at them and then checked them out with elevator eyes, I thought it
was normal.  Now I know my eyes are my best feature, both blue and steely,
but friendly at the same time, and when I sized up women, thinking in my
mind I could bed any one of them if I chose, after all I had free reign
with Lynn." Joe said as he turned to the clothes bar to pick out a shirt.

   "Don't stop now, you're on a roll and you've never been so candid, my
lothario." Selena said as she dressed.

   "Well, I was 17 and after my first year at Poly Tech and spending the
summers going with my Dad to make bids, check on jobs and we always went to
one particular developers office in New York and the secretary there always
ushered us in to see this guy, a Bill Kehoe, I think it was, and one day
she asked if I would like to meet some rock group on her errand, I forget
who, but she had to pick up tickets for their concert for her boss, from
the groups agent.  My Dad said to go ahead, he would be awhile, and I was
off with this pretty hot looking woman for a walk a couple blocks away and
we went up and picked up the tickets, but we just missed the group. 
Walking back she said she had one more stop to make, and we went into this
bank building and with a special key in the elevator we went up to a floor
of suites.  She took me to her "place", she was apparently a "kept" woman,
and she screwed the hell out of me, thinking she was taking my virginity. I
actually think I showed her a thing or two, and from that day forward, I
knew I could have any woman I wanted, and rarely had to try too hard.  But,
for a few times, I was hardly ever the aggressor.  I know the look a woman
gives that says she's ready to open her legs for me.  I only act when I
want to.  Now, YOU, Selena my love, never fell for all of that.  You didn't
fall for any of that sexual magnetism horse shit.  You didn't think anyone
else could be a "stock head" if you didn't work on Wall Street.  I know
there was some sexual attraction, but you definitely controlled that.  I
liked to think I was leading you down the garden path to sex, but you made
everything happen.  You really cared for ME!  If there was no sex, you
still cared to be with ME!  Any one of a 100 times when you thought I was
that slime ball wolf and charmer, you always had faith that I wasn't."

   "So, you think your Dad's business tricks made you seem so, . . . . 
accessible? . .  and don't think your charm didn't work on me at all, that
first night watching TV at your house I started gawking at your face and
eyes, I'll admit it, but I was so worried about you being "appropriate" to
meet my Dad later I let anything I felt just pass." She said.

   "My Dad was always saying "size up your prey" when he was selling the
company, and "Look every man in the eye" and "Show them you're not
intimidated".  I was impressionable and I thought my Dad was the greatest
thing there was, and he was, in his way.  There was that secretary and then
at school there was a red headed prof, and of course sorority girls.  It
wasn't like I was advertising, I'd walk past a gal at the lunch line and
she would come and sit with me, introducing herself.  Of course, there was
a time when I took advantage if there were someone I just HAD to meet. 
I've always said I don't know WHY I fell in love so hard with a few various
women, only to get unceremoniously dumped.  But, I know it was always the
trust thing.  Lynn told me she could trust me, she just couldn't trust the
rest of the women in the world."

   "But, once you took over Johnson Construction you still used your
Fathers skills?" Selena asked as she was finishing getting dressed.

   "Of course, I didn't always use my powers for evil." Joe answered
rubbing his hands together in a dastardly fashion.

   "Were always aware of your hold on the opposite sex?"

   "Yes and no, there were so many times when I was naïve to the intentions
of some of the ladies who came on to me.  Plus I have a few regrets of
women I did when I knew all along I shouldn't, but did anyway."

   "Like who?

   "Shanna, Joseph's future wife, before he met her.  In hind sight it was
really stupid, but even so, I clearly took advantage of a certain amount of
curious naiveté.  We had dated and even got into a bit of foreplay and then
she stopped it abruptly before it got to a stage she couldn't control, she
had second thoughts.  I knew she was out of her element in my house and I
took advantage of that.  I knew she would never have a long distance
relationship with me; she had too much going in the City.  Then there was
one married woman that I'm totally ashamed for." Joe answered.

   "Don't even tell me it was my mother!  I know you said you could have
had her . . . ." Selena started to say before Joe snapped back.

   "Selena!  Do you think I could ever face you if that happened?  For
Christ's sake, just when I think you might understand my situation you make
a comment like that!"

   "So who was it?" She asked.

   "Nobody you never knew or will know and LONG before I ever met you.  I
said I was ashamed and I've had enough remorse over the years to pay for my
indiscretion Despite what you may have ever thought, I never was the hound
you thought I was.  I didn't start most of the relationships I had, most
came to me.  Now I want to stop talking about it because it makes me feel
self-conscious and like you said before, a braggart.  Haha, just wait until
I tell your Mother you thought we had sex."

   "Joseph Johnson Junior, I'll have your balls in my purse if you say a
word." She said laughing.

   "And that's why I don't like talking about it.  It can only get me in
trouble.  It's a good thing Dennis understood the situation with Dallie.  I
knew I could have had her before we got off the plane that day."

   "Fuck you Joe, . . . . .  um . . .  er . . .well I guess she kind of
admitted that, but . . ."

   "But you can trust me Selena, YOU are all I want and no matter how much
I look around, I never touch, I never flirt in hopes of starting anything.
I LOOK at a woman and she thinks I'm flirting, and I can't help that.  If
you want I can walk around looking at the ground and never smile again,
wear sunglasses all day and at night.  You, above everyone else should
understand my heart and where it lies." Joe said hoping the conversation
was over.

   Selena came over and put her arms around his neck and hugged him
tightly.

   "I didn't need you to explain that I was all you ever wanted, but I'm
glad I know more about you and how a lot of this stuff came about.  I
remember one day at an outside café near work a waitress was taking our
order and she slipped off her shoe and was rubbing her toes over your
sandaled foot, thinking I hadn't noticed.  I was ready to kill her and cut
your balls off thinking you must have screwed every waitress in Manhattan.
She was just so blatant and you did nothing to stop her." Selena said

   "I thought it best you didn't know it was happening!" Joe laughed.

   "How could I MISS it!" Selena said.

   "Well, let's go down to the restaurant.  Gregory is supposed to come by
for 7:20.  Are we going to feel funny, seeing Dallie and Dennis?" She
wondered.

   "Why?"

   "We just saw them sucking, fucking, whatever."

   "Selena, they saw us too.  We'll all have clothes on and it will be
fine. If you feel self conscious, remember it was your idea." Joe said
waving a finger at her.

   "Shit, Joe, I'd do it again if I were drunk enough.  Not right now, but
another time, in the right mood.  IT WAS hot." She said with a sly smile.

   "Ha, I found a kink in my innocent pretty little wife." Joe said as they
walked out the door.

   She looked back and smiled, "Innocent?  Not so much, but outside of the
bedroom, for sure."

   Joe and Selena said little when they got in the cart and drove to Odalys
cottage and she came out with a huge purse and Dennis.

   "Going somewhere?" Joe asked as they got in the cart, looking at the
purse.

   "Just something I might want if we stroll the beach later, she said
blushing, knowing that they knew she wanted to get laid on the beach.

   The rest of the trip to the restaurant was quiet.

   For the first 15 minutes of their time together was a little
uncomfortable as the fact they had sex in front of each other was an
elephant in the room, so to speak.  Once they were seated it didn't seem
they could get started and Joe finally spoke up.

   "Listen, we've looked at each other's genitals all week and all of the
time we knew how we used them with our partners.  Now we don't have to
imagine how, we know how.  Let's get over ourselves.  We did something a
little different after drinking too much, but we never hurt each other and
all got a little extra excitement.  Get over ourselves already."

   They all laughed and toasted each other and suddenly the curtain was up
and a big evening of fine food and drink ensued.  There was even frank talk
of the sex and how they viewed each other and once that was started
everyone got a little looser.

   "You and Joe have beautiful bodies, you're both very lucky." Odalys said
shyly.

   "My God Dallie, both you and Dennis have nothing to be jealous of.  I
think you're spectacular.  I hope you aren't offended that Joe can't get
enough of your walk away." Selena said looking at Joe hoping for approval.

   Joe nodded with an embarrassed grin, but Dallie quickly chimed in, "I
can't get enough of his either."

   They all laughed and Selena looked at Dennis, "I think you have a nice
ass too, plus I've never had the opportunity to study a cut man before.  I
think it's cute."

   Joe hung his head, shaking it, saying to himself, presumably, "My wife,
she's so shy."

   "As long as none of us are going to be PC," Dennis piped in, "Selena
you're the reason I had to go in the ocean so often, to hide the erection
you caused.  I've never been with a petite woman, I prefer more full
figured, but you, . . . .wow!"

   Dennis turned red and looked to Dallie as if to apologize.

   "Don't be sorry Dennis, there's nothing wrong with looking.  I know we
have nothing official here, but just remember, you have to fall asleep
eventually, and there are sharp knives in the cottage." Dallie said before
they all laughed.

   "Do you two see yourselves getting together once you're home?" Joe aked.

   "Well, I've decided I don't care what the others think," Dallie said,
"I'd like him to think of moving into my place.  I always thought there was
too much of Michael in the house to ever entertain a man there, but the
more I think about Dennis and I and how happy we've been here and how much
I know we fit together, I think after moving a few things out of the house
it would work."

   "I have a standing offer on my house", Dennis added, " it's way too big
for a single person and I've been reluctant to sell, but now I could do
that and not be accused of being a gold digger."

   "Oh God, Dennis, who gives a crap, we both do OK financially, let the
gossips go crazy." Odalys poo-poed him

   "I know, I know.  We have to forget about them." He agreed and then Joe
chimed in.

   "Dennis, your business is your business and you can't worry or care
about everything else.  We heard so much shit that we just turned deaf ears
to it.  After what we went through people finally see us for what we are
back home and I think they probably see how silly they were.  You two have
been playing a silly game at home and the attraction is so obvious that
everyone was talking and you two weren't doing anything about it.  Once
they see the two of you together it will be, "Well, that was obvious", and
a lot of it will die down.  For the people who insist on gossiping, just
remember they're leaving someone else alone if they spend their time on
you."

   Dallie piped in, "Both Dennis and I are thought of very highly in the
community because we each stand financially higher than most and both do a
lot of volunteer work and are the first in line to pitch in on community
projects, things with the church, like that.  We both probably do a lot
just to pass the time, even though Michael and I did a lot too."

   "We don't let an out of work family starve or lose their home, in most
cases.  Through the church we provide until they get back on their feet or
just prove not willing to help themselves.  If that's the case they have to
sink or swim on their own." Dennis said.

   "You're both good people and it sounds like you make yourself happy
doing what you do, as long as you have the resources, but . .  NOW you got
to do what you can to make yourselves happy.  Give it every chance and if
it works out, just think how fulfilled your lives will be." Selena said.

   "We have to look into our charity project with the Ridleys too Essy.  I
know your Dad kept the thing alive and Jacob contacted me after the news
broke and he wants to move him and his Mom to their OWN place and put
another under-privileged student in MaryMount." Joe said.

   "We moved an orthopedic student and his Mom from a druggie neighborhood
into a new place of their own as long as Jacob kept his grades up.  That
was 10 years ago and he got his own practice now and trying to recruit
another student.  He said his Mom is doing well, retired, and he's in the
process of buying their own place." He explained to Dennis and Dallie.

   "OK, OK, enough of this horn blowing and playing Dear Abby, let's have
another drink and get out of here, before they throw us out, it's almost
11." Selena said.

   "We can have that nightcap back at our place." Joe added.

   "Oooooo, that might get too sexy.  I think we got daring enough today."
Selena said raising her eyebrows.

   Dallie turned to her and pointed, "Whoa girl, it was YOUR idea!"

   Selena blushed and shyly said, "OK, I think we can handle it, and if
someone gets out of hand, I'll watch." (giggling)

   Dallie leaned up to the table as if to whisper and the other three were
apparently interested in where the conversation was going as they all
leaned up to listen as she spoke in lower tones, "If you think that I EVER
thought I would ever display myself having oral sex in front of anyone
besides my husband or lover, or ever openly display myself having sex for
someone else to see, you couldn't be more off base.  Before Dennis turned
me into what he calls a "bedroom whore" I never got into anything but
straight missionary sex.  I was not a virgin to everything, but I could
easily count on one hand my times outside of that genre.  There was
something about 4 sexy people in the room and all the real passionate love
being passed around made everything incredibly wanton and sexy.  You can be
sure if we were with 2 strangers just having sex, we wouldn't have been
there.  The sexual aura the both of you project when you're together is
enough to get anyone's juices flowing."

   "Don't discount the alcohol either." Dennis added.  "It does break down
inhibitions."

   "I think my coming up with the idea was alcohol inspired, but I went
into it, once Dallie got Dennis to agree, with both eyes wide open.  I
really thought we would leave before it got too . . . .  ummm . . . 
juicy." Selena said low.

   Odalys got a devilish smile and leaned in even closer, "Holy shit once
the sex was in the air, I was beyond stopping and would have . . . .  err .
. .  finished solo."

   "Masturbated?" Selena asked with a deep questioned face.

   "No, I would have came just watching.  You two were hot." Dallie said
quietly with a blush.

   "I would given myself a hand job too." Dennis said in almost a whisper
as he put his hand over Dallies and looked at Selena.

   "That's something we've never done, I used to like that, you know, doing
it.  You feel so powerful." Dallie said blushing further.

   "With a happy ending?" Dennis asked, almost under his breath.

   `What's that?" Dallie wondered, her sexual innocence shining through. 
Dennis rolled his eyes at her naiveté, and Selena leaned forward and said,
"With the tip in your mouth."

   "Oh, I didn't know I liked that until now." Dallie said continuing her
show of innocence.

   Joe stood up saying, "OK, this just got beyond where we should be
talking in public.  Let's go back, NOW.  I just gave Gregory a phone page."

   The 2 couples cuddled and necked in their near drunken state as the cart
buzzed through the grounds on the macadam path until Gregory slowed down
for the drop onto the hard sand path.  Then the slight whine of the cart
motor was drowned, or maybe accompanied the grind of the tires over the
path.  In just a few minutes they pulled to the path intersection between
the two cottages.

   "This will do Gregory," Joe said.  "be here for 9:30 tomorrow, we have
to make the 10:00 a.m.  boat back to the airport."

   "Yes, Joe.  I may be a little late but you WILL make the boat.  I have 4
other pick-ups.  They won't leave without you.  Miss Dallie, I have you for
12:30 for the one o'clock boat, correct?  Oh, and, don't forget your
purse."
"That will be fine Gregory.  You've been a Godsend the entire time. 
Thank you." She said getting out and almost tripping into Dennis' arms

before Gregory sped away.

   "Too much to drink, Honey?" Dennis asked.

   "No, I caught the handle on the purse as I got out.  Besides, the more I
drink, the more fun we'll have.  Sex is better when I don't have to check
my morals meter.  If it feels good, do it." Dallie said looking to Joe and
Selena for some sort of approval.

   "If you both consent to it, it's all OK.  What two people do in their
own privacy is whatever they want it to be.  If it feels good to BOTH of
you, do it.  That's the only moral standard if you love each other."

   "I know it sounds spur of the moment, but I do love Dennis." She said
looking at him.

   "I've had such a crush on him for months and kept my mouth shut to
please others.  When he showed up at my door last week I think we had sex
before we said barely 3 words.  It was that spontaneous."

   Dennis smiled and hugged her close, obviously feeling much the same way.

   The two couples strolled arm and arm to the door of Joe and Selena's
cottage, stopping to check out the stars.

   "Romantic night, huh?" Odalys asked no one in particular wanting to go
to the dark beach .  "I hope it will be." Selena said curiously, drawing a
look from Joe.

   Inside Dallie and Dennis sat on one of the loveseats and Joe pushed the
other to be right across and he pushed a coffee table in between and then
went to help Selena with the drinks.

   Joe hollered back from the kitchen, "Sambuca around?"

   Both Dennis and Dallie agreed with yells back.

   Joe sidled up to Selena and whispered, "I HOPE it will be?  Are you
planning one of your little exhibitions again?"

   Selena blushed and looked at Joe, "Admit it was fun.  It's our last
night here.  We may never see them again, and if we do we'll never be like
this again, living the naked life.  It something happens, it happens.  Just
don't think there's going to be any swapping."

   "Oh yeah, that's me Essy.  Pledge my love to you before dinner and want
to fuck someone else after.  YOU'RE the one with the big SEX ideas." Joe
said disturbed she would say that.

   "Hey, No arguing out there!" Dallie hollered.

   "We just can't decide on the size of glass." Joe said covering them.

   "Pony's if they have them" Dallie said as Joe came around the corner
with a tray with 4 Ponys filled with Sambuca.

   Conversation was lively as they all talked about the fun they had in
their stays, with Joe and Selena even comparing their first trip.  Odalys
kept trying to change the subject before Selena realized why, Dallies prior
trips were with her husband, Michael.

   "Wasn't it weird how once the air was filled with sex, it just got
electric before?" Selena blurted out to get everyone's attention as Joe
just realized why Dallie had quieted.

   "That must be how it is at an orgy." Dennis added, looking to Joe.

   "Well, I've been to an almost orgy, where like 4 couples all made love
in one room, and some of the girls got frisky with each other while still
with their mates, and it's a different vibe altogether.  Afterwards you
felt a little, um, I guess the word is dirty since we weren't lovers, any
of us, just a bunch of people you hoped you never saw again." Joe said as
they all laughed, even Selena.

   "Part of the excitement today was that we're all beautiful." Dennis
said, adding "if I do say so myself."

   They all agreed with Dennis with a few whoops and laughs and then the 84
proof Sambuca took some effect on Odalys who had finished half of hers
already.

   "If we're all so fucking beautiful, why are we dressed?  We saw each
other naked all week, I'd like a last chance to see all of us in our
beautiousness." She said realizing there was no such word as they laughed
at her gaff.

   When no one seemed to react beyond the laugh Odalys looked to Selena
saying.''Come on Selena, let's give our men a little striptease this last
night, then we can undress them."

   Selena jumped up, making sure she made no eye contact with Joe, because
he would have been cautionary, and she wanted to let loose, one more time.

   The girls stood and stripped to Stevie Wonder's Superstition, playing on
the stereo, they began to bump and grind taking off the light clothing they
had on.

   Though Odalys wasn't drunk, she was definitely letting her hair down and
enjoying herself.

   "Dennis honey, if this turns you on, you might get that hand job I
promised you before, and I may just tack on that happy ending." She said
with a cute giggle as the two ladies wiggled out of their thong panties to
finish getting naked.

   "What do we say to a moonlight skinny dip?" Dallie asked the group.

   "Absolutely NOT!" Joe stated loudly.  "I know we are on a safe resort,
but Jamaica is no place to fool around.  There are lots of ways to sneak
onto this property at night and I don't want get into any unwanted trouble.
Sex on the beach sounds tempting, I know, but n'er do wells know Americans
weaknesses for such things and prey on them.  Read the brochures."

   "Well, then you guys strip down here for us.  We gave you some eye
candy. Treat us!" Dallie said as she began to move her hips in as
suggestive way while turning all the way around.

   Joe got an eyeful of her big gorgeous ass and felt his cock jump, a move
not lost on Selena, so she walked to Joe and put out her hand.  "Stand up
big boy, come here often?"

   "Come here." She added hugging him tightly and she whispered in his ear,
"Don't be so uptight and keep looking to me for approval.  You're fucking
human, I expect you to get excited at other beautiful women.  Let loose,
just don't touch.  I know how far I'll go.  Stop me if I overstep.  We
don't need spice, but admit it's exciting."

   Joe hummed an "Mmm Hmm." In approval, along with a swat of her ass as
she squealed and laughed as she began to unbutton his shirt as he just
looked deep in her eyes, even though he was aware of something going on
between Dennis and Dallie behind him.

   After Selena unbuttoned his shirt enough to get at his chest she pressed
her mouth over one of his nipples, knowing the hard-on it would produce, as
if he didn't already have one.  He threw his head back with his eyes closed
as she rose the little bud and teased it with her mouth as he enjoyed the
semi-torture of having that nipple sucked, he wanted to pinch it so, but
she took care of that as soon as she finished getting the last button, and
she switched to the other nipple.

   Joe wanted to move to the love seat and they turned to sit and saw
Dallie and Dennis on complete display across from them.  Dallie was laid
back on one side of the love seat with her legs spread wide and in the air
as Dennis ate her pussy while sawing his middle finger in and out of her
ass.  Joe and Selena just watched for a few minutes as Dallie jerked and
swooned at the attention he was giving her.  Selena finally turned towards
Joe and reached down for his cock and began to play with it, while Joe
reached around and just reached her right nipple and began to roll it
between his fingers, as they necked.

   Their attention was once again drawn from each other when Dallie let out
a yelp that she had enough, her clit must have been so over-tingled, if
that's possible.

   "How would you like that hand job I promised," Dallie asked as she slid
to the floor and Dennis climbed to the sofa so she was between his legs.

   Joe and Selena giggled as they watched her stroke Dennis' cock, which
seemed to get longer as she went.  After a few minutes Selena was about to
move onto Joe when she heard Dallie complain, "I must be out of practice,
my arm is killing me!"

   Then Dennis blurted out something that sent a shock of silence in the
room, "Why don't you get your friend Selena to stroke it while you suck the
head?"

   Neither Joe nor Selena could breathe for a moment and Dallie stopped her
movements and looked back at Selena, seeming to be just as shocked as they
were.  She was about to protest to Dennis for her friend when Selena sat up
and said "OK!"

   Selena turned and looked to Joe for approval, but he was almost in
shock.

   "Can I?  It won't escalate; you know where my heart is.  It's . . . . .
. ." She started to say.

   "Kinky as hell, this is your slack, I'll choose mine." Joe said thinking
she might get a second thought, but she sprung to her feet to kneel beside
Dallie.

   Once there looking at the strange penis before her, Selena froze.  She
looked to Dallie who had a frightened look on her face.  She had went along
with lots of the "kinkiness" of Dennis, who had a spirited sexual
relationship with his wife, but this was different.  She had never given
head as a regular part of her former sexual repertoire, had never swallowed
her partners load on purpose before, never 69'ed, never had anal sex, never
had multiple orgasms, and never had a man make love to her twice in a row.
Now these were all terribly exciting parts of her relationship with Dennis,
but she certainly didn't want to get into swapping, but suddenly this
seemed harmless because she knew Selena had no interest in Dennis and how
devoted she was.

   Selena suddenly thought about how disturbing she thought "giving head"
was for casual couples, but she realized how much Odalys loved Dennis, so
suddenly she thought it was going to seem sexy and she lifted her hand,
which seemed to weigh 50 pounds, and wrapped it around Dennis' cock.  It
was only the second penis she had ever actually held in her hand.

   She looked at Dennis who was looking at Dallie in anticipation.  He
nodded to her and she bent forward and put the head of his cock in her
mouth and began to bob her head just over the head and corona while Selena
started to slide her hand up and down over him.

   As Odalys sat on her haunches pleasing her man, Joe moved behind her and
rested his cock on the V her two feet made behind her and reached around to
hold her generous gorgeous breasts.  He put both nipples between his
fingers and began to squeeze and oscillate her breasts.  Soon Selena was in
rhythm with Dallie and Dennis began to moan and breathe in a choppy
staccato.  As he prepared to cum Dallie trembled and was clearly cumming
from the excitement of it all, especially having her tits mauled by strange
hands.

   With a sound like he had been punched in the gut Dennis came as Selena
struggled to hold on while he thrust his hips to Dallies mouth.  Selena
felt the load run right through her hand as it went into Dallies mouth, as
she never lost a drop.  When Odalys opened her eyes and made contact with
Dennis she stopped bobbing and Selena took her hand from him and sat back,
just as Joe did.  Dallie kept him in her mouth until she was sure he was
done.  She sat back away from him as Joe moved away.

   Joe looked to Selena and moved to her as she lay back on the carpet and
Joe buried his face in her pussy, tasting and licking the anticipatory
juices she had from the experience.  She was certainly turned on by her
little escapade but she was clearly in a sexual state of a totally
different kind as Joe licked and sucked at her clit.  He made short work of
getting her off before she flopped like a fish on the floor to get away
from Joe's mouth.  She sat up and hugged herself to Joe shivering in the
warm Jamaican air from the experience.

   She whispered to Joe, "Don't worry, you're ONLY man I ever want.  That
was just the drunken college girl still in me."

   Joe chuckled out loud and hugged her tighter before Dallie came back
from the bathroom after rinsing her mouth, announcing, "Come on Joe.  Get
on the love seat and the women will take care of you the same way."

   Selena looked at Joe and waited for his reaction.

   `Whatever you want." He said in a low voice.  She quickly stood and held
out her hand to lead Joe to the love seat.  Joe sat down and quickly looked
to Dennis who might think he could take the same liberties as he had with
Dallie.  He wasn't quite sure how he felt about it and then decided he
would let Selena make that decision.  If she pushed his hands away, he was
sure Dennis would comply.

   Selena knelt between Joe's legs and took his cock in her hands and
rubbed it between them before bringing the tips of her fingers up to the
tip and leaning forward to put the head in her mouth.  Odalys quickly knelt
beside Joe's leg and reached in to hold him as Selena began to work the
head in and out of her mouth.  Slowly Dallie began to stroke him as she sat
to his left with her right hand all the while watching Selena savor the
taste and feel of her man's cock.  Odalys even knelt up tall and reached in
with her other hand to hold Joe's balls as well.  It was apparent she was
living out some sort of fantasy she had, but Selena didn't seem to mind as
she calmly closed her eyes and enjoyed making Joe happy.

   Dennis had been hanging back a bit and then suddenly got up and went to
the bathroom leaving the door open while he peed.  As soon as he got up to
leave, Selena seemed to startle, knowing he was behind her, and sat up
leaving Joe's cock free.  She turned back and saw Dallie looking at Joe's
penis, and she turned to see if Dennis was gone.  She looked to Dallie and
nodded, shocking Joe.  Dallie went down as far as she could in Joe's dick,
right into her throat, causing Joe to groan, and she pumped her head up and
down a few times until she heard Dennis flush.  She pulled her mouth off
and looked at Joe and then to Selena, who went right back to work and
Dallies hand got back to action.  It was a surreal moment against any moral
principle that Selena had ever espoused.  She didn't know why she let it
happen, but she did.  A moment later Dennis returned and he went to Odalys
huge purse and took out a bag and pulled something out that he was
unwrapping.  As he got into the overhead light Joe saw it was a dark blue
dildo, not unlike ones he and Selena had in a drawer back in New York.

   Dennis knelt behind Selena and saw her oscillating her fingers over her
clit as she was wont to do when giving Joe head.  Dennis reached down and
tapped the dildo on the lips of her pussy causing Selena to startle for a
second before she reached to see what it was and felt the familiar shape.
She took the tip of it and pushed it between her nether lips.

   Dennis needed no more encouragement as he deftly pushed it into her
while she exhaled deeply and paused her bobbing and sucking for a moment.
Quickly she got back to what she was doing and Dennis began to fuck her
with the new toy, slowly in and out.

   While Joe had been wary what Dennis was going to do to his love, he went
along with what Selena apparently permitted.  He was pretty sure if her
tried to hold her breasts, like he had done to Dallie, she would have
slapped his hand away, as she would have done if he tried touch her pussy.
Now that all the apprehension was out of the way, he could concentrate on
the head and hand job he was getting.  With Selena working her lips just
over the head and corona, with her tongue sliding deftly on the underside
of his helmet, and Odalys kneeling straight up with her hand working up and
down and her other fingers diddling his balls, he knew he couldn't last. 
The look on Dallie's face was one of hunger, he was sure she would finish
the job if asked, her mouth almost seeming to water at the sight before
her. However, Selena would never give this up.  This is what she dreamt of
each night while in the hospital and as many times as she had done it
before and since, it was never enough.

   Joe hunched and jolted as his orgasm came quickly with little warning
and he groaned long and deep, pumping a couple shots over her tongue before
she just suckled lightly at the tip while Dallie pumped up the entrails
from his balls.  When he could take no more he pushed a hand down shedding
Dallie's hand and pulling it from Essy's mouth as Selena dropped her head
to Joe's torso and ground out her own orgasm brought on by Dennis' light
play.  As she caught her breath she reached down and pushed his hand away
closing her eyes as she lay on Joe's stomach.  Dallie had turned and fallen
onto Dennis and they lay on the floor.

   No words were spoken for 10 or 15 minutes before Odalys spoke, looking
up.

   "Well, I think we all went a little overboard in our goodbyes, huh?" She
said as they all giggled nervously.

   "Pretty safe to say, this will never happen again.  I think we got some
naughtiness out of our systems." Selena said as she lifted her head.  "A
lot further than we thought."

   "Nothing to be ashamed of, we all stayed in safe boundaries.  A little
too familiar, but being naked all this time, we didn't have any shyness."
Joe said staring off.

   "What happens behind closed doors in Jamaica, stays behind closed doors
in Jamaica." Dennis added with 3 "Amen"s that followed.

   "It's after midnight, we should go." Dallie said getting up all the
while looking at Joe with an eye that said she didn't want it to end.  Joe
just winked back.

   "Hey, you two.  Thanks for a great time all during our stay.  We got a
little out of hand, but it was all in the name of fun and excitement. 
Dallie and I exchanged information to we can keep in touch.  You guys
should sleep-in tomorrow, I doubt we'll see you in the morning." Selena
said as she hugged and kissed Dennis, and then Odalys with Joe following
with a hearty handshake to Dennis and a hug and kiss for Dallie.

   "This has been real special today, I hope there are no regrets after we
all get sober.  It's just something special no one can ever take away from
us." Dallie said as they all nodded and Joe slid the door closed behind
them.

   He turned and looked to Selena.

   "You're not mad at all, are you?" She asked.

   "You just surprised me, how wanton you got and quick to go along.  I was
afraid of it going farther." Joe said cautiously.

   "When Dennis came up behind me I was afraid he was either going to put
fingers or his cock in me, and I would have slapped him so hard he would
have went home with my hand print.  That was even though you had your way
with Dallies boobs.  I hope you got THAT out of your system." She added as
he hugged up to Joe.

   "She wanted to play before, I thought I'd help her out, besides I had to
keep an eye on you." Joe said with a grin.

   "Did you see the way she dove on you when I gave her the nod?  I heard
Dennis taking a leak and knew she wouldn't be seen.  I thought she was
going to try and swallow it.  She wants you something bad." Selena said,
amused.

   "Tell her to get in line." Joe said smartly.

   "I'll kick both of your asses up and down the street, her for tempting
you and you for doing something.  I know I don't have to worry about you.
You really wanted no part of this today, did you?" She asked taking his
hand and heading for the shower.

   "Well, yes and no.  It was very sexy, but I was worried that it might go
too far.  Women get very loose once they hit certain horniness.  The most
innocent little things end up going crazy on you."

   "You mean like me?" She asked demurely.

   "Oh yeah, you were tough, you slept in my bed on our first date." He
said in a wisecrack.

   "You didn't have the balls to try anything THAT night, but you did drive
me crazy eventually.  I still think girls who casually have oral sex with
men they either don't love or don't know is disgusting.  That should be
something intimate between two people committed to each other.  Although
stroking Dennis tonight was a little risqué, I really didn't get my jollies
on it and I had NO inclination to take over for her . .  and speaking of
her, how about what a gobbler she is?  . . . .  she had barely had oral sex
before this week.  I thought she might bite you off." She said as she
prepared for a shower.

   "I think she fulfilled that little fantasy she had about me, but now YOU
have to promise something to me." Joe said as he got towels out.

   "What?"

   "We never, ever, under ANY circumstance do anything like this again.  I
worry so much about you and the thought of another man touching you or you
touching and sharing what is just mine makes me crazy.  When Dennis was
hovering around there he had me worried." Joe admitted.

   "Trust me, he was NOT going to touch me.  That thing with the toy was as
close as he was going to get to any fantasy he had.  I promise that from
now on, no matter how drunk I get, or let you get, our love is just that,
OURS.  I promise, Uh . . ." She said before she choked up and sobbed,
turning her head.

   "What is it Essy?  I didn't say anything to . . . ."

   "No, no it wasn't you.  I was going to say that I swear on the soul of
my first born child, that foolish thing you say when you're a kid.  I just
happened to think I already HAD a first born child.  Promise me we'll be
able to see her?" She said lightly sobbing.

   "Let's not get all depressed on our last day.  I told you before that I
would make every effort to make that happen.  I'll work on that after we
get home.  I'll have plenty of time with you working.  I promise." He said
kissing her tears away.

   Chapter 35

   Eight o'clock came early as the alarm went off for the first time on
their trip.

   "Oh, God, what time did we finally get to sleep?" Selena asked.

   "It was after one.  I'll put on coffee and you start emptying the
closets and drawers.  I'll lay out the suit cases." Joe said dragging
himself out of the bed.

   "We're REALLY leaving?"

   "Sad to say, but yes.  I think we accomplished what we wanted here. 
Decompressing and getting time for just us.  I'm ready to continue with
life as we had it." Joe said as he waited to make sure Selena actually got
up.

   "There is a little part of me that is anxious to get back to work.  My
brain has been on hold for too long.  I have to call Ross from the boat. 
He's going to come with a car to meet us at the airport, you know." She
said as she started to gather their things.

   "Briefing?" Joe called from the kitchen.

   "Sadly, yes.  I don't want to have to sit in on the Sunday Night Letter
cold.  God, my mind is going a mile a minute already.  I'm addicted to
work. How can I love and hate something so much?" She asked rhetorically.

   "Because you can't fully control it but, you react to control what you
can." Joe called out.

   "Joey, you're so damn smart.  That's it in a nutshell.  I think I'm
controlling it, but I'm just controlling what they deal." She said to no
one in particular as she filled her arms with clothes.

   She turned and Joe was standing right there.

   "I heard that, I know you think I'm smart.  I can only say I was smart
enough to listen to you when you wanted to see me.  That's what made me
smart." He said kissing her.

   "Don't start up, or else we'll be screwing on the pile of clothes." She
said giggling.

   "As good as that sounds . . . . . ." He said turning to get the cases
from the storage shed by the deck.

   By 9:20 the cases were stacked on the patio and they were ready to
leave. They looked over to Odalys cottage and she was in the doorway
waving, nude of course.  Joe and Selena laughed and waved as they saw
Gregory coming around the bend to gather them.

   By 1:30 they were taxiing up the runway and Joe watched out the window
and felt the roar of the 737 engines and looked to Selena and said
"Velocity!"

   She answered "Rotate gyro!" Just as the nose lifted off the runway and
they were airborne.

   "We're going back to our life Joey.  Imagine just a few months ago we
were both cooped up behind locked doors with no idea what the future was
and no idea where either of us were." Selena said as she hugged up to his
arm to dream as they rose above the light clouds and were, indeed, on the
way home.

   This ends the story of Selena and Joe for now.  There is so much more of
the story to tell, but I'll save that for later.  I started the original
story, Selena and Joe almost 9 years ago, and added this continuation about
2 years ago and the amount of mail I get is pretty amazing and consistent
in the fact they are likable characters in an interesting situation.

   I'll return someday to explore the other possibilities of their tale. 
Until then, thanks for reading.

   pg 380 to 36 John Branniff J.  Trace Fountain Willis Menard Charles Ford
Ross Curran Deneigh Myersen Chielm Beupour Adaptable and versatile
Communicative and witty Intellectual and eloquent Youthful and lively
complex posterior horn meniscal tear Orthopedic Surgery/Sports Medicine;
Lenox Hill Hospital MaryMount Place on Lexington 60's small convent for
faculty staff, then for non-secular staff Vacant for most of 90's/ storage
Jacob and Ceil Ridley Shelley McLelligott Shelley Shadeow

   John Branniff, J.  Trace Fountain, Ross Curran, Chielm Beupour Ms. 
Jamaica Browne

   Selena and Joe, The Final Chapters . . . . . . .  maybe.

   The story of Selena and Joe has been downloaded over 100,000 times
between all of the story sites and has remained popular with a constant
email request for more over the years.  We last left them around December
on 2010.  After some story setup and catch up, I'll review snippets of
their lives leading up to the present



   Prologue January 2013

   Philly Flowers was glad it was Saturday, a Saturday where she had no
appointments.  Chucker, her husband, had an appointment to get the car
serviced and when he came home they had the day to themselves, but right
now it was her "me" time.  She poured her second cup of coffee and spread
the paper out on the table and got a pencil to do the Daily Crossword. 
With Christmas and New Years out of the way, January signaled a new
beginning in many ways.

   Her mind raced a bit as she did the puzzle, letting the high and low
lights of the week ease from her mind.  She had lunch with Avis Strong, who
had been the honcho at Hampden Behavioral when the Selena Johnson case
played out.  Avis asked if she had talked to Selena recently and sadly, she
had to tell her, "no, not in two years." When they came back from Jamaica
in early December of 2010 they took a trip to New Jersey after they had
gotten settled in their townhouse in across from the Fox Studios.  Joe had
become concerned with the sometimes "thin skin" she had about meaningless
comments he made kidding around with her.  It was a situation where her
temper would flare very uncharacteristically.  Selena was also concerned
when occasional "avalanches" of memory would open up.  Never of anything
that troubled her, just details that she had seemed to have forgotten came
rushing down on her, like unlocked closet doors over packed and spilling on
you unexpectedly.

   Philly had told her that it was all too normal to have these "rushes" of
memory after her ordeal.  The thin skin and temper filled tirades were
simply a rush of doubt in her abilities, and she never seriously doubted
her abilities.  But when someone else did, as in the "kidding" Joe may have
done with her all throughout their relationship, she now took seriously
think she may have been damaged by her 9 year ordeal.  Philly hoped she had
calmed those doubts and fears, but she hadn't spoken to her in about 2
years.  She saw her on the Financial News blurb on TV often and watched for
worry lines or anything that may have shown stress.  A much as she may have
wanted to keep a relationship with Selena, Philly knew her presence was a
reminder of a time Selena, and Joe for that matter, would just as soon
forget.

   She finished her puzzle and flipped through the pages for the Jumble and
saw it on the next page, just under the New York State News page.  The
Newark Star-Ledger was as much as a New Yorkers paper as it was a New
Jersey paper.  As she looked at the first word in the Jumble IOONN she
scratched her head.  "God, 5 letters and I'm blank.  How about NOONI, maybe
when Chuckers gets home we'll have a noony.  Heh, heh." She let her eyes
peruse the page as her mind worked to unjumble the letters to a common
word. She was pissed at herself because she KNEW it was a simple word.  As
she scanned the page she saw the news byline, "New York family among the
dead and injured in Sedona bus crash".

   The story referred to a tragic bus crash with mostly foreign tourists
who were taking a winter post Holiday trip from a Sedona Resort to
Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.  A boulder fell from a rock formation just
outside of Sedona on the return trip to The Hilton Sedona.  The boulder
fell on the car in front of the bus, killing both local passengers, but the
bus had little to no time to stop or react and 8 people on board died from
the impact; the driver and the 3 people in the first row behind him, and
the 4 people in the front two opposite rows.  Among the dead were Merilee
Langston, of Horicon, NY, a village North of Lake George.  Her husband,
Dean Langston suffered serious head and leg injuries.  A daughter, Dana was
thrown into a vacant row on impact and suffered only bumps and bruises and
possible concussion.  Dean Langston had left his wife to use the on board
facilities as the accident happened.  Merilee was alone in the forward most
seat on the 55 seat Chinese made luxury tour bus.

   Suddenly it hit Philly, ONION!  How could I have been so thick as to not
get THAT right away.  She filled in the word, as well as the other 4 words
and the puzzle was solved.  She got up from the table cleaned up her toast
crumbs, wiped the coffee ring from the enamel topped kitchen table and went
for her shower.

   As she showered something bothered her about the name Langston from the
bus story, some connection to the Selena Johnson case.  When she finished
her shower and had dried she went to her file cabinet and looked up her
folder on Emory Richards, a name from that old case.  Her testimony on
Richards cooperation in the solving of the Selena Johnson mystery of her
"disappearance" helped him earn the lifting of his probation to go to
Hackensack General as ER Chief of Staff.  She was sure that was where she
heard that name.

   In the folder there was an envelope with a small 3 X 5 card where she
jotted the name he had given her as the adoptees of the Selena Johnson
baby. Dean and Merilee Langston, and they had named their adopted daughter
Dana Maria.  It was illegal for Emory Richards to have the information,
illegal to pass it on, for certain.  His affair with a Postulant at St. 
Marian-Maries Convent, who had doubts of her calling, who had helped
deliver adoptions as part of her step to Noviciant (a candidate for to
become a Catholic nun).  She had broken a vow to let him obtain the
information, along with her virtue.  If there were any question about the
legalities, certainly ethically, it was forbidden.

   Philly felt terrible for the whole situation, from keeping the
information from the Johnsons, to the terrible accident, but decided that
keep it all to herself was best.  Selena Johnson had not asked for the
information since the first months of her discovering she had a baby. 
Philly was sure she badgered Joe from time to time, but Joe respected the
fact the information was guarded and may come in due time, for the good of
all.  Philly HAD told Joe that someday she might divulge the name to him IF
she had assurance that they would not pursue the girl, only watch from a
distance to satisfy curiosity.  Apparently Joe never thought Selena was
strong enough to handle that, and even so, Philly really wanted to wait
until the girl was 18 before she divulged what she knew.

   Across the expanse of freeways and maze of travel corridors and the
bridges over the rivers and inlets of New York City, Selena Johnson was
waking up in their townhouse to the smell of coffee and bacon.  She shook
the cobwebs of sleep as reality was hitting her.  She had gotten into a
long meeting at WSGG after having to go back after her Financial Report
taping.  Against her earlier claims that she wouldn't, she was doing the TV
drop-in 4 nights a week, with Alexis Konstantakis and an over night news
editor filling in the other nights and when Selena couldn't make it,

   She, along with Ross Curran, Jaye Centofranchi, Deneigh Myersen-Cole,
John Branniff, J.  Trace Fountain, and Chielm Beupour, (phonetically
referred to as Slim Beepo) were in conference to select from 3 possible
candidates to select 2 soon to be open seats.  Berkley Quarters, who had
taken Deneigh's job as reception and executive assistant sat steno over the
meeting.  John Branniff and J.  Trace Fountain had both been working just 3
and 4 day weeks for a few years and both yearned for retirement.  Ross
Curran planned to stay on until he was 70, another 2 plus years.  He had
been in excellent health and wanted to enjoy some retirement before he fell
into the health and restrictive problems of his 2 retiring friends.  As
they all pored over the early senior year marks and guidance counselor
comments on the three there was much debate.

   They used a marble system for many votes of this kind, to keep opinions
and votes anonymous and not having to express reason why one might prejudge
a candidate.  "Obviously," Selena began, "with 2 men and one woman to
choose from I think it's natural to pick one man and one woman, but their
qualifications before personality interviews are really quite the same.  If
I may, let me ask for a vote if anyone is opposed to having another woman
that would make us more female than male.  If a woman candidate should pass
muster it would be her, Jaye, Deneigh, and myself, with Slim and Ross. 
While I certainly don't have a problem with that line-up, some members and
potential members may.  Keep in mind that Ross and I may BOTH leave within
the same year.  I think you all know I have passed my commitment and remain
only because of my love of the markets and each one of you.  White marble
in the cup says male or female makes no difference, black marble means male
candidates only."

   Selena reached under her privacy cover in front of each of them and put
her marble in the hole in the cup and passed it to Slim, next to her and he
passed it along the line.  When the cup came back she opened the cover and
dumped the contents on the plate.

   "5 black marbles, 2 white." She said showing no expression of her
choice. "We clearly, as a majority, feel remaining mostly male is a good
way."

   Deneigh sat up straight and raised her hand saying, "If I may have the
floor." And the rest all nodded to her with Selena holding the gavel and
pointing her way.

   "I don't pretend to be as gifted as the rest of you in the realm of the
intricacies of the financial world, but I certainly have my talents as
evidenced by your votes to be a part of this group.  As much as I would
love to shout, "I am woman, hear me roar" I would hate to think of this
board dominated by us.  From my vantage point I think we should bite the
bullet and take all three of the candidates in as potential members and
immediately begin a search for another."

   Ross began to stand, and Deneigh turned to him, "Please Ross, hear me
out." She said before continuing, "Should all three pass muster it would
allow us to let Mr.  Curran and Ms Johnson to retire when they wish and
leave us with 2 new men, Slim, plus Jaye, myself and the prospective new
woman.  Three and three: leaving our search for another male member to be
sure we lean that way.  I feel it's imperative we show a stronger male side
for business posture.  Rather than debate my words I might ask that Ms. 
Johnson request a vote for MY feelings rather than beat a dead horse.  I
think we need to step up and spend the money to get younger as soon as we
can.  Certainly the minds of Slim and Jaye would establish strong
leadership in the future, but before we accept a possible 4 new seats they
might see the workings of Ross and Selena in total.  The two of them
inspire me daily and are the sole reason I am here at the table instead of
on a stool instead of Berkley taking minutes.  I am fully confident that at
some point we will all look to Jaye and Slim they way we look to our
current mentors.  I personally think that Mr.  Branniff and Mr.  Fountain
would walk away with a clearer conscience knowing that line-up behind them
will feed their legacy."

   Deneigh sat down and each member at the table realized that although she
did not possess the gift, as they referred to it, she was very astute in
workings of business and knew where to look for guidance in Ross and
Selena, but also realized the tremendous talents of Slim and Jaye."

   Selena sort of smirked and looked around the table.

   "Umm, Black marble, . . .  what she said (chuckling at her own lack of
ability to repeat Deneigh's long suggestion).  White, we continue the
debate, but not necessarily tonight.  Nine o'clock is much too late for any
of us to get home on a Friday night.  Joe Johnson has texted me 20 times
and I've auto responded "patience" each time."

   They all chuckled at her words as Selena placed the first marble in the
can and passed it.

   Very quickly the can came back to her and she deposited 6 black marbles
on the plate.

   Selena looked up and Deneigh said, "I abstained to make it fair, but
thank you all for your continued confidence in me."

   "Adding another candidate will end up costing us another 4 to 5 hundred
thousand from our shares.  Black marble OK's that." She said assuming the
can would return with all 7 black and it did.

   Selena gaveled their meeting closed and they all were quickly on their
way home.  Joe was already asleep when she arrived and she simply got into
bed and fell asleep quickly.  Now, upon waking, she was lying in bed
playing it all back in her head.

   Her thought reverie was broken by the body of Joe Johnson climbing up
behind her, semi-startling her.  "OK, put work behind you now.  We lost our
Friday night out with Joe and Shanna and have to make it up to them.  If
you had answered my texts instead of auto-responding you might have read
that."

   "I'm so sorry baby." She said apologetically.  "I really forgot we had
set something up with them.  When you were in bed asleep at 9:30 I figured
you were pissed off and wanted to avoid confrontation."

   "I was beat.  Joe and I played racquet ball for over an hour yesterday
afternoon and we scaled down our evening plans to drinks and chit-chat.  I
called them at 8 o'clock and cancelled and Shanna said Joe was asleep in
the recliner anyway.

   Selena turned fully over to her back and looked up to Joe and smiled.

   "Kiss me?  Make love to me?" She asked.

   "I just took a ham steak off the grill and there's pecan French toast in
the oven.  I'll take a rain check, but be assured, I DO love you more today
than yesterday.  Now GET UP!" He said popping up and making a bee line for
the kitchen before she had a chance to further tempt him.

   She trudged into the kitchen after visiting the bathroom and saw her
coffee poured and breakfast all plated and ready for her.

   "Had you given me a chance to flash my boobs or show you my ass, this
food would all be out here cold, you realize that." She said with a sly
smile.

   "I don't know, Baked Pecan French Toast is pretty tasty stuff." He
kidded.

   She smiled and settled in for the special treat and coffee he prepared
for her.

   "I thought you would be so pissed at me last night, and when I came home
and you were in bed, I thought you were waiting for me." She said demurely.

   "Essy, I wasn't mad, I was just tired, and I knew you had a tough day.
Once I saw you had me on auto-respond I knew it was too important to just
leave." Joe insisted.

   "We committed another 4 to 6 hundred K from shares to look for one more
prodigy.  I'm starting to plan on MY retirement.  Does that make you
happy?" She asked.

   "If it makes you happy Ess; you seem to know when you'll be fulfilled.
When is Ross leaving?"

   "I think we'll leave together, if all the seats are filled.  Jaye and
Slim could lead them into the next decade or two.  They are two super
minds." She said shaking her head in disbelief.

   "I remember when you were going to fire her." Joe quipped.

   "I had her fucking check in my hand.  I had signed it and I only needed
Ross to countersign, and he was on board.  Only you and Deneigh know the
check was cut." Selena said holding her head in her hand.

   "At last year's Christmas party Jaye told me she saw it in the recycle
shred bin.  That was before the crosscut shredders.  She was emptying her
trash after you ordered her to clean her desk and she saw the bottom strips
with her name and the memo "settlement" on it.  She knew you were serious,
but not that serious.  It was the final "kick in the ass" as she put it."
Joe said over the top of his coffee as he sipped.

   "You know I started thinking about the money they had wasted on her and
she really had me mad enough, if she had defied me that day I don't know
what I would have done.  I was loaded for bear."

   "All is well now?" He wondered.

   "Oh God yes!  She's one of my best business friends.  I'm going to have
her audition for the Financial Reports.  After I leave WSG I doubt I'll do
them anymore, well maybe, if we're in town.  I guess we have to decide to
stay here or not as one of our "homes".  That doesn't sound too, you know,
umm . . .  snooty does it?  I don't want to give up our New York friends,
our Upstate friends, plus I hope we get to know our neighbors in Maine,
Florida AND Grand Bahama." She said glowing so Joe would know how happy it
would make her.

   "Selena Hanson Johnson!  You're not collecting shoes!  We do we need
FIVE homes?"

   "No, but giving up any would be painful, but this lease would be the
easiest, unless Fox would sell it to us!" She said brightening.

   "We'll talk when the time comes." Joe said shaking his head.

   He had hoped that her parents would take one of them and sell their
place Upstate, even if it was just to move into his home up the street from
them.  But that was all things they could worry about later.  Just
mentioning the home in Grand Bahama had him wishing they could get back
there soon.  Estero, Florida required some work and he wasn't anxious to
get into projects until the spring.  He might get down there, even if it
were alone, for 4 or 5 days before they took a vacation there in early
summer before the real heat set it.

   "Hey YOU!  I see that furrow in your forehead and you're thinking about
working in one of the houses.  We'll do that when we get there.  I think
you need a day in bed with your wife to smooth out those wrinkles." Selena
said as she finished her coffee and pushed her chair away.  "Have you
showered yet?"

   "I have.  Why don't you get in, I'll clean up breakfast and meet you in
bed.  How does that sound?" He said with his usual grin.

   "Do we have anything planned for the weekend?" she asked as she headed
to the bath.

   "Joe and Shanna are coming over WITH the kids tomorrow after they go to
church.  We're hosting brunch.  Your parents are coming in Sunday night. 
Betty wants to see a play.  They have tickets for a Wednesday matinee and
they're going home from there."

   "I can't get out for a play!" Selena suddenly said changing attitude and
charging back in the room.

   "And YOU weren't invited, neither was I.  Your Dad is taking her
shopping Monday and Tuesday after which they're going out to dinner with
us. She wants to see this play and that was the only 2 tickets I could get
for them.  I think it's wonderful that they are beginning to do things
independent of either of us.  They are finally taking advantage of what our
wealth and dealings can provide them, and I don't mind them a bit."

   "So, where are they staying?" She asked.

   "In our guest room, where else?" Joe said raising an eyebrow.

   "I suppose." She said rolling her eyes knowing, to her, it meant either
very quiet sex, or no sex with Mom and Dad in the next room.

   "Selena you would be surprised to know that they are quite aware that we
have sex from time to time." Joe said making a face at her.

   "Whatever, I'll be in the shower." She said as she headed in to the
sound of dishes and pans being put in the dishwasher.

   "Good Lord," Joe thought "Scott and Betty have a half closet of clothes
here, a bathroom stocked with essentials and she asks WHERE are they going
to stay?  Sometimes I think she had her head so full of business there's no
room for anything else."

   He went into the bedroom and saw her dressing gown on the bed, which he
gathered up and brought into the shower suspecting a new little blow-up as
the tells for such began to pile up.

   "Here's your dressing gown, you forgot it." He called out over the
spray.

   "Thanks, I realized that as soon as the water came on. . . . . . .  you
know when my parents left things here I thought they were just going to
come and stay when we at one of our other places.  I don't need the stress
of having them here right now." She called out, obviously miffed by the
situation.

   Joe opened the shower door to talk directly to her.  "You need to take a
chill pill or QUIT WSG RIGHT NOW if you're going to continue to take little
inconveniences like this and blow them out.  You talk about the furrow in
MY forehead!  They are your parents and have been NOTHING but supportive
since we came back from September 11th (Joe wouldn't use the numbers 9-1-1,
he thought it diminished the severity of it) If we chose to walk around
naked while they were here they would just look the other way."

   "My mother wouldn't, she would eat you right up!" Selena snapped.

   Joe sighed and dropped his shoulders as if giving up.  "I'm calling
Philly and making an appointment for you.  Something is eating at you and
maybe she can reason with you.  These are your parents and they would do
nothing to hurt or harm either of us, nor would they judge any one detail
of our lives or lifestyle.  Somehow you've got this thing about making love
under the same roof like you're 16 years old and they'll punish you.  Scott
and Betty are two of the best friends I have, and that WE have.  You think
they judge us, and I think they could care less." He said as he closed the
shower door and let her finish.

   He had planned on getting undressed and getting into bed, but instead he
sat in the recliner by his nightstand and waited for her.

   When Selena came in she had a towel over her head drying her hair, but
when she took it down, it was obvious she had been crying.  She stuck out a
lip to show a pout and she came to sit on Joe's lap.

   "I need a vacation and there's no way I can take a day off for anything.
I let all of this get bottled up inside of me and I end up getting jealous
of my OWN MOTHER being here with you during the day.  Maybe I need a few
months in the loony bin again." She said crying.

   "First of all, you weren't in the loony bin, you weren't crazy then, and
aren't now.  You let the constant music of Wall Street play in the
background, even when you walk out of that place.  What did Philly tell you
3 years ago about compartmentalizing?  Remember in Jamaica you just forgot
about everything and we had the best 2 weeks of our lives.  You let
everything else just slide.  You have to do that now.  You're home with me
and everything Wall Street and WSG is back there in that building.  There
is no amount of worry or fret is going to change a thing there until you
walk back in the door on Monday.  If there is something that just CAN'T
wait, you have the Sunday Night Letter Conference call to vent then, and
then you're back with me." He explained calmly as Philly would to her as
she nodded agreement.

   She thought for a few moments and then looked to Joe and smiled.  "And I
take it all out on my mother, what a rotten kid, huh?"

   "Do you really think your mother has a thing for me?"

   "Joe, you know LOTS of women do.  You've got the kavorka!  (Seinfeld
reference)"

   "But does Joe ACT on any of that?" He asked.

   "No, he can barely keep up with me." She giggled.

   "Can we STOP this foolishness then?" He asked.

   "Yes, I'm embarrassed.  Can we do something next weekend, it's a long
one with the MLK Holiday.  I'm thinking we fly Dennis and Dallie, or Lucy
and Jeromy to Florida for a sun weekend with us.  I think that would wring
out my mind." She said with a cute little grin.

   "You don't trust me to screw your brains out alone?"

   "Of course, but I can also lay out with one of the girls and tan, and
you can smoke nasty cigars and drink port with one of the boys, you know
macho macho." She said as she wiggled her bottom into Joe's growing
package.

   "OK, I'll make a few calls Monday; if I have Executive Jet time open to
get us back and forth, who do I call first?"

   "Call Dallie first, less drama, less work talk than Lucy.  I love her,
but she's always got something going." Essy said.

   "Yeah, and YOU NEVER have ANYTHING going!" He said sarcastically.

   She scowled at him and asked, "Are you going to fuck me or not?"

   "No, I'm going to make love to you.  Get that cute little ass on the
bed."

   Such was Joe since early 2011 constantly having to center Selena when
her life would occasionally fill with stress.  Little things like being
petty, jealous, and impatient would dominate her personality until Joe
would stop her and make her realize what she was doing.  Back in late 2010
and early 2011 Joe had many conversations about these things with the APN
(Advanced Psychiatric Nurse) Phyllis Flowers, the person who ushered her
back into her own real world.  Philly explained that all of them had to
deal with her inner paranoia.  This paranoia stemmed from people trying to
erase parts of her life from her, like her freedom, her free will, her
intimacy, her loved ones, and eventually, her baby.  Philly didn't think
that the triggers that brought some of these things around could ever be
erased, but she did think that an opportunity to stop and put things in
perspective would always right her.  The one thing Philly could never
discount was the enormous mental capabilities of her subject.  Although
Selena would never "seriously" have her mental capacity measured by means
of IQ tests or aptitude since her ordeal, she was obviously a genius with a
tremendous amount of ability to coordinate information. 
*********************************************************************

   Chapter One March 2013

   "Ms.  Johnson you asked me to hold your calls for 20 minutes, it's been
a half hour and I have call backs." Berkley Quarters said softly through
the intercom, in case she was disturbing Selena.

   "Oh, I'm sorry Miss Quarters, I got sidetracked.  Bring the notes in
here, if you could."

   "Right away, ma'am."

   After a soft knock on the door Berkley handed Selena the messages and
quickly closed the door.

   "Doc Stevens, PolyTech, You need to call me." Read the first hand
written note.

   "Simah Margolis, Reserve Talent Match.  Latest figures in.  Please
call."

   She expected both messages and if she had known they would call she
would have skipped her conversation with a government contact she was
trying to wring information from.  He wanted some tit for tat stock
information to which Selena explained that if she had that sort of hard
information, all of their clients would be rich.  But that was forgotten
for now, she was anxious to hear how their 3 possible prodigies had done in
their latest review.  Reserve Talent Match had the first two who were in
their 3rd year of studies, and Doc Stevens had the third, which was in his
first semester of his 2nd year.

   She and Jaye had been recruited in their senior years of high school,
but all 3 of these candidates were chosen early in their freshmen years
based on their High School aptitude and Math scores, and transferred to WSG
approved schools.  It was a way to hurry the process along.  The two
candidates from Reserve Talent Match were to be in for first interviews at
Christmas vacation 2013.

   She dialed Simah's number and hoped she was still available.

   "Hello, Selena!  So glad you called on my private number.  I just told
my assistant to show me as "out to lunch." for now"

   "Oh!  I can call back if there's a better time." Selena said.

   "No, no I just wanted a few minutes peace and quiet to eat my lunch, but
I can put you on speaker and it will be fine, really."

   "Great then, if it's not too much trouble.  How are we doing?" Selena
came back.

   Both the young woman and man are way ahead of their classes and applying
their skills way over their sponsor's expectations.  You should be getting
their evaluations in a few days.  They both got A1A ratings.  I would
appreciate you calling me with highlights of their summations.  I know we
aren't supposed to get them, but after the fact I don't see where it hurts,
and I just want a brief synopsis, if you can do that."

   "I can do that Simah, I just can't give you anything personal, you know
the story."

   "Harvard and Stanford educations seem to suit both of them by their
marks and neither seems to have raised any flags in the social skills, but
both belong to campus social organizations.  Neither shows any wavering of
grades all through the past semesters and have already submitted partial
thesis to their mentor/sponsors.  It would seem their next step would be
your interviews, unless there is a grand failure of some kind in the near
future." Simah explained.

   "This is all great news, we really expected to be back tracking and
looking elsewhere, not expecting to be this lucky."

   "I know," Simah added, "The last time through we had 3 bomb out in 2011
and I didn't think Mr.  wCurran was too happy with us."

   "Well, Mr.  Curran, nor I are the last word in any of this.  We usually
take the words of the mentors and if there is a doubt they would bring them
in to make a face to face evaluation by the group.  This is actually the
first I've been involved since my own recruitment." Selena said.

   After a pause Simah Margolis simply said, "I understand."

   "So we'll wait for the mentor evaluations, but I expect we will continue
both programs.  If not, you'll be the first to know.  I'll call you with
highlights." Selena said.

   Having been their first prodigy Selena was nervous already to meet the
new candidates hoping she could be bowled over and allow her to "retire"
with a clear conscience.

   After jotting a few notes of her call to later report to the group she
speed dialed her own mentor Doc Stevens from PolyTech.

   "How's my miracle?" He answered his private phone brightly.

   "God, I wish you wouldn't say that!  I'm just lucky after a string of
bad luck." Selena answered, embarrassed.

   "Since you came back to the world I've started going to church again,
and now I've cancelled my retirement and committed to another 2 years here.
You've rejuvenated me."

   "Well, I don't know if it was ME who caused that, but whatever makes you
happy, you old sweet talker."

   "When I come across students like you I'm inspired that my work actually
means something to the world.  To think that you and your husband found
each other in life, two people so supremely gifted and then to survive what
you did.  Then as I was marveling at the acumen of this young man who
sought me out because of my connection to you, YOU call me to ask if I had
any bright students as possible candidates.  I usually write to Ross when I
hear of someone, like I did for you.  God is just shining down on me, and
you, right now."

   "So, how is he doing?"

   "Amazing!  I think he may be the best math mind I've ever had, and I had
both you and Joe!  Sometimes he applies principles I teach when they get
stuck, you know what I mean; when you have the answer but just can't
equivocate how?" Doc said getting excited.

   "Well, keep him on the straight and narrow.  Ross and I are both
thinking of leaving together in 25 months or less.  He doesn't want to go
past 70 and I'll be past my commitment before then.  Joe wants me to leave
tomorrow." Selena explained.

   "I'll bet Ross won't be able to stay away.  He bleeds Wall Street
Journal ink, I swear.  But, then again, I understand you've had the reins
there for a while now.  Is he slowing down?" Doc asked.

   "Not really, he just became a little complacent and was excited when I
came back and wanted to put the tank on a new track.  I love the control
feel of it, it centers me here and I need that.  Do you think we'll meet
your new prodigy by next summer?  That gives you 14 months to prepare him."

   "Well, let's not rush things.  I'll let you know when he's ready to
unveil, heh heh." Doc said proudly but cautiously.

   "OK, you sly ol "perfessor".  You take care of yourself.  I love you
like my favorite uncle, you know.  Joe and I will look you up our next trip
upstate."

   "OK, Selena my love, you are a sweetheart and you make me feel young. 
Be well.  Regards to Joe and Ross.  Bye bye."

   She looked at the clock and knew Joe was going to be by anytime soon to
pick her up.  They had a lunch date with an agent to rent their Maine
property and winterize it every year instead of struggling to keep it
livable.  It became so cold on the Nubble Light Road at times that ALL
water was frozen from the whole loop out to the point.  Water became as
solid as the rock it was built on and it was going to be best to just close
it down from November to March.

   As the thought passed her mind, her phone rang, it was Joe.

   "I'm just pulling up in front, but the agent canceled about a minute
ago. Poor bastard is broken down on the George Washington.  Come on out,
I'll take you to lunch."

   "Sounds good," She happily said as she grabbed her coat and turned off
her light and let Berkley know she was leaving.

   Selena bounded down the steps of the WSG brownstone and hopped in Joe's
little blue Solstice.

   She kissed Joe and with a smile as wide as the street, suggesting, "Why
don't we go home for lunch, maybe an old fashioned nooner?"

   "You don't have to twist my arm." Joe said as he sped away moving his
hand from the shift to her knee.

   "I can't think of a better way to beat back the cold January New York
City blues." Selena bubbled.  Traffic was light on their short route back
to the condo and they ran like teenagers on spring break from the car to
the elevator.  Selena giggled as they necked on the elevator; she felt like
18 again, sex freed her so.

   "Let me take off my clothes carefully and fold them, I don't want to go
back with a new outfit so everyone knows WHAT we did." She said getting
serious as they got in.

   Joe watched her take off her dress, unsnap her bra and wiggle out of her
panty.  She looked back to him, "Aren't you getting undressed?"

   "You seem to be the aggressor here, show me what you want."

   Selena smiled and suddenly felt so taken by the situation.  She wanted
him so badly and he was going to make her work for what she wanted.  Her
lower lip quivered as she went to her knees and put a hand on his belt
buckle.  She looked up and locked eyes with him as she undid the buckle and
then the snap on his pants.  She ran her hand over the growing bulge in his
pants before pulling down the zipper.  The heft of his wallet and keys made
the pants fall once loosened.  She helped him step out of them and quickly
took the bottom hems of the right and left leg on his boxer briefs and
pulled them down.  As soon as his cock popped out and up her mouth covered
the head as she hummed a loud long approval that only matched his own.

   She worked her mouth slowly, teasingly, knowing she need only warm him
up for what she really wanted, as if just seeing her body wasn't enough to
excite him.  Tasting him excited her as much as feeling her warm loving
mouth around him did he.

   She took him deep 2 times and then wrapped her hand around his penis as
she stood and backed to the sofa pulling and steering him by his manhood.
She stopped and turned and raised one knee to set on the arm of the sofa,
her other foot firmly on the floor as she bent.  He needed no further
instructions.

   She cooed and moaned as he filled her slowly reopening the little pussy
he had taken so many times before, but she never got used to the initial
surge of his girth in her.  She loved being "taken and thrilled" as she
called it.  His pace was slow but after some encouragement from her, he was
soon railing her to her vocalized delight.  She came fast and often feeling
her joy at least twice as a third one built, but Joe wanted something a bit
more as he let himself drop from her.  She looked back and he took her arm
and shoulder to turn her and lay her back on the sofa.  He covered her body
with his as his hard found her wet by instinct.  He held her tight as his
hips pumped at her while he whispered his love in her ear until his voice
cracked as she whimpered shrilly in his ear and they came.

   Knowing they were not able to dawdle, he kissed her neck and raised his
head and pushed the hair from her face and eyes.

   "I love you just as much today as I ever have at any time in our lives,
and it will be more so tomorrow.  YOU are my incredible wife, partner, and
woman." She had a little tear in her eye as she simply nodded and said,
"you know the same".

   Then she grabbed his arm tightly, "Lift me so you don't pull out and let
your cum all over the furniture.

   He slid one arm under her and braced a knee on the edge of the cushions
and lifted her until she cleared the sofa and put her legs down, thus
letting his cock fall from her followed by a plop of cum to the wood floor.

   She giggled and ran to use the bidet before getting dressed again.

   As they both dressed she looked up and caught his eye and she smiled
that knowing smile.

   It said, "We've still got it!" and he knew it too.

   Once dressed they headed for the door and she stopped to take him in her
arms and whisper, "Thank you for the passion, thank you for being so sexy,
and thanks most for making it filled with love."

   They left quietly and then smiled at each other going down the elevator.
They walked swiftly to the car and left the garage for the short trip back
to the WSG brownstone.  They were gone almost exactly an hour.  When he
pulled up in front she turned and they had a long passion filled kiss
before she got out and flew up the steps as Berkley buzzed her in.

   As Selena passed reception Berkley said, "I trust you had a nice lunch
break Ms.  Johnson?"

   Selena smiled and turned back to her saying, "It was wonderful Miss
Quarters."

   Selena knew that she knew.  Berkley Quarters felt a pang of jealousy in
not being able to have such a fling at this hour of the day, but she was
happy for Ms Johnson.

   Just after 3pm that afternoon Deneigh Cole knocked on Selena's door.

   "Mr.  Johnson, do you have a moment?"

   "Sure, what is it Ms Cole?"

   (With her door now shut, Deneigh dropped he formalities) "Selena, I
think I've found something and I'm nervous that I may have missed something
obvious and if I want to bring it to anyone's attention they might laugh
and think I'm stupid." She said looking at the floor.

   "Deneigh, do you think we've put you in this position because you're
stupid, that we didn't trust your judgment.  Those of us that have been
here for any length of time love you and respect you.  If you think for a
moment that we made you a partner just because you were "good ol' Deneigh"
do you think any of us could face you?  When I came back I made it my
mission to see you got full chance to become a partner and I will tell you
right to your face that I told Ross I didn't think you could pass muster. I
thought that because you never seemed to want to take the baton and run
with it.  You proved otherwise to me, and to everyone.  Think of the amount
of money your seat is worth and the stake you have in ALL of our shares. 
If you think you have something and don't reveal it, it sort of defeats the
purpose of you being here and I'll personally buy you out and let you walk
out the door right now if that's the sort of attitude you're going to have.
You are my friend first and my partner second, but I can tell you as my
partner I am quite ashamed of you right now.  Suck it up and show you've
got the same balls as anyone in here.  If there is something that has
struck you, have it out.  Don't ever be afraid of what any other partner
thinks.  Remember we each look at this enormous picture with different eyes
and hear the tune with different ears.  We want to know if there is a
perspective bothering you because it could be something monumental that the
rest of us didn't see because we don't have your perspective.  Now if you
think you have something, call Berkley and have her call the partners
together!  Confiding with another partner before you make an assumption is
fine, and even recommended, but for the reason you gave me is wrong.  Do we
understand each other?"

   Deneigh was crying, but taking all Selena's words constructively.  She
gathered her emotion and stood and opened the door to knock on the outside
of it.  She then turned and said to Selena,

   "Ms.  Johnson, I think I've found something that worries me and how it
will affect our clients, may I run it by you?"

   "Certainly Ms Cole, please step in so we can look it over."

   "There's a fund manager here in New York who had approached a few of my
friends who have, in turn, asked me about.  I usually tell people the
standard old line with a little twist "If it sounds too good to be true, be
very cautious, it just might be, but do your due diligence".  So I had a
moment today and as I went down the NYSE board I saw the fund come up.  I
began to check them out a little and I've found over 200 of our clients
have money with them.  I began to check the funds action and they are
holding tons of paper gold as well as some oil futures in areas that
haven't been tapped in years.  I can't find the issuer on the paper gold
and it's bothering me.  No one client has enough to break them in this
fund, except for two big players.  Charlie Ford always told me that if you
didn't have the gold in your hand, you didn't have any.  I think this is a
scheme.  It's Mongomery-Morton Funds."

   "Hmmm," Selena opined as she looked off into a corner of the room and
said, "I've seen that fund around and knew it was paying some nice
dividends about a year ago, but don't recall anyone cashing in or selling
off any of great consequence." "Three people today sold off their shares,
all less than 50, just small time money market funds, but they all took
losses.  Nothing that might be noticed, but this might be the little stone
that starts an avalanche."

   Selena picked up her phone and handed it to Deneigh.  "I just dialed
Berkley."

   "Miss Quarters, please call the partners in the Great Room.  ASAP."

   The partners met in a few minutes and Deneigh told her thoughts and
fears to the group.  As she spoke laptops opened and keys could be heard
clicking up and down the table.  When Deneigh finished Ross Curran stood
and looked to Selena, who was already nodding, and he pointed to Slim.

   "Mr.  Beupour, please call your friend at the SEC.  No questions!  I
know he can't say much, but just say Montgomery-Morton and see what his
reaction is."

   Slim had a former colleague from early in his career who sat at a fairly
high position at Securities Exchange and although he could not transfer any
hard information that could influence or cause reason to suspect insider
trading, he could do it without asking a question.

   Slim went to the end of the long table and took out his cell phone and
called his friend on his private number.

   Knowing who it was, Slims colleague, a Sam Benderson, he simply answered
"Speak"

   Slim said "Montgomery-Morton".

   The line went dead.

   "(Fuck)" Slim said under his breath.  Slim just looked to Selena, then
Ross and shook his head.

   "Ms Cole, it appears you've found something we all missed.  Excellent
that you put this all together and I hope the rest of us see that even the
most casual of social conversations can seed a line on a glitch.  Let's
notify anyone who's in deep on this to sell, but they should sell any one
other like fund if they don't want to get singled out.  Make it look like
they are raising money, otherwise red flags are going to fly." John
Branniff added who then looked to Selena.

   "Ms.  Johnson, any suggestion on what threshold to use for a call-in?"

   "Can we agree that more than 10% of their folio?" She responded knowing
some were going to get beat up.

   "How about under 200K accounts?  5 to 7% seems prudent." Jaye
Browne-Centofranchi added, knowing she had a lot of those type accounts.

   Trace Fountain looked around the table for any dissenters and added,
"Good call Ms Browne."

   "This is where Charley Ford would stand and motion adjournment and
remind us all, "We don't own or control their accounts, we just make
suggestions and if they don't heed our advice they're wasting their money,
but it's still their money".  Ross Curran said.

   "Motion taken, seconded?" Selena said ready to pound the gavel to end
the meeting.

   "Here!  Here!" J.  Trace Fountain said with a wave and they all headed
to their lairs to tend to their accounts as they saw fit.

   Selena waited until the last door closed and she tip-toed to Deneighs
office, opening the door without knocking.

   "Let that be a lesson in doubting yourself.  Let's never have that
again. You wouldn't be here if we didn't have confidence in you and keeping
something to yourself that you feel strongly about is not acceptable. 
Understood?" She barked.

   "Yes, Ms Johnson." She replied as self doubt began to disappear.

   Selena winked and smiled to her and whispered, "Love ya girlfriend".

   Later that week trading was suspended on Montgomery-Morton and it's CEO
and a few others were walked out in handcuffs.  WSG felt good about itself
and hoped no one lost too much.

   Chapter Two 2nd week of June 2013

   Monday June 10th was a day like any other for everyone at Wall Street
Global Group, except for Jamaica (Jaye) Browne Centofranchi.  It was her
1st Anniversary.  As the last order of business on Friday the group gave
her and her husband Bill (who knew of the gift and planned accordingly)
tickets for Broadway show, Dinner for two at Patsy's Saturday, Bobby Flays
Bar Americain on Sunday, and tickets for Paul McCartney at the Barclays
Center on their anniversary.  They would spend the weekend at the Honeymoon
Suite at The Four Seasons with limo ride Tuesday morning from the hotel to
WSGG.  It was a sign to show Jaye how much they appreciated her work and
how happy they all were with the way Bill had centered her and helped her
develop into one of their most valued members.  Jaye knew that Selena had
more to do with that than was known, but she felt vindicated for the time
and money that was wasted on her initial months with the group.

   The anniversary couple woke about 9:00 when Bill got up to relieve
himself.  Jaye rolled over and held the covers open for Bill to return.

   "Hurry and jump in, I'll get you warm again." She said as he came back.

   "Did I wake you up?" He asked.

   "No, I was up about 45 minutes ago to pee and I was GOING to give you a
special wake-up but you already had, what do you call them, a piss hard-on.
I was afraid you might pee in my mouth.  That would have been a very rude
awakening."

   "For YOU!  I would have been handy for me." He said with a straight face
until he saw her reaction and broke into laughter.

   "BILL!  I hope you were joking!" She said slapping his arm.

   "If I was into peeing I think you might know it by now." He said
laughing.

   "You might not get that blowjob now." She said with a pout.

   "Are you sure?  You seem to enjoy it as much as me." He said raising an
eyebrow in all seriousness.

   She smiled and ducked under the covers moving between his legs.  He
heard her say something, but the covers muffled it.  He lifted the covers
just as she was about to take him into her mouth.  "I didn't hear you."

   "I said, remember I have teeth." She said as she slid her mouth over
him.

   They had been together since November of 2010 or so and he had enjoyed
her mouth often, as she had his.  They may have had intercourse only two or
three times a week, but they loved oral and if a day or two passed without
it, it was rare.

   She was crouched low between his legs nursing on his hard cock as her
fingers fumbled his balls.  Bill loved the no-hands sucking she was so good
at but she had another idea.  It was their anniversary and he should make
love to her proper.  She took him as deep as she could and came up and off
him and quickly straddled him, holding the purple plum of his penis between
her fingers as she pushed it between the smooth lips of her pussy.

   She looked down at him and said "Ride `em Cowboy." as she began to buck
on him.

   She loved to ride him like that because she was so tight and this way
she felt every little bump and vein on his length as it rubbed her g-spot.

   "God Bill you're going to make me cum already, I can feel myself leaking
already." She said as he closed her eyes and bore down to feel her orgasm
sweep through her loins.  "Cumming, CUMMING!" She cried out as she tried to
hold still over him but Bill picked up the pace and pounded up into her.

   Bill sat up a bit and wrapped his arms around her ass, one hands middle
finger looking for her asshole.  She yelped loudly and splashed a squirt
onto his belly.  She looked at him with her face as red as a beet and then
took over the rutting ride.

   "You want that asshole Bill?  It's been since our wedding night.  You
know it hurts, but it hurts good." She said as she flexed her little hole
on his finger.

   "No, I don't want to hurt you, I have to cum soon; when we have more
time to play.  Maybe tonight I can spoon your ass, that's what made you cum
then."

   "Yes, that was wonderful.  Right now, fill my pussy with your cum." She
said as he already began to pound up to meet her ruts.

   He groaned loudly and spent inside of her until he was out of breath and
she began to slow her hips.

   "Oooo Jamaica, I cooked a lot of cum for you and you're so fucking
tight."

   "We're good Bill, we're good.  This has been an unforgettable weekend
and it's not quite over yet." She said as she collapsed on him and let his
cum leak over the balls that supplied it.

   "What time does the limo pick us up for the show?"

   "6:00, so we should have a late lunch or early dinner." Bill replied as
he began to get ready to shower.
"You go ahead and I'll join you in a minute or two." Jaye said as she
wiped her leaky pussy and gathered under things to get dressed after their

shower.

   Back at Wall Street Global UPS had just delivered a package for Selena
Johnson.  Ross Curran happened to be at Berkley's desk when she signed for
it.

   "Miss Quarters, I know exactly what this is for Ms.  Johnson.  Remember
last week when she was honored as the Investors Business Daily Person of
the Year?"

   "Uh huh." She nodded

   "You know she couldn't go because she couldn't make her connection from
Kansas City to Chicago because of all the tornadoes in the area.  This is
the actual award and if you just give it to her she'll put in her closet. I
want to hang it in the Great Room, let me take it." Ross said as he took
the package and went to find a hanging spot.

   Selena was embarrassed by the attention the award caused on Wall Street.
Her picture was in the Wall Street Journal, and the networks showed a small
feature on her, highlighting the fact that she was the woman who was "lost"
for nine years after September 11th.  She liked the semi-anonymity she had
been living in.

   Selena dialed up her friend Alexis Konstantakis for lunch.  Today was
supposed to be the first day of 80's plus temps in New York and lunch
outside seemed nice.

   "Hey news-buddie."

   "Fuck you Alexis, you know I hate that term." Selena said with a
chuckle. "Lunch on the veranda down the street today?"

   "You think the lookie loo's have crawled back in their holes, huh?  Your
picture in the paper really brought out the creeps huh?" Alexis opined.

   "I don't mind people looking, but the autograph and picture people freak
me out."

   "Well, we might better wait for another day.  Today is Junior Career
day. New York State High school Juniors traveling in groups for tours of
different business's in The City to help decide on the right match of
career and college.  I have two groups coming into Fox today.  The city is
crawling with school groups"

   "We turned down the offer to do a tour.  We like to keep the inner
sanctum private and unfettered with that stuff.  We have enough
informational stuff online and we don't really take applications or
resumes. We use headhunters to ferret out candidates and we've only added 4
in the last 12 years." Selena explained.

   "So, I'll see you tonight at the studio?  On my calendar I have you
bringing in your co-worker for an audition this week.  How's tonight?"

   "Today is her anniversary and we sent her on a special New York Weekend
at the Four Seasons and ending with the McCartney show tonight, but maybe
later in the week.  I'm sure she's devoted today to a honeymoon day, lucky
kid." Selena said.

   "Yeah, like you're deprived.  I see that look on your face.  You and
your hunky hubby are doing OK." Alexis added with a chuckle.

   "Lex, a woman with an ass and a body like yours should have no problem
catching a guy.  I think you're a little picky."

   "Selena, I would just like a guy who wants to settle down with ONE woman
and live with me SHARING expenses and all the finer things in life.  I
would have to love him, but that could easily turn into me falling in love,
and I think you know the difference."

   "Alexis, a roommate with sex benefits will be hard to find."

   "It's not so much that.  I lived with a lawyer guy, I know that you know
him, and we were happy for a long time.  I thought I was beginning to fall
in love and out of nowhere he wanted to move on.  I'm not going to say I
"wasted" a couple years, but I probably let some good passes go by.  Right
now I'm seeing a guy who says I'm the most beautiful woman he's ever been
with, but I can't get him to go beyond those words.  He stays over 3 or 4
nights a week, and we don't go out much.  We just stay home and fuck.  This
has to come to head soon." Alexis said with a sigh.

   "Are you sure he's not married?"

   "Well, I wonder if he is separated or something.  I doubt he's going
home to a wife.  He does have an apartment that I've been to a couple
times." She said with a crack in her voice.

   "If you give me his name I can give him the old financial anal exam.  I
have a way to get into his social accounts and other stuff." Selena
offered.

   "How do you do THAT?"

   "Let's just say we have clients who look into buying large quantities of
things we don't know much about, or want to go with a money manager that we
don't know and we check things out.  It's all backdoor stuff that can't be
traced.  We have some great IT guys." Selena said cautiously.

   "Sounds illegal; do I have a story?" Alexis asked with a chuckle.

   "Smartass.  Maybe unethical, but not illegal, but to the people looking
to invest their whole futures, it's VERY ethical.  You don't think the
government can't do the same thing?"

   "I suppose.  I'm afraid to find out too much, but go ahead.  Spare me
any really bad details, I would hate to have to de-cock him.  Haha.  His
name is Bill Lourinia, well it's Wilver Jameson Lourinia.  There should
only be one of them.  Keep in mind that the length of his dick depends on
YOU!"

   "God, Alexis, you're not TOO scary.  I've got to get back to work here,
I'm being buzzed.  See you tonight." She said as she clicked open her
intercom.

   "Selena Johnson." She answered her page.

   "Good morning," Berkley Quarters voice rang out, "Four of the partners
are staying in for lunch and are ordering a platter, are you joining in?"

   "Yes, please and thank you Miss Quarters.  Is there something going on?"

   "Mr.  Curran had to attend a closing down the street and said there are
roving bands of chaperoned students on the street.  Hee Hee.  It's New York
State career day."

   "I've heard.  Good idea to stay put."

   As it had for the past few days of the week before, the market had been
dull.  It reached an all time high and seemed to hang there for days. 
Though profit taking was expected, many thought to stay in there, while
holding their financial breath, in hopes the market may make another surge.
Unfortunately if it did, profit taking would be very extensive and The Dow
would come down to their norm of around 12,500.  Late in the afternoon
stocks surged ahead almost 150 points, although NASDAQ and NYSE hovered
close to their 20 day rolling average.

   Ross Curran asked for a forum in the afternoon to make note of just what
Selena had surmised saying "I think everyone is encouraged by the lack of a
major falter overseas, but I hope they all know there is some breath
holding there with elections in Greece.  Big brokers are prepared to trade
heavily if selling goes crazy, because Central Banks will step in and stop
all trading if the fluctuation is severe.  People who subscribe to our
forecasts and newsletters and don't read or heed them will get caught with
their financial pants down.  We reminded them on Sunday in the letter.  As
we tell everyone who wants to get serious and invest, the market is not for
the faint hearted and you must be in for the long term if you plan to make
a future from it."

   "Here-Here" could be heard from all at the table before Selena gaveled
and stood.  "We should have those lines emblazoned on all of our memo pads
to be sure it's in front of us when someone calls for a conference.  (she
paused and scanned her partners) Are we done?" She said looking over the
chairs to see if anyone had any other business.

   Slim raised his hand and stood to Selena's nod, "Your point is well
taken Mr.  Curran, but I think we all realize that our clients are smart
and serious.  I have friends in the financial realm who think we spend the
day on the phone with scared investors.  I don't tell them that we each
rarely have a call or two a day and they always get right through.  They
pay a nice fee for our expertise and they listen to it."

   "All good points as well." Selena said as she gaveled and they all went
back into their offices.

   As soon as the dust settled from the close at Wall Street Selena
gathered her things and was off to the Fox Studio.  During the winter with
a hat and her collar up she could ride the subway and not be "recognized"
and as much as the 20 minute walk was something she craved, she worried
about being alone.  Her cab pulled up and she was off.

   The cabbie was one she had seen many times.

   "Good afternoon ma'am.  Glad to see you.  Fox, right?"

   "That's correct." She answered; glad she didn't have deal with language
difficulties as with many cabbies in New York.

   "I try to be around here to take your call around 4:30.  So many people
in this area are not as pleasant as you at this time of day, I also admire
you greatly, you're a brave woman."

   "More lucky than brave, but I would appreciate you not advertise you
have me in your cab, if you know what I mean." Selena said politely.

   "I understand and I never tell tales and you notice I never pick up a
hail when you're here."

   "I appreciate that, you're very kind." She said trying to weigh his
sincerity versus the nice tip she always gave him.

   He had pictures of two kids and a pretty wife on his visor so she
figured he was sincere and hard working.

   The ride was always $7 and she always gave him a 10 and a 5 or a twenty
and got her own door when he pulled up, not wanting him to go to any
trouble.  Today, just before she got out she stopped and asked, "What your
name, I can't read it from your hack license."

   "Jason ma'am.  May I call you Ms Johnson?"

   "Selena, Please, . . .Jason.  You're very thoughtful."

   Off the elevator at the rear studio Alexis was waiting for her.

   "We're doing a rewrite because of the afternoon surge.  On the read
through if you think it needs to be editorialized, let us know." She said
as she walked into make-up with her.

   "Any news on my friend?" Alexis asked trying to hide her anxiousness as
Myrah put a bib on Selena and began to prepare her for the cameras.

   Selena looked to Myrah and then to Alexis, tight lipped.

   "Oh, don't worry, Myrah and I have no secrets and the make-up chair is
like the confessional.  Myrah hears way more than she should and she just
lets it slide away.  That how good make-up professionals keep their jobs."
Alexis said as Myrah showed no emotion whatsoever.

   "I'll have something more by morning, but he IS legally married, but I'm
not sure about separation or not.  He DOES live separate from his wife and
his credit is just OK.  You aren't picking up all the checks are you?" She
said with a little giggle.

   `No, the fucker never takes me any places besides bed, but on my
schedule, I really don't mind."

   Selena shook her head.  "Alexis you are far too good looking to have to
"settle" with anything, let alone love, and this isn't love, this is sex.
You have a great job, you aced out a company hit man who was supposed to be
your boss and he couldn't do YOUR job.  You have the world by the ass and
if you're THAT lonely, for God's sake, hire an escort.  At least then
you'll know what you have and he'll do what you want.  Can you really tell
me that what you have now is any different? . . . .  except this guy isn't
bringing you anywhere."

   "You don't understand because you've only known one man." Alexis said
with a tear in her eye.

   "Lex, don't get mad at me, but I never went any further than my hand
when I needed to seek satisfaction.  I never considered sex with another
person unless I was in love with them." Selena said innocently.

   "So, you think I'm a whore or a slut?" Alexis asked with an eyebrow
raised.

   "No, our values are different, that's all; brought up in different
societies.  Back upstate sex was always something very private, almost
suppressed.  People probably did it as much, you just didn't advertise it."

   "You think I advertise?" Alexis said insulted.

   "No, you're taking me the wrong way.  You know I think the world of you
Lex.  It's like the last guy you lived with, that lawyer Sam, . .  uh . .
Seamus McHendry."

   "What about him!"

   "We all met here that day to sign contracts for the townhouse, he
represented us.  When we signed off and initialed codicils you two flirted
like crazy." Selena noted.

   "We had great chemistry, so what!"

   "You slept with him that night, didn't you?" She boldly asked.

   After taking a deep breath Alexis dropped her chin and said, "Yes, I
did."

   "As much as you made him happy that night, and as much as it led to a
love affair, when he found himself ready to settle down a bit, he may have
wondered how many other guys you may have slept with on the spur of the
moment, and not in your past, but since.  Guys like a wild uninhibited
woman behind closed doors, but they aren't the kind they think of when they
get the bug to settle down and find something permanent." She explained.

   "Did Sam tell you this, is that why he left?" Alexis asked raising her
voice in her defense.

   "He did talk to Joe and sort of intimated those thoughts.  It was guy
talk and I don't delve into that, but at the time I thought you were OK
with the break-up." Selena said as Myrah whispered "close your eyes" and
used an air puff on her face.

   "That was tough bitch Alexis putting up a front; I cried for two days
and I still ache for him." She said as her eyes filled with tears.

   "I have to read-thru and shoot and get home Lex.  Would you mind if I
talked to Seamus?"

   "No, but don't beg for me.  I don't want him THAT bad." Alexis said
trying to keep a brave face.

   Selena stood to go into the studio, but turned to look to her, "Oh you
don't?"

   Alexis stood and was nose to nose with Selena.

   "I DO want him that bad, just don't make me look too needy.  I don't
want him to come back because he feels guilty about hurting me."

   "Answer me one question so I can't have a doubt when I speak to him, in
all the time you were together, was there ANYONE else?"

   "Not from that night, I swear." Alexis said confidently never moving her
eyes from Selenas.

   "Not that I would tell him if there was, I just wouldn't lie.  One more
thing, do you think you love him?  Keep in mind that sex isn't love."

   "I guess part of the problem is that I find it hard to say "I Love You"
and he started saying it." Alexis admitted as tears began to flow.  "For
God's sake Lex, don't get me going or you'll have the teary financial news
on." Selena said as she sat in her chair and the producer took off her
make-up bib.

   She looked up to the monitor for her lines and then to the producer,
George who held up two hands, one clutching a clipboard, leaving 7 fingers.
"Remember to smile big going out and coming in. . . . .  7, 6, 5," and he
silently finished to the 1 count and pointed to Selena . . . . .  "This is
Fox Financials Final Bell for June 10th 2013 brought to you by the New York
Stock Exchange and McDonalds, Your Deserve A Break Today be sure to try our
new Dollar breakfast menu on your way to the office tomorrow.  I'm Selena
Johnson from Wall Street Global Group.  Trading was spirited today as the
day got late with less profit taking than was expected and the market
posting late gains, once again.  As elections in Greece . . . . . . . . . .
." Selena continued as she read on from the script flawlessly into a 30
second commercial to be added in post production.

   "OK let's finish, nobody moves, chin up Ms.  Johnson." George yelled
walking one step into the picture.  "Again now in 7," George yelled with
his arm with clipboard attached rose up.  "Quiet!  In five, four, live, two
and," nodding to Selena while pointing and backing from the set.

   Selena finished the script in one flawless take as Alexis sidled up to
George.  George saw her from the corner of his eye and whispered low.  "She
reads like butter melting on hot pancakes, it just flows down over it all
and perfect every time.  She could put all of your readers out of a job,
including you."

   "Way to kiss up to the boss George.  Just hope they don't ask me to do
cut backs." She said as she poked him kiddingly.  (She knew he was right)

   At the yell of "WRAP!" Selena bounced up and rushed to Myrah's chair.

   "I'll have you out of here in 2 minutes Hon." Myrah said, knowing Selena
was always anxious to cross the street and get home.

   Selena smiled to her and closed her eyes and flattened her lips to be
sure she got everything off.

   "Selena, that man must be quite the catch for you to run home like this
every night."

   "Myrah, I miss him, and yes, he is quite special." She said with her
lips tightened.

   "I love my husband, but he doesn't jump out of the chair when I get
home, like yours apparently does." Myrah lamented as she finished and
Selena stood.

   "Between me and you, let him know how much you like making love to him
at the spur of the moment, especially with your mouth, and how much YOU
enjoy the same.  He may be more attentive, more often, then." Myrah smiled
and winked to her saying, "You go girl, and I'll try it."

   Going down in the elevator Selena smiled to herself after being so bold
with Myrah.  She never discussed personal things like that with strangers,
even though she had known Myrah for a while.  She was just a professional
acquaintance.

   She walked to the corner and waited for the light, crossing the street
to her building.  She had her key out and opened the elevator to find Joe
standing there.

   "Sorry, I couldn't wait to kiss you.  I saw you come out and walk to the
corner.  You look so sexy walking in the warm breeze." He said as he sprang
into his arms and they kissed.

   Joe pushed the buttons and they were on their floor in a few seconds. 
He opened the door to their digs and let her walk in ahead of him. 
Immediately she smelled dinner.

   "Mmmmm, something with Marsala, you know what makes me happy." She said
turning to him.  "Why are we eating so early?"

   "We're leasing Grand Bahama for the rest of the summer to a Working
Tenant Contractor of sorts.  Last week when we talked about the
improvements we need to make there it was obvious there was more than I
could ever do alone, or even with minimal help.  I went online and found a
contractor looking for a situation.  Our leasing agent will oversee his
progress, but he basically moves in and does the improvements at his normal
costs, except labor.  He gets equal cost of materials to hire a crew.  The
total cost is estimated at $26,000.  That is for the privilege of him and
his family living there; a working vacation for a month in Grand Bahama. 
HMM had the work rated by our Union Standards and saw he got all the proper
local licenses.  Due diligence is done and we just need to sign off." Joe
explained.

   Selena chuckled and took his chin in her fingers and looked at him
inquisitively, "And WHY are we eating so early?"

   "Oh, HMM is coming over to have us sign the agreements.  I didn't want
to wait until the weekend for you to be available."

   "Oh Joey, you're so cute, who IS HMM?" She said giggling.

   Joe exhaled deeply, sorry he had given her such a runaround, "Herzog,
Morris, and McHendry."

   "Oh!  That's great I need to talk to Sam."

   "Forget Sam, forget HMM, forget Grand Bahama, and forget Marsala.  It's
5:30, dinner is ready for 6:00 and they are coming between 6:30 and 7.  I
slotted some US time if you can keep yourself from asking questions." He
said as he hugged her and then turned her toward the Sideboard Buffet and
began to lift her skirt as she bent to put both hands on the buffet.
As he got her skirt up over her bottom he smiled big and sing-songed,

"Naughty girl, no panties!"

   "I took them off when I went to the ladies room before I left the
studio. Great minds think alike." She cooed.

   Joe undid his belt and let his pants fall to the floor and pushed his
boxer briefs down to let his manhood spring up.  He wasn't at full mast
yet, but a few strokes at it while he spit into the fingers of his other
hand so he could wet her outer lips did the trick.

   "Ohhhh, God you feel so good inside me!  Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg!" Selena
moaned.

   Joe held himself as tightly and as deeply as he could as he luxuriated
in the tight deep warmth of his wife.

   He began to pump in and out of her as she lowered her head and shoulders
to the top of the buffet to relax as he massaged her sex with cock.  She
felt her first orgasm building and knew there would be more as her breath
caught and she bore down and grunted and squealed to her pleasure.  As she
had expected, her 2nd and 3rd orgasms quickly followed leaving her almost
breathless.  Joe, of course, saw the pleasures he was wringing out of her
and that only brought about his end faster.  Normally he would postpone his
orgasm by changing positions, but time was of the essence this evening. 
After all there was bed time later.

   "Oh Essy, I'm going to cum soon!"

   "Don't cum in me, I don't need it running down my leg later.  Let me get
it, but not on my clothes!" She said as he pulled from her and she squatted
down and sought his cock.

   She no more than got her mouth over the tip and it sprayed in her mouth.
She swallowed quickly to keep up with his emissions, surprised he had so
much stored up since the previous evening.

   "Oh Joe, you came like it's been weeks.  What have you been doing?" she
said with a startled look.

   "Just thinking about you and what we have.  I saw a special this
afternoon that brought up terror and I played a lot of what we went through
in my head.  It just proves every time how much we love each other.  I was
watching in the window for you to leave the studio so I could meet you."

   "Horny old man!" she kidded as she struggled to her feet and smoothed
down her skirt.

   "Let me clean up and I'll help you get dinner on." She said as she
dashed to the bathroom.

   "Wet a washcloth for me, huh?" He called out following her.

   "Getting the water warm now baby!" She said one step ahead of him.

   After he cleaned himself he was off to the kitchen while she brushed her
teeth and found clean panties.  By the time she came out to the dining
table he was plating his Chicken and Eggplant Marsala over angel hair.

   "Don't be pissed and accuse me of meddling, but if Sam comes over
tonight I need to talk to him about Alexis.  She still loves him like crazy
and isn't entirely sure why he broke it off." She said as they began to
eat.

   "He told me he wanted to settle down.  He's in his thirties, successful,
and in position to get himself a good catch." Joe said knowing what Sam had
expressed.

   "Alexis is a top studio manager, a senior editor, and successful
herself. What was wrong with her?"

   "I think he saw her as a good time girl." Joe surmised.

   "That's so unfair.  They lived together for a couple years and from the
day she met him she never saw another man."

   "That's not what he sees in her.  With the types of people she meets up
with in her business, and as sexy as she is, he didn't feel comfortable
with her situation." Joe said as he ate.

   "So you talked more about this with him than you let on to me?"

   "Selena, you can't always be the "fixer" you know."

   "Alexis loves him, and he said he loved her.  They shared everything and
then one day it's POOF.  Sounds like someone put an idea in his head." She
said pondering what he had added to the story.

   "His mother.  She's from Ireland, all her sisters back home have
grandchildren."

   "Joseph!  Did you read a book on Seamus McHendry?"

   "No, he came to me for advice since he knew our whole story that Alexis
had told him."

   "Did you tell him to dump her?" She asked, her temper getting up.

   "Calm down, NO.  I told him to not worry about his mother, it was him
that had to be happy, but I think he's a Mama's boy." Joe confided.  "Well,
I'm going to bring it up, just don't badger me once I do." She insisted.

   They finished their dinner and got things in the dishwasher just as
their buzzer rang.  Joe checked the camera and saw it WAS Seamus "Sam"
McHendry as their representative from HMM.  They let him up and after
exchanging pleasantries they read and saw what they had written up.

   "You're protected against any sort of damage or indiscretion by the
tenant, meaning if he screws the work up, you're insured.  But, we have
checked this guy out with as many sources we have available and luckily
he's done this before, also in the Bahama's.  You'll get progress reports
from your leasing agent every 3 days.  He has 30 days to finish the work
and if he finishes in 10, he still has occupancy rights for 30.  I
personally think you're smart to hire someone with our Union standards to
do the work." Sam summarized for them before presenting the agreement to
sign.

   Before Selena signed she asked, "How about cost over-runs?  Whose
responsible?"

   "Uh, I thought I mentioned that, but 10 percent he has to absorb,
anything over 10 he needs approval or he's liable." Sam told them as Selena
signed.

   Joe broke out a bottle of Port and poured shooters for them all to
toast.

   "Sam, I spoke with an old friend of yours today, Alexis Konstantakis."
Selena dropped in out of nowhere.

   "Oh?  How is she doing?" Sam asked nervously.

   "Not too well, she's still pretty heartbroken over the break-up.  She
wanted to know how YOU were doing."

   "I'm OK."

   "Seeing anyone?" Selena asked.

   Sam appeared to swallow hard and took a long swig on his Port.  "No not
really."

   "You know Sam, you'll never find a truer love than Alexis, search as you
might.  I know for a fact, she has never had another man in her heart
besides you from the day you met.  If anything, she deserves to hear good
reason why you aren't together.  She tells me she never really knew besides
you telling her you needed a new start." Selena said going for his heart
strings.

   "Did she put you up to this?  You know I never considered Lex to be
interested in marriage, or settling down." He said in a tone that said he
was rehearsed.

   "Seamus McHendry, is it YOU who REALLY feels that way?  I can see you
have a soft spot for her.  She's trying to start dating again and having a
tough time, can't keep you out of her head.  She thinks you were IT."
Selena said, deciding these would be her last words if he didn't respond
positively.

   "Well, I thought she was IT too, but a woman who meets the likes of
people she meets every day might not see that much in me comparatively. 
I'm working late a lot, she works late a lot." He said again with a sound
of a rehearsed line.

   "That's lame Sam.  You know where her heart is.  YOU have a decision to
make for yourself.  Follow your heart, either way, just make it YOUR
decision." Selena said as she got up and went to the kitchen with the 3
empty shooters.

   Sam stayed quiet for a minute or two, looking uncomfortably away from
Joe who was biting his tongue as Selena washed and tidied in the kitchen.
Then Sam looked up to Joe and whispered, "Your wife knows how to go for the
jugular when she knows she's right, huh?"

   "Smartest woman I know."

   "Looks like I'll be eating some crow and doing some begging." He sighed

   "Not if it is love, "Love is always patient and kind.  It is never
jealous.  Love is never boastful or conceited.  It is never rude or
selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful.  Love takes no
pleasure in other people's sins, but delights in the truth.  It is always
ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes." First
Corinthians."

   "You're a Bible thumper?, not that there's anything wrong with the
Bible, I just didn't expect you . . .  ?" Sam said shaking his head.

   "No, my Mom and Dad had that engraved next to their wedding picture that
hung in the living room for as long as I can remember at home.  As many
times as I was dumped and thrown away I never lost faith in it.  I came
close, but in the end it works.  If it's real there will be no begging or I
told you so's.  That's the patient and kind part.  You wouldn't believe
what Selena did to bring me around.  There wasn't a winner or loser, there
was just us, and that has been beautiful."

   Sam got up to leave after gathering his papers and brief as Selena came
out of the kitchen.

   "Selena, don't tell Lex you talked to me, OK?  I may try to get with her
during the week, but I'm really booked this week.  If I talk to her, I want
to have time."

   "I would never interfere." She said as Joe rolled his eyes behind Sam.

   After Sam left Joe and Selena exchanged glances as Joe was expressing
his discomfort over what happened, but let her have her space with it. 
After some straightening Selena met Joe as he took newspapers and junk mail
to the recycle chute.

   "I'm going to check email and go to bed.  Meet me there?"

   "Soon." He said with a smile.

   He opened the door and threw the deadbolt so it wouldn't click shut and
went the 2 or 3 steps to their floors trash and recycle chutes and put the
papers in, returning inside to lock up, turn out lights, blow out candles,
and finally set up the coffee machine for the morning.  When he went into
the bedroom, Selena was on the phone, and right away he heard she was
talking to Alexis.

   Once she hung up Joe looked at her, arms akimbo stating "I thought you
weren't going to interfere, Miss Buttinsky."

   "I just got my email with Alexis' boyfriends record.  He's been arrested
for spousal abuse, but she wouldn't testify, and with a 2nd wife, Alexis
didn't know about the 1st, Police responded to a domestic dispute and found
his wife with a black eye, but she claimed she fell.  That was about when
he started seeing Lex.  I had to call her."

   "Did you mention Seamus?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

   "Come on Joe, you know how girls talk.  She promised not to get too
hopeful, and will not badger him if she never hears.  I just had to make
sure she breaks off any contact with the creep she's seeing."

   "OK," Joe said, "Now promise, and I mean a real promise, you won't get
involved again, unless asked."

   "I promise." She said crossing her heart.

   The next day at the studio Selena brought Jaye with her to audition. 
After Selena had taped the Financial Report she sat in the sort of "green
room" where she could hear and see her audition.  Jaye was in make-up with
Myrah as George was briefing her on the whats and hows of the audition. 
Alexis came in, apparently harried by her schedule that day.

   "Oh, I'm so glad I caught you."

   "What's up?" Selena asked.

   "I had Bill stop at the studio today to pick up his things."

   "Wow, that was fast." "He made it easy.  He called right after you and
said he had to tell me something, and that was that he was married,
although separated, and he was going to see her over the weekend." Alexis
explained.

   "He didn't grouse at all?"

   "No, he said he figured it was a deal breaker.  After you scared me, it
ended easy.  I see how he gets women, he's a great lover." She said
blushing.

   "But if you had waited until you KNEW about him you wouldn't have given
of yourself that way to a man who didn't deserve to have your charms
because there was no love involved.  Don't tell me about being horny. 
There are toys, lube, and fingers, and nobody knows the territory better
than you."

   "Ok," Alexis said, "point taken.  Seamus called me, he wants to take me
to dinner and talk."

   "That's nice.  Did he say talk about what?"

   "I asked, and he said "us".  So I said that he told me there was no "us"
anymore.  He said he made a mistake, and could we talk.  I tried to be
cool, but as we hung up I said, "You know I love you, right? . .  and he
said "me too".  So I'm cautiously optimistic.  So Thank You."

   "Forget it, shhhh, here's Jaye!" Selena said as Jaye started her
audition.

   She started to read, but got flustered and George stopped tape and went
in to talk to her.  Alexis clicked a button on her headset and the mic
opened in the room to overhear.

   "Sweetheart, you're just reading to me, and no reason to be nervous. 
You're very pretty and the camera will love you.  Just relax and pretend
you're talking to the camera at WSG.  I saw you read for them and you were
fine.  Just relax, after a few times it will be like eating an apple. 
Remember to smile for my count in and to smile as you finish.  You're a
sweetheart." They heard George say.

   "George heard her read policy from WSG?"

   "No, but I told him she had done it a couple times when you were on
vacation.  It might relax her knowing he's on her side." Alexis said as she
watched intently.

   Jaye read the script right through like a pro and smiled confidently as
they went out, and then George surprised her.

   "Now, here's where we drop in a commercial, somebody has to pay for
this, and you see a new script for the last 45 second read.  Smile in and
smile out, just read from the prompter and the camera will think you're
making love to it.  In 5-4-3-2-and..." Jaye read it without a hitch and
even punched up the tag line supplied in the practice read.

   "Good job kid.  Go get cleaned up and talk to Alexis."

   Jaye went back to the make-up chair with Alexis and Selena following.

   "You did great." Alexis said.  "Could you do me a favor and come in the
rest of the week with Selena and read right after her.  I'll get you an
agent and you'll get paid for each day.  I would like to change one thing,
your name.  Would you mind using Jamaica Browne?  That's such a great TV
name.  Jaye Centofranchi doesn't roll off the tongue so easy."

   Jaye looked to Selena and Selena said, "She's right, but don't let me
make the decision.  Will Bill mind?"

   "Not his decision.  If I stay on, Jamaica Browne will be fine.  I'm not
ashamed of her anymore." She said as Selena winked to her.

   Chapter Three - Last week of August going into Labor day 2013

   With some Winter arrangements to make for their place in Maine they
scuttled meeting Dennis and Dallie in Florida and switched to a Rocky Coast
of Maine break instead,

   "What time do Dennis and Dallie fly in?" Selena asked Joe as they looked
out over the deep blue ocean from the veranda of their vacation home in
York, Maine.

   "They get into Logan around 9:00 this morning.  I've told you 3 times."
Joe said sipping his coffee.

   "I know, but I see you tracking their flight and thought it might be
getting in early."

   "No, they appear to be on schedule.  I wouldn't expect them here before
noon and we still don't know if they're renting a car or taking the train
into Wells.  I hope they rent a car." Joe lamented, not wanting to leave
York to get on the interstate to Wells, even though the trip was short.

   "You know traffic won't be as bad today, later in the week it will be a
parking lot from the New Hampshire border to the Wells exit and Route 1
will be worse."

   "This is why once I get here I'd sooner not leave at all.  We have
enough food and alcohol to keep us going." Joe said with a grin.

   "If I get hungry I KNOW what I can eat." She said with a Cheshire grin.

   "Ample supply of what I like too." He said with a wink.

   "Think it's too late in the morning to get busy outside?" She asked as
her hand went in her silk nightgown and pinched her nipple.

   "The neighbors would have to be trying to peek, we're so well hidden,
but there's too much light now.  Making love at sunrise is our special
time, let's not get too brave."

   "Let's go in the sunroom then.  I really want you." Selena said throwing
out a pouty lip.

   Joe stood and went to her chaise and held out a hand that she took and
stood with him, hugged him and walked with him, her arm around his waist.

   They kept the sun room fairly simple.  Selena called it "The Comma"
because it was shaped as such off the rear living room.  Physically it was
next to the outdoor veranda and each caught the morning sun, although the
skylights in the sunroom kept its name "sunroom" salient.  There were two
lounger recliners near the center of the room as well as a high top for 4
near the largest ocean facing window.  There were three pieces of exercise
equipment, a treadmill, a 2 bicycle trainer, and a recumbent bicycle.  They
spent more than a few nights sleeping in The Comma on warm nights.  Rather
than turn on the Air Conditioning, they could open the windows and enjoy
the sound of the ocean and it's breezes.

   Selena went to one of the loungers and reclined it mostly flat as she
sat on it.  She untied the staysof her bikini and laid back crooking a
finger to beckon Joe.

   "Do you want my mouth?" He asked as he dropped his boxer briefs and
shucked his tee shirt.

   "I always want your mouth, but right now just make love to me, your
mouth on mine.  Fill me full of your cum before I shower.  I want to feel
your body on mine.  Would you like that too?" She said in a low voice that
quivered in anticipation.

   Joe took his penis in hand to see if he were ready for her.  He looked
to her as if to ask for help, but seeing her lightly tanned body so open
and ready for him, he steeled quickly.

   "I can give you help." She said teasing with a swirl of her tongue

   "One look at you wanting me is all the help I need." He said as he knelt
between her legs and his mouth sought hers.  She reached between his legs
as he settled down on her.  She took the plum of his manhood and pushed it
between her womanly lips as he slid up into her as she lost her breath at
the intrusion.

   "You sexy, sexy man, you always fill me so well and make me feel so
loved.  My breasts mashed on your hairy chest and our bellys pressed
together." She whispered in his ear that rested just off her shoulder.

   They lay together like that for a few moments before Joe propped up with
hands on either side of her on the lounger.  He began to flex his hips at
her and soon he was long stroking her as she writhed underneath him.

   "Joe, Joe my love, you make me crazy!" She cried as her face turned
bright red and she lost her breath as orgasm swept her and she steeled her
hip up to him, as if to slow him, but he continued harder.

   "That's it my baby.  Cum, cum feel the pleasure, hold my dick with your
sweet pussy.  Get my cum!" He said in staggered breaths as his orgasm began
to overcome his rhythm.

   Selena whooped loudly and fell limp for a moment but then began to pump
her hips up to meet his strokes, knowing his orgasm was near.

   "Ugh, ugh, ugh, you're getting all my cum Essy!  Fuck, Fuck, Fuck,
Ohhhhhhhh!"

   Joe closed his eyes as he finished his orgasm and then, resisting the
urge to just fall on her letting himself gently rest on her as they had
begun, except now there was an ever so thin layer of sweat between them.

   "We should have opened the windows first, we worked up a sweat." She
whispered and giggled.

   "The neighbors might have called the police if they heard you." He
laughed.

   "I really don't care.  Those old biddys would just be jealous." She
protested.

   "I'll bet the neighbors on either side are within 5 years of us, they
just worship the sun year round between here and Florida.  They are nice
though."

   "They both wear bikini's and have no business even owning one." She said
as she began to push at Joe a bit, his weight beginning to bear on her.

   "OK, Joe, gravity is beginning to work at us.  Let's go get in the water
room."

   Joe got up from her and chuckled.  "Water room?  Don't we call it a
shower?"

   "You had them build it big enough for 4, it's almost as big as my
bedroom in my parents house."

   "There will NOT be FOUR in that shower, at least not with you and I
being in it." Joe protested.

   "I wasn't suggesting that.  We get kinky with Dennis and Dallie around,
but THAT will never happen." She said as she got up looking in her robe
pocket for a tissue to hold over her so Joe wouldn't leak down her leg as
she went to the shower.

   "I'd rather we don't play like we did in Jamaica before either.  I know
it was harmless, but thinking back, I can't believe it was us." Joe said.

   "We were all drunk, and if we all get drunk again, who knows, but I'm
not PLANNING anything.  I don't think we'll be as footloose as we were
running around nude down there." She added.

   "Besides, they may not be honeymooners anymore." Joe said as he headed
toward the shower.

   "They were last winter in Florida, but we all did keep our clothes on,
heh heh.  I guess I just find it comforting that they are as much in love
as we are and aren't afraid to show it." She said as she clumsily followed
Joe.

   "He is the only other penis I ever had in my hand." She said to get a
rise out of Joe.

   "...and you did let her have a suck on mine." Joe said to get her goat.

   "That better be the ONLY other mouth that's been on it since we met."
She chided him.

   "From what I heard from some of the nurses at Edison, I may have had
more than a few little flings in there, all those horny nurses.  So I may
have made a few friends there."

   Selena was visibly hurt by his words, even though she was aware of what
happened there, at least according to what a few of the nurses told him.

   "How could there have been that rape of you and no one reported it."

   "I don't think it was rape, I hear I was quite the stud." Joe said
proudly.

   "Fuck you, shower alone!" Selena said going in the bath and slamming the
door.

   "BEING A BIG BABY.  YOU'VE ALWAYS KNOWN THIS.  I WASN'T ME." Joe shouted
at the door and then chuckled walking into the bedroom to wait for her to
finish so he could shower.

   Then came the shout from the shower, "JOSEPH JOHNSON, YOU GET IN HERE!"

   He smiled at how cute she could be when these little jealousy spikes
occurred.

   "Yeeeeeessssss." He said opening the door.

   "So, I can be an asshole sometimes.  Get in here.  I KNOW Joe Johnson
never cheated on me."

   They hugged and washed each other and began to get more than frisky when
Joe saw the bathroom clock.

   "Hey, they could be here anytime now.  If they got a car right away they
could be here by now!"

   Quickly they rinsed and got out to dry.  Selena went right to her
dressing table and began to towel dry and comb out her hair while Joe dried
and dressed.

   He found his phone and checked for messages and there was a text from 5
minutes earlier, "Just driving over the bridge into Kittery.  Will call as
we get closer for minute directions."

   Joe had given them easy enough directions to Nubble Light Road, but to
find their place he best just went out on to the road and looked for them.
Their place was a bit hidden and the driveway appeared to go to a different
home.  Theirs was on the ocean side of the bluff and had just the one
vehicle thoroughfare.

   Essy, they're probably right here!" Joe yelled.

   "I'll be out in a minute." She yelled as Joe's phone buzzed for a text.

   It read; "Sitting in the Ice Cream parking lot."

   "Hey sweets, they're right out front I'm going to walk up the drive and
show them in." Joe yelled as he went out the door and walked up the drive
to motion them in.

   Selena rushed to the door just as they were coming in and they all
hugged.

   "Wow, I've never been in Maine when it was so hot, it must be 95."
Dallie said wiping her brow to show how hot.

   "And that's by the ocean, I'll bet it's almost 100 inland, but we're
here for the duration.  We'll have a ball this week." Selena said as she
hugged and kissed them both.

   Dennis opened a bag he had with him and took out 2 bottles of Jamaican
Rum.

   They all smiled and knew it was going to be a fun week together.  Selena
took Dallie and showed her where their room was as they each carried the
two light bags they brought in.  Dennis was getting the one large bag.

   "Is there a place where we can sunbathe nude here?  I need to perk up my
tan a bit." Dallie asked her.

   "Well, on the veranda topless is probably OK until the sun gets high. 
Our neighbors could see you if they really wanted to, but I think they
would be pretty obvious.  Joe and I have made love early in the morning to
the sunrise, and I've taken my top off a few times to get the bright sun,
but we don't make a habit of it." She told her cautiously.

   `I mean I don't want our pictures to end up on the internet, if someone
wants to peek, oh what the hell.  I want to touch up my buns, with a thong,
and my boobs." Dallie said with a giggle.

   "OK, I'll be as brave as you." Selena said.  "Just don't parade around
the house like that, that would make me uncomfortable.  This is strictly
for tanning."

   "Selena, you know things never got out of hand until we all got pretty
drunk.  If that ever happens again, you can bet we'll all be pretty drunk,
and still it was consensual."

   "I know, and I would be the first one to say that it was fun, exciting,
and harmless.  I'm just wary over it leading to other things we might be
sorry for." Selena pointed out.

   "THAT will never happen.  I know I was smitten with your husband and I
made no secret over that, but Dennis and I are SOLID AS A ROCK." Dallie
said as Dennis barged into the room.

   "Are you bragging about my erections, . .  again?" He said with a laugh.

   "Oh, Dennis get over yourself.  I don't want to show the Johnsons your
Viagra bottle." She said as Selena laughed out loud and Joe joined in as he
heard the tail end of the conversation.

   The girls ran downstairs giggling leaving Dennis and Joe to show them
the facilities and put things away.

   At the bottom of the stairs Selena looked to Dallie and asked, "Viagra?
Really?"

   "Noooooo!  He has a prescription for it and he got it filled when his
health insurance gave a deadline for how long they would cover it, but he
has NEVER needed it.  He still wears me out."

   "Still on your honeymoon?"

   "Well, not married, you know that, but YES on a honeymoon STILL.  You
two as well?" Odalys asked.

   "Whew, for sure, especially the 2 days we've been here and I look
forward to the remaining 5 or 6 days." She said with a big smile.

   "Jamaica set the stage for us, and it wasn't just the fact that we were
able to be free and together without being judged.  It was being with the
two of you who are so openly in love, openly affectionate and respect each
other so much.  One might think that respect and love was girded by your
ordeal, but I can see, WE can see, it has always been that way.  We've
tried to live our love in some of the same ways, and one of them is to
constantly be expressive and physical.  We are like you in one way I know
comes from watching you two, being with you two . . . . .  that is just
looking at each other and WANTING each other passionately.  It isn't "Oh,
I'm horny, help me get off", it's a feeling of constantly wanting to show
the other person how and why you truly LOVE them." Dallie explained.

   Selena turned red and said, "Oh, God!  You embarrass me.  Give the
credit to yourselves for your relationship.  YOU are the ones who built
it."

   "But you showed us how, and why." Dallie said determined to have the
last word.

   They started to go downstairs when Dennis peeked up the stairwell, "I'm
stiff from the drive and the plane.  Joe is going to take me on a tour of
the area so we can walk and stretch a bit.  See you in a short while. 
Kiss-kiss."

   The girls waved goodbye and set about to the bar to partake in the rum
they brought.

   "Have you tried rum with Caramel Vodka over crushed ice?" Selena asked.

   "No, but I'm game."

   In just a few minutes they were on the veranda overlooking the ocean
with Nubble lighthouse in the right hand background, a truly idyllic view
as they watched the waves crash on the heavy rock below them as they sipped
their rum and vodka concoction .

   "I can see how you might sit for hours out here and meditate." Dallie
said.  "I'll bet you make love out here too."

   Selena flushed red.  "Well during the day, just behind the stone wall
there, but in the morning or late at night on the lounge.  We sleep
sometimes in the sun room with the windows open to get the ocean breeze. 
We love it here."

   "When do you retire?" Dallie wondered.

   "I can get out anytime I want, but I think it's in about 20 months.  I
don't want to leave until I know it's all in good hands.  I'll retire with
my Wall Street mentor, Ross, and when we leave it will be a total flush of
partners from when I started.  For that think tank and the purpose and
mission they chartered with, that's unprecedented.  I want to be sure I can
leave with a clear conscience and not ever have to go back.  Joe would not
be pleased and I wouldn't blame him."

   "Are you going to stay on the Financial News show?  We love seeing you
every night."

   "After I retire, if I'm in town I'll do it occasionally, but I think
they have my replacement now.  She'll do one night a week and fill in for
now.  I think she'll be on all this week." Selena said as she reclined her
chaise and pulled up her t-shirt to expose her stomach and bottom parts of
her breasts to the sun and then took a long sip on the potent drink.

   "You won't be embarrassed if I take my top right off, would you?  Dallie
asked.

   "OK, but remember I told you, not when the guys are around.  If we were
inside, maybe, but I don't want a neighbor to see us all nonchalant and
naked like that and think there's anything weird going on."

   "I know, but we'll be able to hear them come back, I have a towel right
here." She said as she unsnapped the front closure on her bikini and sat
back and sipped.

   "God, you have beautiful titties." Selena said, admiring her.

   "As much as like having big breasts, I would kill to have your perky
baseballs.  Yours are as perky as a 20 year old." Odalys remarked.

   "But my nipples used to be front and center, now they're melting down a
bit, but Joey still loves them as much." She said shyly turning her eyes
away and taking another long sip of her drink.

   "This is delicious, but I bet it's potent."

   "It's crushed ice, three fingers of rum, and 2 fingers of Caramel
vodka." Dallie said with a grin.

   "All booze?" She asked.

   "No, there's ice too." Dallie said as she cackled a devilish laugh

   "Either of us not having kids has been a blessing.  If we had suckled a
child, they might not be as firm." Dallie said looking down at her breasts
as her drink dripped on them.

   Her words sent Selena's mind reeling, not even knowing if she had
suckled her baby.  She hoped not, since she was on so many medications at
the time.  She didn't even know if she ever even held her baby.  She only
knew she had turned 11 in May.  She promised not to badger Joe about going
to just see her, not wanting him to put Philly on the spot to reveal what
she knew.  Philly DID promise to take care of those details "someday".

   "Selena?  What's the matter?  You kind of left me there, and I can see
you're about to cry."

   "Oh, it's nothing, um . .  just my allergies, I think."

   "Did I say something?" Dallie asked, sorry she had hurt her feelings.

   "Joe and I always wanted to have children someday, and now we're
probably a little too old to be fair."

   "Baloney!  You're around 35 and Joe is virile as hell, isn't he?"

   "Yes, but he would be around 70 when it graduated from high school, and
. .  oh, . .  so many things!" Selena said before breaking down bawling.

   Dallie sprung up and went kneeling to the side of her chaise and hugged
her.

   "What's the matter?  Can't you talk about it?" She asked as Selena shook
her head and sat up to dry her eyes.

   Dallie reached out and put her arms around Selena's shoulders and the
two embraced.  Selena felt Dallies bare breasts pressed against her own,
since the top she had pushed up a bit to get some sun was now totally up.

   "If you can talk about it, I'll be a good ear and you know whatever you
say is between us, honey." Dallie assured her.

   "I don't know, I shouldn't.  I'm sorry."

   "That's OK Selena.  Just know I'll understand.  I hate to see you so
upset.  Finish off your drink and I'll make another.  If we're not going
anywhere, let's get a little fucked up."

   "Good idea." Selena said with a tearful smile as she finished her
Caramel vodka/Rum.

   When Dallie got up to mix the drinks Selena flushed in embarrassment
from the effects of feeling her big breasts against hers.  She wanted to
reach into her bottoms, but was afraid if someone might be spying, and
pulled down her top as that thought crossed her mind.

   When Dallie came out with the drinks she squat down to give Selena hers
and kissed her cheek.  "Here, my dear friend.  I hope we can cheer you up.
You've done so many things to make my life happy."

   Selena composed herself and began to sip her new drink and then heard
their men coming in the house.  Dallie found her bikini top and snapped it
together and put it over her head and adjusted it as Joe and Dennis came
out.

   "Jeepers Joe, they're drinking already." Dennis said as he came to
Dallies side and kissed her.

   "Wait, I smell booze on YOUR breath!" Dallie said.

   "Joseph, did you guys stop at Yancy's?" She said, semi accusedly.

   "I had to show Dennis the sights.

   "What's Yancy's?" Dallie asked.

   "It's a little bar at the back of the Surf and Sun B & B.  It's for
guests only, but Joe knows the owner from New York City real estate.  They
only have 4 stools, a bartender, and a waitress who brings drinks to guests
who lounge on the lawn." Selena filled her in.

   "Sounds cute."

   "The bartender is a sweet young thing who, if she wore 2 band-aids and a
cork, she would be covering more than her bikini does." Selena said casting
a sharp eye at Joe.

   "And sweet young thing she was!" Dennis said.

   "You think I'll let HER wind you up and you come home to set off the
bell?" Selena said, actually kidding.  "She would kill you, Joe."

   "Yes, but what a way to go." He smart-ass sing-songed.

   "She probably gets more tips than a New York Stock Broker." Selena said
with a sharp tongue.

   "And I bet she earns every penny of them.  Come on Selena, she's just
using what she has.  Her rule is "Show a little, promise a lot, and never
go out with a guest".  She has 2 kids home and her husband is on a Navy sub
somewhere.  Her sister baby sits for her.  Be nice."

   "I don't like when other women throw themselves at you." Selena said
with a pout.

   "They can throw all they want; you know where my heart lies." Joe said
kissing her as she smiled and knew she never had anything to worry about.

   Odalys perked up and said, "Dennis, YOU are being awfully quiet. 
Anything you should feel guilty for?"

   "Hell no, I looked, and who wouldn't?  That girl could be in Playboy. 
She may have given me ideas, but I only work on them at home." He said as
she nodded and winked to him.

   "Don't Dallie and I turn you guys on?" Selena asked with a sexy little
sneer.

   "Of course!" The 2 men said in unison.

   "Then why do you have to go and ogle another woman?"

   "We went to have a drink, she was only a bonus." Joe said trying to veer
off the subject.

   "I can make drinks for all of us just as well," Dallie said as Selena
picked up the line, saying, "and we could go in the sun room and show you
both a lot more than she did."

   "Are you two drunk already?" Joe asked.

   "We've had a couple of these." Selena said.

   Dennis looked at Dallie.  "Is that your 3 and 2?"

   "What's a 3 and 2." Joe asked.

   "3 fingers rum, 2 fingers caramel vodka; it's about 5 or 6 shots."
Dennis said shaking his head at Dallie.

   "Dallie, should we bring the boys into the sun room and show them what
the bartender couldn't?" Selena suggested, wanting to do something to get
her mind off the whole motherhood and baby thoughts she just experienced.

   "I'm game!  You know rum makes me naughty." Odalys said as she got up
and extended a hand to Selena and walked to the sun room, drinks in hand
and swaying their asses.

   Joe was shaking his head at his wifes actions, but was somehow glad, a
little inside, knowing she needed to let go and relieve herself like this.
He tried to head her off at the sun room to be sure she was aware ground
rules for this "play", but the girls already stood at the center of the
room and showed the men their places in the two chaise lounges.

   "Follow my lead." Dallie whispered as she kissed Selena and then undid
her top and let it fall, exposing her breasts.  Selena took hers and pulled
it up and over her head.  Dallie pulled her close and they hugged and
shared another kiss before each strutted to their men.

   Selena knelt one knee between Joes legs and asked, "Does your little
bartender do this?" while shaking her breasts.

   Before he could react, she reached down and grabbed his package, "and I
know she doesn't do this."

   She fell forward and placed her lips on Joe's and they began to neck. 
When her lips took a break Joe whispered.  "You know you're drunk, and
remember boundaries."

   "I'm Selena, remember?" She whispered back knowingly.

   "What else doesn't she do?" Joe whispered.  Selena sat up and untied the
sides to her bikini and reached behind her to pull it away and dropped it
on the floor.  She lifted her knee up and straddled Joe right over his
waist and bent to neck with him again.  Joe moved his hands to her bottom
and began to knead and squeeze her supple ass.

   "God, your ass feels so good in my hands.  I love to feel it and see you
react as you squirm your little pussy on me.  Your fleshy cheeks feel so
good I want to go back there and bite them." He whispered.

   Selena groaned a bit and moved her mouth to take his ear lobe between
her lips before she whispered, " . . .and would you lick and tease the
little hole in between those cheeks?"

   "You know I would."

   "When we're alone in our bed tonight are you going to put the hard cock
I'm sitting on in that little hole?"

   "If that's what you want." He said exhaling deeply as his cock burgeoned
in his swim trunks.

   She pulled back and nodded an exaggerated yes to him with a smile that
said sex almost out loud.  Then she bent and whispered in his ear.

   "In the mean time, I'm going to suck your cock in front of our friends.
Tell me what they are doing now."

   "Dallie is doing what you said you were going to do."

   "She's sucking Dennis's cock?"

   "Yes, she is."

   "Then I better catch up, huh?' Selena said as she backed up a bit
grabbing the waist on his swim suit.

   Joes cock popped out and Selena slid back a bit to assume the position
between his legs, but suddenly stood and then kneeled on the floor beside
him so she could do what she promised and still see Dallie, who was in the
same position beside Dennis.

   Selena lovingly licked and lolled Joe, obviously enjoying her tease and
play when she looked up and whispered "Are we kinky to enjoy this, making
love in front of our friends?"

   "Maybe a little, but we're just doing what we do behind closed doors
anyway.  Knowing they feel what we feel about each other and neither is
afraid to express it in each other's company is a little out of bounds
socially, but we all feel comfortable." He whispered back while she went
back to her oral pleasuring.

   Selena came up off him and hugged the head of his cock to the side of
her cheek and smiled.  "Knowing Dallie is as hot and happy as me right now
is pretty sexy, my pussy is running.  But it wouldn't happen from a sober
start." She admitted as she then moved up and over Joe, feet on either side
of his hips, and took his cock and aimed at her squishy slit.

   Her eyes rolled up as she sat on him and swooned and then leaned forward
to rest on him.

   "I need to taste your mouth again before I bounce on your love.  You
feel so good inside of me." She said with a satisfied grunt as they kissed
and tongued each other's mouths before Selena sat back and began to bounce
up and down on Joe's prong.  She began to lose her balance and Joe put up
his hands for support before he could take no more tease and please in the
sexually electrified room.  Just as Selena began to lose control of herself
as orgasm overtook her Joe groaned loudly and shot into her.  When Selena
was through she fell onto Joe and they got their breath and held each
other.

   Breathing hard Selena asked Joe "What are they doing?" since she could
not see from her vantage point.

   "Dallie is on all fours facing me and is getting railed, and I think
you'll hear . . . ."

   Before Joe could finish his sentence Dallie whooped loudly from her
reddened face just as Dennis grunted and howled himself.

   In a matter of minutes there were two satisfied couples laying and
holding each other in their post-coital reverie.  As their breathing
returned to normal, Dallie was the first to speak.

   "I hope you know you guys are the ONLY people we do this with.  It's
just so sexy when we are together."

   "The alcohol doesn't hurt either." Selena said.

   "Aren't you the one who called Rum pussy juice?" Dennis said.

   "Yes, that was my shy little wife." Joe said with a giggle.

   Soon the four of them were sitting side ways on their chaises after the
men pulling on their swim trunks, and the women putting on their bottoms.

   "As much fun as this is, I think we have to agree to avoid this again.
It's just not "us", and I don't think it's you.  We're actually pretty
private." Joe said looking to the others for reaction.

   "Agreed." Dennis said.  "The last time we actually touched each other,
and God only knows what might have happened if we had been any drunker. 
Today I think there was a lot of sexual tension in the air and it just got
cleared out pretty well.  So, ladies as beautiful as you each are, cover
the boobies.  Joe and I are only human."

   "Don't think for one minute that going down to the Surf `n Sun B&B and
seeing the semi-naked bar keep started this, it didn't." Joe said.  "You
ladies may have perceived some thoughts about that, but I get all that I
want at home and seeing a young lady in her little bathing suit doesn't
make me horny, my wife does."

   "I think I have to admit some frustrations I needed to work out, and
it's not that we are starved for sex, we're 2 or 3 times a day up here."
Selena confessed.

   "So why frustrated?" Odalys asked.

   Selena looked to Joe and then to her friends.  "Times like this, to me,
and I think to Joe, are like saying FUCK YOU to the terrorists that
murdered so many that day in 2001.  They tried to wipe us from existence,
but we, Joe and I and the rest of the country, survive while they burn in
hell.  Plus," she paused and looked to Joe inquisitively who just tipped
his face and opened his hands as if opening a shell to signal her it was OK
with him if OK with her, "Plus, there was a 3rd person saved that day.  I
was pregnant that day and I did give birth the next Mothers Day." She said
as she began to lightly weep.

   "Oh my God Selena!" Dallie said as she began to get up and go to Selena.

   "NO!  Please!  Now you and just a few others know this.  It's our secret
and it's not for anyone else but us.  We know it was a girl and we know a
little about her and some day we may get to know her.  But knowing we have
our flesh and blood here on earth is just one more "fuck you" to those who
tried to kill us.  A day will come when I will know her and I can show her
the great love she is conceived from.  Now please let's not talk of it
anymore, just know that amid the terror, torture and tumult of all those
wasted years of our lives, there is one bright spot that regrettably we
cannot share in the glow of."

   "My God how did you handle the pregnancy in your state?" Dennis asked.

   "I was never aware that I was pregnant at the time.  There is a whole
other story that goes with this, but with a promise of sealed records and
people's probations and all, we can't say anymore.  Joe and I accept that
our lives and our love and knowing she is alive and well are somehow worth
the heartache of the whole ordeal.  Now let's just change the subject and I
want you both to know how closely guarded this secret is and I can
literally count on my hands the people who know what happened and if it's
any consolation to us, and to you as our friends, people are in jail and
some will live with records they can never run away from over this.  It in
no way pays us back for what we have lost.  I'm not telling you because I
want pity or sympathy.  I'm telling you because you are special as friends
and need to understand some of the thoughts that go through my head at
certain subjects.  I don't want your pity, just your understanding." Selena
said very eloquently.

   The room remained silent for another minute as they all digested what
was just said.  Joe, in many ways, was glad Selena disclosed this to them.
He was very certain they could be trusted with the knowledge, and the mere
fact Selena was able to tell someone out loud and in the open was going to
be therapeutic for her.  She held a certain amount of guilt because her
parents never knew and that would remain that way unless they had
permission to contact the girl and present her blood family.

   Dallie had a sad look on her face as she looked for her top and put it
on.  Dennis got up with her and they walked to Selena's side.

   "You can count on us as friends to keep your privacy safe, and know that
we understand your sensitivity to some things.  I know you think of us in a
special way in sharing this with us and know that we hold you and Joe in
the highest regard as friends and as people." Dallie told her before she
and Dennis went up to their rooms to change.

   Selena looked to Joe with a pouty lip and tears building in her eyes. 
She broke down crying as she told Joe, "I'm so glad I could share that with
someone.  I feel like a burden has been lifted from me in some strange
way."

   Joe put his arm around Selena and brought her face close to his,"We have
to take comfort that she is in the world and that someday we will get to
see her, and with any luck, know her.  Until then we have to deal with what
we have, and that's each other.  You know we over stepped our bounds once
again today, but you know if I didn't think it was harmless I would have
stopped it.  Like in Jamaica, I think you're acting out something that
settles a few things in your mind that you have trouble with, and one of
them may be our daughter, or it may be dealing with your nine years of
nothingness.  I know you're not "out of it" when that happens because when
I cautioned you, even today, you told me "remember, I'm Selena." So, are we
OK now?  No more sulking and crying over something we have no control over.
I've told you I can't badger Philly about it because she has a plan to the
time she thinks it's prudent to approach this.  We shouldn't try to ruffle
feathers.  Now let's enjoy the rest of our week here with our friends."

   "Is it any wonder why I love you so much?  You are my greatest gift.  If
in all the time I was hospitalized I thought I would never see you again I
would have given up and just died.  Just wait until we make love tonight."
She said with a wink and a squeeze to Joe's cock as she stood up and headed
to the bath to freshen up.

   Chapter Four The Holidays 2013

   Since the September 11th Anniversary of the attacks on the country
Selena hadn't had a day off, besides weekends, and fully absorbed herself
in her work.  Joe had noticed that her demeanor had really mellowed and she
had grown to full confidence in her work.  Where she had been flying off
the handle sometimes over minor things in the past couple years, she was
much more accepting of life's little aggravations.  She was happy socially,
seeing Joe and Shanna a few times a week for dinner and shopping with
Shanna.  Lucy and Jeromy were making it to the city, or meeting them back
Upstate a couple times a month.  They had been to Pennsylvania for two
short weekend trips to be with Dallie and Dennis as well as seeing Slim and
Shelley both in New York and Upstate.  Things had been great with her
parents and all was both hunky and dory.  In Joe's mind, Selena was totally
back to where she had been some 12 years earlier.  If she were holding
anything inside, he was not aware of it.

   Selena had decided to take Christmas week off after finishing the Sunday
Night Letter on the 22nd.  She had caught up with her research and work,
plus assigned a few tasks for Deneigh and follow-ups for Berkley Quarters.
Christmas week was usually a quiet time for the market as everyone waited
for the Christmas Shopping sales figures to come in and decide how those
numbers might color the market.

   Joe and Selena planned an old fashioned Christmas with her parents with
Lucille and Jeromy joining them all for Christmas day.  Besides a few fun
gifts or special keepsakes, they had agreed to make their presents to local
charities to feed the hungry and homeless, as well as a charity for the
survivors of the victims of the 911 attacks.  Joe, Selena, as well as Betty
and Scott Hanson, were not wanting for anything worldly.  If at any time
they wanted something special they usually got it for themselves.  While
not independently wealthy, they were all quite well off and not wanting for
anything.  After struggling for so many years, Lucille and Jeromy heard
what they we doing and made the same commitments to their own favorite
charities as well as the 911 funds.  Selena was proud of her friend after
they had struggled in such deep debt and hopelessness for so long.

   For the first time since the year of their rescue they had a Christmas
Tree in their digs in Upstate, Joe's original home.  In past years they
either celebrated in New York with The Hanson's in attendance, or at The
Hanson's home for a brief Christmas Eve-Christmas Day visit.  To Joe, the
signs Selena was showing about wanting to lay roots and develop traditions
of their own were positive.  However when he made reference to that fact,
her response troubled him a little.

   "If we're ever going to have a relationship with our daughter, we can't
be vagabonds who run home to home like 90's jet-setters.  She has to know
that we're here if she needs us."

   At her response Joe wanted to blow a fuse to tell her that they may
NEVER have a relationship with her, and that could be by the girls own
decision.  She didn't seem to understand that their daughter was not
sitting and waiting for her natural birth parents to show up, because as
far as she knew her mother was passed away and had no idea of her father.
It wasn't as if she was looking or wanted to know.  IF she was a happy,
content, well-adjusted young girl, she just might love the people who
raised her as any child might love their parents.  Children like that
aren't wanting.  They don't know any other situation.  But, Joe kept all of
these words to himself so as not to upset his wife.  However, he knew that
he would have to express these thoughts to her, and that might be when
Philly would be close by to buffer her reaction.

   Christmas Eve morning Joe awoke to find Selena already up and he heard
familiar sounds from the kitchen.  He was reminded of his days with his Mom
and Dad at their familial home.  Waking Christmas Eve and hearing the
sounds from the kitchen of baking and preparation for the big meal, the
cookies for Santa and the whispering of secrets about Christmas morning.

   He went to the kitchen to find Selena mixing cookie batters while racks
of finished cookies cooled.  There was a ball of dough on the counter with
rolling pin ready to make the pie crust for the apple and minced meat pies
planned for the big dinner.  She caught Joe in the corner of her eye and
stopped to smile and kiss him.

   "Good morning sleepy head.  Did I wear you out last night?  That was so
special, being in our real home, being alone, no neighbors above or below
us, and just letting our love loose." She said as she hugged up and he
patted the cute ass he adored and penetrated the night before.

   "We haven't gone for three in a long time.  I just couldn't get enough
of you.  You are the sexiest woman on earth." Joe said with an eye roll.

   "I just love you and love to feel you everywhere.  I can still feel you
back there." She said with a giggle.

   He squeezed both cheeks of her behind and asked, "Go again?"

   "No-no!  Bad boy!  That's off the menu for a couple days.  But you know
my mouth NEVER gets tired, . . .  BUT, I have work to do.  YOU get dressed,
go the Schulers Bakery and get my order, butterflake rolls, phylo dough,
and a cinnamon raisin bread.  Then stop at Betars and get the breakfast
I'll call in when you leave.  I'll make a fresh pot of coffee to be ready
when you get back.  Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky once you get back."
She said as she patted his package and smiled wickedly.

   "Betars huh?  Stuffed, deep fried, French Toast?" He asked as she smiled
back and nodded.

   "I'm going to have to work off that cholesterol later." He said as he
parted and patted her ass once more.

   "It might come out in the protein shake you give me." She said as she
raised her eyebrows and turned back to her cookie batter.

   Joe slipped on shoes and a fresh pair of jeans from the laundry and
headed through the garage and out and drove down the drive.  In his mind he
was floating on a cloud of the love he felt for his wife, and his life.

   The fellow at the bakery was all smiles and welcoming when he came in,
enjoying the celebrity of Joe Johnson.  After Joe paid for it all the baker
reached back and took a wax tissue and picked out one of their famed glazed
doughnuts and said, "Merry Christmas, something to eat on your way home!"

   Joe took the doughnut and returned the wish and was happy he went out
this Christmas Eve morning.  At Betars, a little breakfast and lunch diner,
they too were full of smiles and well wishes for Joe and sent Christmas
wishes to his wife and gave him a calendar and pen added to his bag of take
out.  All was well in life for him and his wife.

   Back home she must have heard the garage door roll up because when he
came off the elevator the table was set and coffee poured.  Selena took the
bag and served the breakfast delight as they talked about Christmas's past
and looked forward to the big day with family and friends.

   When Selena finished her breakfast she got up and poured Joe another
coffee and then put another rack of cookies in the oven, promising the pie
would go in next to fill the house with those smells you can't duplicate
anywhere else.

   The oven door closed on the cookies and Selena pulled a chair over to
the cupboard and asked, "Could you get that coffee carafe in the back of
the cabinet for me?"

   "Certainly, I wouldn't want to say I didn't help with the baking." He
said with a chuckle as he climbed up onto the chair and peered into the
back of the cupboard.

   "I don't see any carafe."

   "Joe, turn around." She said as he turned to face her, thinking she was
going to show him something.

   "What?"

   "Sit down on the counter." She said standing right in front of the
chair.

   Joe looked at her quizzically and she repeated, "Sit down on the
counter."

   He sat down and she stepped forward and reached for his zipper.

   "You just sit while I stand and make my protein shake.  I didn't want to
kneel on the floor or get under the table." She said as she reached into
his pants with one hand and undid the snap on his jeans with the other. 
She put both hands on either side of the waist and pulled as he lifted his
butt to let them slide down.

   Selena pulled away the chair and smiled and bent with her forearms on
his thighs and took him into her mouth.  One thing Joe could never get used
to was how much she enjoyed sucking him.  He was always a huge fan of
eating pussy and enjoyed it immensely, but since meeting Selena it had
become an obsession because of how much he loved her and the pleasure it
brought to her.  She would preen his hair and sides of his head as he
pleasured her and one day out of the blue it hit him, their oral pleasure
from each other was the same sensation to each other.  While he once
wondered WHY she loved doing it so much, it hit him like a grand revelation
years ago.  She loved it as HE loved it; so simple, but somehow not so
obvious.  Her mouth and hands worked a triumvirate of pleasure, licking
sucking, stroking, until he could hold back no longer.  Where for years he
always had to finish his orgasm with his own hand, Selena got him by
herself.  She knew him as well as his own hand, and any man knows how
fickle that moment can become.

   As she "tidied up" after finishing him she looked up and smiled. 
"That's the way a woman makes love to her man.  I hope I can come before
Santa tonight." She teased and walked to the sink to wash her hands to
continue her baking.

   She looked over at him, still sitting on the counter, naked from the
waist down.  "I don't know what you're waiting for, but I'm done.  After
you get you cute man buns off the counter, get a Clorox wipe and wipe it
off.  I'd love to lick your hiney, but I don't think anyone else wants to
by proxy."

   Selena giggled to herself at her comments and tried to avoid eye contact
with Joe until she got a reaction from him.  He came up behind her and gave
her a loving squeeze on one of her pert ass cheeks, but he pinched the
other side making her jump and scream and chase him to the bathroom where
he closed the door behind himself.

   "You're safe for now Joe Johnson, but I owe you one and get out there
and wipe the counter and pick up your drawers!"

   He did as she asked and got dressed again and excused himself to wrap a
few gifts he had.

   By the middle of the afternoon Joe had finished his wrapping and placing
gifts under the tree.  He offered to help Selena finish up her baking but
she was nearly done and needed some time to finish some wrapping herself.

   "The "midnight" mass is at 9:00, right?  Are the four of us riding
together?" Joe wondered.

   "Yes, and my dad is driving, obviously.  Four in either of our cars is
painful.  God, we need to get a full size car to keep here.  But, anyway,
they are coming here afterwards for a nightcap that my Dad is preparing and
will leave here when they pick us up.  It's some Elizabethan concoction
called Sack Posset.  He found his Dad's recipe, or a version of the
original.  It's sweet and warm with sherry, egg yolks, cream and spices. 
His grandfather said it was to make you sleep and dream of the Christ child
while Santa brought gifts.  We can humor him and drink it.  I won't tell
him we're going to make love under the tree after they leave.  Hee Hee."
She said as she worked at setting the kitchen back in order before giving
Joe a quick kiss before disappearing into the bedroom and closing the door
to wrap presents.

   Joe looked for something to do besides sit in the panoramic front window
and fall asleep.  He sat at the bar and let his mind wander for some
time-passer.  He looked up to the smoked glass panel under the TV and
recalled the security camera recording device stashed there.  It recorded
the three cameras that watched the house.  It held 6 days of footage and
began to record over the loop, storing the 144 hours until the next 6 days
were up.  If needed, there were 12 days of surveillance.  He remembered the
"pool" cam had failed and the system had sent him an email declaring it
non-functional.  It was late in the year and he knew he just needed to
reset it and to this point he hadn't.

   He opened the smoked glass door and saw indeed that two of the green
lights flickered, but the third red light flashed.  He pulled the storing
memory stick and pushed a replacement in and immediately the little read
out said "boot", and then "OK" before the red light turned green and he
closed the little door.  That cam was usually off when the pool closed, so
knowing it worked, he switched it off.  He was about to toss the faulty
memory stick away when he saw it was 128 GB and the words "lifetime
warranty against failure" on it.

   He thought, "I'll take this and just swap it for a new one.  80 bucks is
80 bucks."

   Before turning it in, he wanted to be sure there was nothing on the
drive so he took it and placed it in his laptop and put it on advanced play
to view the 6 days stored in just a few minutes.  It was mostly nothing
except there was a moment or two of the pool service, that he slowed to be
sure they did their job, and then a few seconds of Scott and Betty in the
pool.  There were tubs of the granules you use to close the pool, so he
suspected it was the last day the pool was open.  Just as he was about to
erase it the faulty part of the drive came up with pixilation and drop-outs
and then a few seconds of motion, that caught his eye.  He stopped it to
play in regular time.

   There was Betty Hanson, his mother-in-law, alone on her chaise by the
pool.  She was quietly reading in the sun and then she began to scan the
area behind her until she spied the camera dome.  She got up and pulled her
chaise from the sun into the shade underneath the over hang just ahead of
the patio roof.  Was she trying to get out of the camera range, or move
into it?  She unties her top and shinnies out of her bikini bottom.  She
turns to view herself in the reflection of the last glass panel of the
patio windows, only 2 of which opened since they replaced the slider.

   She's clearly admiring herself, preening and posing showing off her
incredible 50 something body.  She could easily pass as a 30 year old.  Her
breasts still sat high on her chest, clearly all her own, and when she
turned to show her ass, it was incredibly smooth and so shapely.

   She took a towel and laid it over the chaise and turned the chaise
towards the camera.  She sat and reclined in the chair, ran her hands over
her breasts and then down her belly between her legs and through the folds
of her pretty pussy.  As she began to rub and finger herself she would
occasionally look to the camera like she was putting on a show.  She was
obviously beginning to huff and puff a little when she suddenly startled.
She jumped up and pulled the towel from under her and sat back on the
chaise, pulling the towel to cover her from breast line to just below her
waist.  Then the gate opens and Scott comes in.  She smiles to him and
beckons him to her side.  She picks up her towel to give him a peek and he
smiles.  She sits up, the top of her towel falling as she turns towards
him. Her hands work at the front of him and, while Joe can't directly see
her, she is giving Scott a blowjob.  In just a short time he caresses her
head and steps away from her, takes off his pants and shirt and dives into
the pool.  He's only in the pool for a few seconds before he returns to her
and she has put the recliner back on the chaise and he kneels between her
legs and screws the daylights out of her.  When they're through Scott
stands up and looks like he's going to jump back in the pool as she pulls
the back of the chaise up.  She calls to him and he turns and comes back to
her, this time with his back to the camera, but apparently she wants to
taste herself with his juices mixed, before he goes and jumps in the pool.
She turns and looks at the camera and smiles and seems to wink.  She
gathers herself and stands and goes to the pool.  Just as she gets out of
the range of camera the picture goes black, and the screen reads error.

   After all of the times Selena was paranoid of her mother wanting to jump
Joe's bones, if she saw this she would start World War 3.  He quickly
reformatted the stick, but it would not totally do the command, citing an
error.  He went back to play it, but there didn't seem to be any
information left.  From a sexual standpoint all Joe could think of was, if
Selena looked like that in 20 years, he better stay in good shape.  Her
mother could pass for her sister instead of her mother, and more
alarmingly, it could almost be her twin sister!!

   Joe had to know if Betty had put on a show for him, specifically, or if
she thought no one would see it as it recorded over itself and just played
out a fantasy of her own.  That night after mass, as they drank Scotts
"Sack Posset" concoction, Scott noticed the smoked glass door to the
security cam control was open.

   "Trouble with the cameras?" He asked.

   "I was checking things and noticed the camera on the pool was unable to
reset for some reason.  It hasn't been on for a while, since you closed the
pool.  There was an error in the memory stick." Joe said letting his eyes
dart to Betty a few times.

   "We turn that cam off when we get here, so we aren't being filmed by the
pool.  Then once the pool is closed it's off until we reopen.  Any idea why
it failed?"

   "Not a clue, but I am going to check out anything that's on it before I
turn it in to get a new one.  The only thing on it would be that last day,
and the closing, . .  unless you left the camera on while you were here."
He said looking to Betty casually.

   "No we turn it off as soon as we get here.  We hang the slider key on
the knob to be sure we remember to turn it back on." Scott said showing his
meticulous ways.

   "Well, I'll check out the pool closers if there's anything left on the
stick." Joe said as he downed his drink and got up for a refill, locking
his eyes on Betty as he went to the kitchen.

   Betty got up to follow him saying "I'll get a bit more myself."

   As she stood next to Joe refilling his chromed toddy mug she whispered.
"Not nice to ogle your mother-in-law like that."

   "What on EARTH are you talking about?  Your daughter is jealous of you
sometimes the way you look at me.  You have to get over any ideas you
have." Joe said somewhat cryptically.

   "It was stupid and foolish and I'll admit to doing it if you admit to
watching it." She said blushing a deep red.

   "Just tell me why?" Joe asked angrily.

   "We miss you both when you're away so long and what you saw would never
have started happening if you never came into our lives, so I suppose I get
a little attached because we rescued you both after you rescued my
marraige. I would NEVER do anything." She insisted, keeping her voice low.

   "No whispering about Christmas gifts out there.  We'll open them
tomorrow and see everything." Selena yelled, thinking they were comparing
gift notes.

   "We would never do anything because I love your daughter and I don't
shit where I eat." Joe said before abruptly walking back into the living
room.

   It was just before midnight and a few yawns began to intersperse the
conversation when Selena got up and reached for her father's hand.

   "Come here Dad, I want to show you something before you go.  You two
stay here; I need some advice on one gift."

   As soon as the door closed Betty looked at Joe.  "I know how you look at
me, I guess it gives me ideas."

   "I've known that for a long time.  The day you stayed with me after my
vasectomy reversal I heard you masturbate in the bathroom when you thought
I was sleeping." Joe said as Betty turned crimson and looked away.

   "But," Joe continued, "You've fixed things at home.  Have your fantasy
and live them out with Scott."

   "I DO!  Don't flatter yourself anymore.  I wanted to be with you and
dreamt about it until Scott and I began to have sex again.  I'm sorry if I
made it obvious.  I was lonely.  What I did on the camera was stupid and
was in no way an invitation to you."

   "Betty, just remember, I NEVER ONCE came on to you and any time you
think I did was imagined." Joe said quietly but forcefully, knowing that
Betty KNEW she was guilty.

   "Are we good then?  Make sure that camera stick is erased.  I don't want
to fight with you Joe.  You are very special to both Scott and I, the son
we never had." Betty insisted as she heard Scott and Selena coming back.

   Joe squeezed her hand and implied all was forgiven even though she
hadn't owned up to all she had done.  The subject was never brought up
again.

   Christmas Morning they woke to a more than promised snowfall.  They
talked of 2 to 4 inches, and there was 8 inches of wet snow.  Once Joe's
service had plowed he called to Scott and Betty to give them the OK to come
for Breakfast.  Lucy and Jeromy had little trouble coming from nearby where
they had a Honeymoon suite to celebrate their Christmas.  The six of them
were just settling in to coffee while sticky buns baked and the phone rang.

   Joe saw it was Slim and Shelly and answered "Good Morning and Merry
Christmas."

   "A Merry Christmas, but not a good morning." Slim said.

   "Problems?"

   "The heavy snow took down power lines and our subdivision is out.  We
were wondering if Selena's offer of Christmas with your family was still
open?  The house is getting cold and Shelley is so upset that we didn't get
a generator from when it happened in the summer storms." Slim asked.

   "You two are always welcome.  Pack up your gifts if you haven't opened
them and come on over.  The main roads over here are fairly clear.  Lucy
and Jeromy just drove from a little south of Saratoga and said the going
was pretty good, not a lot of traffic." Joe said.

   "We'll be 30 to 45 minutes, OK?"

   "The coffee is on and sticky buns are coming out soon, so take your time
and we'll hold bacon and eggs for you." Joe promised.

   Shelley was on the other line and was almost crying, `Thanks Joe for
saving our Christmas.  We left the city to have a family Christmas of our
own and we got screwed."

   "You and Slim are as much family as anyone here right now.  We'll hold
breakfast for you, but take your time.  Be safe."

   "God, this will be fun, some of the people I love the most in the world
are all together for Christmas." Selena said with a huge grin.

   "You guys should have kids and see what fun it is." Betty added.

   Selena got up quickly and excused herself saying "potty emergency!"

   Scott yelled "more information than needed!" as she went to the bedroom
bathroom.

   Joe knew that Betty's words cut Selena hard and deep so he waited about
3 or 4 minutes to "go in and check she's OK".

   "Want me to go?" Betty said, "I used to wipe her bottom."

   "Cute, Betty." Joe said, "Just making sure there's no real problem.

   Joe went into the bedroom and Selena was on the bed crying.

   "Oh Essy, I'm so sorry those words got to you, but you have to buck up
and join us.  Remember that she's got her family and she's happy on
Christmas morning.  We'll get our time to know her someday, at least we'll
try.  Now come on, dry up.  Imagine if we had NEVER known.  Let's not make
a scene and enjoy our family.  There's too much love out there to be sad."

   "I know.  Maybe we should have told my parents about the whole thing."

   "No, it would have been a circus, and it still would be.  Don't let this
ruin your Christmas.  If she knew us, she would love us and she wouldn't
want us to let thoughts of her ruin our Christmas." Joe figured aloud.

   "I suppose you're right.  I was thinking what it would be like, and then
Mom said that.  I'll be OK, give me 2 minutes." She said as Joe went out to
join the rest.

   "She's fine, it just came onto her fast." Joe said as he rejoined the
group.

   After a few minutes Selena came back with the crowd as they began to
pass presents around.  After swapping gifts with each of them Joe stood and
went to the elevator and opened the door where Slim and Shelley had left
their packages for each other.

   "I know the power outage may have robbed you of the special Christmas
you wanted to have, but you're with friends now and we would love to watch
you open your gifts for each other." Joe said as he brought out 4 boxes,
all neatly wrapped.

   Shelley was embarrassed but felt comfortable with people she all knew
well, and especially Joe and Selena there.

   They too had opted for only a few meaningful gifts because of all they
had already.  They weren't what you would call "rich", but certainly "well
off".  Certainly Shelley's stock portfolio and Slims seat on WSGG, if
liquidated, could put them on easy street for the rest of their lives.

   Slim crouched with one knee on the floor and took one box, about a foot
square and handed it to Shelley who blushed and smiled as she took it,
whispering "You are the sweetest man."

   "It doesn't weigh much." She said as she began to press her fingers
under the wrap to tear it.

   "Car wash tickets never do." Joe said with a grin and a nod at Shelley.

   Under wads of tissue Shelley pulled out a small box that she opened and
saw a diamond ring.  When they were engaged Slim had given her a family
heirloom ring "until we can find what really suits you" and over the last
few years they occasionally looked for what caught Shelley's eye.

   "Oh my God!  The one from Mordecai's in Venice?" She said, her eyes
filling with tears as Slim smiled and helped her take off the old one and
put it on.

   They embraced in a long hug as the women oooooed and aawwwed at the
shiny bauble.

   "I'd marry you again and again." Shelley said as the two embraced hugged
and whispered to each other.

   Their group of friends then let them have their special moment in
silence.  Selena was watching with tears in her eyes through the light of
two candles on the table as it all blurred from the dew of her eyes.  The
scene of the hugs through the flickering flames brought back her memory of
the night before as she and Joe made love for Christmas Eve.

   They had a few drinks besides her father's special grog and when they
finally got into bed Joe had been more than attentive to her, wanting to
repay the oral gift she had given him earlier that afternoon.  After kisses
and whispers he had kissed and touched nearly all of her body as he
worshipped his treasure before he settled between her legs and began to
fondle and adore her pussy.  His tongue and fingers had her squirming under
him as she moaned, squealed, flinched and reacted to her pleasuring. 
Between his saliva and the honey oozing from her there was a thick stream
running from her.  Joe couldn't resist using that fluid from their love to
ease a finger, his middle one, up her tight little asshole.  She loved the
sawing feeling there as he feasted on her vagina.

   He was hitting all of her spots right as she began to buck a bit under
him, which usually happened if she was to squirt, not something that
occurred all of the time, but when it did it wrung a deep orgasm from her.
He thought she was close when she whispered furtively "I want you in my
hiney."

   "That's your passion talking, we just did it last night." Joe said
between licks and kisses to her clit.

   "No, really!  Bend me up and get in me, massage my clit until I scream.
I want you Joseph!"

   Joe rocked back to his knees and Selena pulled her legs up and folded
herself leaving the wrinkled dimple between the globes of her butt a wet
dilated target.  Joe reached under her pillow for the tube of lube that was
always handy for their play and put two blueberry sized blobs on his cock.
After closing the tube he took one blob off and found the middle of her
little dimple and pushed it in as she exhaled deeply.  The other pearl he
rubbed over the glans he was about to push into her.  She turned her head
and waited for the first push of intrusion where the rush of being filled,
the "good" stretch pain, and knowing he was in her very being making them
one.  Her eyes filled with tears, not from pain, but from joy, as she saw
the candles on the dresser, looking just as they did now on the coffee
table in front of Slim and Shelley.

   The whole scenario of the night before's love making played instantly in
her head as the tear soaked vision of the flickering candle served as the
reminder.  She pulled Joe close and kissed his cheek and then nipped his
ear, usually a sign that she wanted him NOW and she knew it wasn't
possible.

   He looked at her and kissed her, somehow knowing what she was thinking
of.

   She kept her stare at the side of his face as she remembered him railing
her loosened bottom as his orgasm approached.  When his pleasure was nigh
he pulled from her and stroked himself twice, one stream landing between
her breast and a bit splashed to her lips.  She licked it and used her
fingers to pull some more to her mouth.  Their eyes met and she smiled,
then chuckled to each other, so glad for their love.  Joe got to his feet
and picked her up and took her to the bathroom, setting her on the toilet.
He turned and took a wash cloth to clean his penis.  When he turned back to
check on her she, as usual, took him in her mouth, something she had done
since the first time he made love to her "hiney" as she cutely called it.

   "Three times last night and twice today, you think you can get more?" He
said, still breathing heavy.

   He had never totally lost his erection and the washing and stroking
helped keep him firm and but a few moments between her sweet lips had him
stiff enough to entice another short orgasm from him.  Selena was an expert
at the stroke, mouthing, and sucking regimen to get her man and she didn't
disappoint this time.

   They each rinsed on the bidet and were off to sleep, waiting for Santa
to come.

   As Shelley looked for her gift wrapped box for Slim, Selena came back to
reality while sliding her hand over the inside of Joe's thigh.  He looked
to her and saw the sexual reverie in her eyes.  He didn't know her exact
thoughts, but he had a good idea.

   Those days at their real "home" served as a plate for lovemaking,
renewing passions, and a physical reset of reality and it's relation to her
"work life" and Joe's daily busy grind of keeping house, planning dinners,
arranging activities, and keeping friendships fresh and solid, not to
mention their charitable projects.  When they finally headed back to New
York on the 30th they were ready for a shortened New Years 3 and a half day
week.  They kept quiet to all of their New York friends and after a long
day in the office spent a private New Years Eve celebrating alone.

   Chapter Five - Beginning the first week of June, 2014

   Having interviewed WSGG's two candidates from Reserve Talent Match in
person on New Year's Eve, Selena and her partners had a good idea about the
students.  Both seemed at ease at their interviews and that may have been
the special treatment they got from WSGG.  They came into New York for
their interviews, were to be guests at a special New Years Eve Party near
Times Square where they would witness the ball drop.  They toured the area
in and around New York and especially the WSGG headquarters, and finally
spent Thursday and Friday "on the job".  The young lady, Heddy Huntsman,
spent the day with Selena Johnson, and the young man Clarke Brennan with
Slim Beepo.  They were asked to spend half the day just as observers while
their mentors for the day would vocalize all their actions.  After a lunch
with the entire staff they returned to the lair of their mentor of the day,
but this time free to ask questions.  Both candidates left excited and
hoping to receive their indoctrination invitations by September after
graduation.  They knew they would be called within one year of graduation,
but obviously the sooner the better.  After the groups experience with
Jamaica Browne who tried to swallow the big city experience whole and
nearly lost her opportunity, they wanted to be sure they were aware of the
pitfalls and temptations of The City.  Selena felt, and Jamaica "Jaye"
Browne agreed, it was best to get them here as soon as possible before the
temptation of too much celebration after graduation would bleed into their
"City" experience.  It was arranged for both candidates to come to WSGG
immediately after graduation, June 9th -20th for a 10 working day, 2 week,
paid internship to ease the "shock" of beginning what could become a dream
career.  They would alternate days in partner's offices, going through what
they referred to as "the stacks", files of the history of warnings,
announcements, one on one meeting with members, all of which served as
examples of the expectations of the job.  Slim could not emphasize how much
his time in the stacks meant to him, and he was a floor veteran of overseas
markets.  With two of the partners working just 3 day schedules there would
be solo office time for both in the 2 week period.  Assuming both would be
fully accepted for September, they could come in and expect to start right
away and know what the job entailed.

   Selena called a lunch gathering of all partners just a few days before
the two candidates were to arrive for their internship.  As she gaveled the
gathering open she stood to signal this would be no normal formal
gathering.

   "Our lunches we ordered are here and Berkley will wheel them in and pass
them out in a moment or two so we won't start anything of any consequence
until she's in here.  I'm hoping we can have a casual conversation about
our 2 new candidates and give everyone a chance to vocalize their first
impressions and feelings about each so each of us can use our individual
observations as guidelines to points and quirks we may have each personally
missed."

   Just then the main door opened and Berkley Quarters wheeled in a cart of
what looked like cake boxes.  Each had a name on them and she went place to
place passing them out before sitting at her usual perch just adjacent to
the large meeting table.

   "Berkley, thanks so much for taking care of that for us.  Understand
that is just policy that few enter our "inner sanctum".  We, in no way,
consider you our "servant" as it might seem at times.  You are a part of
this team and the sum of all parts is not complete without you." Selena
said.

   "Ms Johnson, I, in no way felt that way at all.  I know how we conduct
business inside these walls." Berkley said with a nod.

   "Please, this is an informal meeting, call me Selena.  I'm so glad you
understand."

   "While we talk and eat here please feel free to speak without being
taken verbatim.  Berkley won't take any official notes until we decide to
go on the record.  I'll start this casual meeting with my own impressions."
Selena said as she sat and took a bite of her sandwich and sat back to be
sure all were at ease and free to speak.

   "Of the two I think Heddy Huntsman is the stronger, only because she
seems more mature.  They're both going to be 19 before Christmas and both
are 3-4 years plus ahead of their like aged peers.  I think she reminds me
of myself at the time in that, getting the approval of each of us is
important.  I know I felt like Sally Field at her first Oscars, I was "they
like me, they really like me!" So I think acceptance is important.  She may
not need as much one on one as Clarke Brennan who seems more boy than man
as opposed to Heddy being more woman than girl." Selena began.

   "Well, my impression," Ross Curran said as he went to stand, but stopped
realizing it was informal, "is Clarke is more serious than the woman, umm .
. .Heddy." He said checking his notes.

   "He doesn't look the part of a "Wall Street Honcho", I think he realizes
that he may be perceived as a "kid" and tries to be more down to earth to
reverse that impression right away.  I have no doubt in my mind about
either of them as prime candidates though."

   Jaye Centofranchi looked up and down the table and waved her way into
the conversation.

   "With either of them, I think one of us should be mentoring outside of
the building as well as in.  Let them know we will be checking in on them
at home and stressing how important conduct, promptness, and dress are. 
Excuses like doctor's appointments, car repairs, utility installations or
problems, should be handled on lunch breaks and they should let us know
when they will be gone, and when they will arrive back.  THIS is their
priority and that the partner votes are the most important things in their
lives.  Plus, stress that there is no competition between the two of them.
What I'm saying is, don't let happen to them what happened to me, and what
each of you LET happen to me.  I don't blame any of you for my initial
shortcomings, but until Selena kicked my butt up and down the Great Room I
didn't wake up.  For that, (she said turning to Selena with a grin and a
hand that flowed from in front of her face and swept out toward Selena) I
thank you eternally for my new life here."

   (The group applauded)

   "Do you have any personal observations of either of them Jaye?" Selena
asked.

   "One, in that neither of them were street smart, or should I say "City
Street Smart".  Heddy is attractive and will be hit on in the wrong places,
Clarke is an open invitation for some young street smart young lady for
sexual initiation.  I ran in these crowds for a bit and I saw all of this
happen and not ashamed to admit, I fell victim to temptations."

   Trace Fountain cleared his voice and spoke up, "Does anyone think we
should maybe think of housing our young people outside of the city proper?
Make the temptation of nightlife and the lure to "run around" a little
further away?"

   "Initially, I think not Trace," John Branniff spoke as he wiped his
mouth and pushed his chair back a bit.  "They should see WHAT this city is
about up close for at least a couple weeks.  I think they need to see the
hectic pace and how we all adjust to it.  You may not be used to driving 75
on the freeway but if you get into the flow of traffic and do 75 as well,
you assimilate and all is fine, being careful to stay in your lane and not
creep on anyone too close." "That's a great analogy John," Deneigh said. 
"There is a certain Baptism by fire in this city.  You should have your
first city experience, whether good or bad, and get in the flow of things.
I was once helping an elderly woman across the street who had fallen
mid-way across.  A guy pulled up with his car an inch short of touching my
legs before I got out of his way.  I gave him a dirty look, he gave me the
finger, and called out that "effing girls scouts in the city are only here
for screwing!".

   "What she says is sad but true," Slim said.  "Any new people to the city
should not be afraid to walk the streets.  They should have what I call a
"mean streets" experience, and if it means anything, Tokyo is the same. 
It's "get tough or get out".  When Selena would walk here from up the
street with her collar up, a brimmed hat, and valise under her arm, she put
out a tough exterior that no one would dare approach.  We all know she is
far from that persona, but I also know she has pepper spray and a stun
taser in her pocket."

   "Same here!" Deneigh said followed by Jaye, "Me too!"

   At that point they all turned to Berkley who was just finishing her
sandwich while listening.  She looked embarrassed and asked, "Me?"

   No one said a thing but just waited for an answer.  "I have a concealed
carry permit and a premise license for use in connection with my employment
that I got through a Letter of Necessity signed by three of the partners in
this firm."

   Everyone stopped and looked around to every partners face to see WHO
signed off on it.

   Ross Curran stood up and said, "Selena, Trace, and I are aware and
signed off.  With all the crap that goes on in this city we thought it best
for all of us.  Berkley had to disclose she had a concealed carry permit
when she came here.  She knows the parameters of use inside of this
building and she is quite accomplished with it.  We have no layer of
security besides the doors and having a security guard makes it look like
we have something of value in here.  We didn't disclose it, but it wasn't a
secret.  When Berkley had to admit she has a carry permit, she knew she had
to tell you all about the premise license.  She can never deny she has a
weapon.  Let's leave this fact here and here alone, no husbands, wifes,
boyfriends or girlfriends.  Part of your employment proviso."

   "Berkley, make that your first official notation; that everyone here is
informed of the fact your situation is part of their confidential proviso.
All agreed?" Selena said as all hands came up.

   Selena stood to get everyone's attention and regain control of the
business at hand.  "Maybe I should ask, from what we've seen so far from
our two candidate's, does anyone have any trepidations about either?"

   Ross sat up and quickly vocalized "I was quite impressed with both young
people saw no reason for us to think any differently.  Does anyone have a
different take?"

   Selena looked up and down the table and saw no dissenters.  "So, when
they arrive they'll be told not to make too many personal plans, their
commitment here is #1, not as an option but a requirement.  They're staying
at The Hyatt Union Square, close-by.  They're on different floors and my
Joseph knows the security captain there and he has arranged, at my request,
that they will be aware of the two of them.  We should each take some
nights to be with them and stress their commitment to WSG.  I'll commit to
at least two."

   All of the others volunteered to help with their indoctrination weeks
and it looked like it was going to be up to the candidates to grab the ball
and run.

   That night Selena had agreed to switch nights with Jaye doing the
Financial News Report and was sorry she had, she was so tired.  Both she
and Jaye agreed that taking the 2 new candidates to the studio with them
one of their nights would be a good learning experience.

   Selena got her cab to the Fox Studio building and ran through her read
quickly, anxious to get home in Joe's arms with whatever he had fixed for
dinner on the table.

   Just as she was getting her make-up cleaned off at the Beauticians table
Alexis came in.

   "Seamus' brother and sister are coming in on Thursday and it's basically
to check out who their little brother is living with and supposedly going
to marry.  I need a buffer that night.  I told them I already had dinner
plans with friends, but would love to have them join us. . . .  Can you and
Joe meet us all at Patsys', our treat?"

   "Arrgggghhhh, Lexi!  I'm so fucking tired tonight, and I don't even want
to think about it.  Ohhhhhh, for you I'll do it.  That's going to be Jaye's
night here now anyways, we switched.  If Joe has any problem I'll call you
as soon as I get home, . .  and THAT'S where I'm going now.  Call my office
and remind me to put in on the calendar tomorrow.  Otherwise you'll be
sharing Veal Siciliano with your future sister in law alone."

   Lexi hugged and they air kissed as Selena made her way to the elevator.
Once she stepped onto the street she looked up at their building and she
saw Joe in the window.  That alone picked up her spirit.  She had the last
day of her period today and she couldn't wait to clean up and be with Joe.

   She keyed the elevator open and Joe was their waiting with a Margarita
in hand.

   "Oh, if you aren't the best husband in the whole world." She said as she
kissed him and took a long sip of her drink.

   "Any problems with going to Patsy's on Thursday, Lexi's treat?" Selena
asked.

   "No, but there's more to this story, huh?"

   "Her fiance's siblings checking her out, she had these plans with us she
couldn't change." She said rolling her eyes.

   "Ahhh, the buffer.  Yes, we can do it."

   Minutes later Selena was changing into comfortable clothes, using the
bidet to rinse the remnants of her period, and rushing to the kitchen to
taste the aromas Joe had going on the stove.

   "Smells like Philly Cheese Steaks!" She called out as she came around
the corner as Joe was just finishing assembling wraps of one of her
favorites.

   "You ARE the best, I swear."

   "As are you, my sweet." He answered.

   They chatted idly as they ate the sloppy sandwiches, washing down each
few bites with glasses of Switchback Ale from the kegerator.  After
finishing she sat back and threw her head back, trying to let the days
stress ease.

   "After Jeopardy and the news can I just go lay in bed and have you make
love to me?  I don't want to move or exert a muscle.  I just want YOU."

   "Suppose I was going to ask the same thing of you, what would you say?"
He said grinning.

   Selena smiled big and said coldly, "Jerk off."

   Joe laughed to himself with a big smile on his face nodding.  He knew
what he was going to be doing.

   True to her word, after the news and Jeopardy she went to the bathroom
and freshened up, brushing teeth, combing out her hair, but instead of
putting on night clothes she brought her lightly tanned, near perfect body
to the bed and curled up on the sheets, just a bit on her side with her
bottom facing the door where Joe would come in.

   Joe had closed up the condo and headed in, stopping in his tracks at the
vision before him.

   "Now, that's not fair.  I don't have a shot of resisting you like this."
He said as he walked in.

   She rolled to her back and spread her legs and slid her hands down to
her pussy and said "I'm waiting for you."

   Joe came out from washing and brushing his teeth and looked to her
teasing smile.  "I'd go for a taste of you if you fancy a bit of me." Joe
said and she smiled.

   Joe threw a leg over her and settled his mouth onto her smooth little
pussy.  Her mouth sought out his cock and found it without using her hands.
She slowly worked her mouth over him as he excited and tongue teased her.
When she began to quiver her hips in pre- orgasm, Joe knew he should take
care of the business at hand and rolled off her and knelt between her
spread legs.  He found her wetness and sunk into her as she swooned.

   Tears formed at her eyes as she whispered, "Why does every time feel
like the first time?  You fill me so completely.  Fuck me nice and slow
until you're ready, then you know what I like."

   "My sweetheart, you are!" He said with a chuckle before he settled his
head beside hers and nipped her ear and kissed her neck while whispering
his love and devotion, as well as telling her how good she felt around him.

   Soon he felt his own pleasure begin to rise, just as she was beginning
to peak.  He took his weight off her upper body braced himself up a bit and
began to pound at her with the slap of their middles filling the air.  Her
breath quickened and she began to hunch up to meet his thrusts.  The cries
of pleasure as she locked her eyes on him pushed him over the top as he
closed his eyes and gasped at the pleasure coursing through him.

   Finally he fell on her and they caught their breaths before she started
to giggle and push to roll them over.

   "I love you so much, Joseph Johnson!  Let me on top so the cum drips out
onto you.  These are clean sheets this morning, right?"

   "Oh, the sacrifices I make!" Joe joked before he whispered a 1-2-3 count
to roll.

   Selena got up saying "I'll go get you a towel, and I may even polish
you!" She cackled in her dirty laugh.

   She came back with a towel and wiped the mess from Joe and then dabbed
herself a bit more and then looked to Joe with an evil grin.

   "Still a little left in the tap?"

   "Ohh, you dirty girl!"

   "I thought you liked me that way!" She said with a big grin as she put
one knee on the bed and leaned over him and then looked up at him with a
pouty face.

   "You DO want this, don't you?" she asked, to which Joe answered with an
eye roll.

   Her mouth went around him as her tongue swirled and she pulled off him
with pursed lips and ran back to the bathroom giggling, "Oh, the bottom of
the barrel is still sweet!"

   After she cleaned up and put on night clothes Joe was already asleep or
close.  She smiled over him and slipped under the covers and joined him in
dreamland.

   Things stayed quiet in the financial world for the rest of that first
week of June, but the second week was certain to be hectic with the two
young college graduates coming in for their 2 week "preview".  Monday
morning there was a quick meet and greet before Slim, Jaye and Ross went
into their offices to keep an eye on the market.  That left a full house of
Selena, Deneigh, John Branniff, and J.  Trace Fountain, along with Heddy
and Clarke.  It was casual questions and answers along with some history
lessons.  Deneigh was sure to show herself as an example of what a person
could accomplish, having literally gone through the ranks to become a
partner, plus being a woman.

   "Where WSGG is a very exclusive club, it is also a very progressive and
fair operation that judges people on their talent alone." Deneigh
emphasized.

   Talk was light and mostly just informative chatter.  John and J.Trace
began to tell them about the formation of the operation and how each of the
original partners had won and lost large sums of cash in Wall Street before
they formed the original WSG before it went to an unlimited member group as
WSGG.  While explaining the original charter they heard Berkley Quarters
open the All Intercom and announce, "All partners in the Great Room in 5
minutes."

   Selena stood and got everyones attention.

   "Uh oh, something is going on.  I want our two plebes to sit down at
that end" (pointing) before gaveling their information session closed.

   "From this point forward Ms.  Huntsman and Mr.  Brennan we are formal in
our address.  Anything you hear will be "on the record" and I might ask you
to add your own thoughts if you have any, but know you won't be judged. 
Any thought not expressed or question left unasked is a waste of gray
matter.  Please sit quietly until we gavel in."

   In a few minutes the three doors opened on the occupied offices and the
whole group settled into chairs quietly until Miss Quarters came in and
began to record the visual roll.

   Selena's gavel came down and she simply said "Ladies and Gentlemen, . .
. Miss Quarters?  Point of order?"

   "Mr.  Beupour." She said.

   Selena nodded to him and he stood.

   "There appears to be a big sell off of Energy stocks, and whenever that
begins to happen there's a bit of wildcatting going on.  Worry, worry,
worry.  I don't think those who are well ensconced in the Energy markets
are worried too much, but those who are "dabbling" are freaking with this
ISIS thing going on, fearing they will take over the oil fields.  Everyone
I've spoken to has assured me that Iraqi troops and other interested forces
will keep that out of control group well north of Baghdad and should leave
the crude oil output undisturbed.  I have a fear too many small investors
are going to cause a bit of a panic if they continue the sell-off.  I think
we should be making a statement in hopes of corralling the sell off."

   Ross Currans hand went up and he stood as Selena nodded to him, "Mr
Beupour, you're advocating a subscriber statement or general statement."

   "Generally, we need to influence as many as we can." He answered.

   "I certainly agree and I make a motion for that."

   Selena stood once more.  "The floor is open for dissent." She said and
looked around to see Jaye Centofranchi with her hand waving.

   "Ms.  Centofranchi?"

   "I saw the same trend myself, but it was seeming to wane a bit in the
last 30 minutes, and I was hoping the market might police itself, but the
numbers just turned over again as I speak (pointing to her laptop) and that
wane has been covered and pace has picked up.  We just need one heavy hand
to move on this and there's panic, for no reason.  I withdraw any
objection." She said.

   John Branniff stood as Selena nodded toward him.  "Let's see if we can
get a noon slot, and maybe make the later part of the mid-day report.  It's
only 11 o'clock."

   Selena nodded to Berkley Quarters who picked up her phone to start the
phone wheel where she would inform one financial news source there was to
be an urgent statement and each would inform the other.  Each news
organization had a hot crew ready for any news of this kind, and they
especially loved it when WSGG made statements.  They were quick, concise,
and always had a reaction on the market, almost immediately.

   "I regret," Selena said, "That I cannot verify all of this right now,
oil is a market I watch very intently, but this is why we have multiple
minds working and why we are a think tank." She said looking to the two new
potential members.

   "Mr.  Fountain, Mr.  Beupour, please sit with Miss Quarters and prepare
the statement while the others and I explain a little of the thinking that
goes into this whole scenario to Ms.  Huntsman and Mr.  Brennan."

   Ross Curran and John Branniff stood and went behind the chairs of the
two newbies while Selena, and Deneigh moved to places in front of them. 
They quietly explained the thinking that goes into arriving to a point
where members should be notified of a trend and when the general investing
nation should be warned of a potential problem and why it can and could
make a difference in the nation's economical picture.  Jaye Centofranchi
went into her office to keep an eye on the pulse of the rest of the market
so as to prevent any other trending issues from escaping their view.

   After only 10 or 12 minutes J.  Trace Fountain stood and cleared his
voice and went to his chair which served as a signal they were ready to
review the statement.

   Selena went back to her place and gaveled the group to order and nodded
to Miss Quarters to begin recording the proceedings.

   She asked Mr.  Fountain to read the prepared words and with no
dissenters they approved the statement.

   Just before Selena gaveled the end of the proceeding she asked Slim to
take Ms Huntsman, and Jaye to take Mr.  Brennan into their offices to
"reset the dominoes" that caused the concern and eventual decision to make
a statement.

   Heddy settled into the chair across from Slim in his office and asked
"When does the press conference start?"

   "Well, it's not really a press conference, we don't take questions, as
much as they like to ask.  Berkley will notify us when the cameras and
microphones are in place and we all come out and line up keeping a serious
demeanor to show how serious our work is."

   Heddy seemed to be fidgety and want to ask another question, but
hesitated, so Slim had to ask, "Is there something bothering you?  Another
question?  If you stick with this and pass muster you're going to spend a
good part of your professional life within these walls with these people,
me, Deneigh, Jaye, and hopefully the two of you and we have one more
scheduled for next year, so don't be afraid to ask me a question."

   "During these two weeks, are we going to be able to go out and have some
fun too?" She asked nervously.

   "Well, you aren't here to have fun, you're here to begin to assimilate
to the city and understand the workings of the job.  That being said, we
don't expect you to spend your free time reading the Bible, or Wall Street
Journal.  However, being a young woman, and if I may say so without you
taking offense, a very pretty young woman.  You aren't old enough to get
into clubs, and if you have ID that says otherwise you should rethink that,
but just out and about you're bound to get hit on, asked to parties, and
like that.  Being under legal age we are somewhat responsible for you,
although you are an adult.  That's why we want to chaperone you as much as
we can.  When you start in September you're on the clock and starting to
work towards your first partners vote.  I can tell you that when Jaye got
here she slid into the fast lane of the city and came as close as having
her final check cut even before her third vote.  If that should happen you
have signed off on the fact you can't work in the financial world for
another 4 or 5 years, a waste of the education we gave you and possibly
responsible for reimbursing us for a portion of such.  THAT is why these
two weeks are very important.  Once the clock starts in September you're
expected to carry yourself as a responsible adult and the fact you aren't
at the age of majority in this state, your education, your maturity, your
good sense, is supposed to carry you through.  If it's decided after these
two weeks you aren't mature enough yet, we can bring you in every 6 months
for interviews until we officially "start your clock".  You must know how
prestigious this think tank is, and the number of people who WANT to be
here.  I know one man who is probably smarter, more savvy, and a much more
successful personal investor than any one of us.  He was not able to get
into the tank because of his personal life, a very eligible bachelor who
drew attention to himself not even by his own doing."

   "OK, I think you've made the picture a little clearer.  Ummm, if a
boyfriend were to come to town to join me for a few nights, would THAT be a
problem?" She asked turning a bit crimson over her thoughts.

   "Probably not, but don't advertise it.  Would your parents be aware of
this?"

   "NO, I just turned 19!"

   "But a 19 year old ADULT.  Just remember, you are responsible for your
conduct, and if you should bring someone into your room, you're responsible
for them.  I hope I'm being clear on all of this." Slim said hoping he
discouraged her from taking chances.

   "Now let me show you how we go about our thinking here.  I'm not going
to say anything, I just want you to watch the boards I'm going to bring up,
then go back over news stories of the day, back to the financial boards and
trends, back to the news, both political and social.  Then tell me
something you gleaned from the exercise."

   "If this going to be about arriving at the sale of energy stocks?" She
asked.

   "That would be a little obvious, I want to show you the how and why,
then let your mind begin to assimilate and cook the facts and see if you
come to any conclusions." Slim said as he turned his attention to the TV
screens in his office.

   He bought up winners and losers, biggest change foreign markets over
night, biggest changes last hour, and then a couple specialized boards,
biggest mover last hour day before and what those stocks, utilities, etc.
did the first hour that day.  Then news sites, Drudge, CNN, MSNBC, UK Daily
Mail, Pravda, BBC, Al-jazeera, etc.  He perused the boards explaining this
was HIS way, others had their way and she would find a routine that suited
her.

   Slim started jotting a few notes and Heddy, seeing that, pick up a
yellow pad and began to jot a few things herself.  After a few minutes Slim
stood, "OK class, pens down.  What did you see there . . . . .  anything?"

   Heddy looked a bit forlorn at him and asked, "What did you see?"

   "The Tel-Aviv 25 dipped about a half point to a new low, probably due to
the kidnapping of 3 teens from a Jerusalem settlement.  It could cause a
bit of unrest with some investors, but it's probably just a blip until that
is settled." He said as he held up his yellow pad and his scribbles around
comparative numbers.

   "So, how about you?  What did you see, and if you have nothing, don't be
embarrassed, I know I put a little pressure on you."

   "Umm, with all the building and tourist expansion in Dubai, Emaar and
Arabtec, the most invested builders lost more to tack onto their losses
last week.  There's some sell-off over there but the Dubai index is still
way up.  I would tell any scared investors not to worry, it must be a
momentary glitch.  I'm sure Arabtec holders are sweating, they lost 10
percent value, but I would be confident.  That kind of growth has to affect
building eventually." She said quietly, but confidently, even though it was
somewhat proposed as a question to Slim.

   "Don't be shy Heddy, that's very good thinking.  I didn't catch that,
and that market is one I claim to know better than most.  I happened to
speak to Professor Stevens at PolyTech last week.  He spoke to one of your
vocational forums last week and got a chance to interview you, didn't he?"
Slim asked

   "Yes, he was very interesting.  When he said he mentored Selena Johnson
I sought him out to tell him I was coming here.  Clarke said he did the
same when he did an internet conference forum to Stanford too." She said
shyly.

   "What did he tell you?" Slim asked.

   Heddy flushed red and was about to shake her head as if to say nothing
but then she softly said, "He said I had the gift."

   "He told me that too, about you.  Keep your head on straight and you'll
be holding the gavel out there in a few years.  It's all up to you.  Don't
waste your chance over stupid decisions."

   Heddy nodded vigorously, saying , "I understand."

   "Make sure you do.  Looking at those flashing screens for 3 or 4 minutes
and coming up with a conclusion like you did is the work of someone a level
above." Slim said trying not to let his jaw hang in awe.

   "Thank you!" She whispered quietly.

   Meanwhile in Jaye Centofranchi's office a similar scenario was playing
out.  Clarke had asked about "getting out on our own" and was told about
what Heddy had been briefed on, and all of the same reasons.

   Then Jaye settled in and ran back her screens DVR to show Clarke all of
the sighposts on the way to her decision on energy stocks, and then she did
about the same that Slim did, she let her normal screens play out with
notes, but she also pulled up some her "accounts" to make notes and even
placed a personal call to one investor who was slowly trying to dump his
Facebook stocks.  He had gotten in early in hopes of making a killing on
the IPO and got hurt pretty badly.  She spoke eloquently to the person and
explained if they had to financial backbone, they would recover and end up
happy with their investment.  They exchanged a few scenarios between each
other before the call ended and Jaye looked up to Clarke.

   "That's one of the things we do when you have a group of accounts you
"manage".  You don't make any moves, buys, or sales, for them.  However,
they've given us access to their folio moves and when we see something that
may hurt them, we do a little forewarning, like that.  So from the last few
minutes while I was on the phone I saw you take a few notes.  What did you
note?"

   "It looks like if you have anyone who likes to dabble in the overseas
markets, particularly Japan, they should take a run at Solar stocks, and
any company here that has interests over there the same.  Their rollout of
photovoltaic power is almost unlimited by their government, if there is a
limit, they aren't close to it.  I saw 4 manufacturers in that market alone
that show tremendous growth in the past 2 days and one graph showed the
last 10 days booming."

   "Japanese solar?  We have almost one and half times the homes here. 
Shouldn't we do the expansion here?" Jaye asked.

   "We have limits to our solar expansion and we don't come close to them.
They added 7 gig watts just recently, that's monumental.  I would bet they
have more homes with solar by the end of the year than we do, and they have
only a third of our population."

   "Show me where you saw all that." She said as she DVR'ed her way back
through the screens they watched.

   Clarke stopped her 4 different times after finding the first odd closing
price from the day before, and then he shuttled forward through other
screens until it got to Japan again and again.

   Jaye chuckled and shook her head, "You weren't supposed to show me up."

   Clarke sat back and looked embarrassed as she told him, "I'm just
kidding, but you did very well.  That's the kind of thing we see all day
long here and you pack the information away until you find something else
to dove-tail with it."

   "Understood." Clarke said as Jaye noticed he had a certain confident
cockiness about him, where at first she thought him geeky and shy.

   Suddenly she saw that he would be a great catch for some young lady.  He
was handsome in his own way, and as he matured he would get better looking,
as well as adding confidence in the way he carried himself.  She wondered
if Heddy had noticed that he wasn't quite the geek they first had thought.

   Suddenly the all stations intercom opened.

   "The media is ready.  Two minutes ladies and gentlemen." Berkley
announced.

   Jaye stood and looked in the mirror and straightened herself, adjusting
her skirt and pulling at her bra while Clarke tried to look away.

   "Tighten your tie, button your coat.  You'll be up there today as well,
I'm sure." Jaye said as he opened the door and they went out and they all
lined up at the end of the Great Hall.

   While waiting for instructions Heddy seemed embarrassed by her
"bragging" to Slim.

   "Jeepers, I just told Slim that Professor Stevens said I had "the gift".
I don't like to think I'm that special, I just wanted to let him know I
wasn't some goofy girl in over her head." She admitted to Clarke.

   "It's not bragging if it's true." Clarke said trying to ease her.

   "He said Prof Stevens told him the same thing as well.  Pretty good
company, huh?"

   Clarke blushed and looked to her.  "I had a 20 minute Facetime interview
with him after telling him I was going to work with Ms Johnsons firm, and
he said I had "the gift" too.  Does he tell everyone that?"

   "Apparently not, when Ms Johnson was relating her conversation with him,
she calls him Doc, he told her he only said that to less than 10 people in
his life and had seen two in the last few days."

   "Holy shit!  Oh, I'm sorry Heddy, didn't mean to be so rude."

   That's OK, no offense taken, when he told me I said the same thing." She
said with a snicker.

   Selena came out and went right to the back wall.  She had the copy for
the read on the podium and looked down the line each way and saw Heddy and
Clarke together.  Ross Curran nodded to her as they both had the same idea,
with Selena saying, "Ms.  Huntsman on this end and Mr.  Brennan you stay
there."

   Selena nodded to the man with the lights and he lit the room.

   "When you're ready ma'am." A voice came from the back.

   "We are the Wall Street Global Group.  In today's trading there seems to
be a trend in the selling of energy stocks based on some recent headlines
that . . . . . .(she read on).

   At the end of the 45 second read Selena took one step back with the rest
of the group and waited for the click of the slate marker.

   "That's it.  Thank you Ms Johnson and all." Came the voice from the
back.

   The questions began to be asked in louder tones, but as per usual,
nothing was answered until Selena was just about to close her door.  The
obvious question was, "Who are the new people?  Are they interns?  Are
there new partners?"

   She turned and held up one hand.  `We have new partner candidates in the
house today and for the next two weeks.  When and if changes are made, we
will make announcements."

   Once the crews had broken down their things and left Selena asked for
everyone to meet in the Great Room "for a moment".

   Everyone came out and stood by their doors for what they all expected.

   "Ms.  Huntsman and Mr.  Brennan, no matter how much you are badgered or
questioned you never make a statement to the press about us, about your
job, when you start, etc.  We all protect each other's privacy and the
working of this office is private except when those cameras and microphones
are in house.  Everyone here will remind you of that and you will remind
any subsequent candidates and partners."

   "We are a respected voice throughout the world and that is one of the
reasons why." J Trace Fountain added.

   "They have built a foundation we must respect and protect.  Never do
anything to sully that." Deneigh Myerson-Cole added before they all looked
to each other and nodded and then by rote they all turned into their lairs
as Selena Johnson was crooking her finger for her 2 candidates to come to
her office.

   "We'll break for lunch now and I was going to have you two go out
together to get air and talk a bit, but instead I'm going to accompany you
to be sure one of those buzzards don't try to corner you to get a story. 
If you think it's that I don't trust you, . . . .  well, you're young and
don't know how these people work yet.  Just remember not to speak to anyone
about work."

   After freshening up Selena was going down the steps of the brownstone
front with her two new probable members.  A reporter and camera person in a
small car parked across the street saw that Selena was with the two and
they immediately drove away.  When it came to her privacy and WSGG they
knew she was a shrew of sorts.  Selena felt she had given enough of herself
to the press and if she had anything to say, she would tell them.

   "So, how do you like your hotel?  I always find Hyatt Union Square very
nice."

   "It's nicer than any place I've ever stayed." Clarke said as he changed
his glasses from the black rimmed bifocals to wire rimmed.

   "Gee Clarke, you're a regular Clark Kent, changing your personality with
your glasses." Selena quipped.

   "I know the black framed bifocals are geeky, but I need them when I'm
looking up and down.  They cost a fortune and these frames won't break if I
drop them." He added.

   He stopped to look at the Daily News Headline in a newspaper machine and
Heddy whispered to Selena, "He's kinda cute without the glasses, huh?"

   "He seems like a nice young man." Selena said without passing judgment
on his looks.

   They found a place where Selena and Alexis stopped a lot and got a
sandwich and then were able to find a nook big enough for 3 to sit.  Clarke
went back to get straws for their drinks.

   "So, we won't have much time to go out and explore alone, or have
boyfriends or girlfriends come and visit?" Heddy asked as if speaking for
the two of them.

   Selena smiled and put down her sandwich, gave her a knowing look and
said, "What if something happened while you had a boyfriend visiting and
your parents, with whom you still live with, found out that we let you run
wild as if you were of the age of majority in this state?"

   Heddy didn't answer, but just nodded and ate her lunch.

   "Heddy, it's none of my business, but do you regularly spend nights at
your boyfriends when you're home, or did you on campus?"

   Heddy turned crimson red and very quietly said, "No, I don't.  He's
always around when I'm home and he says we should spend more time
together."

   "Are you sure of the intentions of this boyfriend.  You are a pretty
girl who had led a somewhat sheltered life, I assume.  I know you were
consistently chaperoned and looked after being with an older student
population." Selena said as Heddy nodded and Clarke came back to hear the
end of their exchange as Selena continued.

   "Making an emotional commitment like that is short sighted at this stage
of your maturation into this position.  You have to be sure of real love!
As much as I don't approve of flings, that would be a better choice over
making a bad choice with someone not emotionally invested with you and our
future.  At least with a fling you both know what you want and there's no
emotional commitment.  I don't envy either one of you in these times.  I
knew what I wanted at your age, I was deeply in love with the man I'm
married to right now.  I don't think it would have happened if I had to
live out my life now."

   Clarke felt the lull in the conversation and stood up for himself.  "I
assume you were talking about having company come while we're here.  I
spend some nights at my girlfriends with my parent's knowledge.  They don't
like it, but they tolerate it.  She had to travel too far to visit me on
campus, but New York would be doable.  But, my parents would freak if they
knew she ever showed up here."

   "Just both of you realize that everything you do reflects on WSG, and
WSG will make both of you millionaires before you're 50 unless the
financial world goes to hell in the next 30 years.  Your relationship with
the customers you take care of, the expertise you use to make the
investment world safer for all, combined with the business you bring in by
your own reputation will build the value of your seat.  Every member of
this board, going back to the original members were all basically broke
when they started here.  Deneigh was a $75,000 administrative assistant
before she worked hard and went to school and learned how to use the
knowledge she soaked up in our presence.  If you think 75K sounds like a
lot, in New York City, that's about 45-50K anywhere else.  With a $500 car
payment comes a $200 a month parking spot along with an $800-1200 a month
rental payment, unless you can afford a mortgage, most of which in this
city would be 2K a month . . .MINIMUM.  So before you can eat that's about
20K, and how good a car do you think you'll get for $500 a month?  Don't
forget insurance, under 25 years old in New York City, 2K a year.  If you
skip the car and the parking space, you'll still spend about $4000 on
transportation between cabs, trains, and subways.  You HAVE to get around
some way.  When you get to the end of your 90 day stipend, if you haven't
found a place my husband can assist you, but there is no promise of
success. Don't blow your chance to become a successful business man or
woman over a few moments of foolish pleasure, and the money spent on that
foolish pleasure.  There's pleasure, and there's foolish pleasure.  Know
the difference.  I know a young woman who came to this city similarly to
you and spent her money making friends by helping them put white powder up
their nose, as well as hers, a different boyfriend every night.  When it
came time for her to move to her own place, she was flat broke and deeply
in debt.  Luckily she worked for a firm that stood by her when she promised
to amend her ways and she did.  She was out of debt in a year and met a
real man that she married.  Be smart in your decisions. . . . .  Ummm, I
didn't expect this lunch to be a preaching session, but I've seen a lot in
my short life and learned a lot, I can tell you having your financial
security well in hand makes all the other pieces of your life fit into the
puzzle much easier.  Money is not the answer to all your problems, but when
you know it is not a worry, other things will seem easier for you."

   Heddy still seemed embarrassed by her question now and Selena wanted to
be sure she did nothing wrong but spoke to both of them so she wouldn't
feel singled out.

   "I know you want to feel like adults as all of this comes crashing down
on you, but I was as much a kid as either of you when I started and
everyone had 30 and 40 years on me AND I was the only woman.  However,
everyone made me feel at home right away and I hope we all make you both
feel that way.  That built my confidence astronomically.  But, making a,
excuse the expression, booty call to your boy or girl friend will only
complicate things for you.  You won't feel any more grown up showing off
your fancy hotel room.  When you come in September you'll have 3 months,
actually 15 weeks because of the Holidays, of stipend money to live on
while we pay for your lodging.  That room will be a small studio apartment,
much like a college dorm.  The stipend will cover transportation and meals.
After 15 weeks you'll be on your regular wage and you'll have one year to
get partners approval.  We'll go over your plan to buy your seat on the
tank later, but it's very easily attainable.  Now let's get back to the
office so you can finish your first day, and it's been an eventful one. 
You'll come with me to the studio where I'll tape the Financial News Report
and then my husband and I will take you to dinner right across from the
Hyatt Union Square, and I think you'll sleep well tonight.  Deneigh will
meet you in the lobby tomorrow and show you the options of travel to the
office.  It's on 4th and it basically turns into Park where we are.  If you
have any more questions, save then for later.  We better get back."

   On the walk back Selena was approached by one lookie-loo wanting to
commend her for her courage from the 911 attacks.  She politely asked for
her privacy and they went away but she knew her picture was taken.  She
looked to both of her potential new partners and said, "Something I have to
live with, but I prefer to leave it behind me."

   Both Heddy and Clarke just nodded knowing she was uncomfortable speaking
of it.

   At the office Selena handed the two off to Deneigh.

   "Ms.  Cole, take Ms.  Huntsman and Mr.  Brennan back into the stacks. 
There you will see a history of the work we've done and official statements
we've made and the way we arrived at our decisions, as well as the results
of our influence.  You'll also be able to view past years of some of our
subscribers folios, how we've guided and shaped them, and how they fared."
Selena said as Deneigh smiled and walked them to the library room, known as
"the stacks" after Se;ena handed them off.

   "This is all set up to easily browse and study.  The spines are
numbered, dated, and named.  In the search computer you can search by date,
subject, partner, almost anything.  As you get more and more assimilated to
our work and system you'll use the stacks for some historical guidance. 
While you're here one of the partners may come in and search a subject to
see how something he might be querying stood or fell historically.  In the
financial markets with people who make a game of it to solidify their
futures the first thing you learn is that history is the greatest predictor
of the future.  But, you have to keep the rare exception and possibilities
in mind at all times.  In your early days you will study here often. 
Consider every spine a textbook, but there is no order to them.  You'll
notice tally sheets on the wall here with each of our names.  You pick a
number from 1 to 10, write it on the sheet, so if you pick 4, you'll pull
out the 4th spine, then the 8th, then the 12th etc.  Once you've finished,
pick another number.  New spines are at the end and get filed once every 6
months.  Most of us will have been through the entire stack that often."

   Heddy and Clarke each picked a number and pulled down a "spine".  Heddy
started reading, as did Clarke, but she was the first to comment.

   "I thought this might be boring, but it's fascinating to see how all
these pieces fit together.  Sometimes in school you study something and
wonder "how will I EVER possibly use this?" and already I see and hear some
of my professors solving challenges coming to life."

   "Mmmmm, same here.  The guy who wrote this one, named Ford, was a master
at spotting trends.  His advice to some of his accounts was so spot on,
Securities and Exchange investigated him, even seized his phone records,
and he was cleared on insider deals." Clarke said.

   "Yes, Charley Ford was a wizard, for sure.  You could tell by the
twinkle in his eye he was onto something.  After the 911 attacks he seemed
to lose his lust for all of this and he failed fast.  He was heartbroken
over losing Ms.  Johnson then." Deneigh said with wet eyes .

   "Well, I think you two have got the hang of it.  The phone is right here
if you need me.  Don't leave the stacks unless someone comes and locks it
behind you.  NEVER LEAVE THEM UNATTENDED.  Key to get in, locked behind
you." She warned.

   The two studied for nearly an hour when Heddy stood to stretch and
Clarke could not help admiring her lean slim body as she did.  From the
corner of her eye she noticed his ogle.

   "So, your girlfriend isn't coming, huh?"

   "No, I'll cancel her.  She's more a friend with benefits now anyway. 
We've grown apart in a lot of ways, but we still enjoy each other, um . .
that way." Clarke said embarrassingly.

   "Your parents would let you stay with her?"

   "Yes, she had her own place and a good job.  Her parents were close by,
they were pretty liberal, and they really liked me.  So there was never any
pressure from her side about us.  My parents don't "like" it, but they knew
we were going to do it anyway, so rather than come home at all hours of the
morning, they gave in."

   "My parents would NEVER allow that!  I've barely ever been alone with my
boyfriend.  The one thing about coming here was my parents freaking out
about "their little girl all alone in the big bad city." They were going to
come and stay with me at one point, but my Grandmother told them to let me
go and "grow wings" as she put it." Heddy mused.

   "Having your boyfriend come would have been a mistake, for sure if
you've never been, you know, alone . . .with him."

   Heddy blushed and seemed to almost choke on the started but failed words
she wanted to get out.

   "I . . .  er. . . ..have . . . .umm . . . .been with him, but never over
night or . . .  like that."

   "No, I understand that.  It's just . . .  a . . . .a lot more than . .
you know.  Hard to explain." Clarke said.

   "Well, it's not happening anyway, and I'm not so sure he's a great match
for me.  Not sure how much I trust him when I was at school, or even now."

   "Listen Heddy, we're both not even 20 yet and have a lot of maturing to
do as far as that stuff goes.  We have our plates pretty full at this point
anyway.  Don't hurry into something."

   "No, you're right.  We've been treated special all of our lives and been
forced to be with people older than we are and maybe missing some of the
finer points of being with persons our own year age, not necessarily our
same brain age.  Now, we're among others who are, so our thought processes
will be different." Heddy philosophized.

   Just then the door opened and Slim came in.

   "Ahh, the stacks.  For reasons I'll explain later, I spent 2 solid weeks
in here before I could start like you guys, and I had worked 6 years on the
floor of foreign markets mapping trends.  There's no such thing as learning
too much from the past history.  Now, mark your places and let me bring you
out to the Great Room . .  after I lock up here.  Never leave this room
without the door being locked.  After you've become partners in waiting, in
September, you'll have your own key.  If you need a bathroom break, take it
now."

   They both took advantage of Slims break offer and were out in the Great
Room while it was still empty, each of them commenting about feeling "out
of place" in the big room alone.

   The two sat in the Great Room for a few more moments when each partners
door came open and they each came out and sat at their places.  Once they
were all there Selena gaveled the meeting in.

   "As is our normal business after a statement we should be prepared to
speak personally with some of our subscribers whom we think our statement
will affect.  Mr.  Beupour, Ms.  Centofranchi, you two seem to have the
bulk of the "energy people", can we discuss a prudent baseline for personal
calls."

   Slim seemed ready to stand and begin as he assembled some notes, but
Jaye stood and was recognized.

   "If we might all agree, I'm not sure if a dollar amount should be put
out as baseline, I would suggest a percentage of a total folio.  Someone
may hold baseline dollar figure, for example 500,000 US, but if that is
only 5% of his total folio, it doesn't hold the importance that the same
dollar figure goes to one entire folio."

   "Dissenters?" Selena asked, and Slim stood up right away.

   "Haven't we argued in the past that dollars are dollars?  Call everyone
who had energy in their folio."

   Ross Curran cleared his throat and got a nod from Selena.

   "I like to personally speak with as many of our subscribers each year
that I can, but if a person has a small percentage in something and we make
a call it's going to look like condescending hand holding.  The same as a
subscriber who has 75% or better in energy needn't be called.  If he is
that heavily funded that way, he should be already well aware of what is
happening.  It's the 25 to 50 per centers we should be keying on.  Don't
let them be hurt by rumor and wild catting."

   "Well, I don't agree." Slim said dejectedly.

   "As is your right, Mr.  Beupour.  But as policy we should have a vote.
All of those who agree that those investor/subscribers with 25 to 50% of
their folios hooked to energy stocks MUST be called before opening bell
tomorrow?"

   All hands came up except Slims, and he shook his head.

   "You know you have the right to call every single subscriber you keep,
Mr.  Beupour.  It's just as policy we do not think it necessary.  Please be
sure to note every call made for the stacks." Selena said as she prepared
to gavel their meeting closed.

   "Before we adjourn, I want to congratulate our new candidates on their
first day.  Tonight I am taking them to the studio to see the inner
workings of the Financial News Report and then Joe and I are taking them to
dinner at Gotham.

   All of the partners stood and applauded as Heddy and Clarke turned red
in embarrassment, but inside they began to feel acceptance.

   Selena walked down to where they sat as the rest of the partners began
to gather their things, close down their lairs and go home.  She stuck her
head in between them and said, "You two can sit here and go over the things
we talked about today.  I'll be about 10 minutes and I have a cab coming to
get us to the studio, so we have plenty of time to get there."

   "I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight, for sure." Heddy said as she
stretched, stiffening her body in the chair now that they were finally
alone.

   As she stretched Clarke couldn't help but notice the fine lines of her
body and from the corner of her eye Heddy saw him checking her out for the
second time that day.  She hadn't meant to do anything alluring either
time. She knew she was more mature than most guys her age, but as far as
sexuality, she had a lot to learn.  Her "boyfriend" had tried to pressure
her into sex for a couple years before she gave in and let it happen.  She
didn't especially enjoy it, but it did make her feel more grown up, at
least in her head.  He had coerced her to let him join her in New York and
they would "seal" their "love".  She knew she didn't "love" him, but was
anxious to be with the young man just to feel "like a woman".  As she
mulled Selena's earlier words to she and Clarke she was realizing that this
was not the time in her life to make such a commitment to her "boyfriend".
Now just sitting here in the awkward moment of knowing Clarke looked at her
body she realized how foolish the thought of being with the young man, her
ersatz "boyfriend" who wanted to join her.  She ran the stories her friends
had told her about the young man, Jacob.  They called him Jake the Snake
and she refused to believe the stories, but suddenly she thought of herself
as a naïve ingénue.

   Clarke started yammering about being in the "big city" and the sights he
had seen that took his breath away, but Heddy was busy beating herself up
in her head.  "How could I have been so stupid, so anxious to feel mature,
so weak to have given into Jacob."

   When she called him earlier from the Ladies Room at the office to tell
him NOT to come to the city on Thursday as they planned, he didn't seem to
care, and she wasn't convinced he was alone.  When the phone was answered
it seemed it was passed to him and she had to repeat a few things twice,
like he was busy.  She continued to beat herself up thinking about her
having to pay for his train ticket both ways.  As Clarke spoke of the fancy
rooms they had she kept repeating to herself "stupid, stupid, stupid."
Selena's words were becoming more and more coherent.

   "Are you listening to me at all Heddy, I don't mean to bore you.  I'm
just trying to make conversation." Clarke said growing impatient with her.

   "I'm sorry Clarke, it's just I'm realizing what a fool I've been with
this guy I've been wasting my time with, all in an effort to make myself
feel as old as I should be."

   "As old as you should be?  What are you talking about?" He asked totally
confused.

   Heddy dropped her shoulders and exhaled deeply.  "A woman graduating
from college with a four year degree should be 22, 23, or 24, and here I am
19 and being considered a brainiac and I want to think of myself as a
mature woman and somehow I thought sex was going to make me feel that way.
. . . . . . .  OH MY GOD!  I can't believe I said that out loud to you. 
I'm so sorry!  There's so much going on in my head right now!" She said as
she started to cry.

   "Heddy, get a hold of yourself!  Don't blow this opportunity for
yourself.  Go in the ladies room and freshen up before Ms.  Johnson sees
you.  You don't want to miss the September invitation and I DO NOT WANT TO
START HERE ALONE!  It's going to be hard enough." He said in a loud whisper
as she heeded his words and rushed to the ladies room.

   Clarke sat there and shook his head at her outburst and wondered what
she must have going on in her life.  But one thing he knew, he didn't want
to have to start in September all by himself.  He knew the buffer of two of
them would smooth out a lot of things and give them both support when and
if things got tough.

   Chapter Six End of second week June 2014 with Clarke and Heddy.

   Having finished their first working week in The City working at WSG
Heddy and Clarke left the office on Friday the 13th to change and be with J
Trace Fountain and his wife for a night of theater and dinner.  They would
see Beautiful, the Carole King Musical at the Stephen Sondheim Theater, not
far from the office or their hotel.  But first, they would dine at Aureole,
where Trace and his wife Maggie, were regulars.  This was to be a whole new
Fun City experience.

   Being confident of the subways Heddy and Clarke were at The Hyatt before
4:30, just a couple stops from work.  As they passed the doorman in the
lobby he recognized the two and he directed them to the Concierge Desk.
"We were doing maintenance on the carpet in Room 2233 and there was a
spill of Benzine.  There was no damage to any your personal items, but we

have to move you to another room." The Concierge told them.

   "2233 was my room" Heddy stated.

   "A bellman will accompany you to your room and you can remove your
things and he will help you move.  We don't touch anything with things in
drawers and open cases etc.  to protect your privacy.  You'll be moved just
down the hall, I hope that it's OK.  It is the exact same room."

   Heddy sighed knowing there was little she could do about it.  She looked
to Clarke saying, "Go ahead up and we should still have no problem meeting
down here at 5:45 with Mr.  Fountain."

   Shortly thereafter Heddy was on her was up the elevator with a bellman
and a matron to her room.  As soon as she opened the door there was an odor
and a large part of the carpet blocked off so you couldn't walk on it. 
Windows were open and fans were in place to move the air out.

   "If you both could wait outside while I pack up, leave the a . . . 
"Easy roll" the bellman said as she searched for the word, " inside here."
Heddy told them and she ushered them out and closed the door.

   She had soiled clothes, clean clothes, personal items and the like in
the drawers and bathroom that she quickly packed and put on the easy-roll.
She opened the door and welcomed the bellman and matron in to help wheel
her down the hall past the elevator to the, as promised, identical room. 
She replaced her things and laid out her theater clothes and showered.  As
it approached 5:45 she came out of her room Clarke was coming out of his,
now just next door.

   "Oh!  You're just next door now.  You were on the other side of the
elevator before.  I'll have to tell my harem girls to keep it down
tonight." He kidded.

   "In your dreams, lover boy." Heddy joked right back.  "I'll tell Adam
Levine, who's in town to play Madison Square Garden, to be quiet as well."

   Clarke, in his regular eye glasses, looked much less geeky and he was a
very nice dresser.  Heddy admitted she felt a bit uncomfortable around him
in his straight suit and dark rimmed bi-focals, looking like the awkward
cousin your Mom would force you to entertain with your friends.

   Downstairs the Fountains were waiting for them and they took them on a
very nice dinner and fabulous Broadway show.  On the way back in the limo
Trace had hired Heddy said "I can't believe how many of those songs I knew
from her career.  Things I've heard my parents play, or just happened to be
on the radio, even the stations I listen to."

   "I have to admit I was a bit worried taking a couple under 20 new
generation folks to this show, but it is one of the best tickets in town.
We are so glad you liked it.  So what are your plans for tomorrow?" Trace
asked.

   Clarke spoke up.  "Mr.  Branniff, Slim, and Ms.  Johnsons husband are
taking me to Citi Field to see a Mets game.  A guy from right near me in
Georgia is pitching tomorrow, so it should be a lot of fun.It doesn't start
until 4 o'clock, so I plan to sleep in as long as I can."

   Heddy added, "Ms.  Johnson, Miss Quarters, and Ms.  Cole are taking me
to The Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC) and that has NOTHING to do
with The Mets he's going to see." Heddy mused before interjecting, "I have
a lot of sleep to catch up on too, we don't meet up until 2 in the
afternoon."

   "Believe it or not, it's the Number One attraction in New York." Maggie
Fountain told her, adding "As much fun as the boys will have, you will be
mesmerized even if you don't think you have ANY interest in art."

   "But I do, I have a minor in Art History I took during my 2nd and 3rd
years, and then finished online.  The workload was too much for me to do it
with all my other credit hours, but it kept me busy; just something to fall
back on." Heddy said.

   Trace turned in the jump seat of the limo and looked at her, "My dear,
you won't need anything to fall back on if what your professors have said
and what we have seen so far is true.  Devote yourself to WSG for a few
years, earn your seat and invest in it and before you're 30 you'll be able
to see your retirement in your horizon.  If you have to work past 50 years
old it will for the love of the job, believe me.  Selena will be retired
when she is 40, some of that thanks to her husband, but if I had the
opportunity that either of you had at your age I would be on some south sea
island right now, but we have a nice retirement planned.  Oh, and speaking
of Selena, outside of the office you are both encouraged to call by our
names.  We all consider ourselves equals in every way, at the office it's
out of mutual respect that we remain formal."

   Maggie looked to Trace and asked, "On that south sea island, would I be
with you?"

   "Um . . . .  depends, . . . . .  you don't mind if it's one of those
clothing optional islands do you?" Trace said as they both laughed.

   His words made them both feel more comfortable and accepted, especially
Heddy who had been letting self-doubt consume her.  She had been letting
life beat her up in the past few days and suddenly that yoke was beginning
to lift from her.

   After saying their good nights and thanking the Fountains, Heddy and
Clarke headed up to their rooms.  Once off the elevator Heddy told Clarke
how relieved she was to hear Trace speak the way he did about them.

   "You know we're both special in that way, Heddy."

   "You mean "the gift"?  Do we really believe it?" She asked raising an
eyebrow.

   "Come on, admit it, sometimes you put things together in your head and
you stop and wonder HOW it all came together.  Even when I was a kid, not
that I'm a grownup now, but I would figure something out and my Dad would
look at me and say, "HOW do you figure that?" I would shrug and he would
shake his head, almost mocking me saying to himself "uh, gee Dad it's easy,
it's cuz ice cream hasn't got bones." all the while shaking his head.  He
knew I was beyond the outer fringe."

   "I hate to admit you're right, but you are.  I watched my Dad take apart
our furnace to figure why it wouldn't fire.  Just when he was giving up and
calling a repairman I told him the sequence it all had to go through, and
he fixed it.  He asked, "When did you learn about furnaces?" I told him I
didn't know anything about furnaces, but I saw what was supposed to happen
and it all made sense.  That was the first time he rolled his eyes and
walked away leaving me wondering if was proud of me, or mad at me for
knowing more than him."

   They were about to go into their rooms when Clarke asked, "Do you want a
drink, a little edge duller to cap off the week?"

   "We can't get served here."

   "No, I have my own little mini-bar in my suitcase."

   "How do you buy that?" She asked naively.

   "My girlfriend buys it for me."

   "How old is she?"

   "Twenty-four."

   "OK, just let me go to my room and freshen up." Heddy said as she went
to the next door and went in.

   Heddy was trying to process the situation with Clarke as she went in her
room, put on more comfortable shoes and went to the bathroom.  She thought
to herself, "Twenty-four!  Geeky Clarke is keeping a 24 year old happy. 
Where does THAT come from?"

   She was just about to go back over and knock on his door when she heard
a knock, but not from her door, from the partition by the window.  There
was a 2 foot short wall jutting out near the window where a door was hidden
while the curtain was pulled open.  There was a second knock and she went
and pulled the curtain shut exposing the door handle and a bolt slide lock.

   "Heddy, open this door, the rooms adjoin." Came the muffled voice of
Clarke.

   She slid the bolt open and unlocked the door.  She pulled it open and
there stood Clarke.

   "Now, no one can see you coming over here, if anyone is watching."
Clarke said coolly as he strode to the refrigerator and opened it to expose
a row of little airline bottles and short sealed mixed drinks and wines.

   "What's your pleasure for drink?"

   "Well, I'm not too much of a drinker, but if you have a Margarita there,
or some Baileys." Heddy said warily.

   "There's a few Margaritas there.  They were going to be for Patsy, but
since she's not coming . . ."

   "So . . .  let me get this straight.  Your parents allow you to stay
overnight with this girl in her dorm?" Heddy asked as she opened her first
drink.

   "Not her dorm, she's graduated.  It's an apartment.  She's an
accountant. I met her when I was a Freshman."

   "At Stanford?"

   "No, she went to Cogswell for Digital Audio Tech but minored in Math.  I
tutored her so she got both degrees."

   "You were, what 14 or 15, and you tutored a 20 something Senior?" Heddy
asked, astonished.

   "Yes!  She placed an ad in the student union and I had tutored when I
was 13 in High School.  That was all chaperoned at the Georgia Highlands
College library.  So I had a resume." He said proudly.

   "No one questioned that you were going off campus to a woman's dorm
room?"

   "She lived off campus with another gal, her roommate, who went to
Stanford." He told her.

   "When did that turn into more than tutoring?" Heddy wondered aloud.

   "Getting nosy aren't we?" Clarke said with a wide grin.

   "I'm sorry.  I'm just amazed you were that free to move around.  They
watched me like a hawk around ANY upper classmen."

   "Her roommate was her 26 year old grad student sister, so she qualified
as a chaperone.  She was never there though.  She worked as a dancer to
help pay for her Masters." He explained.

   "Now to your question about when; as soon as it was obvious she was
going to pass, she had me celebrate with her and we had drinks, and one
thing led to another and . . . ."

   "But you became boyfriend and girlfriend?" She asked screwing up her
face inquisitively.

   "Let's say we appreciated each other's company until she finished up and
then she went home to Powder Springs, which was only a few miles from where
I lived in Dallas, . .  uh Dallas, GEORGIA.  That's why I responded to her
ad, "Georgia Peach needs tutoring, prefer someone who speaks my language"
Sometimes the accent is tough to understand.  My parents were from New York
originally so I never got that rolling drawl."

   "When I came home for the summer we hooked up, under the radar at first,
but after I turned 16 we became a public couple.  The age in Georgia is 16
to legally engage in sex."

   "You didn't ask me in here to get me drunk and seduce me did you?  I've
seen you looking me over." Heddy asked in a kidding tone, but she was
hoping for a serious answer.

   "Well, you are a little easy on the eyes, as are Selena, Jaye and even
Berkley, who I think is a little butch, but still cute as hell." Clarke
said hoping he didn't offend her.

   "Well, tonight you surprised me, all dressed up and out of those
horrible geek glasses." She said finishing with a laugh.

   "I need bi-focals if I'm going to be reading close-up and then up at a
TV screen on the wall.  Frameless or wire rims in the prescription I need
look like Coke bottle bottoms, plus these frames will protect them from
breaking and they're real expensive. . . .  and, . .  by the way, you don't
have a sexual relationship with a woman like Patsy, who could have any man
she wanted, for the last 4 years by looks alone.  There's a reason WHY we
still see each other often, even though we're no longer are "a couple"."

   "Easy Clarke, I didn't mean to damage your ego." Heddy said not really
wanting to tease him about his geek look.

   "I just hear that geek talk so much, until someone gets to know me. 
I've had my share of girlfriends, most of whom sought me out.  I don't mind
saying I have a pretty good personality and make most people feel
comfortable around me." He said feeling a bit hurt by the geek tag.

   "Clarke, if I didn't feel comfortable with you, or think you were
anything less than respectable in your ways, do you think I would be alone
with you right now?  During the day I have to be with you, just don't think
I don't respect you or what you've accomplished by a quirk in your looks
when you wear glasses.  I am NOT shallow."

   "Thank you, you're sweet." Clarke said getting up and kissing her cheek.

   "Can I get you another Margarita?"

   "Yes, it tasted good and it's taken and edge off." Heddy said.

   "I like the buzz of a couple drinks, I'm drinking Red Stag and Coke.  It
really hits it for me.  Beer makes me feel full and wine makes me sleepy."
He told her and he handed her another prepackaged drink right in a glass
and opened it.

   She looked up and took the drink and craned her neck to kiss him,
"You're sweet too."

   "Don't let the alcohol talk Heddy." He warned her.

   "I'm not, I really do think you're sweet, and you smell good too." She
said with a smile.

   "Keep up the sweet talk and I'll be over there sitting next to you." He
said as she took a quick breath at his words.

   They made small talk about first impressions of their co-workers and
then the experience of seeing Selena do the Financial News.

   "She's so smooth, you would think she's a reporter by trade, just like
when she does the reads from the Great Room." Heddy said.

   "Nothing wrong with her looks either.  No wonder her husband never
stopped looking for her." Clarke said.

   "I hope you say nice things about my looks when I'm not around, you
charmer." Heddy said with a grin.

   "You caught me checking you out today, twice.  You have a nice shape, a
flat belly and a pretty face.  If we didn't work together, I would ask you
out."

   "We aren't officially co-workers now." She said with a cute grin.

   "Heddy, don't you think I'm a little fast for you.  You made a few
comments about yourself earlier this week and today." Clarke warned her.

   "Maybe that's what I find interesting." She said with a straight face,
her eyes looking for his reaction.

   "Are you asking me to come over there right now?" He asked, having just
enough to drink to let his guard down and break some of his personal rules.

   "Clarke, I've only been with a man once, I mean all the way.  I was
hoping to see him this week, but I've realized how I was used." She said
quietly and she finished her second drink.

   " . .  and with me, it would be different?" He asked.

   "You wouldn't use me would you? . .  and tell me things you didn't mean
to get your way with me."

   "No, but it would be for the fun of it, my pleasure, and of course
yours." Clarke said.

   "When you bring me another drink, stay over here on the sofa with me?"
She said cutely.

   "I think it's the alcohol talking now, and I don't want to hurt you, or
lead you on." He said cautiously.

   "Clarke, I wasn't in a convent, I was in a woman's dorm.  No, we didn't
have men in, but there certainly was alcohol and lots of girl talk.  I had
girls hitting on me, but THAT never happened.  We used to drink Long Island
Iced Tea and Car Bombs." She said standing up for herself.

   "You're sure you never got drunk and went to bed with one of the
ladies." He asked suspiciously.

   Heddy turned red and went out to the end of the seat on the sofa and
raised her hand to make the point.  "Necked, yes we necked, but as soon as
she tried to feel me up, one of the more sober girls would get me out of
there.  They were ALL supposed to protect me from the MEN on campus."

   "I just want you to realize what's happening here, where this is going,
and that this isn't anything more than what it is." Clarke warned her.

   "I know I'm not falling in love with you, or want you to be my
boyfriend, if that's what you mean.  I want to experience what I've heard
my friends talk about with someone who understands what I want, where I'm
coming from." Heddy said with a quiver in her voice, like she was afraid.

   "Heddy, I'm not forcing myself on you.  We don't have to do anything. 
Don't be afraid of me."

   "I'M NOT AFRAID!  I just have never been with a man like this."

   "What does "like this" mean?" Clarke said as he went to the little
fridge and made himself another drink and got her one more pre-mixed
cocktail.

   "I mean with a man in a room with a bed." She said quietly.

   "Where were you with this Jake the Snake character?" He asked as he
handed her the drink and sat at the end of the sofa.

   "Always in his car, or behind the dorms."

   "He never brought you to his apartment, or dorm, or at least a hotel?"

   "No, there was always an excuse." She said dejectedly.

   "Like maybe a wife or live-in girlfriend?" Clarke asked.  "We don't need
to emphasize how naïve I was.  I've been figuring that out in the last 12
hours.  Funny how the obvious escapes you when you're trying pad your own
ego, especially with a sex resume'."

   "Do you think sex is going to make you feel more grown up?  Because, if
that's the reason you're still naïve." He schooled her.

   "No, it isn't that.  It's just I protected my virginity so close and
gave it up in the back seat of a car and it wasn't enjoyable at all. 
Afterwards he felt like he owned my body, touching me and trying to feel me
and I hated that.  That was why I wanted him to come and spend a night or
two with me.  I was to pay for his train ticket . . .  can we just CHANGE
THE SUBJECT?"

   Clarke took a long swig on his drink and looked at her with great
indecision written all over his face.

   "What?" she asked.

   "Tell me what you want to accomplish tonight, and remember, it doesn't
have to be anything.  I want you to be my friend and we are going to work
together for what I hope is a long time.  I don't want you to resent me."
He said softly.

   "Make love to me like you would if I were your girlfriend, or like you
would with, . . .  um, . . .  Patsy.  I knew the moment you told me about
her that you could be the man to show me."

   "Show you?"

   "I spent 4 years in dorms with mature sexually active females who spoke
of their longing for their boyfriends, or any man in some cases.  I heard
what they all wanted, what they all did and I never understood.  When I
gave it up to Jake I waited for all of what was advertised and by holding
out I thought it would be so much better than anything I heard and I would
fall in love with him forever, . . . .  and it was nothing.  My own hand
was never fulfilling, but what I thought would be earth moving, was
nothing." She said, almost on the verge of tears.

   "You won't be . . .  like slapping my hand away or anything, you'll just
let things happen?  I promise that you will have a very pleasurable night.
I'm THAT confident in myself." He said as she went to shake her head, and
then nod confusing his double negative, so she reached out and touched his
hand.

   "I'm in your hands, just tell me that I can say stop and leave when I
want." She said, her eyes showing doubt once again.

   "That was always the case, no matter the situation.  I'm not into that
sort of thing."

   "O-Kay." She whispered softly as he got up and moved next to him.  She
set down her drink, and sought out his lips.

   Her kiss was cautious at first, perhaps with Clarke wanting to see how
serious she wanted to take it.  Her mouth tasted good and he pressed a bit
and fluttered his tongue to her mouth and that served as a fuse lighter for
Heddy.  Her mouth opened wide to his and she threw her tongue to him and
that was when his arms went around her tightly, pulling her close right up
to him.  She felt her breasts mash to his chest as he pushed up a bit with
his left leg to let her back into the back of the sofa.  Her legs opened as
far as her skirt would allow, but it was enough for him to press his middle
to hers.  She slowly slid down the back of the sofa until he was laying
right over her.  He broke their kiss and looked her eye to eye and smiled.

   "The lady knows how to be kissed and show her partner HOW she likes to
be kissed.  You can feel what you've done to me." He said before he
attached his mouth to hers once more and pressed the lump in his pants
towards her damp parts.

   Little by little he squirmed over her until he was straddling her and
then he sat up.

   He softly smiled at her and moved his hands from her arms to her belly
as he fumbled for the buttons of her blouse.  He only undid 3 of them and
looked in her eyes and saw expectation in them.  He undid the 4th and he
had enough room to get his hands on her bra-clad breasts.

   "Your breasts feel as lovely as they look." He said as he felt them
through her bra before he popped one cup up and his hand squeezed it and
fingered up to lightly pinch her nipple.  Her eyes rolled back for a moment
but she quickly focused on him to see what would happen next.  He pushed up
the other cup and handled it the same way before he bent and kissed her
mouth once again and her hand came up to hold his head tight to her mouth,
rotating her tongue over and over in his mouth.  She swooned a bit and let
him go and he quickly moved his head down to suckle one of her nipples
while his other hand held the other.

   He felt her pressing back with her hips and before he moved his mouth to
the other nipple he scooped her up and carried her to the bed.  He set her
down and unbuttoned the last on her blouse and unclipped the front closure
on her bra and pushed everything over her shoulder.  He bent and mouthed
her breasts paying homage to how cute and pert her nipples were and little
by little one hand slid down her hip to the bottom of her skirt and slid up
her leg.  Right away he noticed she had removed her panty hose that he had
noticed she had worn earlier.  With his mouth attached to one nipple his
hand cupped one side of her cute ass and squeezed as he moved quickly over
her and had one knee between her legs, pushing the loose skirt up as far as
it might be able to go.

   Her little pants and breath catches stopped momentarily and she
whispered, "Let me take this off."

   In Clarkes mind he shouted to himself, "This is on!".  He had been so
afraid that she might have a second thought when it came to getting between
her legs, but she was anxious now.

   She unsnapped a stay and shinnied the garment down and off her legs
leaving her in just her little pink panty.

   Rather than keep her in any suspense he put fingers to both sides of it
and pulled it down and as she lifted her legs to let it come off as he
moved to the spot where the backs of her thighs were.  Her legs were up and
the only way to put them down was to be on either side of him.  He looked
down at her neatly trimmed little pussy, with only a "landing strip" over
her wetness.  His eyes went up to meet hers and he whispered, "so pretty,
you are a beautiful woman." making her blush.

   "You aren't going to take off your . . . . ." She started to say
thinking he would enter her right away.

   "Shhhhh . . . . .  just let things happen.  Open your mind to the
pleasure.  This is a trip I'll take you on, but you have to let your sexual
self come out." He softly whispered.

   She closed her eyes and it was apparent her splayed legs relaxed as he
bent forward and kissed her mouth where she, once again, devoured his lips
and tongue, her hands going to the back of his head, but he pulled back a
bit and she relented.  He began kissing her face, all over, soft little
kisses that trailed along her face, over her hairline and eventually down
her body, stopping only to lightly bite at her nipples, just enough to make
her jolt, ever so slightly.  She began to tense as he went down her belly
and drilled at her little outie belly button.  As he went lower she almost
began to raise her hands to stop him but she quickly pulled them back,
trusting his words knowing if she chose to just leave, she could.

   He had to scoot his knees down a bit to get his mouth on her pretty
little pussy and as he moved back he caught her eyes with his.

   "No man has ever seen me totally naked like this.  Be nice to me." She
said almost so low he barely heard it.

   He lowered his head and lightly kissed and tongued the insides of her
thighs before just flicking the tip of his tongue on her engorged clit on
her now blossomed sex flower.  She seemed to be holding her breath in a
tentative holding pattern until his mouth covered her sex and his tongue
swathed right through the lips and tasted her nectar.  Instinctually she
raised her hips to him, her body denying her want to pull away from what it
didn't know yet.

   Instantly she understood the words her dorm sisters said as they gushed
about their sexual liaisons, their carnal wants.  Her sex began to flourish
and fill as blood rushed to her parts like it hadn't before.

   The geeky Clarke from work was nothing but a shadow of the man who was
playing her body like an instrument for her.  Where she thought she had
satisfied herself with her hands on occasion, Clarke had her running down
the rails of orgasm like a runaway train leaving her to wonder if her heart
might explode when she erupted in a long breath-taking spasm that caught
her breath and gave her a thrill she never wanted to end, but it did as she
barked out a yelp that rang in the room as she tried to push his mouth
away.

   He relented with his tongue but slid two fingers into her while his
thumb massaged over her hood and exposed clit.  Her bottom seemed to jitter
bug on the bed until she tried to flip over to avoid his fingers as she
leaked fluid from her g-spot sponge that she mistook for urine.  He
relented his oral and digital tease and moved over her to attach his mouth
to hers once more.

   As her breath returned, although she was still puffing in sexual
excitement, Clarke rocked back to his knees pulling her up with him, she
hugging him as he knelt between her splayed legs.  Not wanting to ruin the
moment she hesitated asking him WHEN he was going to get inside of her, but
as the question was about to leave her lips, he stood on the bed.  In order
to keep from falling back she gripped him behind his thighs.

   "Do you know a man?  Come to your knees." He softly said as he looked at
her with a knowing smile.

   She was confused until she realized she was on her knees before a man
with an uncomfortable bulge in his pants.

   "Oh MY GOD!" She thought.  "What does he expect me to do?", although she
knew already what he might expect.

   She looked at him with frightened eyes.

   "Learn about a man, I don't think you know what a man is."

   "Just pictures." She shyly said.

   "If you want to be a woman, learn about a man, and realize how
uncomfortable I am right now." He said as he took one of her hands and put
it on his discomfort and took the other and put it on his belt buckle.

   She looked straight ahead and took a deep breath and let it out through
her nose and let both of her hands go to his belt buckle and pant snap. 
She looked up to him as if to implore him to help, but he just gave her a
soft look that told her it was OK.  As she pulled his pants apart she moved
to pull down the zipper and his pants began to come down.  She took a deep
breath again and took both sides of his underwear and pushed them down till
they caught up with his pants, and then down to his bare feet on the
mattress.  He lifted a foot and she took them off, and then the other, then
looking straight forward into his manscaped package that stood at attention
before her.

   "Hold me, squeeze the tip.  It aches." He said as she did what he said
and she relished the feel of this male body, that she never really knew the
touch of.

   She half smiled as she looked up to him as she ran her hand over the
length and squeezed the head.

   "Put your hand under the sack, feel my balls."

   She lifted his cock a bit and looked at his testicles as if trying to
find something in a dark drawer, and then put her hand under them and felt
their heft.

   "They're tender?"

   "No, not for gentle fondling, they feel good.  Think of how you enjoy
your breasts fondled, but not squeezed hard.  But don't forget the head
where the excitement of your body has filled it with blood."

   She backed up a bit to hold one hand under his balls and the other
squeezing the head.  She kept up her hand play for a few minutes as he
groaned in pleasure.  She was watching her hands work intently, studying
this new specimen to her.

   "What's next?" He asked.

   She drew her hands back like it suddenly became hot.  "I don't do that!"

   "I did it for you and look how you enjoyed that.  In four years in a
woman's dorm not one said she liked doing that?" He asked.

   "They spoke casually of it."

   "Of what?"

   "Blowj . .  Oral sex!" She said, embarrassed.

   "Why do you think the talk was so casual?" He asked

   Heddy looked away and down and said quietly, "They all did it."

   "Now, know a man." He said, but not as an order.

   "What about pee?"

   "I'm told it tastes like sex, not pee, just like you.  You tasted like
sweet sex and you may have noticed . . . .  I liked it."

   "Oh GOD!" she said as she came up and faced his erection straight on. 
"Little kisses until you're ready." He said assuredly.

   She looked and tried to detect a smell without being obvious, but put
her lips to the tip and gave it a little kiss, and then another quick one,
this time with lips a little less pursed where she might taste something.
She repeated it over and over about 5 times and looked up to him.

   "This is a tortuous tease whether you realize it or not.  Put your mouth
around the head or stop altogether." He said his voice quivering to where
she realized he really was uncomfortable.

   She thought about just moving away before she remembered all the stories
she heard and the few minutes of porn that showed on the TV's before she
was ushered out of rooms by those responsible for her well-being.  She
closed her eyes and opened her mouth and closed it over the tip as she
heard him groan.

   "Ohhhhh God, thank you!" He said appreciatively.

   She pulled her mouth off and then pushed her lips over the head again,
just to the rim of the corona.  Again he grunted pleasure.

   Although she was still afraid, she did relish the satin feel of the head
as it went over her tongue and it did taste like sex, or at least how she
thought sex might taste.  She did know that her nostrils flared in a feral
sort of response.  Making her partner happy this way was not the gross
thing she imagined.  She remembered one of her dorm-mates, a Jenny Lynn,
who couldn't believe Heddy had never "sucked a big dick".  Heddy wasn't
convinced how wonderful it was, but she was not as opposed to the thought
as 5 minutes ago.

   Clarkes hand went to the back of her head and he began to move a bit
more of himself into her mouth but she pulled back thinking he was going to
try to push it all in.

   "Calm down.  I'm just trying to show you how to please that man." He
said looking at her imploring eyes.

   She opened her mouth again and went over the tip and he once again used
his hand to hold her head and lightly fuck her mouth.  She seemed to get
the hang of it and he was enjoying it to the point where he may have
produced a bit of pre-cum as she backed off and looked at him queerly.

   "I would never cum in your mouth without warning, but I have other plans
for us." He said as he stepped back and knelt again.  He moved to her side
and got her to lie on her side and he spooned her.

   "Birth control?" He asked awkwardly.

   "Uh, . .  uh . .YES, but not for what you're doing." She said knowing it
was to control her periods.

   "But you're safe." He double checked.

   "Supposedly." She whispered almost impatiently.

   With confidence like that he already decided to pull out when the moment
came.  What Heddy didn't realize was that she could be penetrated in this
position and Clarke hit her wet slice and slid all the way up into her.

   "OHHHH My GODDDD!" She gushed as Clarke threw his right arm over her and
held her breast tightly as he spoke right into her ear.

   "You feel so good around me Heddy.  Are you OK?"

   "Yes, just startled at going in this way." She said with a cry in her
voice.

   Clarke moved up close to her to kiss her neck and shoulder to show her
some affection and in doing so he moved inside of her a bit and she was
reacting to him jostling.

   "You feel so good inside of me now that I'm accustomed to you.  I . . .
I . .uh."

   "What is it Heddy?" He asked.

   Heddy quivered under him, obviously enjoying feeling him inside of her
and all over her back as he fondled her breast.

   "Fuck me, please fuck me." She cried out pushing back onto him.

   "THAT'S what I wanted to hear, some passion." He chuckled into her ear
as he began to move within her.

   Little by little he began to thrust as she began to get orgasmic and
claw at the sheets moaning his praises.  As she began to cum hard for the
2nd time he noticed they were both out of breath and sort of fell onto her.
In doing so she sort of flattened out and he moved right over her.  Using
his knees to part her legs he reached under her and pulled her up to a
doggie position.  He slipped into her and after slowly thrusting he began
to bang her like he had before, but in this position it was much more
pronounced.

   "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!" She blurted out emphasizing each thrust until
Clarke was out of breath and he sat back extracting himself from her.

   He took the sides of her hips in his hands and showed her to turn and
lie flat before he mounted her and saw the glowing smile on her face.

   "This is life assuring!" She said leaving Clarke lost for words.

   "W - what?"

   "This is pleasure I never thought possible.  Have you cum yet?" She
naively asked.

   "No, I've been able to hold back a bit to make sure you're enjoying
yourself." He said half serious, half kidding.

   "My little pussy is getting tender, don't hold back anymore."

   Clarke laughed as he leaned forward and found her warm pink puddle and
he began to thrust in long strokes that he knew would push him over.

   "God, Heddy, I'm gonna cum soon.  I'll shoot all over you, unless you
want it in your mouth."

   Her eyes turned as big as saucers and she said "NO, No!"

   He chuckled and then he began to get furtive in his movements and he
suddenly pulled out and took his cock in his hand and stroked a few times
and blew a geyser up between her breasts with some even splashing to her
lips.  A second shot went onto her belly and ran to her belly button.  As
he was stroking out the last few pulses Heddy reached down and ran her
finger over the tip, around and round until he couldn't even take that and
he pulled away.

   He fell beside her exhausted and rolled to his back puffing.  He looked
to her and she was in her own little world, but a very satisfied little
world.

   "We should get up and shower, rinse off.  We both smell like sweat and
sex juice."

   "Not together?" she asked, a bit alarmed.

   "No, that would cause trouble, and be a bit more than rinsing." He said
with a devilish smile.

   "You go first." Heddy said as Clarke willingly got up and went in and
ran a quick shower.

   He came out to the bed in no more than 2 or 3 minutes after rinsing off
his body and found Heddy asleep.  He lay beside her hoping his jostle of
the bed would wake her but the buzz coming from her told him she was out

   Clarke fell asleep before he could get some final words with Heddy,
wanting to make sure she was OK with herself and all she had done this
evening, hoping it was what she had imagined.  When he finally woke up to
pee it was after 2 a.m.  Heddy was no longer in his bed but the doors
between the rooms were still open.

   He got up and went to the bathroom and went to peek in the other room to
be sure she was OK.  He stuck his head around the corner and saw her lying
on top of the sheets uncovered.  He smiled to himself and was about to go
back to bed when he heard a soft "Hello".

   "Oh, I didn't wake you did I?"

   "No, I slept for a bit, but my body still tingles from it all.  I'm
still enjoying the glow." She said softly.

   "No regrets?"

   "No none, really!  It was what I really wanted when I first plotted to
have Jacob come and stay with me.  He never would have been as kind and
caring as you.  Without sounding stupid, I feel like my body has caught up
with my brain.  After unsatisfying sex with Jacob I felt cheap and used."

   "And now?" Clarke asked.

   "I feel like a woman, a woman who can make her own choices about who she
wants to be with, and more importantly, why."

   "I'm glad you're happy.  I was worried it was a mistake." He confessed.

   "No.  Come and lay with me." Heddy said.

   "If I do, something will happen.  We shouldn't." He told her, already
feeling a stirring in his manhood as he watched her naked on the sheets.

   "Would that be bad?" She wondered.

   "Right now, probably.  Neither of us should think that sex is always an
option for us now.  I don't think we should become fuck buddies." Clarke
theorized.

   "I don't understand."

   "We work together, seeing each other all of the time.  Neither of us
wants nor needs that attachment when we see each other at work.  It would
affect things." He explained.

   "I already know that tomorrow when we leave here that door will be
closed and locked, not to be reopened.  I'm on my woman pedestal, I earned
that tonight.  No man will ever use me again.  Remember, I'm a smart woman,
besides being a sexual woman.  I want to have you one more time before we
close that door in the morning." She had already resolved.

   Clarke weighed his decision for a moment and she helped him decide.

   "Tomorrow you can tell your friends that last night you made love to a
woman.  It's still last night.  Come to me."

   The glow of her body in the ambient light from the bathroom light now
had full effect on him and his junk, he was erect and wanting her one more
time.

   "Come to me." She whispered, "What would you like?"

   "You said you were a woman now, on her pedestal, you take what you
want." He said challenging her as he approached the bed.

   She scooted to the edge of the bed and sat facing him.  She crooked her
finger to beckon him closer, now standing before her.

   She took his hard cock in her hand and played with it in the low light
while her other hand went under his balls.

   "I thought I might be disgusted by this, but I found it somewhat
empowering." She said as she stroked him and squeezed and fumbled his
balls.

   She wet her lips and bent to take the head in her mouth, still unsure of
what to do, only knowing she liked the strange sensation.  She slipped the
head in and out of her lips a few times and then looked up to him.  He put
his hand on the back of her head and she lowered her head onto him and he
gently fucked her mouth for a few moments.

   He removed his hand and she looked up.  Clarke went to his knees and
whispered for her to lie back.  With her ass on the edge of the bed and he
on his knees, he gently ate her pussy until she had to cover her face with
the pillow to stifle the screams of pleasure after 2 in the morning.  It
came to a point where she could no longer stand his tonguing and she pushed
him away and crawled back up onto the bed.

   He got up onto the bed and took a pillow and got it under her little ass
and he mounted her missionary giving her a long slow fuck as he encouraged
her to play with her own breasts which drove her to close her eyes and seem
to enter her own little world of gasps, groans and sexy giggles.  He began
to stroke at her faster and she realized he was going to cum again.

   "Please Sir", she said cutely, "all over my belly again."

   Clarke smiled to her and then closed his eyes as he pulled from her and
shot his load on her belly as requested.  Again she reached down and ran
her finger over and over the head as the ambient light caught each little
droplet of cum he was pulsing out and she would rub on the head.

   Finally he said was over sensitive and said, "Please, no more."

   She pulled the last drop off and brought it to her mouth to solve an
inquisitive doubt in her mind.  (Dorm mates who talked of eating cum
confused her, ie: why would anyone eat cum?)

   Heddy pulled herself up and sat against the head board of the bed while
Clarke went to her bathroom and got a towel for her to wipe up the mess on
her stomach.

   "Clarke never feel guilty about any of this.  I wanted it all to happen
with someone who I thought cared about me, but I realize now only used me.
You, on the other hand, were kind, patient, and a friend.  I almost feel
like I took advantage of you.  Once you talked about Patsy and your
relationship I knew you were the kind of guy I wanted to be with.  We may
never be together like this again, but I hope we stay friends for a long
time.  You're very sweet."

   "Don't think I didn't benefit from this.  With all the stress of the
week I thought I might burst with no outlet besides my hand.  (heh-heh)
This was special." Clarke said as he got up and looked around for his
underwear.

   "You weren't wearing anything when you came in," Heddy said, adding
"Don't do that again, OK?  Hahaha"

   "I have to get some sleep, I'm exhausted." Clarke said as he bent and
kissed her cheek and went back to his room.

   As he took a leak and got to bed he heard the door between the rooms
close and the bolt thrown.  Their night, and possibly their carnal time,
together was over.

   Chapter Seven Thanksgiving week 2014

   Monday the 24th was going to be a big day for WSGG.  Their last new
recruit candidate to come in and become a partner was due to show up
shortly after noon, taking a train in from the Albany, NY area.  Their
first two candidates that began in September were almost close to their 90
day reviews and 1st partner vote.  At this Holiday juncture they both
seemed to be acclimating to the position and the pace of the job.  Neither
showed a sign of being overwhelmed, and both found the market exciting and
fresh in their professional and personal dealings.  Both Heddy and Clarke
had found places to live just outside the city proper and were saving money
and doing fairly well with personal investments.  Jaye (Jamaica Browne)
Centofranchi was traveling the train route with them each day she wasn't
reading for the Financial News TV blurb.  They all lived within 5 and 8
stops of each other and had gotten to know each other fairly well.  Heddy
was in a relationship with a producer from Fox she had met when she
auditioned for the Financial News reader fill-in job.  She hadn't received
a call back, but she was told she might get a re-read.  Clarke was dating a
woman from one of the local lunch spots, but she lived in Brooklyn.  It
made it hard for them to get together unless she stayed with him on those
nights.  That was hard to pull off at times because still Patsy was seeing
him on occasion as her job was bringing her into The City every month or
so. Clarke knew he was playing with fire, but told himself that she was
merely a fuck-buddy and a friend.  If his other squeeze got any more
serious he would have to stop Patsy from visiting, but for now he was
happy.

   Selena was excited to meet their recruit, James Gladrow, since he was
mentored by Doc Stevens and Doc had run out of superlatives for the young
man.  The last thing Doc told her before his first face to face interview
was "Prepare to be impressed, I have no doubt he will be invited to join.
When his chance for a seat would come up in the future, Polytech was going
to buy 20% on the agreement that he endow the amount back once his shares
earned an equal amount.

   Both Selena and Joe had been extremely active with her parents in the
past few months, getting back home almost every other weekend as they
planned to sell Joe's Upstate home to Selena's parents as a way to keep
things in perspective and not own both the Manhattan condo and the Upstate
home.  They could visit Upstate whenever they pleased and having a base in
New York City after Selena's retirement would suit both of them quite well.
With the Hanson's living in his former home, he was assured it would be
kept up and they could visit whenever they pleased.  Plus, Selena's parents
took a couple vacations a year in their daughters other homes, usually
Florida and Maine, and when they did Joe and Selena had the Upstate home to
themselves and it still felt like "home" to Joe.  While keeping four homes
seemed extravagant and a bit on the "too much" level, when Selena wanted
the fifth, to keep a base in New York City, selling his Upstate base to her
parents seemed a natural move.

   Selena bounded up the steps of the WSGG brownstone front and heard the
click of the lock as Berkley Quarters let her in and greeted her with a
smile and greeting.

   "Good Morning Selena." She said as Selena nodded back and looked for
messages on top of the horseshoed marble top of Berkley's workstation.

   "Anything?" She asked, "Oh, and . .  Good Morning!  I'm sorry to be a
bit preoccupied."

   "Not a problem, . . . .  I understand.  You had one message from
Professor Stevens, just that Mr.  Gladrow's train was on time and he would
like you to call him after hours.  There's also a call back for Mr. 
Fountain and he isn't in until Friday."

   Selena looked at the name and number on his call back request and, still
preoccupied without looking up said "No, he'll be in today to meet our
candidate, but then he won't be here until Friday.  Be sure he sees this.
Can you get me a coffee?" She said and hurried into the Great Room and to
her office, the door closing hard.

   "What's the bug up her butt?" Berkley thought, never having seen her so
abrupt and, at least for Selena, rude.

   When she got in her office she took a memory stick from her bag and
inserted it into her computer and opened the WORD program and quickly
pasted a document she had written late Sunday evening after reading the
minutes of the Federal Reserve's late October meeting.  It was the last
thing she was going to do before going to bed and it upset her so she never
got to sleep until after 1:00 a.m.

   Berkley Quarters knocked lightly on her door and opened it without
waiting for a response.

   "Ms Johnson, your coffee."

   "Thank you Miss Quarters and let me apologize for being so abupt, rigid,
and rude this morning.  I had a lot on my mind and didn't sleep well and
certainly didn't want to take it out on you, nor order you around.  I
should be getting my own coffee, you aren't a maid.  I used to scold Ms
Cole for doing it automatically when I came in, not wanting your position
to be that of a servant of any kind."

   "I understand people have bad days and you are certainly more than
courteous and kind in all of our interactions and I have no problem
whatsoever with doing little things for you when things get hectic." Miss
Quarters said and was about to back out of the office to return to her
desk.

   "Miss Quarters wait," Selena said as she jotted down a note on a sticky
pad.

   She handed the paper to Miss Quarters, and she read it back.  "All
senior and junior partners, Great Room 9:15, ditto for 1 hour after
Mr.Gladrow arrives."

   "OK, Miss Quarters?  I'll request at the 9:15 that all lunches be
complete and everyone available for that second meeting, that I expect will
be about 1:30.  So if anyone gives you lunch plans before that please
explain.  Did Mr.  Fountain come in yet?"

   "Yes, he was a minute behind you and he got the message." She said as
she returned to the front desk.

   Selena buzzed Trace right away.

   "Good morning Trace.  I saw your message, the request for a call?  I
want to make a case for a general statement having to deal with the same
subject."

   Trace let her finish her sentence before he burst out"Excuse my
reaction, what goddam right does the government have making comments about
things they have little idea about except we may cultivate a few more
wealthy people, and of course their idea of wealth is anything over 100K,
which in New York City is almost a minimum wage if you want to lead a
meager middle class existence.  Even though, every member of Congress is
probably a millionaire and for all we know, crooks as well."

   "Well, at least one other person had the same reaction as me.  This is
just another tip-toe towards regulation and I think it's time we made a
statement telling the general public, as well as our subscribers what we
think of their meddling and innuendo in the statement.  Coming from any
other source might not carry any weight, but I think a nudge from us will
stir their soup a little because it may affect contributors.  I'd love to
stand on a soap box and shout "Stay the fuck out of where you don't belong
or understand." Selena responded.

   ". . . . . . . . .  uh...Not sure if I would be THAT eloquent Selena,
but in a nutshell that should be the message."

   "Sorry for the coarse outburst Trace, but I lost sleep over this last
night.  They release those notes on a Sunday night so it won't be in the
papers on Monday, but by Tuesday all interested parties have seen it like
we did and this shadow of fear comes up over the unwise investors, and we
all know there are heavy hitting players out there with little more that
jelly for brains, and linguine for spines and any knee-jerk reaction could
start something, and wouldn't the Fed like to see that, give them a reason
to raise interest rates."

   "So," Trace deduced, "You're contemplating a statement?"

   "Well, I wrote one last night and this morning and called for a 9:15 in
the Great Room.  We can at least get input from the others.  Slim will have
a better idea on how they, meaning The Fed, would react.  I don't want to
kick a sleeping dog, but I also don't plan on lying still while they try to
walk all over the markets." Selena barked into the phone.

   "OK, I suggest we both calm down a bit before the Berkley makes the
call. If we go out spitting fire we may be accused of being a bit too jaded
to make a sane, sound decision." Trace cautioned, adding, "and don't sully
the water by talking to anyone else beforehand, we have to assume we might
be taking the wrong tact on this.  Agreed?"

   "I gotcha, see you in 20 minutes or so." She said hanging up.

   She sat back in her chair and drank her coffee and watched the boards
from foreign markets and overnights, going over her normal checks and
balances when a knock came to the door, it was Heddy.

   "Yes Ms.  Huntsman."

   "Excuse me Ms Johnson, but I don't have a terminal to watch this morning
with everyone in and not seeing the overnights and overseas leaves me in
the cold.  Do you mind my looking over your shoulder?  Promise I won't say
a word and will be happy with anything you watch." She asked.  "Sure, but
keep that promise.  I've got a lot of things on my plate right now, but I
can't turn down such a request.  Where were you working?"

   "Clarke and I were back in the stacks, but working there and not knowing
what's going on is like trying to sleep with a cramp in your leg." She
answered as she sat on the side sofa next to the desk.

   "Where's Clarke?"

   "He's knocking on Mr.  Beupour's, door to ask the same question."

   "We'll have to get a couple work stations, perhaps in with The Stacks.
Uh . . .  just be silent and take notes.  We're going to meet in a short
while in The Great Room."

   "Yes, Ms.  Johnson." Heddy said taking her note pad out.

   Selena ran her screens as she always did and took little notes and
obviously preoccupied by her fervor for her proposal to make before the
partners.  The all stations intercom opened and Berkley announced.  "9:15
in the Great Room please".

   Selena pushed back from her desk and took a look in her mirror to check
herself and said, "Alright Ms.  Huntsman, let's go out meet the partners."

   When everyone was there and settled Selena dropped the gavel and looked
to Miss Quarters.

   "Please note the call by Selena Johnson." Miss Quarters announced and
nodded back to Selena who began.

   "Last night the Fed released the minutes of its last meeting, end of
October and it riled me greatly.  I hope I'm not alone in my beliefs about
the place of the Fed and their doings.  Instead of blathering on and on to
make my point, Let me read to you what I would like to issue as a blanket
statement to all investors."

   She cleared her throat and read from her prepared words: "The Federal
Reserve is not supposed to care or worry about the markets.  Officially it
only has two mandates: to make sure enough of us are working and make sure
the price of consumer goods stays stable.  I happened to read the minutes
of the Fed's latest policy meeting and it clearly shows that they are
watching the markets a bit too closely, to the point they will let it color
their statement.  I just received the complete minutes of its late October
meeting and Fed board members actually debated whether to acknowledge the
recent stock market volatility in their statement.  Stocks dipped
precipitously in late-September and early October before going on a
ferocious rally at month's end, only showing the resiliency of the market
economy.  There are people who invest heavily in the market who actually
think the Fed is relevant, even though it remains one of the greatest
mistakes the government has made and all should recall that the founding
fathers warned against establishing it.  Thomas Jefferson said "A private
central bank issuing the public currency is a greater menace to the
liberties of the people than a standing army.  `We must not let our rulers
load us with perpetual debt."

   She continued."Please listen to those who KNOW the markets and how they
work, do not let this Federal buttinsky who has nothing to do with the
markets, make decisions for you.  You know the risks of stock market
investing, we all do, fortunes are won and lost on a daily basis, but those
who invest wisely, and not on the words of a Federal boondoggle, can keep,
shape, and grow their nest egg for retirement or reinvesting to create more
jobs and business.  Please be sure you listen to people who KNOW, WORK, and
USE the markets, whether it be WSGG, an editorial in the Wall Street
Journal, or ANY other stock or investment tout whose JOB is monitoring and
investing."

   When she finished she simply sat down and looked up and down the table
asking, "Dissenters?"

   Ross Curran motioned and was recognized, "While I agree with every word,
I wonder if we should get this political.  The founding Fathers and the
Constitution are both at odds with the Progressives who are trying to
reshape the country.  We do run the risk of being pooh-poohed by the
administration and they'll do to us what they've tried to do with Fox News,
IE: make them look silly and uninformed."
J.  Trace Fountain was next to request to be recognized.  "I think the
serious investors out there know the truth of the statement as written, and

maybe it should be said."

   John Branniff stood and waved to Selena saying "Hear, hear, Mr. 
Fountain.  I'm on board with your thoughts."

   Heddy Huntsman raised her hand and asked to be recognized along with
Chielm Beupour.  Selena pointed to Slim but he asked, "Please Ms. 
Huntsman, let me be gracious to hear one of our younger members opinions."

   Heddy confidently spoke, "If a vote were to be made right now, Ms
Johnson, Mr.  Curran, Mr.  Fountain, and Mr.  Branniff would all vote to
release it.  Within 18 months or less, none of them will be here, so I
think we should look a little closer at the possible repercussions."

   "Hear Hear." Clarke said with a nod.'

   Slim was a little shocked at her comment, thinking to himself, "Pretty
astute of her to think of that angle.  I think I'll get my 2 cents in", as
he held up a hand to be recognized.

   "This is going to be a case of everybody being right, no matter what we
do, in my opinion.  I could sit here and fill legal pads with pros and
cons."

   Jaye Centofranchi stood right up, not really wanting to interrupt but
she needed to get her voice in.

   "I'll concede my turn to Ms Centofranchi, she looks like she's going to
bust." Slim said with a chuckle.

   "Sorry Mr.  Beupour, but dealing with our lawyers about the legalities
of what we put out there from time to time, I don't see how we would be
culpable or slanderous of anything.  It's all true and I think we carry
enough weight in the investment community that many of the stalwarts of our
ilk will agree with us, some vociferously, especially if we make a few
calls.  The "hear hear's" we heard here will also resound, especially if we
place a few calls before hand, and that wouldn't be underhanded, it would
just take away the lull between statement and reaction where the goons will
try to make a statement to make us look like fools."

   Slim stood up.  "I have calls I can make to take care of just that!"

   "Me too!" Ross Curran interrupted all to exclaim as he looked to Selena
for reaction.

   "OK, I like the sound of this, but let's remember decorum.  Berkley can
you call the attorneys office and give them a read through, as is normal.
They rarely change anything, but that may not be the case here.  It's only
9:30 quarter to ten, so if we want to do a Noon read they should have
enough time.  I would love to wait for Mr.  Gladrow to show up before we
release it, but if we can get it into the tail end of the noon financials,
it will be great."
Selena stood and raised her hand to make one more point; "All lunches
should be done by 1:30 so we can greet Mr.  Gladrow and spend time with
him. He's only here for the rest of the day, tomorrow and takes the train
home late Wednesday.  This is his preview, so we each need to spend as much
time with him that we can.  I will see you all when we reconvene around

Noon for the read, as long as it all checks out." (gavel dropped)

   Heddy and Clarke headed to The Stacks to catch up their reads and
reviews.  They were due to be totally finished by Friday, despite
Thanksgiving.  They hadn't been as dedicated as Slim was when he was back
there, because they were manning desks when John and Trace were doing 3 day
weeks.

   Once the door shut on The Stacks Clarke looked at Heddy and said "You
made points with Slim, big time.  He was grinning all the while you talking
and it was a great point to make." He said as she bent to get a binder from
the bottom.

   He was going to high five her, but for some odd reason he smacked her
bottom as she bent.

   "CLARKE!" She shouted as she stood up and slapped his face, not so hard
as to hurt him physically, but to make a point.

   "I know we had a couple nights of rolling in the sheets, but that was
all in that context and at that time.  You are NEVER to take any liberties
with my body in any way whatsoever!" She said staring at him fiercely as he
stood red faced.

   When he made no response, she lowered her voice and said, "I may have
given you free run on my mouth and my vagina those nights, but those nights
were IT.  Not that I didn't enjoy or appreciate it, but that is NOT cool,
what you did.  If it happens again I'll report it and you will lose your
job.  I'm not trying to be a bitch, but if anyone saw that, we would both
be in trouble.  Are we straight?"

   "Y -Y - Yes Heddy, I'm so sorry.  I really meant to high five you and
you were bent, and you do have a great, . .  uh . .  behind, and I just got
taken up in the moment.  You know I've always been cool about any of what
we did and the separation between that and work here." Clarke said
frightened at what he had done without thinking.

   There had been a second night with her after they officially started in
September.  They had been put up in an Extended Stay Inn nearby because the
usual studio apartments WSGG had contracted them to use until they found
permanent living quarters were under renovation.  When Clarke went to check
in he saw their rooms were right next to each others, not as he had
originally known them to be.  When he asked who had changed them the desk
clerk said it was "your sister".  At that time it was Clarke who had words
for her saying she had "assumed too much" with him.  She told him at the
time it was strictly for "her security, being new in The City, . . . ."
then after a pause she added, "but a refresher course was not out of the
question".  She knocked on his door later and they spent the night
together, but never since.

   "I can say nothing more than I am sorry, and please don't think that I
believe I have any liberties with you in that manner.  What I did was rude
and I don't want you to hold it against me.  Even if we were in a
relationship it would have been out of bounds." Clarke said, almost doe
eyed in his sincerity.

   "OK Clarke.  I'll take you at your word.  I don't want to be angry with
you.  You are too good of a friend.  We've earned a mutual trust and
understanding of each other." Heddy said hoping to forget it ever happened.

   They each worked the stacks wordlessly for until they were called for
the read of the statement for the media.  As they lined up Heddy made a
point of standing beside Clarke, where formally they stood at opposite
ends. It went unnoticed to all except Clarke who knew it showed he was
forgiven and trusted.

   After the read of the statement there was the usual flurry of questions
that would, as always, go unanswered until Selena heard one just as she was
closing her door.

   "Are there going to be members retiring soon?"

   Selena stopped in her tracks and reopened her door and turned to face
the reporter.

   "As the market changes we will always change.  When I was born the
thought of the Dow reaching 2000 was preposterous, now 16 to 18000 seems
the norm.  There will always be and ebb and flow of partners much as there
has been in the last 10 to 12 years.  Count on us to be the standard bearer
for any other changes the market and the world economy can throw at us."
She said authoritatively before turning and closing the door.

   Almost immediately her phone rang with Ross Curran on the line.

   "Wow, where did that come from?  I've never heard you utter more and a
word or two to those guys?" He said with a chuckle.

   "You'll laugh, but that reporter, his name is Justin Boros, called me
"the market shrew" in his column about 2 weeks ago.  He said I ignore
questions and act like every word that comes from my mouth is like the
Sermon on the Mount.  So I thought I'd give him a little thrill."

   "He'll get the idea he's got an in here." Ross laughed.

   "He may get that idea . . . . ." She said smartly.

   "Too funny!" Ross said before he hung up.

   At 25 after One o'clock Berkley Quarters rang Selena's line to announce
that James Gladrow had arrived.  She had her show him into the private
conference room and she went to meet him.  Just before she went in she
asked Berkley to have all members assemble in The Great Room.

   Selena opened the door to the private conference room and was surprised
to see a handsome young man, whom she knew to be just 18 (by weeks), who
appeared polished and somewhat sophisticated.  He stood and offered his
hand saying "Such a pleasure to meet you, I am a long time admirer, I'm
James Gladrow."

   "Selena Johnson.  I've heard so much about you from Doc Stevens and
we've looked forward to meeting you for some time."

   "I hope I live up to your expectations and the standards of Wall Street
Global Group." He said as he waited for Selena to sit before seating
himself.

   "Did you have any problem with the train or cabs?  Remember that this
city can be quite daunting to people unaccustomed to the pace." Selena
asked as she blushed to herself at the young man's poise and way he carried
himself.

   "No, I pretty much knew what to expect.  I won't let anything overwhelm
me.  I have a goal and intend to achieve it." He said confidently.

   "Well, Doc prepared me and I fit right in quickly.  Professor Stevens
may have a better perspective on what we look for than anyone.  You will
certainly have ample time to assimilate and be with experienced partners
before you begin to take on tasks." She told him.

   "Given the opportunity, I hope to fulfill your expectations." He said,
showing his first sign of his young vulnerability.

   "Well, come with me and we'll go into The Great Room.  Once we get
beyond this door, and the inner door of the reception room, we use proper
salutations.  Only within closed offices do we refer to each other by first
names.  We like to retain respect for each other, knowing that each of us
did not just walk in from the street to get here."

   Selena opened the door and the group of partners and potential partners
all stood.  They were seated in a different manner than usual, with Heddy
and Clarke flanking Ross Curran, so as not to make their newness obvious so
James could ask them questions if needed.  Their experience, although
limited, could be valuable to him.

   "Good afternoon partners, I would like you to all meet James Gladrow,
our newest candidate to become a member of the WSGG family and potential
partner.  He has just turned 18 years old and has graduated from PolyTech,
my own alma mater with glowing reviews, as we all have read and reviewed,
from Professor Stevens, my own mentor.  Mr.  Gladrow, please make your way
around the table to meet the partners and introduce yourself.

   After shaking hands and exchanging names with each member Selena had a
chair pulled out for him.  Selena nodded to Ross Curran to begin the
questions.  Ross had been the one to interview her first and made her feel
at ease, and hoped he might do the same for James.

   "Mr.  Gladrow, as you look around the room you're seeing quite a
different mix than our first recruited member, Ms.  Johnson.  At that time
we were each at least 30 or more years older than she and we had never had
anyone who might add a youthful perspective to our views.  Since then
through the passing of two of my founding partners and the addition of
clients and the overall growth of the stock market, you see we have grown
and have a better perspective through young and more mature eyes as well.
(James nodded) So, how long have you been interested in the markets? . . .
. or did Professor Stevens develop your interest after realizing your math
skills and processes of deduction?"

   "Well Sir, it was really a little bit of each.  The Stock Market
interested me at a young age when I realized the daily fluxuations and the
cause and effect process of virtually everything that happens in the world
and our daily lives.  Numbers fascinate me in that there are only 10 to
choose from and the combinations of those 10 are limitless.  It's the cause
and effect that stimulates my brain.  I see political strife in a country,
look up their economy and what drives it and turn back to the commodities
and see the changes in those same things almost instantly and then I try to
see what will make things domino."

   Ross chuckled and looked over the top of his glasses at him and asked,
"Mr.  Gladrow, what did Professor Stevens say was the source of your
interest in such things?"

   Young Gladrow turned a crimson red and looked around the room and when
he got to Selena, she nodded to him.

   "He says I have "the gift" Sir."

   Ross smiled big to him and said "I'll bet you do, and you know what? 
All of us do!  Just be sure you take advantage of that gift.  You'll make a
lot of money for yourself, and everyone else at this table, as well as we
will for you, not to mention the thousands of subscribers we have to our
brains.  One more thing, I call you Mr.  Gladrow in this room, and I'll
call you James or Jim, or Jimmy when we get inside our offices or at the
bar, . .  when you're old enough to imbibe.  Please call me Mr.  Curran in
this room and besides that, I'm always Ross.  I referred to my superiors in
the service and to my Father when he spoke to me as Sir.  I am neither your
father, OR your superior.  We just respect each other in this room where we
pick each others brains.  Fair enough?"

   "Yes Sir, . . . .  I'm sorry, Yes Mr.  Curran." He said with an
embarrassed smile.

   Jaye Centofranchi took the floor as soon as Ross sat down and didn't
wait for Selena to recognize her, which was fine in this context.

   "Tell me Mr.  Gladrow, if we all went out to lunch right now leaving you
alone, and a subscriber called and Miss Quarters put the call through to
you, what would you do?"

   "I would field his question and try to give him an accurate answer." He
said nervously.

   "Suppose it was a man who just came into money and he wanted a stock
that would do better than any CD or bond would for a year.  Mind you, we
rarely get questions like that, I just want to see if you live it like some
in here do.  There is no right or wrong answer."

   "Well, off hand Coca-Cola would seem safe."

   Jaye smiled and said "It experienced a 1% decrease in sales in North
America for the last nine months.  Why?"

   "It saw a 2% YOY increase in its Eurasia & Africa Region and an enormous
5% increase in sales in its Asia Pacific Region.  These markets are home to
over 2 billion people and apparently they love Cokes products.  They had a
dividend yield of almost 3%, which isn't bad at all given long-term total
returns from the market.  Coke trades for just over 20 times forward
earnings and is expected to grow earnings per share to $2.80 per share,
that's up from previous estimates of $2.04." James said with a bit of
nervousness in his voice.

   Slim looked at him as he began to stand and Jaye sat down, while Selena
smiled.

   "Don't be nervous Mr.  Gladrow, like Ms Centofranchi said, there was no
right or wrong answer, but you made a statement and backed it up with solid
figures that you may not have researched, but gleaned from checking
markets. In my opinion it was a RIGHT answer for what reason?"

   "Well, I could have given him, or her, something currently strong" he
said nodding to Jaye.  "But if I told him something like Zendesk, while a
hot tech stock, he might not be as confident with an answer of something he
isn't familiar with, plus it just exists in the cloud and I might always be
wary of anyone really making long term gains in tech like that.  It's for
risk takers who buy and sell every day."

   J.  Trace Fountain looked at Slim who sat down as Trace stood.

   "Young man!" He said and then paused, "I like you a lot, you think on
your feet.  You know you can't promote things that investors never heard
of, give them an ace on the first card.  We don't pump any stock as a rule
as you heard my partner say, we may suggest things that apply to particular
investors in particular situations.  Mostly we are a gate keeper for what
people already own.  If we see a dangerous trend building we want to make
sure no one panics and makes a false blip, and we know how those dominoes
can fall.  Stay smart, stay confident.  You should do well here.  Um . . 
Mr.  Branniff, you haven't spoken yet."

   "I'm totally impressed and relieved that we have young minds here at the
table that I can feel confident in when I choose to leave.  I prefer to
listen to the others for now, but you, young man, will do well if you apply
all you've learned while using your own smart sense and "gift", as we put
it.  When you sit with me in my office it will be fun to hear new ideas
while I show you a few tricks of my own, just as all of the young people at
this table have discovered."

   "Here, Here!" Clarke said as he stood.  Sitting in any one of these
offices is an honor and great classroom.  I've come up with answers and
could not explain myself totally, but any one of these true partners can
show you how you got your answer, and if you can't see WHERE you got, even
a correct answer or trend, you haven't got anything.  You may tell the
investors of the world to sell their gold the day before the price crashes,
but if you can't tell them specifically why, who is going to trust you?" He
said as he looked to Heddy.

   "I could not have worded it any better than Mr.Brennan.  Use your skills
but never stop learning and watching and learning.  We've just finished
working the stacks and read and saw most every warning, statement, client
counsel, all of it over the last few years.  You will be amazed and amused
on how all of us work.  That room they call The Stacks is your last
classroom."

   Selena glared toward Deneigh, almost challenging her to stand and put
out a confident front, so Selena stood once again saying, "That leaves just
Ms.  Myerson-Cole, she is one our crowning achievements.  She's learned
this operation from the inside and knows the nooks and crannies where to
look for things.  She can masterfully word policy and works with each one
of us, as well as on her own, to sew this whole group together.  Ms. 
Cole?"

   Deneigh stood nervously but then swallowed and let the words from Selena
steel her confidence.  "I've watched each one of these people whom you've
heard from this afternoon and let them impart their knowledge to me letting
me know the reasons why we do things and while I never went to a school we
accredit and search for partners with, I worked hard at night while they
spoon fed me until they threw me, literally, out of the nest.  Only three
people at this table have been here longer than me.  I've seen it all,
learned the best I could from it, and I'm treated as an equal partner.  You
could not be in better hands."

   Selena stood and looked to James and extended her hands over the group.

   "There, Mr.  Gladrow, is a quick picture of who we are and why we do
what we do.  The original 5 members of this think tank formed because each
of them had made and lost a fortune and wanted to make sure others didn't
have to go through those changes.  Each one of them thought they were
following smart trends and each lost fortunes in short order before they
could undo their mistakes.  Their idea snowballed and has since become the
industry standard for such information and the go-to source for the world
of smart investing.  We have been credited with avoiding crashes, wildcat
buying and selling, and generally stabilizing the market when it seemed
most volatile.  While the general public around the world benefits from our
insight, our subscribers have the privilege of one on one consultations and
having their account rep be able to flag certain aspects of their
portfolios where we might catch a possible loss factor that may not apply
to the general public as a whole." She said as she backed from her chair.

   "Now, for the rest of today and all of tomorrow you are invited to
observe and learn the everyday operations.  Within days of your graduation
you will come here and spend a 2 week paid internship and deepening of your
indoctrination.  As long as your assimilation seems assured you will be
hired to start in September 2015.  We will provide paid housing for up to
90 days.  On your 90th day, that includes your two week internship, the
partners will give confidential votes of confidence on your acceptance. 
You simply pass or fail.  Then, every subsequent 90 days you will be
subject to the same vote until you receive 3 consecutive partner approvals.
With 3 failures we can ask for your termination according to the terms of
your original contract of terms and conditions of your education.  After
three approvals you can buy into your seat here.  The partners, as well as
Polytech, will take care of the original buy-in and the rest is your
responsibility.  You'll have 36 months to meet the financial requirement.
We can coach you and help you with that, it should not be a problem.  We
expect you to be wise and prudent with your life and realize that you
become the face of WSGG and keep in mind that we are the higher standard."

   Selena looked to James and extended a hand and said "Welcome!" and the
group applauded.  She took her gavel and was about to strike it to end the
meeting when she hesitated as Ross nodded to either side of him towards
Heddy and Clarke.

   "One more order of business before we close.  The sitting partners held
the first 90 day vote for our two newest candidates, Ms.  Huntsman and Mr.
Brennan as they left the office last night.  We have unanimous YES votes on
both to which we all say "Congratulations".  Well earned!"

   Both Heddy and Clarke flushed red in embarrassment as the partners stood
and applauded.  The presentation and acceptance of new faces impressed
James and he was already glad he had aligned himself with WSG.

   By the time Selena finally got home from work and doing the Financial
News, and having to re-do it after a late announced medical merger of
Actavis and Allergan had skewed some numbers for all major world indices.
She had already finished her taping when Alexis rushed in as Myrah, the
aesthetician, was about to remove her make-up.

   "Selena, so sorry, but we just had a rush re-write.  The script is
loaded and we only have about 7 minutes before we package it up to
satellite.  You can do it one re-read, I'm sure."

   Selena said nothing, but she was pissed.  She sighed loudly as Alexis
left the room, not wanting to have a confrontation with her friend.  She
looked up to Myrah and said under her breath, "I just want to get home,
have a wine, take off my clothes and have my husband make me forget the
day."

   "Be happy you have a man waiting for you at home.  My man flies in
Thursday morning just before our dinner and he will be hungry more than
anything." She said.

   "A pretty woman like you should have no problem dressing provocatively
to meet him at the door and have him channel that hunger for you, instead
of a turkey dinner." Selena said to her as she got up to go back into the
studio.

   "You know, you're right!  I'll let the turkey wait." She said with a
chuckle as Selena left.

   Selena went in and assumed her seat on the set and looked to George, the
producer, who already knew she would not be happy.

   "When you're ready Selena.  Lights and silence!" George hollered.

   "Count yourself in when you're ready, the set is hot." He said with a
smile to her.

   Selena scrolled the script checking for words unfamiliar and reset it
saying "In 5-4-3-2 and then picking up her chin and smiled.

   "Good evening and welcome to the FNN final bell report for November
24th, 2014.  Stocks flourished around the world and medical stocks received
a push with a surprise merger.  The list of winner indices on your screen
is no mistake, there were winners everywhere.  Here are your details, the
S&P . . . . . . ."

   And she read it through, pausing for the commercial drop in and then
picking it right up as she smiled, tagged the advertiser, and finished the
read.

   "Wrap it up and send it!" George yelled as he walked to Selena and
helped her pull out her chair.  "Why don't you get out of here before they
change their minds again."

   "They won't be able to catch me George." Selena said as she walked back
to Myrah who had wipes in her hand waiting for her.

   "You'll be out in less than a minute Hon." She said as Selena sat.

   In less than five minutes she was calling the elevator in her building,
knowing Joe probably got tired of watching for her, she was so late,

   When she opened the door Joe was in the kitchen, but a wine was poured
on the counter.

   "Hey baby, there must have been a re-read.  Forget all that crap and
I'll meet you on the sofa with a drink." He said with a smile.

   "I'm bringing my wine to the bedroom, meet me there.  How long till
dinner?"

   "It's just prepped, I can start the finish whenever.  I'll be in once I
pour."

   Selena meticulously took off her clothes and put things in the dry
cleaning and washing bins, the last thing coming off, her panties, tossed
in the delicates bag.  So took a long sip of her wine and laid down on the
bed on her stomach as Joe came into the room.

   "My, aren't you a vision.  What do you need?  Neck, shoulders?"

   "My bra line has been digging into my skin.  Just rub it out for me.  My
boobs are getting heavy for those sexy bras.  I need more support during
the day.  God, I've got saggy boobs."

   "You have beautiful breasts.  I could suckle your titties all day.  The
way they sit on your chest is so sexy.  You're not 19 anymore, we both know
that, but you're still the most beautiful woman on earth." Joe said as he
sat astride her to work on the red indentation from her strap.

   "Joe, you're wearing pants, and jeans no less.  I need to feel something
besides that."

   "If my pants come off, it'll be hard to stay out of trouble and dinner
will be late."

   "That's fine, I need the release.  Making love to each other is not
trouble in any way.  Why would you say that?"

   "You usually come home hungry and complain if dinner is late." Joe said
with a chuckle.

   "Not when I feel like this.  It was such a long day and it ended shitty,
I just wanted that glass of wine and to feel your hands on me."

   "If I straddle you to rub your back you'll feel more than hands.  (heh
heh)"

   "You don't think that will make me happy?" She said as she looked over
her shoulder and saw Joe finishing getting undressed.

   Joe straddled her lovely form and began to work on the red creases her
bra strap had dug in her back.  After a time of massaging and rubbing Joe
bent and whispered in her ear.

   "At what age will the act of touching not make me crazy?  You are the
most beautiful woman on earth.  Can you feel what's between your legs?"

   "Can I EVER?  Wow!  But I have to tell you, part of the reason I feel so
blah is probably my period.  You can have my mouth if you like, I certainly
wouldn't mind it." She cooed back to him.

   "Hardly seems fair, I'm supposed to be relieving you."

   "Get the joy jelly from the headboard drawer.  Do my hiney, just go
slow, it's been a while." She groaned.

   "You sure?  We usually plan that."

   "I'm waiting for you Joe, get inside me, make me happy."

   Joe reached over her head and slid the little cubby on the headboard
open and got the tube and knelt back as she spread her legs to allow him to
kneel between them.  Joe squeezed a red blob on the split of her ass and
slowly worked it down towards her wrinkled little hole.  When some melted
lower to her vagina he let his index finger dawdle in her lips while his
thumb found her tight little hole and he pressed it in as she let a long
groan out.  He kept up his thumb plunging and fingers teasing her lips and
tip of her clit.  When she turned her head and just hummed with a satisfied
smile on her face he withdrew his hand and squeezed a bit more gel onto his
cock and stroked it in.  One more dab on the head and he leaned on one arm
beside her while his other hand took his cock and aimed it at the slickened
little hole.  He slid up once and down once before he caught the dimple
just right and slid in, even a little deeper than he usually started with
her, but he was in an odd position.

   "Easy Joe, let me stretch.  Uhhh, just fall on me, you're losing your
balance." She sighed as he did as she said.

   He had little choice in the position he was in as he was losing his
balance on one arm like that.

   "I swear you're bigger every time we do this, but it feels so good once
I get used to it." She said breathlessly.

   "My naughty little baby likes her ass fucked."

   "I love you inside me, no matter where.  Lay on me, let me feel you skin
to skin with you deep inside me.  The stretch and the burn are worth it."

   "You know I never want to hurt you." He cautioned.

   "It's not that kind of pain.  Ohhh, you feel like you're part of me.  Do
me slow." She said as he began pumping long slow strokes.

   "I'm not going to last too long, Babe."

   "Ohhhhhh . . . .  I'm cumming right now." She groaned and cooed as she
turned all chicken skin and shuddered.

   Just a moment later Joe groaned as he spent into her and then fell upon
her while she hummed and purred in her ecstasy.

   "Oh, I can't move, you exhausted me." Joe said with a self-deprecating
laugh.

   He peeled himself off of her and saw she was smiling in contentment.  He
bent and picked her off the bed to bring her to the bidet.

   "You're such a good man!  Fuck me silly, fill me with your cum and then
you bring me in to empty me.  So thoughtful!" She swooned in jest.

   "AND, I'm going to go out and make your dinner." He said as he set her
down.

   "Give your cock a nice rinse and I'll have all I need." She said
invitingly.

   "As good as that sounds, I'm starved and all I have to do is pop the
veal parm in the oven for 20 minutes, it's just been waiting for you."

   "Suit yourself, but remember I offered." She cackled.

   Over dinner Selena told Joe about Doc Stevens new prodigy he had found
and cultivated.

   "He sort of sounds like me, except WSG wasn't looking for recruits
then."

   "I thought the same thing, and he's just as handsome as you . . .  much
younger too!" She jibed.

   "You can't keep up with me and I'm 20 years older than you, so don't go
beating your chest too hard." He said raising an eyebrow to her.

   ". . . . .  and your recollection of facts is fading as well." She
laughed.

   Joe feigned being insulted and picked up the dirty plates and brought
them to the sink, acting like he was hurt and sulking.

   Selena got up and went out and crept up behind him.  "Oh, did I hurt my
Joey's feelings." She said as she reached around to grab his package, . . .
but she found him rock hard.

   "Feel like an old man there, smart ass?" He said.

   "Touché" She answered.  "Want me to take care of that?"

   "Save it for later babe.  We can go to bed early." He said confidently.

   James Gladrow's short little preview was a hit with every member who
unanimously all agreed he should come for his 2 week paid internship after
graduation and aim for a September hiring.  Not one had a doubt at his
qualifications, his drive and resolve.

   The stage was set to let John Branniff and J.  Trace Fountain retire
when they felt ready.  If there were no unseen problems with the 2
potential in-house candidate partners by September 2015 WSG would consist
of:

   Ross Curran Chielm Beupour, (phonetically referred to as Slim Beepo)
Selena Hanson Johnson Jaye Centofranchi Deneigh Myersen-Cole Heddy Huntsman
Clarke Brennan Then there would be the addition of James Gladrow.  Once he
passed muster on partner votes both Ross Curran and Selena Johnson were
free to retire.  They both agreed that they might wait 90 days after James
Gladrow came aboard, but retirement was in sight.  Both Selena and Ross
were looking the first of the year, but more realistically, at mid to late
2016.

   Chapter Eight - 1st Week of June, 2015

   Selena Johnson had just gotten off the phone with James Gladrow to tell
him that arrangements had been made for him to report to WSGG June 8th, the
Monday after his graduation from Polytech.  He would be there for a two
week paid internship to prepare to start his job in September 2015.  The
preview had helped her, even though she had done it earlier when they were
short handed during a school break.  It was a get acquainted with The City
primer and also provided a clear picture as to what to expect in September.
She had him booked into an Extended Stay Hotel nearby where he could walk
to work if he chose.  Although they had only added recruited partners 4
times (Selena, Jamaica, Heddy and Clarke, and now James) they had come up
with a sort of "system".  Slim had been added on reputation, which might
never happen again.

   The market had been sluggish with buyers and sellers keeping net gains
and losses at a minimum, but with the world seemingly in a constant uproar
somewhere, their eyes were fixed on the political and economic climates in
every continent.  Selena remembered that her old friend and supporter
Charley Ford used to say, "when things are sluggish, that's when they try
to slip the fastball by you.  Eyes open, ears peaked at all times".  She,
Slim and Jaye were rustling the bushes deep to look for signs.  John
Branniff and Trace Fountain were down to 3 half days and were setting dates
for retirement.  Heddy and Clarke were thankful for the "slow" period to
get more accustomed to the flow of information.  Trace had given his office
over to Heddy, letting her move in, but it was all his when he came in for
his short stints.  John Branniff was a bit too anal for that to happen.  He
didn't like "his things" moved and would give up his office when he left.
There were now work stations in The Stacks for either of them to work when
it was needed.

   It was a Monday, a day Selena and Alexis would meet for lunch each week.
When Alexis was working down the block they met 2 or 3 times a week,
especially when the weather got nice, but now that she was firmly ensconced
at Fox Financial she wasn't as flexible.

   Selena picked up her phone to call her at the station to confirm when
her cab might arrive so they could go.

   Selena didn't even identify herself when Alexis picked up her private
line.

   "Any time between 12 and 1, just get your butt over here.  Let Berkley
know when you're on the block." She smart-assed into the phone.

   "I can do that, but I should warn you it's Career Day for Upstate
schools.  There are a bunch of High School juniors in groups on the street
getting tours of different New York occupations.  We had 3 groups of 4 or 5
in here wanting to get into broadcast journalism.  I have one more group
scheduled for later on.  We're reapplying for our license so we have to be
real community minded right now."

   "We don't participate because it would be fruitless, we don't like
outsiders in here anyway, you know the story, just pick a time and I'll be
ready." Selena said impatiently.

   "OK, but all the kids are pretty "with it", as they say.  You'll have
lookie-loos after you.  Each group here asked about you, #1 for the 911
thing, and #2 because you're doing the FNN report and the horny boys want
to see a hot chick." Alexis explained.

   "I don't need that.  Fuck, I was hungry too."

   "Nice talk, potty mouth.  Order a pizza and call me tomorrow." Alexis
laughed.

   "I just might and SORRY I don't have my best mouth on when I talk on the
cell.  It's a bad habit, I know."

   "OK, let's do it tomorrow, I can jumble my schedule.  I have so much to
tell you." Alexis said.

   "I'll call you Lex." Selena said as she hung up.

   Just then a knock came to her door and Selena impatiently called out,
"Come."

   Heddy opened the door and felt like she had interrupted something.

   "I'm sorry, Ms Johnson.  I was just going to ask you if you wanted
anything.  We're going to Abrahams Deli."

   "So sorry for the snotty command, I was just frustrated by something.  I
didn't mean to be so rude and abrupt.  Yes, get me a Number 4, mayo on the
side.  Wait," she said fumbling in her desk for an envelope.  "Who else is
going?"

   "(laughs)The newbies, and Ms.  Centofranchi." She said.

   "Here, take this (handing her a 50 dollar bill) and buy the 4
sandwiches, if there's any left, put it towards the tip.  My treat."

   Selena hated herself when she did things like commanding the impatient
"Come!" She really liked to believe they were all basically equals in the
office.  She tried to shake her uncomfortable feeling as she went back to
work on a connection she was trying to link between Copper mines and a
Biophysics firm trading stocks in a way that made them look like partners,
but they were separate entities trading under separate stock symbols.  It
smelled heavily of insider trading that would affect Copper prices, that
were already at record highs.  She didn't want to be a whistle blower so
much as to protect 2 of the largest folios they were monitoring.  Copper
was being used as a host for Petri studies in one particular Bio firm and
it was in such quantities that the price was being affected.  After lunches
she planned on sitting down with Slim to see if he might agree it should be
looked at.

   A knock came to her door a few minutes later.  This time she called out,
"Please come in."

   It was Jaye.  "Here, I have your sandwich.  It wasn't necessary for you
to buy, but thank you.  I'll return the favor.  How come I've been here for
a couple years and never knew about Abrahams?  Heddy and Clarke showed me
where it was today." She said as she let the door almost close.  She popped
her head back in to ask,

   "Hey, not to gossip, but do you think those two, uh . . . .  are
involved?"

   Selena smiled, saying, "No, I think there might have been a little
frustration letting when they were here for the internship.  I thought I
detected a little something then.  But, now they are just friends who may
know a bit more about each other than most of us.  No harm, no foul.  Heddy
lives 4 or 5 nights a week with a producer or something at Fox Financial,
pretty serious from what I see, and I think she's much too smart to play at
work.  Clarke has an old friend, Patsy, I think, who comes in from out of
town on business.  Not serious, but friends with benefits.  He's not as
geeky as we may have thought; he may even be a player."

   "Selena!  Do you have them followed?" Jaye asked, startled.

   "NO!  Just little things you pick up on when you talk, you know, ask how
the weekend was or overhear in a lunch time phone call.  We don't just keep
our eyes and ears open for market action, you know." (Chuckles as Jaye
leaves)

   She had finished half of her sandwich and contemplated wrapping it and
putting it in the cooler when her phone rang.  She saw it was Berkley
Quarters.

   "Ms.  Johnson?  I've just let a person in the inner office."

   "Do they have an appointment with one of us?"

   "No, I thought it was you when they came up the steps and buzzed them
in."

   "BERKLEY!  I've been here all the while!" Selena said frustrated.

   "Uh, . . .  she says she's your daughter.  Can you come out here?"
Berkley asked furtively.

   "I don`t have time for this crap!" She thought to herself as she got up
and tried to see what scam Berkley had fallen for.

   When she opened the outer door to the vestibule there stood a woman, a
girl who looked 14, maybe 16, but it was a picture of herself when she was
a Polytech Freshman.

   The young girl extended her hand as she smiled and Selena saw her lips
quiver as if in fear.

   "Hello, my name is Dana Langston.  May we speak privately?"

   "NO, you have no appointment.  What's your business?" Selena asked ready
to scold Berkley for her faux pas of opening the door to an outsider.

   As that thought crossed her mind a realization began to come over Selena
as Dana spoke again.

   "I was adopted in 2002 and . . . . ."

   "Here, go in the conference room.  Berkley, this is confidential, no
calls.  Understood?" She said glaring back at Miss Quarters with exchanged
nods.

   Selena pointed to a chair for Dana to sit.

   "W-w-w-What are you trying to tell me?" Selena asked as now her lower
lip trembled knowing this was a moment she felt impossible to ever happen.

   "I have every reason to believe that you are my birth mother.  I've done
a lot of research and with few assumptions I . . . . . ."

   "Wait!" Selena said as she became light headed and had to pause and let
her mind catch up with reality.

   "How are you here?  Where are your parents?"

   "I'm here with my junior class for Career Day.  I wandered away from my
group when we got close to here.  My Mom is deceased, she was killed in an
accident while we were on vacation in January 2013, and my Dad is severely
disabled from the same accident.  I was born in the same hospital where
some of your recovery took place.  I think you had me when you were
hospitalized or in a coma following the 911 attacks.  I took what little I
knew about you and began research.  Physically, we could be sisters, but
now I'm positive you are my mother.  It began with the resemblance from
your news conference at your home."

   "Wait, wait, this is all too much!  I'm going to pass out." Selena said
as she began to pitch back in her chair.

   "No, No, here let me help you!" Dana exclaimed and went to her side and
got her to bend forward and let blood rush to her head.

   Dana knelt beside her and spoke gently to her, "Deep breaths, deep
breaths, fill your lungs.  There, . . .  your color is returning."

   Selena sat up as Dana remained knelt beside her chair as she became more
cognizant.

   She was looking at her face to face now, Dana's care for her obvious. 
Selena looked at her closely.

   "My God it's like looking in the mirror in my dorm at college.  You are
so beautiful."

   "Just like you." Dana said softly as her eyes became tear filled.

   "After my Mom died I began to search for my birth Mom and I had already
thought and fantasized it could have been you, but it was wishful thinking
at first, but when I read about your being a prodigy, like me, all of the
pieces began to fall together.  I don't have any doubts." Dana said, crying
now.

   Selena swallowed hard.  "I think you may have jumped to lot of
conclusions.  There is nothing in my story that says I was ever pregnant,
ever gave birth.  If I had, don't you think I would know?" "Selena said not
wanting to admit to too much, still afraid to let herself believe this was
happening.

   "Please don't deny this.  This began as a fantasy for me when I was
barely 10 after I was told I was adopted.  We saw your news conference in
Current Events class and I fantasized that I could be the daughter of this
heroic woman.  It's not that I wasn't happy with, or didn't love my own
mother, she was so perfect and I know she's an angel at my shoulder now.  I
found her at the accident and she was already dead, but still warm.  As I
held her broken body I know her spirit went into me." Dana said as she
began to cry uncontrollably.

   Selena sat up to the kneeling girl and hugged her to her chest to
comfort her.  As she preened her hair something came over her that told her
that, yes, this WAS her daughter.

   Selena wanted to jump for joy, but she knew there so many hurdles to
jump to prove it and still know how much a part of her life she might
become, if she wanted it, if her father would allow it.  It was all
happening so fast; her head was spinning again, when the intercom in the
conference room rang.

   "Ms Johnson", the intercom blared.  "We just got a local Amber Alert and
I think it's for the girl with you."

   "OK, Miss Quarters, I'll handle it.  "Sine que non sub rosa" (An old
legal latin phrase loosely meaning confidential ask no questions, as
always)

   "Dana, we'll have to call the police soon, I'm sorry."

   "That's OK, I knew they would be panicked looking for me, but this was
the one chance I had.  You see, my Dad is in a wheel chair and can't do
much.  He needs 24 hour care in a rehab when I can't stay with him.  I stay
with a neighbor Monday through Friday and they bring my Dad home on Friday
night and I care for him on the weekend before the van comes for him Monday
morning.  (She begins crying again) He's dying, they found inoperable liver
cancer." Dana said sobbing.

   "Do you have a legal guardian?" Selena wondered.

   "Right now the folks I stay with during the week are like foster
parents, they are responsible, but I have no other relatives.  I'm very
mature, but, I am still 13 and I know I don't look it, but neither did you
at my age.  I found pictures from newspaper stories and magazines at the
library." Dana said with total confidence that Selena Johnson was her
mother.

   The intercom opened once again, "Ms Johnson, the Police are canvassing
on the block, should I let them in when they come up?"

   "Yes, show them in.  We will come out in a few moments." She answered.

   "Dana, leave me DNA of some sort and your address and ways to contact
you.  As of right now, do not tell anyone what you think.  You haven't told
anyone else of your suspicions, have you?"

   "Only my Mother when I first got the idea from seeing you.  She laughed
and didn't think it was plausible.  Ummmm, Let me see scissors to give you
some hair, and I have gum I chewed in a tissue.  That would all work." Dana
said as she wrote down her cell phone number and address.

   They heard the call buzzer ring and knew their time was short.

   Selena looked to her and her eyes welled up.  "Dana, it is very possible
I am your mother.  Let's do this when we are sure and have more time to
deal with things.  You should know that if it is true, you were born of
passionate and true love.  My husband is the best man in the world, believe
me."

   "Ms.  Johnson, they are here." The intercom blared.

   The 2 stood and hugged cautiously as Selena opened the door.

   "Good afternoon officers, young Dana here got separated and came to our
door.  We were sorting things out when the Amber Alert came through.  We
were about to call 911 when we saw you on the street." Selena said.

   The two officers who came in the building were familiar with Selena from
her celebrity when she first came back to WSGG, and knew her from the TV.

   "Luckily she fell into good hands; she's only 13, although she looks
much older." The cop said in a low confidential voice.

   "Understood." Selena said as she waved to Dana as she left.

   The police took a few details from Berkley and Selena and left.

   Selena watched them leave through the window and then turned to see
Berkley staring at her.

   "Berkley, it's a long story and I think you'll soon know all the
details, but until that time, . . . . ."

   "Sine que non sub rosa, I know.  You know I can be trusted." She added
nodding.

   Selena went directly to her office and pressed the speed dial number for
Joe.

   "Hello, my love.  I was just going to call you to see if you had a
preference for dinner." He answered, knowing it was her.

   "Hang on to your hat, . .  I just met our daughter!"

   "What on earth are you talking about?" He asked baffled by her claim.

   Selena gave him the short version of what took place, but he was
skeptical.

   "At first I was too, but if you saw her you would be a believer.  I'll
get a still from the cctv cam in the front." Selena bubbled.

   "OK Essy, like before, I don't want you to go overboard on all of this.
This may end up being nothing.  The situation now is the same as when you
woke this morning.  We know she exists, we have no right to contact her."
Joe warned.

   "Joe, she hugged me like she knew me, like she wanted me to mother her."

   "Ess, her parents may have different ideas.  Don't assume anything. 
Even with her information, you STILL can't contact her.  She has to contact
you."

   "JOSEPH, YOU DON'T EVEN SEEM TO BE EXCITED BY ANY OF THIS!"

   "Of course I am!  This is the way I wanted it to happen, for her to
figure it out, but we have to look out for someone trying to pull a fast
one.  Trust no one." Joe warned.

   "I was careful, I had her give me DNA samples.  Philly knows the name of
the parents, call her and confront her." Selena demanded.

   "We'll do that tonight, OK?" Joe promised.

   Just then the all stations intercom opened.  "In the Great Room, 5
minutes."

   "OK Joseph, but I'll bring home a picture and when we call Philly we
should have proof." Selena insisted.  "Put the DNA samples in a courier
envelope, I'll send someone to get it later and get it to a lab, fair
enough?"

   "Thanks Joey, so you'll wait to call Philly, right?" She asked, showing
some paranoia that Joe and Philly spoke of Selena's mental health in
private.

   "YES!  When was the last time I lied to you?" Joe said perturbed as he
hung up.

   Selena may just as well have gone home from that point during the day.
For the first time she was not able to turn her outside life on and off for
the sake of work.  Her mind was totally preoccupied with Dana Langston. 
She could barely get over the moment of meeting her when she had no time to
prepare herself, and the fact she hugged her and she hugged back with
feeling made her absolutely joyous.  While there was no official word,
Selena was convinced that the mature, pretty, 13 year old who acted like a
grown-up she met early that afternoon was her own flesh and blood fathered
by Joe Johnson.  She looked so much like Selena that when Berkley saw her
on the outside monitor she didn't even wait for a ring, she just buzzed her
in.

   She attended the meeting in the Great Room, called it to order and
closed it, but barely knew what was discussed, she was so preoccupied.

   She didn't have to do her TV read this night and went straight home and
simply glowed as she walked in the townhouse to greet Joe.

   "I met my baby today and she hugged me.  She wants me in her life!"

   "Are you sure of all of this Essy?  I don't want you to get disappointed
and depressed."

   "Is that some psychiatric mumbo-jumbo you got from Philly?" She snarled,
mad he wasn't as happy as she.

   "I've told you over and over, I DO NOT TALK TO PHILLY WITHOUT YOUR
KNOWLEDGE!  Before you knocked down the last walls about what happened I
did, only to protect you.  Since the day she opened the last memories you
realized, I HAVE NOT!" He shouted right back, mad that she doubted him.

   "I am as happy and hopeful as you over what transpired today.  If not,
do you think I would have sent a courier to your office to get that
envelope and have it expressed to Philly?  She has the DNA samples that
proved we were the parents.  I just don't want to have to nurse you through
another setback if this turns out to be a scam." He said as he softened and
took her in his arms.

   "I'm sorry, I understand.  I just don't want you to think I have any
remnants of my former mental state.  It hurts me when I think you do." She
whispered in his ear as she hugged him tightly.

   She broke the hug and looked up into his eyes.  "Let me change and I'll
show you something that might show some creedence to my feelings on this.

   She rushed to bedroom and took off her blouse and bra and slipped into a
tee and then slipped out of her skirt and panties to put on yoga pants. 
She went to her brief and took out an envelope with the security stills
from the cctv at the entrance of WSGG and inside the reception area and ran
back to Joe.

   "The first is the image that caused Berkley to think it was me and she
just buzz her in as she came up the steps, the second is a clear color shot
as she waited for me to come out."

   "Oh my God!  That's YOU the day I met you, almost.  A little less
maturity, but . . . .  She's 13?"

   "Yes, just, and she's just developing, as far as I could tell, she has a
little shape, but is and will be very pretty.  I'm sure those 16-17 year
old boys in her class have an eye on her, but I'll bet she's closely
watched, being 13.  I know that even if I KNEW the whole of what boys were
all about I would never have had a chance to be alone.  I was a 16 year old
the summer before I went to Poly before they trusted a college boy to tutor
me as a Poly Frosh, and he got me alone and defiled me.  I was a willing
participant, just because I was curious."

   "Even just 12 or 13 years later I'll bet the kids are more savvy now,
but that's not our worry, at least yet.  Let's call Philly." Joe said
picking up the phone.
PF: Hello Johnsons, long time no hear.  I hope this is a social call.
S&J: Well, somewhat.  We have news and we need your help.
PF: How is that?
S: I had a visitor at my office today, Dana Langston.
PF: Am I supposed to know who that is?
J: Is that is the name you have for the child that was adopted from
Christian Hospital?
PF: You know I can't tell you that and I haven't looked into that safe
file for years.
S: You don't remember the name?
PF: Not off hand.
J: We aren't trying to put something over on you.
S: We gave our word we would not pursue this and we haven't.
PF: What is this then?
J: She came to meet Selena today, she figured out she might be her
mother.
S: Her mother was killed in an accident and her father was disabled in
it.
Suddenly Philly remembered the newspaper article about the "upstate"
couple that appeared in her paper under "New York" news.  She had thought
that would insure the girl would never meet her real parents.  Great

tragedies tend to bring people closer.
PF: How do you know it was her?
S: She could be my little sister, she looks exactly like me when I was
15-16.  She said she always suspected I was her mother from seeing our
story in a current events class at school.  She's a 13 year old High School
junior, just as I was.
J: Obviously we're afraid of scams and the like, but so few people know
the real story of it all.  Selena got DNA from her and its being Express
Mailed to you now.  Can you compare it to what you have from Emory
Richards.
PF: You're totally serious, aren't you?
S&J: Yes, we are.  She sought us out.
S: Her father is severely disabled and she cares for him on weekends and
she stays with a neighbor during the week, at least during school.  Her Dad
has been diagnosed with liver cancer and I think she fears getting tossed
around.  She suspected something by our resemblance from our news
conference, but attributed it to coincidence until she began to search for
her roots and found she was born at Christian Hospital 8 or 9 months after
911.
She claims she found other things that convinced her.  Our meeting was
short.  She was on a school trip and wandered off.  There was a door to

door Amber Alert search to find her.

   PF: Only because it is you two will I do the DNA comparison, but let me
warn you, don't get your hopes up.  What DNA do you have?
S: Hair, Chewing gum, and tears in a Kleenex.
PF: The hair could have been from extensions, the gum may have been
planted, but if you saw the tears shed and saw her wipe them and they are
real, they could be good.  Don't doubt an elaborate scam.  All three DNA
samples must match for me to believe anything or go along with anything
else.
S: I expect her to call us, and I have her contact information.
PF: Don't make any commitments to seeing her, meeting her, and
especially helping her financially until you hear from me.  Don't
underestimate scam artists.  That Jack Spagner character knows a lot and
could have perpetrated something from jail.
J: We understand that, but this seems a little too real.  The photo's
from security cams are pretty convincing.
PF: You say you expressed the samples to me here at home?  (J: Yes) I
can submit them for comparison tomorrow afternoon, I have lab work anyway.
I may need your address for billing, use Manhattan?
J: That will be fine Philly, thanks so much.  We won't act until we hear
from you.  G'nite.
Joe looked to Selena and said "There, all we can do is wait; let's not

get our hopes up.  It sounds like she has heard of similar scams."

   "I hate to say this like I have any experience to draw from, but, a
Mother knows.  This is our daughter, I'm sure of it, but I'll accept the
DNA results.  Do we know how long it will take?  She wondered.

   "Probably a day or two to get more opinions; you know Philly will get
more than one person to read them, as she should." Joe said as he
remembered dinner in the oven.

   "I'll set the table, you pour wine and we'll eat and talk it over." Joe
said as he gave her butt a pat as she hurried to the wine closet.

   At dinner they talked trying to avoid the subject, although Selena kept
it on the tip of her tongue.  There was a lull in the conversation and she
looked up to Joe with a quizzing look.

   "What is it Essy?"

   "Do you think if we brought a baby in the world now, not Dana, but if I
were to be pregnant with another, could we handle it?"

   "We talked before; it would severely crimp our plans for retirement.  We
would have to stay in one place, basically for 18 years; all the while he
or she is in school.  The running around that we might want to do would
have to wait once again.  You can't move a child around like that, or have
it with nannies, or send it to a boarding school.  We aren't cut for that
anymore.  Don't you agree?" Joe philosophized.

   "Oh, I KNOW you're right, but still the urge is there.  If Dana became
part of our lives, could we handle THAT?" She wondered.

   "Well, you're assuming too much already, and you have to know if SHE
wants to be part of our family.  One 10 minute meeting isn't going to
decide anything for her, or for us.  Just let things play out, OK?"

   "I know all of the pitfalls, the ifs and buts, candy and nuts of it all.
I even wonder how she will pose things to her father as far as his own
situation.  He can decide where she might go if he were to die.  With liver
cancer he may not have a lot of time.  I wonder if she has known, or
thought she knew, who we were for a long time now and her Fathers prognosis
forced her hand to bring us into her picture." She explained.

   "All good points, my love, but still, let's wait until we hear something
definite."

   Selena nodded and then grinned her sassy little grin and looked to Joe.

   "Can we make baby love tonight?"

   Joe chuckled and reached for her hand.  "Of course, just as long as
you're not making any plans without me involved."

   "Oh God, I'm not hoping to get pregnant tonight, I just want that kind
of passion.  You know I keep my patch up to date and you rarely cum inside
me anyway.  I love to taste it or feel it all warm on my belly or back."
She said with her sexy lilt.

   "God, you're making me hard sitting here."

   "That was the general idea, my love.  Can we just put the dishes in the
sink and go to the living room?" She asked as she got up to collect the
table.

   "I think I'll have dessert out there." Joe said with a wink.

   "Oh, I haven't showered since this morning Joey." She chided him as she
put the dishes in the sink.

   "I can't imagine that sweet little pussy could have gotten into too much
trouble today.  You always taste good." Joe said running a hand down over
her ass and under her as he escorted her to the sofa.

   She sat down and Joe knelt to the floor coaxing her to lie lengthwise on
it.  He hovered his face over hers and began to slowly devour her mouth as
he worked his hands over the boobs she had freed from her bra and top to
only cover with a tee.

   He moved his mouth from hers and lightly bit at her hardened nipples
through the tee.

   "Oh GOD Joey!  You know that drives me crazy." She said as she pushed
his mouth away and drew up her shirt to let him have direct access.

   But she had to squeeze and pinch her nipples herself so Joe began to
nibble at her belly button as he slipped his hand under her and traced the
split of her ass until he found the waist of the thin pants she had slipped
into.  He grasped it tightly and with a little lift of her butt, they were
down as she kicked them off.  Joe shuffled his knees until he could bend
from the floor and put his face between her legs.  She spread her legs to
accommodate him as he nibbled at her clit and began to work his whole mouth
over her pussy.  It didn't take long to have her bucking on the sofa as her
upper body began to slide off and eventually work to where her butt was on
the edge of the sofa and she had her face in Joe's crotch using her hands
to work his lounge pants over his package.  She kissed the tip of his dick
twice before opening her mouth to take him as deep as she could in the
position.

   It was the strangest 69 position you could imagine with her legs splayed
wide, her knees bent, and his tongue deep in her pussy.  Both hands that
were holding her open featured the tips of his middle fingers right on her
asshole while she held his cock in her mouth.

   Although she was enjoying the attention he was giving to her sex, she
was unable to create much movement of her mouth in this position and it was
frustrating her.  She slapped her hands in his butt a few times causing him
to come up for air.

   "Joey, I can't move much here on you, let's go to the floor."

   Joe stood to stretch his legs but before he had a chance to kneel with
her she sprang to get him in her mouth.  She took him deep several times
and then she slowly brought her mouth off of him.

   "You taste so good; you're so nice and hard.  Make love to me, fill me
up." She said as she went to the floor and held his hand to show him the
way down.

   She opened her legs as he went over her and he slipped right into her
wet pussy.

   "Oh Joey, we fit so well together.  Hold me just like this so I can
watch your face and you can see mine.  You feel so huge inside of me. 
You're touching every part of me.  I love you so much!" Selena swooned.

   "I love to watch your eyes when I make love to you, even though I don't
doubt how much you absolutely adore me, as I do you, you eyes tell me like
they are right now.  I'm gonna fill you up in a minute I can feel it
rising." He began to pant as he spoke.

   "Not inside me, feed me!  I love to taste you, especially when it's all
passion juice."

   "You sure?"

   "Yes, I want you, . .  and I won't have to shower tonight and then again
in the morning.  Goddddd, let me cum again before you . .  uh, uh,
arrrrrrrrrgh." She growled as she held Joe's arms tight just below his
elbows as the orgasmic spasm ran through her body.

   Joe tried his best to let her finish and catch her breath but his ardor
was not to be denied.

   "I've to get out to cum Ess!  Come get it!" Joe wailed as he rocked on
his knees putting his arms behind him to brace himself up as Selena
scrambled to her knees and get her mouth over him before he blew.

   The first watery squirt hit her just below her chin but she held the
plum of his cock in her mouth lolling her tongue around and around it as he
orgasmed and moaned loudly.  Once she began to suck on him after he had
finished he became over sensitive and tried to keep his balance as he tried
to free himself from her grip, but his leg was cramping.

   "Oh God, Esy, Please let me go!  Cramps, cramps!" He complained as she
let him go and helped him get flat again.

   Selena laid with him on the carpet as her caught his breath and she
preened his chest hair.

   "We are so beautiful together, it's no wonder we made such a beautiful
child." (Joe was about to chastise her for "assuming too much" when she
continued) "It would be great if we got a chance to become part of her
life, especially if she really needs us, and wants us to be part of her
life.  If she doesn't, I can accept that.  She's certainly old enough and
mature enough to figure some things out.  I hope looking for us wasn't just
something to satisfy a curiosity."

   "As long as we both realize that she HAS a life and we can't force
ourselves on her.  Just from listening to you retell what transpired, she
knows her father won't be there for her much longer, but it sounds like she
has a sort of "foster" type of situation already for during the week.  But
it also looks like she must be very mature if she can care for her father
from Friday night through Monday morning.  That's a tall order for a 13
year old; who I'm sure wants to be with her friends and the like." Joe
surmised.

   "From my own experience though, 90 percent of your real friends are the
ones you're in school with, study with, and they're 4 or 5 years older and
not allowed to really socialize, party, etc with you.  I had a few
childhood friends but most of them seemed very immature to me after being
with older scholastic peers.  I'm sure you had the same experience." She
said blankly staring at the ceiling reimagining what her life was when she
was that age thrust into classes with 16-17-18 year olds."

   "I was pretty well adjusted for that because in the summers I worked
with my father's crews and they were all older too.  But I think I told you
about when I was 17 with my father and I went on an errand with a secretary
at one of the developers my Dad was dealing with.  She took the time to
bring me to her "hideaway".  She was a kept woman and we spent an hour
together.  I had already been with Lynn a hundred times then, but she
thought she was taking my virginity.  Everyone thought I was older.  When
she found I was only 17 she was embarrassed as hell, but she was still
smiling from our stop-off."

   "Oh yeah, THAT'S well adjusted.  You let her commit statutory rape."

   "Rape?  Hell, I was quite willing and knew EXACTLY what I was doing."
Joe laughed.

   "Braggert!" She said bouncing up to her feet and pulling Joe to the
bedroom.

   "I ain't bragging if you can do it, and I did it.  I'm just saying that
I went from 14 and a half to18 real fast.  Lynn and I were on a honeymoon
for a long time."

   "I love you anyway, you big shit.  If we ever do have Dana with us, I'll
be sure to keep her from guys who are like her father." She said as she
slipped into her sleeping tee and they drifted off in their worn out state.

   Chapter Nine - Week beginning Sunday June 14th 2015

   Joe and Selena were slow to get up Sunday after a long hard Saturday
night of dinner, a couple jazz clubs with Jamaica (Jaye) Centofranchi and
her husband.  It was the first time they all went out together and it was a
great night, but they may have had too much to drink.  Luckily Joe had
arranged a driver for them and Jaye and Bill were going to stay in town. 
It was just after 10:30 when Selena stirred to answer the phone.

   She thought of letting the machine pick it up, but she relented when she
saw Essex County, NY on the Caller ID.
S: "Hello, give me a moment please" (a cough and a throat clearing)
S: "I'm sorry, Hello?"
DL: Hello Mrs Johnson?  This is Dana Langston.  Did I wake you?
S: Yes, but it's OK.  We should be up, how are you?
DL: Pretty good.  Umm . . .  I told my Dad what I did and we talked
about a lot of things.
S: You JUST told him?
DL: Yes, he's been back in the hospital a lot for dialysis.  The
radiation for his cancer has done a number on him.  His organs are
beginning to shut down, they tell me.
S: Dana, I'm so sorry.  Is there anything we can do?
DL: I have to make arrangements for when he isn't here.
S: Unfortunately, that won't be up to you Dana.  You're only 13.  The
courts will decide if you have no other relatives or guardians.
DL: My Dad will sign papers to make you and Mr.  Johnson my guardians.
I've shown him how I've discovered you and he agrees you may be my parents.
S: You're sure that no one else who might feel they are entitled will
contest your father's mental state in his condition?  Look at me asking
legal questions of a 13 year old.
DL: I MAY BE 13, BUT I'M NOT STUPID MRS.  JOHNSON!  I've read what the
family courts will say.  If the DNA you took from me proves you are my
parents and you can come speak to my Dad with a lawyer present it will
start the process.  I am hoping to start some classes at Polytech in
January but unless I live locally I'll have to wait until Fall 2016.  When
I saw you I saw your eyes and the expression on your face.  I KNOW you want
me in your life if it's possible.  Our connection was palpable.
S: (tearing up) Of course we want you to be in our lives in SOME way. 
You are all we ever hoped and wished for, to bring a child into the world!
You exist because of our love for each other and the wish to have a child.
Joe was not fully rousted from his sleep and getting the gist of the

conversation.

   "Tell her she was not a mistake, but we will have to explain the details
when we meet with her father."

   (Selena cupping the mouthpiece) "We have to bring the DNA results." (Joe
nods)

   S: Dana, as soon as we get the DNA proof we will contact you, we hope it
will be today or tomorrow.  Is this a land line or cell phone?
DL: It's a landline, but I'll give you the cell, but service here isn't
always good.  Please do what you can; I don't want to be left in New York
State Family court limbo.  I lost my Mom and am about to lose my Dad
(crying).  You're all I have who could ever understand my life as it is. 
The people I stay with are nice, but I know I'm a burden and it's not the
best set up.
S: We won't let this go Dana.  Stay by a phone today.  We will call you
back, but assure us that your father is on board and can make decisions.
DL: He's stable now and should remain that way, er . . .  could remain
that way for weeks or months, but (crying again) there are no guarantees.
(Then crying through tears) They are setting up hospice visits next week."
Joe picks up another phone J: Dana, in any event, we will fight for you.

Count on that.

   "DL: Thank you.  My Dad is calling for me now.  I have to go see what he
needs.  Call me.

   S& J: Go, we will call you back later.

   Selena looked to Joe as her eyes welled up.  "Would it sound stupid that
I hurt for my baby?  She's going through hell and I want to make it all
better and I can't.  Even if she came to be with us, she doesn't know us
and we don't know her.  I love her now, but I always have as soon as I knew
about her.  That's funny to say, but to know I have a baby out there in the
world that's part of us gives me a great ache that I don't know her.  God,
I'm not making sense."

   Joe went and held her and wiped her tears saying "I understand how you
feel.  I feel the same way and it's not silly at all.  It's what we wished
for, and our wish came true almost unbeknownst to us.  If you hadn't had
the episiotomy we might NEVER have known.  Now we have to prepare ourselves
to take responsibility for her, if that's what she really wants.  I don't
know if anyone else is going to step in and want to "claim" her, as it
seems.  If we have the DNA proof, and she WANTS to be with us, if contested
no court will turn us aside.  But, uncontested it might happen easily."

   "You've spoken to our lawyers, haven't you, you sneak?" She said with a
smile.

   "I wanted to be prepared.  I didn't tell you so you wouldn't get too
excited or try to push the envelope." Joe told her hugging her.

   "Yes, be sure not to upset the mental patient." She said snottily.

   "Are we going to do this again?  It's so unfair to accuse me of thinking
that when all I'm doing is protecting you.  You have enough on your plate.
If you want I can call you 5 times during the day with updates of what's
going on.  It's like you don't trust me to take care of things.  I just
want to keep the worry furrow out of your forehead." Joe said feeling a bit
indignant.

   "You're right.  I was a shit for saying that." She said hugging him
back.

   "Hmmm, maybe you need a spanking!" He said with a wicked smile.

   "You just try it mister!  Keep in mind, you have to go to sleep
eventually!" She said knowing they were both joking.

   "OK, listen to me, I'm calling Sam McHendry to tell him everything we
NOW know about what MIGHT happen and he'll get with Will Herzog who has
some experience with this.  Will's been advising him, showing him cases. 
They already have a certain family court judge they would like us to be
heard in, as long as the DNA is what we think.  So, I have to call Philly
and see if she has results." Joe said, obviously having a plan with the
pump primed.

   Their call to Philly left her on edge, she worried it might come out
about the how's of them knowing the identity of the adopting parents. 
However, she did have corroborating opinions that all three DNA samples and
that of the baby taken at birth were the same.  Joe had Sam McHendry
conference call her and make this simple explanation to her.

   "Ms.  Flowers, the adopted girl investigated through public sources and
determined who she "thought" her birth parent may have been.  The DNA
sample she gave was received legally, and the fact Selena never knew who
had adopted the baby is just that, fact.  You obtained the Jane Doe DNA as
possible evidence in the case against Jack Spagner and it was never tagged
because the DNA was anonymous and did not need to be returned as it was
"sample DNA for study" as testified by Emory Richards.  The sealed court
proceedings told the reasons why the DNA was taken for a possible rape
charge against Spagner, but the DNA did not match him to the baby.  All
involved in that case were satisfied he would spend enough time in jail for
the offenses he was already convicted of and they needn't pursue any
additional charges.  You simply held the DNA and could have discarded it at
any time.  You only needed to testify, if called, that it was taken from
the baby that was delivered Matris Mortuus on May 12, 2002 at Christian
Hospital.  When that DNA was tested originally it was determined that
Selena was the mother, but no match for Spagner.  Any testimony as to the
rape of Selena would only be taken as hearsay from Philly who obtained the
information while Selena was sedated under a sodium pentothal cocktail. 
That would only be admissible IF Spagner matched the DNA profile." Sam
explained over the phone to Philly.

   "So, I had no reason to tell anyone that I knew the identity of the
adoptive parents nor how I obtained that information, keeping both myself
and Emory Richards from any sort of trouble?" She asked, worried she might
be censured in her current job, or breaking her pact with Emory Richards.

   "Believe me, there is no hole in this story, and as far as living with a
lie, everything you did, you did for the good of your patient and for
securing the conviction of Jack Spagner.  Everything as I explained it
happened leaves you free and clear with no violation of anything by keeping
the DNA of one of your patients.  I will write up your statement and you
only need sign it in front of a notarized judge and we can submit it to the
family court judge and you won't even have to travel to the proceedings."
Sam explained as simply as he could, relieving Philly of any worries.

   "You see, the way she researched to find her parents made it possible
for her to be successful even if you didn't have the DNA sample, it's just
with what you had made it a double positive identification.  Satisfied?"

   "Yes, I am.  Now Joe, are you assured that her father will relinquish
custody?" Philly wondered

   "Oh, I think everything will swing on how long he lives.  I'm sure Dana
will stay with him until the end.  This all depends on his health, and I
certainly don't wish anything bad on the guy.  He's been through a lot.  I
found the story on the internet about the accident, then to top it off he
has the cancer.  We're doing this as a fall back for the girl.  If
anything, we want to make a connection with the girl and hope we can
develop a relationship.  However, the fact they are setting up hospice
visits for him does not bode well.  That's usually the end game, so we have
to see if she is aware of how grave this sounds." Joe explained.

   "Well, be a little more tactful than that.  She's going to be very
vulnerable and if she thinks you're trying to rush your relationship, she
may resent you.  I'm sure she's been made aware of the whole situation.  As
far as her psyche is concerned, THIS is her real father; it's all she's
known."

   "I am aware of all that and I don't pretend to have any "claim" on her.
I've always known that if we had a child out there I would love it, but I
would never force myself on anyone.  It's just not my style." Joe
reiterated.

   The rest of the day was spent going back and forth with phone calls from
Sam McHendry, Will Herzog and making travel plans to go upstate.  Joe
wanted to go by train to Albany and then rent a car or car service to bring
them north to meet the girl and her father.  This was to avoid involving
Selena's parents at all.  Neither Joe nor Selena wanted them to know what
was happening until a solid relationship or at least a mutually agreed
statement of fact that they were Dana Langston's birth parents.

   Selena picked up the phone just before 6 o'clock that evening and
pressed the speakerphone button before dialing the number Dana had given
her.

   DL: Mrs.  Johnson, I'm glad you waited to call back.  My Dad had a
pretty good day, he just went down for sleep and the Hospice nurse just
left.
S: Is he still going to the rehab every Monday like you explained to me
here?
DL: No, I'm out of school now so he stays here.  If I choose to go for
summer courses at Polytech we would use that arrangement, but (sniffing
back tears) under this situation, I want to spend all the time I can with
him.

   J & S: I see.

   DL: I've discussed the end situation with him.  (pauses, as she cries,
then apologizes) and he's aware of what I want to do.  I've shown him all I
know about you both, but he obviously wants to meet you.  He spoke with The
Hildebrandt's previously, the people I stay with when he's in rehab, and
they had agreed that if anything happened to him they would petition the
courts to leave me with them in foster care, if necessary.  These people
are nice to me, but if anything happens I would rather be with people who
want me without being paid.  I know that sounds cold, but they have 2 other
foster kids there and I know they see me as a cash cow.  That's terrible
for me to say but . . . . . ."
S: Don't cry sweetheart, you have a lot on your plate and have seen more
than any girl your age should have.
DL: I know, but I don't have ANYONE to vent all of this with except my
Dad and he has so much to prepare for (crying again)
S: You have us, but I'll be the first to admit, we don't understand
entirely.
J: Let me put this out there.  Whether you end up with this other
family, whether your father rebounds and lives a long time, or any other
situation arises, we will always take responsibility for your well being .
. .  if you ask for it.  When we get together and tell you ALL of the
circumstances around everything we have been through, you will understand.
DL: That's all very kind of you.  At this point I would like you to come
and visit my Father and me so we can put things in the proper perspective.
I do want you to know that I did not come to you to beg for anything, or
thinking you owed me anything.  I wanted to solve some questions in my
mind, get a health history, and get some advice if I decide I want to go to
Polytech.  Should my Dad (crying and speaking in broken voice) pass away I
would not object to you petitioning to be my guardian, and my Dad might
state that preference, if you get the chance to meet him."
J: Dana, we will be there within the next day or two.  I will call you
and let you know by morning exactly when.  You have Selena's email,
correct?
DL: Yes she gave it to me.
J: Our lawyers have given us papers to negate them having to be in
person with us for your father to at least start these proceedings if he
agrees to them.  If he does not there is little we can do, at least now. 
Send explicit directions and any cell number you might have.  We will call
you in the morning, you're going to be there, correct?
DL: Yes, unless my Dad has to go to the Regional Clinic for something.
Be sure if he is as satisfied as me that you are my parents, he is on
board. I'll send my cell number with directions.
S: Regional clinic?  Shouldn't your Father be treated at a hospital?
DL: The Regional Clinic is run by Saratoga Hospital and they have
everything he needs for treatment.
S: OK, we'll call you in the morning.  You take care of your Daddy. 
G'bye.
Joe made arrangements for a train trip to Fort Edward, NY and to have a
rental car there.  The train would leave Tuesday morning at 8:15am and get
there at 12:30pm.  It was a 45 minute ride from there.  Selena just had to

get with WSG to arrange for her absence.

   On Monday morning before going to work Selena was day dreaming as she
dressed and Joe came up behind her, put his hands on her shoulders and
whispered, "Penny for your thoughts."

   "Imagine when we tell my parents that they have a grandchild?  At first
it will be anger that we didn't tell them before, but that can be
explained, and I don't even think we should tell them about the rape, I
don't want to go over that again and you never know what my Dad will do. 
He may pursue something and I just want to leave it alone.  IF the baby was
Spagners I would have had him killed, I swear."

   "Such a sweet lady, you are." Joe said with a giggle, knowing it was
just her figure of speech, but he didn't see the clench in her jaw.

   Being defiled by the bastard was one thing, but if he impregnated her. .
. . . .  she really felt that much hate for him.  But, it wasn't a real
issue although she still held that hate.

   Selena was happy that the market was quiet on Monday, still holding firm
around the 18,000 mark.  They, WSGG, held firm in their belief that there
would be a large profit taking soon and plunge the market to a
16,000-16,500 level where they thought the real base line may lay. 
However, there were also thoughts that 20,000 was not an unreachable goal,
but that would also create another fierce profit taking, which would only
be natural but would scare timid investors.  Selena and Slim both were
discussing a possible statement as the market neared 20,000 in the next 6-
9 months just to explain that as the numbers got bigger, the dips and dives
would seem more drastic when, in reality, they would just be in proportion
to the gain.  They might remind investors that in the early 80's the most
staid and wisest investors would have bet their fortunes that the market
would NEVER reach 2000.  The market reached a low of 776 in 1982 and the
Fed discount rate was 12%.  Then the market rallied as taxes were cut and
money got freer for a gain of 35% pushing the Dow to 1050, it's all time
high at the time.  A 35% gain now would push the market to 24,000 and would
surely cause an all time panic sell-off.  So caution should be advised as
you watched the numbers.  Perspective, perspective, perspective.  They
wanted to be sure that timid investors were dealing in reality so as not to
cause a panicked sell off.  They spoke to each other on a daily basis to
monitor the situation before presenting their idea to the rest of the
partners.  If someone else were to come up with the idea, they wanted it to
bloom naturally.

   As Selena packed that night for their early train departure she seemed
to have a hard time choosing clothes for a possible overnight, or at least
a change of clothes for traveling back home.  She would always scrunch her
nose and make a face about "sitting on a train seat full of other peoples
wiped up spills, leaky bladders, sweat and farts."

   "Have you kept in mind that we shouldn't appear too a . . .  well off,
or appear to be throwing it in their face.  I'd like to think we don't put
out that image.  Certainly, let's not make mention our homes.  We can leave
it at the New York apartment, and our home upstate, agreed?" Joe said
fingering his chin.

   "Suppose they ask about her attending Polytech?  Would we house her with
both of us there?" Selena asked.

   "You tell me.  Not getting ahead of ourselves, but suppose she becomes
part of our family would you try to work from home?  Would you go to New
York every day?  Maybe you would go on Monday and come home Friday?  Would
we move your parents into our house and she would stay with them, letting
them "parent" her?  We might have to assure her father that we WOULD take
the mantle of being her parents."

   "How would you feel about my parents moving into our house Upstate, with
you there and me going to New York each week during the school year?" She
asked timidly.

   "You don't trust me alone with her?" He asked indignantly.

   "Of course I do, I'm just worried about how it might look to others as
well as I think one of us should be there full time and having my parents
there would provide a stable parent factor.  I would just have to be sure I
devoted every weekend to her, helping her with her studies, and THAT is
where she might excel the most.  Remember how hard it was for you and for
me, at least for the first 2 years, not having anyone to relate to as the
pressures of school built.  I know I would definitely not have made the
last 2 years without you to fall back on.  Before I met you I had already
thought of pushing everything back a year, or at least a half semester,
just to get some breathing room." Selena admitted.

   "All of this is going to depend on the circumstance and we should work
it out as that unfolds.  Perfectly, her father goes into some sort of
remission and he gets to see her graduate high school and college with us
providing any financial help she needs as we develop a relationship. 
Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be a reality, but one never knows." Joe
said leaving a questioned look on his face.

   They finished packing as they both mulled over all the possibilities in
their minds.  It was just before 10 when they began pre-sleep
ministrations, brushing and flossing, washing up, laying out morning towels
and preparing the coffee maker to brew in the a.m.

   Selena was the first in bed and Joe came in a few minutes later and
settled in beside her in just a tee shirt and boxer briefs.  She was on her
stomach but rolled up to her side to spoon with Joe.

   "Do you really think we could take over as her parents and prove our
love to her so she wouldn't just seem a trophy to us?  I know that sounds
funny, but do you understand what I mean?" She asked.

   "We always knew we loved whatever we brought into the world, and we
always knew there was a chance we might never meet her.  There was always
the chance that if we DID meet her she might not understand the how and the
why we gave her up, even though we had no choice in the situation.  I mean
if not for the little scar on your little hiney hole we might not have ever
known you gave birth, unless your mind broke down those walls that Philly
did." Joe proposed.

   "All those things roll around in my little head and I can't make sense
of any of it sometimes, other times it all falls into place.  Funny, huh?"
She said clutching the hand Joe had put around her resting on her belly.

   "Everything is exciting while I'm with you Selena Hanson.  You saved
me."

   "You saved me Joe Johnson, and now I'm Selena Johnson just to prove it."
She chuckled.

   She nuzzled her bottom to Joes middle and whispered "Get inside me, make
us one."

   "Panties?"

   "No, just a night shirt and I just got myself wet."

   "Sure, take away my fun." Joe kidded.

   "You have enough to get in me?" She asked as she nuzzled her butt back
to him.

   "With your sweet cheeks it should take 4 or 5 seconds." He said as he
found the wet spot and slipped into her.

   "God, I love when I feel you grow in me." Selena cooed as her arms and
legs turned chicken skin.

   "What do you think it does to me?" Joe groaned as he pulled her closer,
his hand covering her breast and nipped at her neck.

   Joe began to stoke at her and the both of them moaned their pleasure at
their little impromptu fuck.  Suddenly Selena pressed back at him hard
stiffening her whole body and he heard her gasp and then suddenly pound her
ass back to him rapidly to get a second cum and then she turned limp for a
moment as Joe began to hold her tight to him and begin to rail her hard,
wanting his own end.

   "Don't cum in me Joey!  Squirt it on my ass." She whispered just as Joe
felt himself rising.

   He barely got out of her and it splashed on her butt and quickly ran
down off her skin to the bed.

   "Geez Essy, give a little warning there.  I thought you wanted it."

   "I would have taken it, but I just brushed my teeth.  So sorry, I'm a
mess now and there's a big wet spot.  Get a towel, . . .  please?"

   Joe reached down his legs and pulled his underwear off and lifted the
covers to wipe her behind and the bed.  He dropped them to the floor and
fell back in place and kissed her good night.  She giggled but was too
tired to argue.

   They were early to rise for their train trip, but excited to make the
trip they dreamed of from the day they found out that they had a child. 
They boarded the train just before 8 with coffees and a small overnight
case in hand.  The train left on time and they were not far out of the Penn
Station yards when Joe was asleep.  As they began to pick up speed and make
time passing Tarrytown, Selena was frustrated.  She couldn't sleep and was
so nervous and wanting to talk that she woke Joe.

   "Joey, I can't fall asleep on this train.  It rocks and rolls so much
and the scenery is so pretty.  Sit up with me; I need someone to talk to."

   Joe wasn't happy, but he was happy to make her happy.

   "So, are you happy to finally meet your child?"

   "Essy, she's hardly a child, she's a junior in High School and from the
picture you showed me, very mature and NOT looking 13."

   "Well, part of that is being with older classmates and without her
mother around to coach her, she wears a little make-up that sheds the
little girl look and I assume she dresses like her peers in class.  She
would pass for 16 or 17 easily.  If I had looked like that when I left the
house my Dad would have kicked my butt.  I did have some make-up in my
locker as well as a few skirts that showed off my legs.  I usually hung
around until last to leave so I could get changed before they picked me
up." Selena admitted.

   "What was wrong with being 13?"

   "Joe, all the girls in my class were 16 and 17 and I was just as pretty
as most of them.  I didn't have much of a bust then, but I could fill out a
skirt pretty well.  I didn't want to be the Poindexter.  I wanted to fit
in!"

   "Well, I guess it's different for a girl than a guy.  When I was
advanced I was always the smallest guy and I wouldn't say I was picked on,
but I was the brunt of jokes, but by the time I was in 8th grade I was only
10 and 11 but I had sprung up and athletically, I could compete with most
of those guys.  But the constant need to prove myself as an equal that was
probably was the start of the bad knees." Joe was telling her as the train
was coming to another station stop.

   "Ooo, this is Saratoga, I think our stop is next.  I'm getting so
nervous." Selena said fidgeting.

   "By the time we get to Fort Edward and drive to her home, it will be
after 1:00, so calm down Essy.  This is going to be a fun day, a little
depressing because of her Dad, but it will be fun." Joe said as he hugged
her and she leaned in and put her head on his shoulder to rest and calm
herself.

   She must have been stressed because the relaxing she took in Joe's
shoulder calmed her to sleep.  She only woke when Joe shook her as they
were about to reach Fort Edward.

   "I can't believe I fell asleep.  You always say the right things to take
my stress away.  I'll be OK until we get there.  Let's go get our car." She
said as Joe grabbed their bag and they were off for a short drive to
Horicon, NY.

   As they pulled into the driveway of the little 2 bedroom home where the
Langstons live they saw it was a small, but neat house with a newly built
ramp for a wheelchair.  They held hands as they walked to the door and Dana
Langston came out to greet them.

   "Hello Mrs.  Johnson, and you must be Mr.  Johnson.  It's my pleasure to
meet you."

   "Please, call us Joe and Selena, the Mr.  and Mrs.  are way too formal."
Joe said, almost embarrassed.

   "OK, please come in and meet my father." She said as they went in and
saw Dean Langston in his wheelchair, but looking very alert and bright.

   "Dad I want you to meet Mr.  and Mrs.  Johnson, Joe and Selena."

   He held out his hand and shook Joe's hand saying, "Dean Langston, Joe, a
pleasure meeting you as well Selena."

   "The pleasure is ours.  I just wanted to tell you how sorry we were to
hear about the accident and your wife's passing.  We always wondered what
this day might be like, if it were ever to come about at all, really." Joe
said.

   "The Lord has his ways and reasons for everything.  I, too, wondered if
her birth parents would ever come to claim her." Dean said.

   "Oh God, Dean, we are not here to claim her.  As you said about The Lord
having his ways and reasons, we too were forced to accept a bad hand dealt
to us, but under the situation dealt to us, it appears that God made sure
she had great parents and the best upbringing possible.  She's is obviously
a very smart young lady." Joe said as Dean held out his hand to Dana and
they both welled up.

   "Why don't we go into the living room and talk?  Joe I understand you
haven't had the chance to meet Dana until just now.  Let's try to get to
know each other." Dean said as Dana maneuvered his chair to the living room
and she pointed to the sofa telling Joe to make themselves at home.

   "If I may, Dean, Dana, . . .  let me tell you the whole circumstance of
how all of this came about, besides what you may have read.  We did keep
the fact Selena was pregnant and had a baby out of our story, mainly
because at the time that our 911 survival story came out, we did not know
she had a baby, let alone a baby that lived and was adopted.  We were
married on September 10th, 2001 and had our private little honeymoon that
evening.  Without getting too personal, I had a vasectomy reversal earlier
in the year and was going to try to have children, although not as early as
that.  Anyway, after our "rescue" from the hospital hell we went through I
noticed a few changes in Selena's body that caused me to ask some questions
to the nurse who had her case in most her 9 years in the hospital.  I was
sure she had pregnancy and delivery.  Things began to unfold and the
records that were shoddily kept of her early stay did show she had
delivered a baby on Mother's day 2002.  We did not pursue it any further
until it came out in another case against one of the ambulance drivers that
day, that he had raped Selena when she was unconscious in that ambulance.
We were able to locate the DNA swab of the baby, which the innocent lead
medical tech on the ambulance that day kept in case he had to protect
himself against false accusations of the other.  When it didn't show the
rapist as being the father, they checked me, and I was named the father. 
Now, none of this is public knowledge and we certainly hope that
information remains private.  When Dana turned 18 we were going to try and
contact you, and we did not know who you were at any time prior to Dana
here doing her investigative work.  We always dreamt of bringing our marker
on history in the world.  We wanted a child to show the world that we were
here and we made a contribution.  We were satisfied in that way, but not
knowing who he or she was ended up being difficult.

   We hope Dana can show us the way she tracked us down, it would be
interesting, but you have to admit by looking at the two of them, the
relation to each other is very striking."

   Dean Langston wiped away a tear, saying "I can see her eyes when I look
at you Joe.  If I needed proof, I have it in my mind at least.  You say you
have DNA comparisons?"

   "Yes, Dean.  There was no doubt whatsoever in the test results." Joe
said.

   Dean took a long deep breath.  "I don't have a long time left, I'm told
weeks, not months.  I do feel pretty good today, but I have more bad days
than good.  The cancer was way too far gone when it was diagnosed."

   "There was no possibility of a transplant; we could both be tested for
match if you think that is a possibility?" Selena asked

   Dana and her Dad began to sob together until he drew another deep
breath, answering "No I'm afraid it's past that, and I had a couple friends
who tested as a match, but its spread too far and moving through my body,
quite aggressively."

   The room stayed silent for the next couple minutes with Dana lightly
sobbing and Selena sniffing and trying to act stoic.  Joe had reached and
held Deans hand.

   Dean patted Joe on the hand and said, "I know you never wanted it to be
this way, meeting your daughter.  I know, from things I've read about you
since Dana sprung all of this on me that you are a good couple, a
successful couple who can provide for her as she needs to be.  Tell me,
with the circumstances, do you think you would always take her best
interests because of the obligation, or do you feel your bond would allow
you to make her a part of yourselves, your life?"

   Dana raised a hand to interrupt, "My Dad has a hard time expressing
this, uh . . .  we've talked.  I've told him that he and my Mom would
always be my parents, no matter what.  I believe I have a spiritual
connection to the two of you, but I have to say, I don't feel it now,
probably because of my Dad's sitution.  But, I did feel it when I first saw
Mrs.  J, . .  err, Selena on the TV at school during current events.  When
they showed a close-up of her face there was something that told me . . . .
. ." (crying again)

   "It's hard to put into words." She added.  "It was only a short time
after they told me I was adopted.  I was almost 9 then.  People always
thought my Mom and I looked alike, so I never suspected it.  They told me
that if I found out later in life I might feel like they were trying to
pull something over my eyes, and they felt I was mature enough to handle
it. My Mom and I (crying, sobbing heavily for a few moments) . . . . .  she
WAS my best friend, while other girls in my class, understand they were a
bit older, saw their Mom's as "the enemy", and my Mom was like my closest
friend.  My own good best friend from school, who was 13 then, she said it
was because I wasn't interested in boys then."

   Selena had been quiet, for the most part up until then, but she felt
things in her heart she had to express.  She got up to comfort Dana and
held her hand.

   "I want you to understand something.  We never would have willingly
given you up.  We wanted a child in our life so badly.  Joe went through
lots and lots of tests before the surgery to undo his vasectomy and it was
no easy time for either of us, but we WANTED children.  I had to go through
some intense mental therapy to uncover the fact I had a baby.  I had been
drugged and kept unaware of reality so long that I feared if a baby did
survive it would have been deformed or mentally deficient.  I just don't
want you to EVER think that you were unwanted.  Although neither Joe nor I
really "know" you, you were, and are now "loved".  We understand your bond
to your Mother and Father and fully respect that.  What you're going
through now with your Father is very hard and so much more than any child
should have to experience.  We want you to know that we would fully accept
you into our lives.  My parents have no idea that I had the baby, or that
we are here right now, but you would have Grandparents who would care for
you as well."

   Dean Langston choked up a bit, holding back a tear, saying "She's never
had grandparents.  Merilee was adopted herself, and I was orphaned and
brought up by MY grandparents, who have since passed."

   Dana swallowed the lump in her throat and spoke.  "I sense we are all
beating around the bush here.  If you want to ask me if I would like to
come and live with you when the time comes, (swallows hard and wipes a
tear) yes I would.  Would that have my Fathers blessing, yes it would.  Do
I ever think I could ever consider you as Mom and Dad, I can't say.  Surely
as far as school and college I know that both of you would be a tremendous
source of guidance and support.  We had been hoping for some sort of
miracle where my Dad could see me graduate high school next year, but that
hardly seems possible now.  I skipped the PSAT and took the SAT exam and if
I score well enough I have my choice of two colleges who would accept me as
a freshman, but only if I lived local off campus with a parent or guardian.
One of them is Polytech.  That is not the reason I tracked you down Mrs. 
Johnson.  I truly needed to satisfy my heart to know why I was drawn to you
when I saw your picture and video.  I guess I had a different feeling about
both of you when I thought I was an unwanted baby, but now I see it is far
from the truth and you had no choice in the matter altogether."

   Selena began to cry hard as she blurted out, "OH PLEASE, BELIEVE THAT.
You were a product of one of the great loves of all time.  We wished and
prayed for you!"

   Joe rushed to Selena's side.  "Essy, she KNOWS that now, there's no
convincing that has to be done."

   Joe looked up to Dana and her Father.  "You have to understand that this
was life's deal breaker for her.  Finding out she had the baby she always
wished for and not even knowing she had it and then finding out you were
out there and might never see you.  She was in a sorry mental state until
we jogged her subconscious and all the circumstances came out."

   "Well, like you think you understand my predicament, you don't, and like
I think I understand yours and Selena's, I can't.  It's only until you face
it." Dean said hoping it was taken in the proper context.

   "I lost my Mom and best friend, I'm losing my Dad and I'm on the
precipice of the education I've dreamed of, and have to grow up and face
the beginning of my adult life in just a few weeks.  I've NEVER BEEN A
KID!! NONE OF YOU UNDERSTAND MY PREDICAMENT!!" Dana screamed and ran from
the room.

   Dean looked lost and out of words and emotions and hung his head.  Joe
and Selena were stunned for a moment and then Dean nudged his chair forward
a bit and touched Selena's hand.

   "Go and talk to her.  She's forgotten you had much the same challenges,
and that you will have to be her Mother, all too soon.  She's been so
strong through all of this.  She needs to let it out.  If I go she'll cry
over me, let her cry over herself."

   Selena's lower lip quivered and she stood acting like her feet were 100
pound weights.  She looked to Joe for him to support her, but he looked at
her with the understanding eyes she knew all too well, saying, "She has her
Father, she needs to hear from her Mother and you're the one she'll need."

   She walked from the room and found Dana in her bedroom lying across the
bed crying.  Selena went and sat on the bed beside her and preened the back
of her head.

   "Dana, you may not know me very well, but believe me when I tell you, I
know you, and a lot better than you might think.  I so wanted to grow up
and be like the rest of the girls in my class and my Dad put the clamps on
me time after time, and it was good that he did.  Growing up too fast is
hard.  You're having to do it for a couple of reasons and I can help you
though some of this when school comes around.  I started at Polytech at 16
and when I turned 18 I was supposed to live on campus, but I was close
enough to home to be able be there often enough as well.  My roommate
worked nights and when she was headed back to the dorm, she would pick me
up and bring me back.  My Dad didn't want me there alone.  When I met Joe
he was 20 years older than me and I was so attracted to him I couldn't get
him out of my mind.  He smartly rejected me, being old enough to be my
father, but I realized one thing, he and I were a match.  I forced him to
try and be my boyfriend and I did it secretively because my Dad would have
either killed him or had him arrested him.  Dana, it wasn't about sex, it
was about my heart and I knew he was the one, and I've proved myself right
over and over again.  If in YOUR heart you have this education goal you
know it will make your Mom and Dad happy and proud, whether they are here
to physically see it or not, pursue it.  It doesn't mean you can't still be
a kid, but it does mean you have to grow up and face the responsibilities
of accepting the challenges.  Your education goals are there and you can
grab the baton and go, or you can wait if you feel it's too fast.  But, the
situation with your father is there and there is no putting that on hold.
Like when you lost your Mom, it's not fair that it's thrust on you, but be
thankful you can say goodbye, tell him how much you love him.  But, you
have to be strong for him, be brave for him.  He needs you."

   "I know.  I'm mad at myself for breaking down in front of him." Dana
said drying tears.

   "He understands.  He doesn't expect you to be without feelings.  You're
still his little girl and he's still your Daddy and he wants to comfort you
too."

   "Thank you, you're very understanding, . . .  and sweet.  You sounded
like my Mom, like you're supposed to be." She said giving Selena a little
knowing smile.

   Selena got up and extended a hand.  "Come, we'll go talk to your Dad and
finalize a few things before we go.  We have some papers for your Dad to
sign if you want him to.  Where you go when his time comes is your decision
according to him and we want you to know that we'll accept that.  Your life
has been difficult enough for the past 2 years and we don't want you to
feel like you're being forced into anything." Selena said softly.

   "Thank you, you said some of things my Mom would have said . . . . . . .
well, you ARE my Mom." She said flashing that little smile amid her angst.

   Selena put out a hand to stop her before leaving the room.  "Remember
that your Mother earned the right to be called your Mom.  I will never
pretend to take her place in that sense.  I hope you and I can someday
become close.  But remember, where you want to go when your Dad's time
comes is YOUR choice.  If you will be more comfortable with someone besides
us, we WILL understand.  I know that you don't know us and you've had
enough to swallow since you lost your Mom."

   "I've done enough research on you and Mr.  Johnson that I think I know
you both better than you think.  Although I hope my Dad makes a miraculous
recovery, or at least makes it to my High School graduation and beyond."
Dana said hoping against hope.

   "You said you might be able to start a half semester at Polytech in
January, would you graduate High School early?  That would put you in there
even earlier than Joe or I." Selena asked.

   "Professor Stevens said that if I got over 2000 on the SAT along with a
30+ on the ACT, I could, and he thinks I will from the tests he has sent
me, but admits it would be rare.  I would have to find a sponsor to live
off campus with and he said he had a couple in mind."

   "Would you want to do that?" Selena asked.

   "Well, if my Dad lived on, I wouldn't.  I would stay and graduate next
June.  But, otherwise, I want to put my life here, the life I knew with my
parents, behind me.  The accident taking my Mom, my Dad going through hell
recovering; only to end up with cancer, it would just be a constant
reminder if I stayed here up North."

   "You've thought this out?"

   "Yes, and I've spoken with our Parish priest, and I've seen a therapist
a few times."

   "Okay, it's not a rash decision, you've thought it out, weighed your
options?" She asked.

   "Yes, and it was hard, but my Dad and I talked too.  He even said that
if he made a recovery, the first thing he would do is MOVE.  But, he knows
he's short and has even made his final arrangements.  I couldn't go with
him then, it was too much." Dana explained.

   "OK, you look dry eyed now, let's go. . . . . .  Wait!  Did you mention
Professor Stevens before?" Selena asked startled that she hadn't
comprehended it before.

   "Yes, at Polytech."

   "Has he ever seen you?" "No, we've only spoken on the phone and swapped
letters.  Why?" Dana asked.

   "Dana, he's my mentor, and Joe's as well.  We were both special projects
for him.  He was the one who recommended me and groomed me for WSG.  When
he finds out that you're my daughter he will flip.  Umm, when he said he
had a couple in mind, for a sponsor, he probably thought of us, or my
parents." Selena said glowing.

   "Are all of the coincidences and the like beginning to get creepy or
what?" Dana asked her cautiously.

   "Joe and I are big believers in fate and predetermined outcomes through
God and Jesus Christ.  No way I should have been with him, no way he would
have even fallen for me, no way anyone could survive 911, no way we could
ever find each other in our circumstances, no way you could have seen a
picture and begin to think I could be your Mom.  The list goes on and on."
Selena whispered as they walked back into the living room.

   "Are you OK my precious?" Dean asked.

   "Yes, Daddy.  Just one of those moments, I'm sorry."

   "Don't worry about being sorry.  You're just a young girl and you have
grown-up girl problems." He said as he took her hand.

   "I'm a lot more grown up on the inside than the outside Daddy, you know
that." Dana said confidently.  zoot Dean looked to Joe and Selena.  "See,
her Mother had her following along in her pre-school class when she was 2
or 3.  She felt so grown up being with the other children, all because
Merilee and I didn't want to pay for child care when we were offering it in
the form of pre-school.  I can tell you that every child who went through
Miss Merilee's Pre-School Academy was so prepared for kindergarten and 1st
grade, most all of them knew their alphabet and numbers and many could
read. Dana skipped most of the early grades and acts way past her age, and
now my little girl is grown up enough to take care of me.  However,
sometimes it's a curse.  I fear she's missed some key years of growing up.
Then there's the boys!  (he glared at Dana) They're calling here a lot for
Dana, thinking she's a LOT older than she is."

   Joe nodded and looked to Dana and smiled, kidding her, "You aren't
interested in boys, are you?"

   She blushed and answered, "No, not really, and especially in the ways
the ones who call here or ask me on dates at school.  They don't know I'm
13, or don't care.  I'm not going out with anyone.  I have so many things
going on."

   Selena was about to burst to tell Joe, "Dana is working with Doc
Stevens!!"

   "Really?  He'll guide you on your education, if Polytech is how you want
to go, especially if you want a career with Math applications."

   "I love Math and would like to go in that direction, but I have so much
more to learn about life and . . .  everything.  He's waiting for my SAT
and ACT scores.  He says if I scored high enough I may have the aptitude to
begin at Polytech in January, if I have a sponsor or parent who lives
locally." Dana told them.

   Dean then spoke up, "Professor Stevens and I have a lot of long talks
because I'm not too hot on her going away from home for school.  A lot of
it is my situation, as you can understand.  But, she "could" forego the
remainder of her Senior year in January and begin some college courses and
still keep up with her Senior year studies.  Then she could start as a
Freshman at Polytech, or another school that has, I guess the word is
recruited, contacted her.  It's in Oregon, it's a . . . ."

   "Reed Institute?" Selena said.

   "Yes!  That's it.  But I don't think she is mature enough to be THAT far
away.  At least at Polytech she could be home on weekends and if she HAD to
come home on any night, she could.  Professor Stevens explains that a
sponsor family would be paid by us, they can't pick up those fees, and it's
somewhat like a foster parent.  But if Dana didn't like them, or couldn't
live by their rules, she would have to seek another situation.  Everything
has to be 100% above the boards because of her age, and both the school and
I would have to approve."

   "In any situation at Polytech, we would gladly be her sponsor family and
if Selena working in New York City becomes a problem, her parents could
easily take care of it." Joe said.

   Dean Langston choked up a bit and looked to Dana and took her hand.  "At
this point I might hope she would be with you in that situation, but I'm
afraid I won't be here to . . ."

   "Daddy STOP!" Dana scolded him.

   Dean lost his temper a bit, saying "Dana I know what the Doctors say and
I've begun to shut down already.  It's only through prayer and God's grace
that I'm having this good of a day right now.  I've made peace with the
Lord and I've made peace with you.  Now you just have to begin to accept it
and be ready to move on!"

   Selena patted his hand, "Remember that no matter what, she's just 13 and
you're her Daddy, her strength.  Life on the other side of losing her
parents will be difficult and for her to fear that is normal, and
expected."

   "Don't you think the mere fact that you two are here, her BIRTH parents,
is an answer from God for me, and for her?" Dean asked.

   Selena had to turn her head to hide her tears, Joe choked up a bit and
hugged Selena to hide it.

   Dana spoke up as she took her Fathers hand.  "If my Dad will agree, I
would like to be closer to Polytech in January if my test scores pan out. I
will come home on weekends to see him, or find a way to get up here if
there's a problem.  If Mr.  and Mrs.  Johnson agree to those things I would
to be with them while at school."

   Dean shook his head and looked to her.  "Dana, I know you don't want to
hear it, and don't think I'm giving up, but I won't last that long.  I
can't live like this, being on machines every other day, and things getting
worse all the time.  Dana, they've prepared me with all of the signs to
watch for as it gets worse, and I'm seeing those things."

   Dana started to cry and was going to leave the room again but Selena
stopped her and whispered, "Go to your Dad."

   She turned and fell to her knees and hugged her Father.  He whispered
comforting words to her showing how brave he was.  He truly was becoming
weary of the pain and discomfort he was going through.  She kept nodding
and kissed him on the cheek a few times and then she turned to Joe and
Selena.

   "When the time comes I would like to come and live with the two of you,
if you will have me.  I will try to adjust to your lives and make it as
easy on you as possible." She said in a line she must have rehearsed.

   "We can play it by ear sweetheart;" Selena said.  "We won't force our
lives on you, we want you to be happy.  I want you both to be clear, it's
obvious that Dana was raised in a loving household and she learned many
great principles in how to approach life, and her education.  Nothing will
change with that.  Joe and I were brought up in similar households and
those things will not change." Selena explained as Dean nodded and took
Dana's hand.

   "Show me what I need to sign to get things rolling with this.  I need to
rest and I'm due for meds.  If I understand as your lawyer explained it and
my attorney explained back to me, after I sign this intention, I agree to
make this an addendum to my will and then the probate court appoints both
of you as guardians to care for Dana and as conservators to oversee the
management of the financial details of the guardianship."

   "That is how I understand it as well.  Our lawyer is a friend; he
already has a judge in mind to hear your decision that is sympathetic to
birth parents in these situations.  Although he thinks there is enough
legal precedent to sway ANY judge." Joe added.

   "I was told the same thing." Dean said with a nod.  "So, legally, you
will be my guardians." Dana asked.

   Dean Langston took her hand and assured her, "I think you will find a
lot of love in their care.  I discussed this in passing with my oncologist
and a close friend of his, a surgeon, knows the two of them real well and
we talked at length.  I know this is right.  I just wanted to be sure you
were happy with it all.  Make it your choice, not mine."

   Dana broke down and cried hard this time, telling her Father that HE was
who she wanted to be with so she could care for him.  Dean got all misty
eyed himself as he hugged Dana as he told her, "The Lord will take care of
me soon and I'll be with your Mother.  Until then, you're all I want to
care for me.  Take to my bed and let me get my meds and sleep.  This has
been a long day and I'm beginning to feel very tired."

   "We should get going.  I want to thank you for your hospitality and
kindness.  We'll both pray for you Dean.  Godspeed." Joe said as he shook
Deans hand, noticing his lip was quivering and a much weaker handshake.

   Selena went to him and kissed his cheek, whispering, "No matter what,
always be sure if need be we will be there for both you and Dana."

   Quietly he whispered in Selena's ear, "Take good care of her, she's my
angel."

   The entire drive back to Fort Edward was quiet and tearful for both Joe
and Selena.  Selena spoke after quite a time, "What time is our train?"

   "6:25, and I think we'll be there by 6:00, we won't be home until 11,
probably not in bed till midnight.  I bet we both sleep on the train, I am
so mentally exhausted.  Her Father was quite a guy, so brave in the face of
it all.  I guess when it stares you in the face, you HAVE to be brave." Joe
said, almost in a driving stupor.

   "Do you think he'll last very long?"

   "Truthfully, no.  He told Will Herzog that he might not last the week.
His endocrine glands, specifically his pancreas, has shut down and his
blood sugar is very high and his liver can't process any insulin
injections, so his heart is under tremendous stress.  That's why he is so
tired.  Some diabetic medicines help, but an insulin injection might shut
down his liver, it's a catch-22.  They'll start hospice care on Monday, but
Dana doesn't know that yet."

   "Will spoke to him?"

   "Yes, he and Sam McHendry conferenced with him last week to be sure he
knew the gravity of the papers he was signing, and to make sure there would
be no contest to her coming to live with us.  He wants her to get her
diploma in outside of this district.  Will discussed with him about the
publicity that will surround her once the rest of our story comes out. 
Will promised him that he would do whatever he could to be sure it was
delayed until a proper time of mourning had passed for her.  We will just
keep it all quiet."

   "You hid this from her, and from me?" She began to bristle.

   "I didn't think, and neither did Will, that you should know so you
wouldn't fawn too much over the two of them.  His condition is apparent
enough.  Don't be mad.  I also knew about Doc Stevens, and he HAS her SAT
and ACT scores.  She can start at Polytech in January.  He wants to meet
her in person and see if she is mature enough, and over her parents deaths
sufficiently enough to study and be focused."

   Selena was still miffed, "You knew about her speaking to Doc.  So, Doc
knows she's our daughter?"

   "No, I had to save that for you.  He just knows that we would be able to
sponsor her.  The two couples he wanted to line up were you and I, and your
parents.  You aren't surprised at that, are you?" Joe asked.

   "No, and obviously, he hasn't seen her."

   "No, they just spoke on the phone, both her and Dean." Joe said as they
drove into the Fort Edward-Glens Falls station lot.

   "Essy, you take our bag and find our seats on the train, it looks like
they're boarding now.  I'll drop off the car."

   "OK, I'll try to get a pair with the wide windows, but we should have
our choice until we hit Albany.  See you on the train lover."

   There was only an engine, 5 cars and a café car so Joe had no problem
finding her when he boarded and brought a couple beers and ham sandwiches
from the café car.

   "Not exactly Juniors Deli, but I'm hungry, this should hold us till we
get home.  I can't get the Rueben from Blarney Rock Pub out of my mind. 
Can we call and order them from the train.  It's just outside the station
and we can bring them home."

   Joe shook his head at her knowledge of the city now."They won't be as
good without their beer menu, but at that hour, we won't do better around
the station."

   It took little time to finish their beers and light sandwiches before
falling asleep.  They slept through 7 stops finally waking up near the
Tappan Zee Bridge, as they called for the Croton-On-Hudson station.

   "Wow, there must have been a sedative in that beer.  I can't believe I
slept like that." Joe said as he shook out the cobwebs and watched Selena
do the same.

   "I noticed before that this coach was pretty cool and didn't seem to
pitch like the cars on the morning train.  Either way, it was nice to
sleep. I think we were just emotionally drained." Selena agreed before
reminding Joe, "Call and order our sandwiches, maybe a growler of beer."

   "Gee, let me check my pockets and see if I brought a growler with me."
Joe cracked.

   "I think we can afford another one, it's not like we won't use it."

   "We have to watch our money, we might be parents soon." Joe said raising
an eyebrow.

   Selena slumped back down in the seat.  "I only wish it weren't this way.
I barely know Dana, but I ache for her so much.  If her Dad wasn't sick, I
think we would have had the same opportunity."

   "Maybe, but I doubt she would have looked for you as hard.  She saw the
writing on the wall and didn't want to stay up there so far from where she
wanted to go."

   "Well, she knew the folks she stays with are foster parents and she
feels they do it more for the money than the opportunity to create
relationships and shape lives.  Her Dad told me that while you went to
comfort her.  In this arrangement, we'll get Foster money as well, but
we'll put in into a trust for her." Joe said leaving Selena in a quiet
pensive mood as he punched in the phone number for Blarney Rock Pub.

   Joe finished his call and looked to Selena and saw she was crying a
little, a tear rolling down her cheek denying her stiff upper lip.

   "What is it, Essy?"

   "Am I silly to think that someday she might think of us as her Mother
and her Father?  I want her to be my best friend, and I hope that I'm hers,
but if she were to call me Mom just once, I would feel complete."

   "Don't try to force any issues and don't think you can assume that
mantle in her head.  Her Mother died in her arms, more or less, and they
WERE best friends, but she might close the book on that stage of her life,
um . . .  who knows.  We just have to be support for her, show her we
REALLY care and aren't there for the money like the others." Joe surmised.

   "Hmmm, that room where we keep our seasonal clothes and the travel cases
will have to be turned in to a bedroom, huh?"

   "The game room can be divided too.  We only need room to shoot pool or
put the ping-pong top on.  We never watch the flat screen on the wall. 
That can be a guest room, she can have her room and your parents can keep
their room." Joe said as he thought out loud.

   "We haven't signed any papers on the New York place beyond the 2 year
lease, have we?  She asked.

   "No, I hope you're having second thoughts about trying to buy that
place."

   "Joe, New York IS a part of our lives."

   "That only happens if your parents take my house, and if we have Dana, I
don't see that happening until she's finished with Polytech and we will be
long past our current agreement with Fox.  The price would have to be very
enticing and they would have to be our agent to see it's occupied." He
explained.

   "Please no more, I have so many things running through my mind.  Let's
just get home and eat and get to bed.  I have to be to work on the
morning." Selena said as she put her hand to her head and laid back in the
seat, as the train began to slow reaching the parts of the city proper.

   They would be pulling into Penn Station in 15 or 20 minutes.

   Chapter Ten - Sunday June 21, 2015

   Selena had just gotten out of the shower while Joe, who showered before
she was up, was making breakfast.

   "Did I hear the phone ring?' She asked as she settled in front of the
cup of coffee Joe had poured.

   "Sure did, it was Will Herzog.  Yesterday he got the papers Dean
Langston filed in the Essex County Clerks Office.  They are notarized and
unchallenged by Family Court.  We just have to register and apply at that
office when the time comes.  It will then be reopened for challenge, but
Will is 99.9% sure our petition will go through as we can prove we ARE her
birth parents, she WANTS to be with us, and Dean made it a dying wish."

   "I suppose that's good news.  Do we know how he's doing?  I was sort of
hoping he could make it through the end of the year, for his and her sake.
I know there's no ceremony or anything for early grads, but at least he
would have that moment." She commented.

   "She would stay in school then.  She wouldn't leave him, and that stands
to reason."

   "Poor kid; I hope she is coping with all of this." She said as she
picked up the morning paper and looked for the Financial Section.

   Joe was glad that the sureness of Dana eventually coming to be with them
had calmed her anticipation to where she once again could switch her work
mind, play mind, love mind, and live minds, on and off, not letting one
detract from the other.  That was one of her best mental qualities, she
could have a heart wrenching decision to make at home and could walk into
work and think and react as if she were walking out the night before.  She
called it compartmentalizing, but Joe thought it displayed the great mental
discipline her brain could exercise.  Where Joe felt she had what Doc
Stevens and other great mathematical thinkers called "the gift", he knew he
personally was just off that beam in the long run.  He could look at
mathematical equations and situations and find relevance in miniscule
references that would lead to a tumbling of facts into a cogent pile, like
she could, but, if he were troubled by a situation in life, it would linger
in his mindscape to where it might confuse and alternately color what his
solution might be.

   "Like right now!" He thought to himself as he watched and admired her.
"She's eating that Financial News page and sorting the information and
holding it aside until she adds the last numbers she either stored away, or
will get later.

   She looked up from her reading as he turned the New York Times page and
saw him staring at her.

   "What is it Joey." She said with a big smile, letting the furrow in her
brow relax.

   "Just musing on how much I love you, love the way you think, love the
way you've molded us into this super couple, this team that daily conquers
our little world."

   "Me?  I'm not the architect, you are!  You taught me how to love, be
loved, enjoy the things our bodies can do to pleasure and show our love. 
You, who taught me the meaning of love and trust and how they are the same,
you, who taught me everything about myself, and made me whole."

   "Think what you like, but I had so little to do with making the US that
we are." Selena closed her paper, bending the corner of the page she left
off at, and slid to the floor and slinked on her hands and knees to Joe's
chair, and then sat back on her legs.

   "I spend too much time in this position to be the leader, the architect.
A leader wouldn't worship her supplicant."

   "Hardly a supplicant, you're the one with the power." He chuckled.

   "Joe, if I didn't have your love I couldn't believe in myself.  I love
being on my knees before you for many reasons besides the fact I love you.
I love your cock being right in front of me, it gives me so much pleasure,
I get to taste it, feel your heart beat and blood race through it, feel you
shudder with pleasure and empty your seed, your very core, to my mouth so I
can taste you and your love."

   "But, I get the same feeling when I'm at your font, tasting your juices,
filling you with pleasure as your body goes into an orgasm that stimulates
every cell in your being.  I know I did that, brought you that pleasure,
and unlike me, you can do it over and over sometimes.  I can only go one at
a time, you're so much more efficient in that department." He reasoned.

   "Can we settle on us being good for each other, a team?" She asked.

   "You know the answer to that Essy." He said as he went back to his
paper.

   "Well, I'm not here on my knees for nothing!" She said as Joe thrust his
paper down.

   "OH, I thought you were coming over for my parts of the paper,
seriously."

   Selena put a big pout on her face.  "Maybe the honeymoon IS over!"

   Joe put his paper aside as Selena moved up on her knees and took hold of
the sides of his sweat shorts.

   As she began to pull them down she looked into his eyes.  "There's
another reason I like to suck your dick.  I like being your dirty girl.  We
have our love to express, but sometimes I like being your little whore, sex
for the SEX of it.  With your cock out like this how long do you think I
can keep my mouth off of it?  I know the taste, the texture, and I want to
feel it alive in my mouth.  Sex because it's dirty, not to mention I love
you."

   She impatiently thrust her mouth over him as far as she could and held
him there while she flexed her mouth as if to swallow and take all his man
taste off, and then relented and teased the tip to taste anything he might
emit before she teased him again with a deep thrust, and pulled off.

   "I'm not sure if I want you to come down my throat, over my tongue, or
while pounding my pussy.  I'd offer you the other option, but it's too
close to . . .  umm, we don't need to make a mess.  Maybe later though."
She said with a sexy smile that told him nothing was off the slate when she
transformed into this little temptress.

   As she began to move her mouth up and down over him he asked "What do
you want?"

   She stopped and looked up to him, "I'd like to stand on the arms of your
chair, squat over that dick and bounce until you're ready to cum.  Then
I'll jerk you into my mouth."

   "Oooo, you naughty little lady!"

   "I know what you like, and what I like." She squealed.

   . . . .  and that was to be their Sunday, as it was many other times;
home alone with each other.  Whether making love, fucking, dirty sex,
tender sex, it always in devotion to each other.  No plans, only to go to
the Sunday Night Letter meeting, Selena was to lead it that night, so she
couldn't do it over the net.  It was a Sunday of love and work, Selena's
two passions.

   Joe was sitting in front of the WSGG brownstone waiting for Selena to
come out so they could go home and finish their day together when the call
came through.  The ID read, "Cell Phone Essex County".  He knew before he
answered what it was.

   "Hello Mr.  Johnson, umm Joe, it's Dana.  My Dad passed this afternoon,
Father's Day, no less."

   "Oh God Dana, I'm so sorry."

   "Please don't!" She said, "it was for the best, the last week and
especially the last 2 days were horrible for him.  Even morphine wasn't
helping much.  He held my Mom's rosary in one hand and gripped my hand in
the other when he finally gave up.  As much as it hurt, I'm relieved for
him." (breaks down crying)

   "Is anyone with you?"

   "A nurse, Mary Porter, a good friend of my Mother, is with me, she's
staying tonight and she'll help me with all the arrangements.  Dad already
took care of everything."

   "We'll come up tomorrow."

   "If you could, I would like that.  I know it's crazy to say, but if Mrs
Jo . . . .  Selena was here it would be a great comfort.  I'm trying to act
older, but I've never felt more 13 and lost than now." She said crying
through her words.

   "I'm waiting for Selena to come to the car, she works for a bit on
Sunday nights, it's . . ."

   "I know, the Sunday Night thing." She acknowledged from her study and
research to be sure she was her birth mother.

   "Here she is now, hold on Dana." Joe said as he saw her come down the
steps with a smile and a spring in her step.

   She jumped into the car and saw the look on Joe's face as he handed her
the phone.

   "It's Dana, her Dad passed today.  She wants to talk to you."

   The two of them cried together between Selena's words of comfort before
Selena told her, "We'll hire a limo to get us up there early tomorrow.  We
can take you to breakfast and then to the funeral home and help you with
the arrangements, get his clothes, all those things you mentioned."

   "A nurse who took care of my Dad, Mary Porter, who was a friend of my
Mom is staying with me tonight.  The Hildebrandt's already called me when
they heard; they want to know if I'm staying with them.  I told them I had
other arrangements.  She asked if Family Court was involved and I just told
her my Dad had taken care of it." Dana said through her sniffing of tears.

   "Do you know what your Dad was paying them when you stayed there 4
nights a week?" Selena asked.

   "It was $125 a week, he owed them for 4 weeks and was going to pay them
when his disability check came.  That's what she really wants." Dana said
with a bit of a growl.

   "If she's owed the money, remember she has bills too.  We'll take care
of that when we come up."

   "You don't have to do . . . ." Dana started to say.

   "Dana we promised your Dad we would help you out in any way we could. 
We are quite well off and these little bills are not a problem.  You don't
need to worry about a thing.  We'll make this transition as smooth as
possible.  We'll give you the time and space to mourn and adjust.  Just let
us fulfill your Dad's wishes.  For now, just be sure you have someone to
stay with you tonight.  May I speak with her?" Selena asked.

   "Sure, her name is Mary Porter."

   "Hello Mary Porter, you obviously are a good friend of the family.  We
will be there as early as we can tomorrow.  If Dana has told you the
circumstance of our connection, we would sure appreciate it if you kept it
on the QT until we make it public."

   "No she hasn't told me, she's ran around it a bit." Mary Porter said.

   "I'll tell her to fill you in.  I'm trusting you to keep it quiet so
Dana hasn't got to be the center of a little storm quite yet.  She's been
through a lot in the last year and this just makes it all that much worse.
You'll understand when she tells you." Selena said in her most serious
voice to get her point across.

   "Don't worry, Merilee and Dean were very special to me.  Merilee had all
3 of my kids in Pre-K and Dean was my sons coach in Little League, our
families are very close." She told her.  "I should tell you that I would
have taken in Dana during school except I'm a single parent, divorced and
just couldn't do it."

   "I understand.  I know people have situations.  Just thank you for being
with her tonight."

   "My boys are able to take care of themselves for a night, I didn't want
to take her out of her house." Mary Porter told her.

   "You're very kind and understanding, I'm sure her Mother is thanking you
from heaven." Selena added.

   "Well, that's very kind and understanding to say.  I'm confused about
why Dana could be the center of anything from this, but I guess I'll learn
from her later.  Here is Dana back."

   "Now Dana," Selena began, "I want you to explain as simply as possible
to Mrs.  Porter how you and I came together and our relationship.  OK? 
Stress to her the gravity of keeping it all so private for now.  I hardly
think you want that sort of . . .  shit storm in your situation right now.
Sorry for using that word, but I've been victim of all undue and unwanted
press and you want no part of it."

   "I understand."

   "Dana, there's one more thing I want you to understand before you have a
chance to assume anything, or have anyone warn you of anything, . . . . .
I, in no way, have any sights on being your Mother.  You had a wonderful
Mother who nurtured and took care of you and made you who you are today.  I
want to be close to you, I want to be your friend, and I want you to know
you can count on my taking responsible for the fact that I brought you into
the world and you owe me for nothing.  Your relationship with Joe and I
will not always be a picnic, but we are always open to listen to any
problems you may have."

   " (crying) I understand and I will try to be honest and straightforward
with anything.  You said something the other day that has rung true and
made me realize a lot of things, Love is Trust.  I see now that it's why I
had such a trusting and open relationship with both Mom and Dad after so
many of my friends think of their parents as "the enemy"."

   "Don't fill your mind with those sort of worries right now.  You know
what you have to do over the next few days and you know how painful it
might be.  Your Dad will be proud of the tribute you pay to him by doing
all of this bravely and proudly.  I recognize how mature you are, but I
also know you are 13, and although I was in the same boat, high school
almost done and barely a teen, maturity is not always easy."

   "Thank you for the kind words.  I'll see you tomorrow, . . .  morning -
right?"

   "Yes, we'll find a way to be there by morning.  You get some rest."
Selena said as she hung up the cell.

   Joe looked at her incredulously.  "Did you have all of that rehearsed?"

   "A little, most was from the hip."

   "I guess we're going by limo, huh?" Joe said as he searched his phone
for the right number to call.

   "Joe, I've got no time for a train.  I'm already dead tired, at least in
a limo, you know not a stretch, by limo I mean a car with a driver, and
I'll be able to sleep.  We can stop at that Sunset Mt Lodge right near
their house to shower and freshen up.  I'm certain we can get a
reservation. If we leave by 10 or 11 tonight we should be there by 5 in the
morning, and then we can get to her house fresh for 7:00, I'll call and let
her know once we're sure."

   "You had this all put together in your mind when the time came, that's
great.  I've got a driver here who can probably get this done, or he'll
know one." Joe said as he drove the short distance to their condo to make
the final arrangements."

   With an overnight driver found, hotel reservations made for a very early
arrival, Joe and Selena packed and were on their way.  It didn't take long
for them both to fall asleep in the Lincoln Towne car after leaving just
after 10:00 pm

   The movement of the car as it rolled into a service station just off
Exit 24 on I-87.  Selena looked around and snuggled up next to Joe.

   "What time is it?"

   "Just past 12:30 go back to sleep." Joe whispered.

   "I keep dreaming about how we tell my parents." She said groggily.

   "In the long run, they'll be happy.  I have thought about it though. 
Tell them you were so frustrated by it, them not knowing made it easier on
them, and that's not too far from the whole truth.  The rape will have to
be left out of the story, your Dad will be ballistic and want to look him
up." Joe said.

   "Do we just show up with her, or take her in as a student and tell them
later after she's grieved her Dad." Selena wondered.  "How long after
seeing Dana does one of them comment how much she looks like you?  I say we
tell them and then bring her to meet them." Joe proposed.

   "Any way we do it, it's wrong and convoluted.  Let's not cross the
street until the crosswalk shows."

   "Good idea, Ess.  Go to sleep, we're getting back on the Interstate
now." Joe whispered as they both easily fell back asleep.

   The Towne Car pulled in the Sunset Mt Lodge around 3:45 and the jostling
from the downhill grade of the entrance to the parking lot woke both Joe
and Selena.  As the proprietor had promised, there was an envelope with two
keys, one for the Johnsons and one for the driver, in the outside key box.
With a quick shuffle of overnight bags they were in their rooms with Joe
instructing the driver NOT to drink as he would be getting up in a few
hours to bring them to the Langston home.  When he took them to breakfast
he would go to rent a car for Joe and bring him to it afterward.  Then he
could drive back to the City.

   Dana's attitude towards the Johnsons after her Dad's death seemed to
change from the moment they walked into her home that morning.  Although
crying and in need of comfort she seemed stoic, almost to the point where
Joe felt she might suddenly resent them.  However, as soon as Merilee
Langstons good friend, Mary Porter, left Dana became a little clingy and
then Joe wondered if she were acting as if she thought she was supposed to,
not sure what to feel.

   Joe considered her maturity for her young age and decided to confront
her.

   "Dana you seem very uncomfortable or staged, or acting around us.  I
want you to know that everything with us and you is OK and if there is any
problem, just tell us.  Please know you can trust us."

   Dana looked away and then suddenly burst into tears, crying heavily,
bawling, as Selena went to her and held her tightly.  She calmed a minute
later and looked to the two of them and with eyes red and face tear stained
she said,

   "I don't know what to do.  I've only been to one funeral before, and
that was Mom's and my Dad took care of everything.  I'm stupid with this,
confronted with a problem I can't answer, can't figure out." She said
bursting into tears again.

   As Selena held her Joe came to the other side and whispered softly to
her.

   "No one knows what to do in these situations, no matter how many you may
have gone through.  No matter if you're 13 or 60, burying a parent is very
hard.  Don't feel over matched by any of this.  There is no wrong way to
handle it.  That's why we are here, that's why your Dad prearranged so much
once he knew his fate.  He took care of you the best he could in his
circumstance.  He told me he had all of his arrangements made to make it
easy for you.  As smart, and as mature, as you may seem or feel, we know
you're but a child of 13 and we, nor anyone else, expects any more from you
but to respectfully grieve and say goodbye to your brave Dad.  In the face
of his own demise he looked out for you.  He loved you more than anything
else in his life."

   Dana calmed down and sat down in a kitchen chair, looking up to the two
of them.

   "You are both very kind, very understanding and more help and support
than I could ever expect.  You don't treat me like a child or a freak like
most adults do.  You treat me like my Mommy and Daddy did.  Thank you."

   "Why don't we go to get breakfast?  You have a long day ahead of you, to
prepare for your Dad's wake and funeral."

   "Yes, I didn't eat last night and I am hungry this morning.  I'll show
you a good place to go.  You should know, there will be no wake.  My dad
thought it would be too hard for me, especially if you were here.  He
didn't want for any of us to have to explain who you were.  He was afraid
of a circus if the media got a hold of the story.  He tried to prepare me
for that.  He was also very vain, and he didn't want people to see the way
he looked.

   "So, no viewing?" Joe asked.

   "Yes, that was his wish.  (crying again) I kissed him goodbye just
before and after his last . . ."

   "We understand." Selena said as she hugged her.

   They went to the Towne Car and the driver followed Dana's directions to
a little diner in an old store front close by.  One waitress seemed to know
her and she asked how her Dad was doing.  Dana stood and whispered to her
and she cried a bit again with her.  They heard Dana say, in a low voice
"relatives of my Dad", supposedly in answer to who she was with.

   They ordered breakfast and chatted about a few things pertaining to the
day and the next day funeral.  Dana looked uncomfortable again and Joe
again asked her what the problem was.

   "You discussed the funeral with my Dad?" She asked.

   "Yes, we decided it would be best if we didn't go, not stir anything up.
He said you would have enough family friends, and school friends, more than
likely, to support you.  He thought there would be rumors around about a
lot of things, but once our story was retold with the baby angle, a lot
would be understood.  I guess I just didn't think it would this soon." Joe
said, sort of surprising Selena, who knew nothing of his request.

   "Don't jump to conclusions honey, I never thought it would be this
soon." Joe said looking to Selena, "I wasn't going to bring it up until it
happened and I guess it slipped my mind.

   "Dad knew," Dana sniffed, "He would say goodbye to me every night, and
when he stopped going to any treatments because it was hopeless, we just
managed the drip the last 4 days.  A nurse was here for him to keep him
comfortable.  He told me it would be soon a few days after you were here.
His doctor prepared him.  He was a brave good man.  He suffered so much
after Mom died, and then this.  It was so unfair."

   "Just know that we are here for YOU." Selena said.

   "I know.  That was why I sought you out.  I knew you would help me
because I knew of all you went through, but I'll admit, I wasn't totally
sure if you were aware you had given birth.  I more or less proved to
myself you were my mother." Dana reiterated.

   "That's all behind us now." Joe said as breakfast came to the table. 
"So there will be a service at the funeral home and then proceed to the
church for the funeral mass?"

   "Yes, despite my Dad's wishes, I DO want the casket open at the funeral
home, mainly so I can see him once again.  He didn't want the wake, but I
want this.  It will just be open for me and close friends for prayers."

   "Mary Porter gave me a list of things the funeral home wanted and
questions for you.  She didn't want to upset you last night." Joe explained
as he took a paper from his shirt pocket.

   "Do you have a suit and tie for him?"

   "Yes, his favorite.  My Mom got it for him a couple Christmas ago."

   "Do you want his rings?  He has one from service, and his wedding ring."

   "No, he should go to heaven with them.  My Mom took hers." Dana said
swallowing hard.

   "He's a veteran and the Army has an American Flag for his casket.  They
can bury that with him, or you can be presented with it afterward.  There
will still be another flag over the coffin at the church if you want it."

   "I'm not sure." Dana said confused.

   "I have the flag from my Dad's service in a display case with his name
rank and serial number.  It's my remembrance of him.  He was so proud of
his service." Joe said.

   "I'll do that too.  That will be nice."

   "Here's our driver now.  You and Selena talk while he brings me to the
rental car.  I won't be long." Joe said as he excused himself.

   Dana watched Joe leave saying," He's a very nice man, kind.  I see why
you love him so and never lost faith that he would find you."

   "Thank you.  I hope as you begin to fit in with us that you will accept
him as a father figure.  He's wise, and very loving; my rock." Selena said
softly.

   "I haven't thought much about changing my life, but I will respect your
opinions on things.  I'm pretty headstrong and have my own ideas, but I'm
not over the top.  I won't be a problem for you.  Just give me my space to
let me adjust.  My Dad read me the riot act, but he also explained about
the bond the 3 of us will have and he wants me to "consider reality when it
hits me in the face." I don't know what that means but he said I will when
it all comes together."

   "Your Dad was a wise man." Selena said

   Just as Dana was getting up to visit the rest room, Joe came back in.

   "While she's gone, why did you agree to us NOT attending a wake or a
funeral?" Selena asked.

   "Essy, if we were recognized the questions would fly as to how and why
we knew Dean.  If they see you and Dana together someone may get
suspicious. Now that may be just my paranoia, but if there were ANY 2 women
who looked like sisters or mother-daughter, it's the two of you.  I don't
need some snoop to go and research things and come up with the rape story,
the pregnancy story and all of the ugliness that went with it.  This way we
can simply say you were no more aware in that first year than you were any
other year you were "gone" and unknowingly had the baby that we conceived."

   "I don't like this.  Why do we have to let the media run our lives?"
Selena said with a sour face.

   "Because that's the way life is.  If you want to just open up the book
and tell the whole world everything, although WE know WE have NOTHING to be
ashamed of, go ahead.  But, I want to keep our private life PRIVATE.  Some
hot shot DA or Federal judge might try to hang his hat on prosecuting that
low life and we get dragged into it all to serve his political goals.  You
could end up looking like the aggressor.  One snoopy reporter could mess
ALL of our lives up.  Dana understands." Joe said as Dana returned to the
table.

   "I'm ready if you are.  I want to get this over with, dealing with the
funeral home." Dana said.

   They went back to the house and got the things they wanted for her Dad.
After spilling more emotions and some small talk they headed to the funeral
home.  After giving them the suit and tie they were ushered into a small
room where the director told Dana what would happen the next day for the
funeral service.  At one point a man knocked on the door and told the
director "we're ready".  He ushered Dana to see the body in the casket for
her approval.  Selena went to get up to go with her but Dana asked for
privacy.

   She came back to the little office and it was obvious she had been
crying but she steeled herself saying, "They made him look good, more like
he was before.  He would be happy.  He was so afraid of him looking so
sickly.  That's why he didn't want the wake.  We need to go to the monument
company to finalize the wording on our headstone.  Dad wanted his service
rank to be on it."

   Dana's cell phone rang and the call made her smile a bit and then she
thanked the caller profusely.  She finished the call and looked to both Joe
and Selena.

   That was Mary Porter.  Her Sister is going to help her with her sons and
Mary is going to stay with me a few days to clean up the house, sort things
out and help me pack.  She spoke to my Dad's lawyer this morning explaining
his passing and they are working with your lawyer to get the paperwork
settled."

   "I've got a message on my phone from Herzog-McHendry, that's probably
about that." Joe added.

   "I can't believe I'm moving away and everything is changing so soon"
Dana said as she began to cry heavily with Selena comforting her.

   Joe came up behind Selena to join the hug and whisper to Dana, "Dana,
you can stay here as long as you like to get things in order, settle things
in your mind, but the legal side of this has to go forward because of your
age.  We've become your guardians but we have no agenda or schedule.  We
want you to be comfortable with the change and to make it at your pace.  We
didn't come here to drag you back with us.  That was not and is not our
intention.  We're here only as support and to help you make decisions."

   Through her tears she hugged Selena harder saying, "I know that, and I'm
trying so hard to show you I don't resent any of this.  You are making the
most wonderful offer of a new life for me than I could ever imagine.  It's
just the digesting of it all.  My Dad explained it all and told me to be
brave, but it was easier being brave with him here."

   "After the dust settles you go through and get the things you want to be
with you.  Your Dad's lawyer will arrange for the sale of the house and his
will and like that.  At your Father's request our lawyers reviewed the
details of his will, since we would be your guardians.  It was all pretty
standard stuff when a minor child is involved.  You probably know that
there will be a trust for you when you turn 18, and then balance when you
graduate college.  Just let me tell you that even without the trust, you
will have no financial problems, don't let any of that worry you." Joe
explained calmly hoping she might keep her composure.

   "I can bring anything from here?"

   "Of course." Selena said.  "If what is in your room now is special to
you, you know furniture wise, you can bring it.  As far as personal things,
mementos, and keepsakes, . .  there is no limit.  Try and make yourself
feel at home."

   "What if Professor Stevens doesn't think my grades merit my starting in
January.  Will I go full time at a High School near you?" Dana asked trying
to occupy her mind with other thoughts.

   Selena looked to Joe who nodded.  "Dana honey, he has your scores and he
wants you in January.  But remember, even he doesn't know of your
connection with us.  He just knows we have agreed to be your sponsor"

   Joe then added new information, "Doc emailed me this morning and he has
3 other students in similar situations and Poly will work with the local
School District on your high school classes you need to finish.  You can be
a full fledged Freshman in September 2016.  At the beginning of your Junior
year you must live on campus and that will be with a Graduate Student
roommate, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.  Keep in mind that we live
just minutes, literally, away from campus."

   "You're right, I've really got to focus on what's going on today and
tomorrow.  Being in this house alone, even with Mrs.  Porter here, is
strange." Dana said as tears began to flow.

   Selena went to comfort her, but Dana held up a hand, "No, let me cry it
out.  I spent so much time trying to be strong for my Dad.  I need to let
it go a bit."

   Joe and Selena kept close with Dana that day and the next leading up to
the private wake and the following day's funeral.  They did as Joe agreed
with Dean, they kept away and basically out of sight to be sure there was
no undue pressure put on Dana.  Dana seemed to accept the new living
arrangement plans, though all 3 of them knew it was going to be a hard
adjustment.  Thankfully she had almost 10 weeks to adjust.  Luckily, Dana
WAS excited about finishing up her high school requirements, and then
starting as a Freshman in January.  However, the situation at hand was
wearing on her.  Her 13 year old psyche was taking a beating, no matter HOW
mature she seemed.

   Once Dana returned home after the funeral she was drained.  As was
custom in small towns and communities, especially in Northern New York,
friends gathered at the deceased home and brought food and desserts to feed
the extra guests.  Mary Porter left the funeral early and didn't go to the
cemetery so she could go back with other neighbor women to arrange food and
set up chairs.  By the end of the day Dana was physically and mentally
drained, but, she called Joe and Selena at their motel.

   "I want to thank you for the love and support.  I know we really don't
know each other, but we all know the score here and I thank God for
bringing you to me.  Mrs.  Porter talked with me once we rid of everyone
and she is going to stay with me until Sunday.  She's off to sign a few
papers with the lawyers to be my temporary guardian."

   "I'll meet you home Sunday night then, OK?" Selena asked.

   "Will you stay with me until Monday or Tuesday?  I don't think I'll be
through by Sunday." Dana said hoping for her help.

   "As long as you need; I just have to let them know in New York.  I'm
going to let Ross Curran, the man I told you about, know what the story is
so they'll understand why I'm out so long."

   "They won't publicize it though?"

   "No, they will keep our wishes in mind, but I do have to get back there
in the morning.  Then while you begin to get things together I'll begin to
prime my parents for this and after I get back with you we'll set up the
timetable for disclosures." Selena informed her.

   Dana began to cry on the phone while trying to talk.

   "Dana, calm down, take your time and tell me what you're thinking."
Selena said softly.

   "God, what am I putting you people through?" She sulked.

   "Dana, amid all of the pain, angst, and unbelievably agonizing
circumstances of what we have been through, us, the whole 911 thing, you,
the accident, and then your Dad's cancer, we will all shine someday. 
Nothing will erase the memories, both good and bad of the lives we lived
prior to it all.  But as we have learned to live with our ordeal, so will
you.  Your Mom and Dad will have many reasons to be proud of you.  Joe and
I will make certain of that."

   "What of all the legal stuff?" Dana said as that new worry began to wear
on her.

   "Your Dad's lawyer is quite satisfied that everything is happening as he
intended and I can assure you that they have worked with our team and they
will treat you as kindly and thoughtfully as possible.  While lawyers and
the law can be harsh and unfeeling, we trust that all of our wishes, yours
and ours, will be met.  If you have ONE problem, call Joe or I immediately.
The hardest part of all of this has been Family Court judges and your age.
Our team has found a judge who had handled similar cases and he is
sympathetic to the child's wishes when they have demonstrated maturity.  If
you do have to go before him, it will be in closed quarters and not before
any other people, and the contents of the agreement will be sealed until
you are of the age of consent."

   The line went silent for 10 or 15 seconds before Dana spoke again.

   "After all of this I'm sure we can make each other happy, I just ask for
your patience with me.  We talk like adults, but many times I have to stop
and think about it all and then things feel like they are crashing about my
13 year old self.  I try to act grown up, but the fact I'm just a child in
everyone else's eyes comes shining through as truth.  I'll do my best not
to disappoint you."

   "My God Dana, you cannot in any way disappoint us.  You are all we ever
wished for, just to get to KNOW you.  We never ever imagined having any
sort of real relationship, so just know that we will try our best to make
you happy and guide you.  All of us will make your Mom and Dad proud."

   "I hope you aren't mad or insulted that I refer to my adoptive parents
as my Mom and Dad, even though . . . . . ."

   "Not for a second Dana.  They raised you, made you into what you are. 
It's easy to say you were born with good genes, but your Mother did a
fantastic job in your education, even before you stepped foot in a school!
Your father set you straight on the road of a moral life with a sense of
God and religion.  PLEASE!  We can't take any credit for that and THEY ARE
your Mom and Dad.  But it's important to understand that we had no choice
in your ending up in an adoption agency."

   "I know that now and it means a lot to me and settles questions I always
had since I knew the truth. . .  Oh, Mrs.  Porter is back with her
overnight bag and Dad's lawyer is with her, I better run.  I'll see you in
a few days."

   "Right, if the lawyer has any questions or problems, we'll be here for
another 10 or 15 minutes."

   Shortly thereafter Joe and Selena headed for the train station in Fort
Edward to rail home and arrive near midnight once again.  Selena had to get
to WSGG on Friday and get things prepared for the changes coming in her
life and how they might be handled.  She would meet privately with Ross
Curran on Saturday at the office and then head upstate to see her parents
and begin to lay out all of the news for them.  She would leave on Sunday
Morning for Dana's home to help her sort about the home and see what she
might want to take, and then make the moving arrangements.  Joe would stay
back with the Hanson's and try to smooth over any hurt feelings about the
masking of the situation.  He was confident that Scott would understand,
but Betty might be another story.

   Chapter Eleven June 28th - end of July To say that explaining the
situation to Ross Curran and then letting him handle the notification of
the staff at "Global" posed no problem to Selena was an understatement
because all she could think of was trying to tell her parents.  They had
hidden the rape and pregnancy at the time thinking it were just too heart
breaking to put the Hansons through.  Their emotional roller coaster, that
they never accepted their daughters death only to find out 9 years later
she had lived, had finally come to a stop and Joe agreed with Selena that
it was a bridge that didn't need to be crossed for some time.  Now suddenly
with the tragedy of the Langston family the story was going to break most
everything wide open.

   Betty Hansons cries of "Why didn't you tell us sooner!!" were
conveniently met with Joe and Selena's not wanting them to ride the
emotionally roller coaster anymore, they had planned to tell them in due
time.

   "Understand," Joe preached, "we didn't know for sure until a few weeks
after our rescue and it seemed pointless to put you through that and it
would only serve as a constant question to Selena, whose emotional state
required her to compartmentalize her thoughts of lost motherhood to a back
burner in order to facilitate her recovery."

   When Scott Hanson heard that explanation he comforted his wife knowing
Joe was right, as he thought back to the time and Selena's fragile state.
But he questioned, "When are you going to announce to the world that she
did, in fact, give birth 9 months after 911?

   "Well, understand that your new granddaughter is going through losing
both of her parents in the past year or so.  Her Mom died in her arms and
then she watched her Dad slowly wither and die from cancer.  Luckily she is
as strong willed as your daughter and, unless she is hiding deep grief, and
has handled the fact that this is what God has dealt her and she must carry
on knowing her parents are watching over her.  Once she convinced herself
that we were her real parents she sought us out, knowing it was the best
route she could take to get on with her life.  She's extremely mature, but
is quick to remind you that she is but 13 and her decisions should be
questioned as such.  She is very bright and analytical, just like someone
ELSE we know." He said with a snicker as he nodded toward their daughter.

   "I'm leaving this afternoon to take a train to go and help her go
through things she wants to bring to her new home.  She realizes how
emotional it will be and she asked me to be with her.  You will meet her
soon.  I'll just ask you not to force yourself on her and let things happen
in due time.  We HAVE to show her love and trust to make her feel at home
and let her know we are all here for her.  She is used to a structured life
with her education and taking care of her father.  Now that he's gone she
will have more free time to live as a normal kid, at least until she starts
at Polytech in January." Selena said not pausing to let her mother
interject.

   "Why don't I drive you up?" Betty Hanson asked.

   "Because I'm not going to force her on you or anyone else.  Mom, let
things happen.  Joe is having a storage POD delivered today with a walk-in
wardrobe and room for other things she may want before they turn the house
over to lawyers so they can settle things and put things in trust for her.
She's going to have a difficult enough time.  She and I have found some
sort of bond and I didn't want to abuse that.  Please, don't do what you
want to do.  No running up and hugging her when you see her.  We don't even
know if she'll accept us as anything beyond her legal guardians.  Daddy,
you two have to get together and come to some boundaries and agreements. 
Until I can establish a schedule of travel to New York she will be alone
here with Joe for a few days at a time.  Joe would like you two to stay
here then to add a little structure to her life, just do not smother her.
She has to know we can be trusted and have her best interests in mind."

   Scott Hanson had a sour look on his face and said, "Even though we have
experience as parents, we will abide by your wishes.  We'll talk."

   "Remember," Joe added, "As far as she is concerned, her parents are
dead. She realizes we are her birth parents, but that means little to her
right now.  We were not there for the 13 formative years of her life, and
she knows it was through no fault of ours.  She also knows she could easily
be in a court appointed foster home, instead of a house with people who
know exactly what she is going through educationally, and believe me, she
is focused on that over anything else.  She is not a typical teenage girl.
As long as Doc Stevens thinks she is mature enough, and that's a given, she
and 2 other girls 14 and 16 and another boy 14, all older than she, will
work with a Charter School near Polytech to get all their High School
credits by January to start part time at Polytech to be a full time
Freshman in the Spring as long as they fulfill some additional reading
requirements and certain math labs between classes before the Spring.. 
Nothing is a given, She, and the other 3 will have to pass these
requirements.  I, personally, think it puts too much pressure on her. 
We'll all have a long talk over this, the 4 of us, Doc Stevens and Dana."

   "Why not us, you don't want us to be involved with her otherwise." Betty
said snottily.

   "Mom, you've misunderstood EVERYTHING we've told you about the
relationship you might have with her.  You and Dad know firsthand what a
student goes through in accelerated studies and how it affected me. 
Remember Joe's parents are no longer around to give their say.  Who would
know better than you?" Selena said hoping they understood everything in the
right context.

   Betty had sidled up to Scott while Selena was reprimanding her and they
whispered between them, Scott explaining it all better.  Betty nodded and
told her daughter she understood it all and would not over step her bounds
as long as roadblocks were up.  Then she suddenly broke into a wide smile
and asked, "Does she really look like you?"

   Joe chuckled and nodded, "They look like twin sisters, 20 years apart.
There is no doubt who her mother is.  Luckily she got her father's smarts."
He said as Selena poked him.

   "If intelligence is inherited, she was very lucky to have you two as
parents, for sure." Scott said.

   "You and Mom had a lot to do with it too Dad.  Now, I have to get going
to catch the train.  Dana and Mary Porter will meet me in Fort Edward. 
Mary Porter is a friend of Dana's Mother who has been staying with her and
helping her.  She's an RN and she has a degree as a Psychological
Counselor. She's helping Dana cope and the fact she and her Mom were close
helps a lot.

   "Does she have a practice?" Scott asked.

   "No, she works as a nurse and uses her psyche skills in dealing with
patients.  She got her degree in a 2 year grad school, but thinks after her
kids are out of the house she'll try going back to get a clinical psyche
degree.  Very goal oriented and Dana obviously respects her.  If she didn't
have her boys home she might have offered to take custody of Dana, but she
has her hands full now." Selena explained.

   "Alright!  I'll get you to the station and you will keep us appraised of
what's going on so we know what to expect as far as volume of things she's
moving and such.  I'll then arrange for the POD to be moved here Tuesday or
Wednesday, depending when you leave.  I want the POD here when she gets
here." Joe said as they moved to the car to go off to the station.

   Selena was so excited, she thought her heart would explode.  For the
first time in the entire ordeal she began to anticipate what being a Mother
was going to be like.  Although she didn't really know Dana beyond their
few meetings, she began to feel the loving bond they shared.  She was
trying to squelch it, but it was overcoming her.

   Selena ended up staying with Dana at her home until Wednesday morning.
After the mover took the POD to bring to her new home, Dana and Selena rode
with Mary Porter to the train station.  Dana and Mary Porter said tearful
goodbyes with promises to keep in touch.  Merilee Langston had been Mary's
best friend and she felt Dana was her only connection to that bond.  At a
time when her grief was new Mary Porter was the surrogate Dana turned to
for love and understanding.  They had that bond that would never be
forgotten.

   By the Fourth of July Dana had arranged her things and been through the
POD completely of her things.  About a quarter of what she thought she
wanted in her new home she had Joe bring to Salvation Army.  Some things
that seemed so important while in her old home suddenly lost their
importance at the Johnsons.

   When Dana came out for Breakfast on the Fourth Joe and Selena were
discussing plans for the Holiday.

   "Good morning Dana, Joe and I were just talking about the Fourth.  Under
the circumstances we were thinking of just having a cookout here at the
house and we have a great view of the big fireworks just across the river
from the front window or porch."

   "I guess that would be OK.  I really don't want to go out with a lot of
people around.  I've spent so much time in my room arranging and then
reading to pass the time, being outside for a cookout might be nice.  Can
you fix ribs?  My Dad always did ribs on the Fourth."

   "Sure, we're doing ribs and chicken.  I was going to invite my parents
too.  Would you be up for that?" Selena wondered.

   "I suppose I should be.  I know you've kept them at bay for me, and I
appreciate that.  I don't want to be fawned over, questioned, or anything
like that.  I've imagined what they must think about having a new
grandchild, their only grandchild and it's pretty scary.  I'm sure they are
nice people.  I want to be friends first, like we're doing." Dana said with
a worried look.

   "Don't worry, we've all talked about everything with the same concerns
and worries you have in mind." Selena assured her.

   "The fact you haven't pretended to be my parents so far has made getting
to know you both better.  I'm not so stupid to have not realized already
that our spiritual connection is palpable." She proclaimed.

   Joe tipped his head and had a little smile curl on the side of his
mouth. "Are you SURE you're 13?  Statements like that show so much
maturity."

   Dana smiled a happy smile for the first time all week and gave Joe a
look saying, "You're doting, . . .  Pop!"

   "OK, I get it, . .  Pal!" Joe said as Dana nodded to him.

   Selena suddenly came to the realization that Dana might one day really
think of them as her parents when she saw the two of them in that little
word play of boundaries.  Joe was suddenly playing proud father and Dana
was marking the line while recognizing the reason why Joe felt that way. 
Joe's come back clearly showed he wanted to be her friend more than
anything at this juncture.  She just hoped she herself hadn't taken too
much from the exchange, letting her psyche courses in college influence her
thoughts.

   "I would like one thing, if you can do it for me, . . .  Sunday morning
can we get up early and go up North to the cemetery.  Both of their names
should be on the stone and I just want to make sure it all looks OK.  My
Dad and I used to go every Sunday to visit Mom.  I won't ask every Sunday,
it's just one of the last things my Dad mentioned, making sure it was all
done right.  (sniffs back a tear) He said I don't need to go there to talk
to them, they're always with me."

   "Sure Dana, we can do that." Joe said as he went and comforted her.

   "I always think my Mom and Dad are near too.  When I turned my Dad's
company over to the employees, like he asked me to do when I eventually
retired, I thought I could really feel him next to me.  My Dad died
suddenly, so I didn't have the opportunity to assure him I would take care
of that."

   "Thank you Joe, I'm so glad you understand." She said as Selena looked
on and was happy with the way they all seemed to be getting along, but she
was wary of her parents finally meeting Dana today.  Once that bridge was
crossed they had to come up with the timetable to release the information
that the "miracle 911 couple" had a child during their hospitalization. 
She wasn't looking forward to it and was seriously thinking of taking Ross
Currans suggestion of releasing the information through a WSGG press
release and handling the questions in New York away from their "home"
upstate.  They would wait a few days and grant an interview to a local
newsman and hope that might be the end of it all.  That would leave a few
weeks before she started at the Charter School to let lookie-loo's cool
their jets.

   That afternoon Joe had the ribs in the smoker and chicken primed for
barbecue.  Once Dana saw Joe loading the smoker she went out to see how it
was done.

   "My Dad always slow cooked them in the oven and then finished them with
sauce of the grill.  He always wanted a smoker." Dana said to start a
conversation with Joe

   "Well, smoking is also slow cooking, but adding the smoke infuses that
flavor.  You'll like them, I bet.  Selena is in making salads and her own
barbecue sauce to finish the ribs and glaze the chicken.  We'll have enough
meat left over to snack and lunch for a couple days." Joe added.

   "Can we stop tomorrow for a picnic on the way home?  We can go for a
walk by the lake.  I can make sandwich's and we can bring left over salads
from today." Dana asked.

   "Sure, if that would make you happy.  We just have to be home for Selena
to prepare for the Sunday Night Letter by video conference." Joe told her.

   "Can I watch that?"

   "Sure, it's interesting, I usually watch too.  Why don't you go in and
tell Selena about your plans for tomorrow and make sure it doesn't
interfere with anything she has going.  Maybe you can help her finish
salads." Joe suggested.

   "That sounds like a good idea, making sure she hasn't got other plans,
and I'd love to pitch in." Dana said as she made her way inside.

   "She's really trying," Joe thought to himself.  "She really wants to be
part of everything here, and part of us, but she does miss her parents, for
sure.  As long as she is making an effort I'll do whatever I can to make
her happy.  I'm not looking forward to next week though, Monday to
Wednesday, when Selena's in New York.  I hope we find things to keep
ourselves occupied without her getting weary of me."

   Inside Selena was just hanging up the phone.

   "Dana, my parents are going to be here around two.  You and I both want
to avoid a scene so if I might suggest, I have corn to be shucked.  If
you're sitting at the picnic table shucking the corn when they get here you
won't have to get up, you can just reach over the table and shake hands,
make small talk.  My parents are sweet and they are our biggest
supporters."

   "I read where they treated this house like you were coming home for the
entire time, never wanting to believe, uh . . ." Dana said, wiping a tear
thinking of her own situation, "they must be remarkable.  I'll be as nice
as I can, but I just hope they understand how things have to be.  I mean, I
want to love them, but..."

   "I understand, honey.  The adjustment is hard no matter what's in the
blood.  You couldn't have had better parents than your Mom and Dad.  Just
looking at you and what you've accomplished makes that evident.  No one
will ever try to take credit by bloodline, and if they do they will hear
from me.  I met your Dad and in the short time I spent with him, spoke with
him, and now as I spend time with you it's easy to see his influence.  The
record of students who went through your Mom's daycare pre-school,
including you, who simply absorbed by association is proof of what she was.
Your Dad said from the time you were two you were in the room for the
classes she ran.  When you went to kindergarten in September after you
turned 6 you were probably beyond the 3rd grade level once your brain began
to develop and it progressed to your level, or as they call it IQ."

   "Having the ability to learn and deduce can flourish in someone, but if
they don't have the impetus to bring it out, it may never surface.  That's
what a psychologist told me and my Mom when they were trying to decide if
it would be advantageous to carry on at higher levels with kids older than
me." Dana said, filling Joe in on some of the things he should know.

   "Once again, your Mom was a smart woman to seek that help and advice. 
I'm not sure I was ready when it was evident I was way ahead of my class. I
was in the 98th percentile on some of those tests, when the next of my
class were in the 70th.  I was immature in many ways, except for learning,
and um . . . .  sexually." Joe said wishing he hadn't.

   "Sexually, how was that?" She asked, her interest piqued.

   "This is between you and I, and I'll tell Selena that I told you, but I
lived in an old story 3 duplex.  The family on the other side was my uncles
and he had passed young.  So my widowed aunt and her daughter who was just
a bit older than me lived there.  My uncle was not the father of her
daughter.  My aunt was pretty promiscuous and her daughter had prying eyes
and she saw how much "fun" her Mom was having and the rewards it was
getting her, jewelry, money, gifts, etc.  As we were cousins in word only,
she and I became involved.  Let me just say that from the time I was 14 or
15 I became sexually active with my cousin and you can be sure it screwed
me up beyond belief, the way I thought about women, love, fidelity, and in
many ways, life itself.

   Some day Selena and I will tell you how we got together.  I hope I
haven't shocked you at all by being so frank, but I couldn't let my saying
"sexually" hang in the air like that."

   "Your marriage seems very solid." Dana said.

   "It's beyond that too, Dana.  We are pretty convinced that God made us
for each other.  She changed me so much, my life, my everything." Joe said
with a tear in his eye.

   Just then Joe heard people coming up the drive.

   "Here come the Hanson's.  Are you ready?"

   "Yes, Selena wanted me behind the picnic table shucking corn, you know ,
. .  busy."

   "Well, have at it, I'm going to let them in the gate."

   Joe walked over and unhooked the gate to let them in.  They eyeballed
Dana right away, but walked with Joe over to the table as she worked. 
Selena saw them come in and sidled up behind them at Joe introduced her."

   "Betty and Scott, I want you to meet Dana Langston.  Dana, there are the
Hanson's, Selena's parents, Betty and Scott."

   Dana went to stand to shake hands, but Selena eyeballed her down saying,
"Dana wait and wash your hands after you finish that.  Mom, can you come in
and help me with the dressing for the cole slaw?"

   Joe piped up quickly, "And Scott, if you can give me a hand moving the
ribs from the hot box into the smoke box."

   "It was nice to meet you both, we can talk later." Dana said as she went
about finishing the corn.

   With the initial shock out of the way Scott and Betty were both a little
miffed at the bums rush they were given, but knew of their daughters wishes
and carried on without saying much.  Dana eventually came into the house
with the corn and went directly to the sink on the opposite side of the
island where Betty was working.

   "I'm very sorry to hear about your Dad, Dana.  You're very young to have
lost both parents.  I'm sure Selena and Joe will do a great job looking
after you.  Know you can always depend on Scott and I to help you out as
well." Betty said, hoping to start a conversation.

   "You're very kind and thank you for the kind thoughts.  I'm sure we will
all become friends." Dana said as she took a bag Selena handed her for the
shucks.

   "Bring that out to Joe and he'll show you where the trash is." Selena
said as Dana took a towel and put it hanging from her back pocket, and
brought the bag out the slider to get her mess.

   Outside she rolled the husks and put them in the bag and Scott came over
to take them from her.

   "Here, let me take those for you."

   "Well, I want to see where the trash is anyway, just show me." Dana said
holding the bag to herself and looking to follow him.

   "Suit yourself.  I suppose if you're going to be living here you'll need
to know." Scott said with a tinge of attitude.

   "Well, I DO want to a part of the household." Dana said hoping Scott
might take some meaning from it.

   After dumping the bag she took the towel hanging from her pocket and
wiped off her hands and turned to Scott extending a hand.

   "So, once again, I'm Dana Langston, pleased to meet you Scott.  I
understand you and your wife will be my back up sponsors, whenever Selena
and Joe are out of town."

   "Yes, I'm sure we'll get to know each other better before that ever
comes around after School starts.  You're starting at Poly in September?"
Scott asked.

   "On no, I have to finish my high School credits first.  I'm going to
Holy Redeemer Christian Charter School until January.  Then I'll polish my
credits at Poly to start as a Freshman in September."

   "Polish?"

   "Bring me up to speed in subjects like Calculus and that.  Building me
from high school calc to advanced Freshman calc, and other subjects.  I'll
be in advanced levels as long as I can cut the grades."

   "That sounds like what Selena did too, except she went from her 3rd
year, right in and they buried her with studies and had given her tutors to
catch up.  Your way sounds much less stressful, which I suppose is good for
you right now, considering all you've been through, and may I add my
condolences on losing your Dad."

   "Thank you, you're very kind.  I'm sure we'll learn to get along just
fine.  I have to go inside and help Selena out with a few things.  Nice
meeting you." She said as she hurried up the walk and through the slider to
the kitchen.

   In the kitchen as soon as the slider opened Dana heard Betty talking and
then suddenly stop and she knew they were talking about her.  She decided
to take the bull by the horns.

   "Please, if you have any comments or questions, just ask me.  There's no
reason to talk about me or speculate." Dana said looking right at Betty.

   "Dana, that was rude." Selena said.  "What would your Mom and Dad say if
they heard you say that?"

   Dana's eyes welled up with tears and she ran to her room.  Selena
followed her directly with Betty Hanson lagging a safe distance behind.

   "Dana, I'm sorry for saying that, it was mean spirited, but so was your
comment.  My Mother only wants to get to get to know you better, she just
want to rush it a bit and I'm fighting that FOR you."

   Dana stood facing a wall and dried her tears and turned to Selena.  "I'm
sorry too, it didn't quite come out as I wanted it to.  You were right to
protect your Mother."

   Betty had just got to the door, but she heard all that transpired.

   "Listen Dana," Betty said, "we don't want to force ourselves on you or
make you feel uncomfortable, but over the next couple weeks as this
addendum to my daughters story gets out, you'll have to answer some
questions and develop a thick skin and be intentionally rude and abrupt
with some people.  We want you to come to us, the four of us, when you have
a problem with that."

   "I can imagine how much you want to love a granddaughter, and I never
had grandparents.  I just have so many things on my plate right now that I
don't need the pressure of the instant relationship.  The parental ties I
feel from Selena and Joe are heavy in the aura around us, and I'm sure that
will exist with us as well.  I just don't want to be studied or fawned
over."

   "I understand that dear, and I promise we won't, OK?  Come out and be a
part of our little celebration.  One thing we all want is for you to feel
welcome and happy." Betty continued as she touched Dana's shoulder.

   "That's what I want too.  I'm sorry if I seemed rude before.  I didn't
mean to be." Dana apologized as she touched the hand on her shoulder and
smiled to Betty."

   Suddenly they all heard the slider open and Joe yell into them, "start
the water for the corn, we are 25 minutes away."

   "That's our cue to get this whole thing started.  Now why don't we go
get the sides started while Joe and Dad get the ribs and chicken off the
grill." Selena said as they all happily left.

   Dana and Betty both realized as they walked out that if they just let
things unfold naturally things would probably go a lot smoother.

   Ninety minutes later they all were sitting around the picnic table after
enjoying a big 4th of July meal.  They talked and drank coffee trading
stories about Fourth's past with Dana freely talking of her Mom and Dad
with a minimum of tears.  She really showed all four of them the love and
respect she had for her parents, while showing the appreciation she had for
the current situation.  One thing Dana held in the back of her mind was
that SHE was the one who sought out her natural mother and found her.  She
had always wondered how she might ever accept her birth mother if she came
crawling back looking for her.  Of course when she first thought that, she
was not aware that her Mother had no choice in the situation at the time.
Right now she was sure she made the right decision in seeking her out as
well as committing to being WITH her and her birth Father.

   After picking up with Dana freely helping the four of them they settled
on the front porch to watch the fireworks.  As the display began to get
repetitive, waiting for the finale, they all moved inside to the picture
window as the mosquitoes had gotten bad.

   "Gosh, we were all getting eaten up!" Betty said as she tended to a bite
or two on her arm.

   Selena was next to Joe and simply raised her eyebrow to him with her
sexy smile.  Joe winked back, knowing what was running through her mind. 
It was at that point the finale started and they all watched standing at
the window.  Selena was standing in front of Joe and her hand snuck back to
trace the length of his cock.  They hadn't made love in 4 days, maybe the
longest since they had found each other again.  Now with Dana situated, her
parents fully in the loop, WSGG being notified, they had nothing but the
release to the media when the time came hanging over them.  They were
suddenly both randy for each other.

   After the last projectile had filled the sky with color Betty turned to
Scott and said, "Honey, bring me home and put me to bed.  I'm exhausted;
too much food, maybe too much wine as well."

   They gathered their things and said their goodbyes hugging and kissing
Joe and Selena.  They turned to say goodnight to Dana and she extended her
arms for a hug and an air kiss saying, "It was nice to meet you.  I'm sure
we'll get more chances to get to know each other."

   They headed to the front door as Selena whispered to her, "That was
nice, thank you.  They mean nothing but well for you."

   "I know.  They just have to realize I'm a little fragile right now." She
whispered back as Joe shut the door and began to prepare the house for
closing up for the evening.

   "Dana, if you're going to stay up, please watch the TV in your bedroom.
Set your alarm for 7:00 and we'll try to get out of here by 8 to go north."

   "I'll set it for 6:30 so I can make the sandwiches like I promised. 
Selena, can you show me where you keep the containers I can put salads in?"

   "Sure dear, but you don't have to do this."

   "No, but I want to.  I want to feel like I'm contributing, plus I want
to show my appreciation for this first week.  You both have helped ease the
pain and made me feel, . . . .um . . .  wanted, and not a burden."

   "While we'll never claim the titles of Mom and Dad, just remember you
are proof of mine and Joe's love for each other."

   Dana choked back a tear saying, "That's so sweet of you to say.  I know
you love me in that sense and I'll do my best to return that."

   She gave both Joe and Selena hard hugs before padding off to her room
leaving Joe and Selena Johnson a little shocked, but very pleased at her
words.

   "Well, THAT tells me that she understands a little of life and love.  I
was talking with my Mother and she told me that even if Dana loathed us and
went to live with a foster family, we would still love her, just like we
loved her when we didn't know who or where she was.  She wanted me to
understand parents love, but I think I already knew about that love."
Selena said.

   Joe hugged her tight and slid his hand over the roundness of her butt
and between her legs to trace between the lips of her pussy.  "How about a
husband's love for his wife and Mother of his child?"

   "I understand that quite well, and I think we're about to show that to
each other.  We might go into the shower to rinse off a bit of the day for
what I have in mind." She said as she turned and ran a hand over the front
of him.

   "Sexy minds in tune with each other think alike." He said taking her
hand and leading her into the bedroom, closing the door behind them.

   It wasn't 10 minutes before the hungry lovers were on their sides face
to genitals enjoying the pleasures of oral love as Joe lapped at her clit
with two fingers deep inside her as he flexed his hips and slowly fucked
her mouth.  When she began to fondle his balls he fell to his back as they
readjusted their position to continue the last leg of their session knowing
orgasm for each was close.  In that interlude where neither of them
groaned, moaned or spoke there was an unmistakable sound from the room
behind them, that was separated by only a long clothes press the Selena had
yet to refill since the style changes of the past 10 years.

   "Did you hear that?" Joe said.

   "So I didn't imagine it." She answered.

   "Is Dana . . . .  ?"

   "Pleasuring herself?  I feel like such a voyeur!" She declared.

   "It's not like we're spying on her." Joe said as he strained his ears
and heard one more straining groan.

   The paused their own session to listen again but it turned silent.

   "How old were you when you discovered the pleasures of your own body?"
Joe asked.

   "I was 13 or 14 and it was after they had "the talk" with me.  I wanted
to find out what my classmates spoke of and what they didn't want me to
take part in.  Remember, I was in class with girls 17, 18, and 19.  Sounds
like she's already learned about all of that; do you think we should talk
with her?"

   "Don't use "we", I've already told her about my indiscretions at a young
age."

   "My God you didn't give her details?"

   "No I simply was talking about the natural immaturity you get from being
moved to classes with older students and I said I was immature in many ways
except with learning and sexuality.  Once I said that I couldn't leave it
hanging and I just gave her a brief description of my relationship with
Lynn, not mentioning names or any depth."

   "Was that necessary?"

   "I couldn't leave it in the air like that.  She didn't seem startled and
it passed without further comment, except I told her I would tell you."

   "Do you suppose she has been tempted by older boys."

   "Tempted?  Maybe not, but asked or propositioned, I'm sure.  She may not
be fully developed, but she certainly is attractive and would give boys a
Lolita thought or two." Joe surmised.

   "Now I know how my Father felt about me." Selena thought aloud.

   "We were doing something here!"

   "She was doing what comes naturally, and so were we." Selena said with a
somewhat self-deprecating chuckle before looking down at the half mast
target of her mouth.

   After a reawakening of their ardor the lovers finished their devotions,
trying to be extra quiet, knowing with that long closet, mostly empty,
sounds reverberated.

   The only sounds heard from their room the rest of the evening were Joe's
plea for Selena to give up the head of his cock as he had become too
sensitive to her sucking as she rolled off of him apologizing for the wet
spot around his head.  She moved up and they shared each other's tastes
before going to the bathroom to wash their faces and clear their mouths.

   Over the next few weeks of July as the four of them grew closer to each
other did Selena contemplate bringing up a sex talk with Dana before she
would be in school around older, perpetually horny boys, and inquisitive
and equally horny female students.

   As Selena was deciding of how to broach the subject with Dana, Dana
approached her privately to ask her a "private personal question."

   "Can you bring me someplace to get a Brazilian Hot wax?"

   Shocked by her request Selena swallowed hard and asked, "Why on earth
would you need that and what ever made you think you would?"

   Dana blushed deeply and turned her face away causing Selena to take her
and hug her.

   "Dana, don't feel embarrassed to tell me anything, especially about
thoughts going through your head.  At this stage of your life you have seen
much more than any girl your age should have, but I know all about the
changes your body and mind go through.  I had many of the same struggles of
being both mentally and physically mature beyond my young years.  While I
was a bit older than you, I had special tutors to catch up my studies and
one of them took advantage of my naiveté.  I thought we were special to
each other, but he used me."

   "I don't want this for sex, . . .  uh . . .  umm . .  it's for feeling
confident around other girls in the showers after exercising, or sports,
like swimming.  Even at school up north all of the girls were shaved there
and I was teased a bit.  At college I know it will be worse.  Their
comments make me feel uncomfortable."

   "Did you ask your Mom?"

   "It really happened after the accident and I would NEVER have asked my
Dad "I'm afraid of hurting myself doing that and I know the hot wax lasts
for quite a time from all I've heard." "You might just try shaving, you
just have to be careful.Oh Lord I don't know what to say I . . .  you're
probably better developed than many of them, even at your age."

   "Yes, I know I am now, especially in the last 6 months.  My body is
going crazy, but I don't want a repeat of the tease, I just don't want to
hear the things they say.  I'm not . . .umm, active that way and have no
plans to be."

   "Jeepers, I wish I had time to think this through, maybe talk with Joe."
Selena said fingering her chin.

   "No, don't!  I'm asking you privately as my Mother, I know how wise you
are and while I called my adopted Mother "Mom", I'm depending on you to
guide through some things in life I know I'm not prepared for what Mom
isn't here for."

   Selena choked up a little at the "Mother" comment and asked, "Can you
talk to me like I'm your best friend, not that I pretend to be, but just
tell me your fears and questions and I'll answer you like a big sister or
best friend, and I promise, no judgment, no sharing with ANYONE else.  You
know that up to at least this point we haven't given you any restrictions
or judged your behavior.  Until you seem to need the guidance we won't
offer any.  I lived through a very strict father and mother, my mother was
actually afraid of my father for quite a time because he was so protective
of me.  She wouldn't have even worn women's jeans or tank top in front of
him because he would have accused her of being an influence on his virgin
little girl.  Joe and I had a confrontation with him when my Mom confided
she couldn't live like that anymore, even though she loved him."

   "It's obvious he's changed, they acted like newlyweds here on the Fourth
and anytime I've been with them since.  That's not an act for me?"

   "No, they're like a couple teenagers, but I might add, MARRIED
teenagers. So the question box is open, no judgments, just girl talk."

   "OK, my last semester I was on the swim team and when we were in the
lockers showering I got teased because I had hair down there, and to me it
was the first time it was noticeable, unless you looked close, and no one
has." Dana said in a soft whisper almost; very shy and privative.

   "Did they know you were just 13?"

   "God, I was only 12 then, bit I started wearing a bra when I was 11. 
Can I tell you of the things they would say?"

   "Girls can be so catty, tell me." Selena proposed.

   "No boy will eat a hairy cookie.  If he finds a hair in the oyster he'll
throw it back."

   "You don't know what it means?" Selena asked.

   "I know what it means, I guess.  It's about oral sex, but I would never
do that at my age, I've never even been on a date, not that I haven't been
asked."

   "Boys have come on to you?"

   "Yes, a lot once I got in with the Junior class, and I suppose it will
be worse at the Charter School and Poly."

   "At Poly you'll have a student chaperone to meet you between classes and
go to your next class until you're 16.  I only had really nice girls and if
anyone makes a comment to you, they are warned that you are a minor.  For
the most part you will be with advanced students who take things pretty
seriously and they won't be like that, but there are some.  I had this guy,
really cute named Arny who propositioned me all of the time.  He asked me
to Spring Break and I told him my boyfriend was taking me to Jamaica for
break and he thought I was bluffing.  That same day Joe gave me a new
Mustang and he pulled up the same time Arny was trying to break me down. 
He knew then I wasn't bluffing about Joe."

   "But, I'm not going to have a "Joe", at least not now."

   "I'm just going to tell you that you should keep your virtue as long as
you can and don't pass it out to just anyone.  Being pressured into it will
not make you feel too proud of yourself.  Joe and I were deeply in love
before anything intimate happened.  I found out that "just to find out what
it's like" is a poor excuse, and love isn't love until you get loved back.
You can't make anyone love you through sex.  It may seem that way, but it
never works out.  Don't be embarrassed, but I know you've discovered
yourself, the wall between our bedrooms is a long walk-in closet that's
empty, hollow, and sound carries."

   Dana started crying and turned her face away.  "God, God, I'm so stupid,
so dirty!  I'm sorry."

   "Dana!" Selena said as she went and hugged her and rubbed her back, "You
have NOTHING to be ashamed of.  That is one of the great joys and stress
relievers of life.  Everyone does it or has done it from the time they turn
12 or 13.  Its part of being a woman, or a man, a part of growing up as
your body matures.  In turn you've probably heard your Mom and Dad, or
maybe Joe and I some nights.  You haven't wondered about that have you?"

   Dana was drying her tears as she spoke.  "No I was always happy to hear
my Mom and Dad making love.  When I mentioned it to one of my girlfriends
they acted like it was something gross.  My parents weren't that old and I
was glad that they were still in love like that.  Joe has told me how deep
your love is, it doesn't bother me to hear it.  It's reassuring, but I also
know I can't do that until my body and mind catch up to each other, and at
my age it's out of the question but I hear girls 16-17-18 talk about it
casually and that scares me."

   "Dana, I can only tell you that if you think you're ready to make that
step, please come and talk to me.  I won't forbid you once you're of age, I
won't condone it, for sure, but I would just want you to be sure why you
were doing it.  When we're young we don't really know what love is. 
Feeling warm between your legs isn't love, love begins here." She said
placing two fingers on her temples.

   Selena let her words sink in a bit before saying, "Imagine if I had
gotten pregnant by the tutor I gave in to.  I wouldn't have Joe, I probably
wouldn't have finished at Poly, I definitely wouldn't have gotten recruited
by Wall Street, and you wouldn't be here.  Understand the consequences. 
Don't think condoms are the answer either.  Condoms are only 98% effective.
That sounds good until you realize that if a plane was going to take off
with 100 people on it, and only 98 of them would be alive when it landed,
would you get on in the first place?"

   Dana shook her head and seemed to be calmed down and comfortable with
their talk.

   "Understand that I haven't told you that what you do alone is your room
is bad, is forbidden, or is anything but YOUR business.  What you'll go
through at Poly will be stressful at many times.  If you're lucky enough to
be recruited by anyone who wants you to commit to a career because of your
talents, like I was, the pressure is even greater.  Your scholarship to
Polytech is based only on your grades as a pre-freshman, you can lose it
all in that time.  If you can get recruited, and the recruitment percentage
is way under 1%, your schooling will be taken care of.  While the promise
of pre-freshman "full scholarship" based on your advanced aptitude is
great, the fact they want you here isn't enough to pay for it all.  Unless
you're recruited, or qualify for further help, very unlikely since you're a
white non-minority and not poor, school will still cost about $400,000 and
your Dad's insurance will pick up part of that and we will take care of the
rest."

   "I couldn't just get student loans?"

   "Do you want to graduate owing more money than you will earn over your
first 5 or 10 years of working?" She asked rhetorically, "Joe and I can
afford that for you, aaaaa, . . .  our daughter."

   Dana flushed in embarrassment.  "I guess I'm not old enough to
understand that special connection we have, but I certainly feel it."

   "Just remember, you know who you're real Mom and Dad were and what they
went through to get you where you are.  Joe and I are proud of you as our
daughter, but we'll never claim "Mom and Dad"."

   "You've said that before and I think it's so cool you feel that way and
say it.  I see the day when I can call you Mother and Father though.  I
hope that doesn't sound silly."

   Selena had a lump in her throat she couldn't swallow from her words as
she just nodded and looked for a way out of the room to cry out of her
sightline.

   Dana picked up on it right away and got up to go to her room saying,
"Thanks for the talk Selena, you're the best."

   Once her door shut Selena broke down and cried until her eyes were red
and her face was a mess.  She heard the garage door going up and she ran to
the bathroom to try and freshen up before Joe saw her.  She hadn't showered
yet, and took the time to do it so she would look fresh for Joe.  There was
little of her talk with Dana she would share with him, keeping
mother-daughter confidentiality intact."

   Chapter Twelve August 1st to August 15th

   After more than a month in her new home Dana was really beginning to get
in her comfort zone.  Spending her time in the pool or out walking and
exercising was keeping her mind and body fit.  She thrived mentally when
walking or swimming alone, as well as in the gym at the house.  She figured
out her own problems to her liking as the blood and oxygen flowed freely
within her, and that made her happy.  While still confused a bit sexually,
she knew how to relieve stress and also knew she was no freak or pervert
for using her own body as she wished.  Where she had thought a 13 year old
girl masturbating was way out of the ordinary she now knew it was quite
normal to make those discoveries.  She began to make a few new friends
while on her walks as she met other walkers or stopped at The Corner Store
for a bottle of water.  She had met Christina more than a few times and
they began walking together.  Christina had just turned 14 and would be a
Freshman at the same Christian Charter School where Dana would get her
advanced High School diploma before starting as a pre-Freshman at Polytech
in January.  Dana hid the fact she was in a "special" class from Christina,
as she felt a certain "guilt" about being so smart.  Once the secret of her
birth came out to the public, she would reveal things to Christina with
hopes they could remain friends.

   Joe and Selena were in the process of arranging a news conference with 2
reporters, one local TV, and one local radio to discuss Dana's birth.  They
would be scheduled for the morning when WSGG announced that Selena would
retire, along with Ross Curran, sometime during the year.  The reason for
Selena's retirement would be "to spend more time with the daughter she gave
birth to while a patient at Hampden Behavioral Health Center.  The story
would say that she had not been aware that she had given birth due to her
psychological state at the time, but became aware of it shortly after being
rescued.  She was pregnant on 911, but had not yet discovered it yet.

   At Sunday dinner with Selena's parents present, along with Dana, Joe
spoke after coffee was poured.

   "On Monday the 3rd, Selena is going to be back full time at Wall Street
Global Group.  Her commuting three days a week for the past couple weeks
have really put a crimp in her performance.  She was doing that, obviously,
to help Dana become more accustomed to our family and our life here.  On
that day WSGG is going to announce that she and Ross Curran will be
retiring sometime after the first of the year.  Ross will say that he wants
to spend more time with his wife and that he is approaching 70 and it's
time to make room for new faces, new ideas.  He will speak for Selena
saying she is leaving because "she will have fulfilled her promised
commitment, AND also wants to spend more time with her family that now
includes the daughter she gave birth to while she was a Jane Doe patient at
Hampden Behavioral Health Center.  That daughter was put up for adoption at
the time, but since the girls family experienced tragedy and The Johnsons
have become her Foster parents with hopes of some day melding as Mother,
Father, Daughter." If any of us wants to change that wording we can.  This
is what Ross and Selena have come up with, so Dana if you would like it
worded differently, please, let's talk.  I would advise you that if you
meet anyone on the street who wants to talk to you, interview you, just do
not pay them any attention as we will let it be known that the press
conference we set up will be the ONLY time we speak of the matter.  We've
made it known that we want to remain private and most everyone has
respected that.  You really have to learn to ignore the people who don't
respect our wishes.  At the press conference you can tell your whole story,
or we can tell it for you.  Any question you consider private, you just
state so and that's it."

   Dana got a little emotional and asked, "Do we really have to go through
all of this?  It all seems so private."

   "Yes, it is, but it is also a news story once Selena and I resurfaced.
You know the gravity of the story and how the whole country, half the world
wanted to hear about us.  If not for that story you may never have put the
whole thing together about Selena and found us."

   "OK, but can I help you reword it all?  I just don't want this to sound
like it's a happy occasion for me.  This is tragedy on top of your tragedy
that turned out well.  Mine may end up well, but the tragedy of the reasons
why we are together will never go away for me." Dana pleaded.

   Selena went to hug her.  "Dana, my precious girl, why do you think we
haven't been able to rejoice in the fact our daughter found us and wants to
be with us?  We always wanted to have a relationship with you, but never,
ever thought we would be together.  We never really knew your parents, but
loved them for what they had done for you, how they raised you.  When we
wanted to find out what happened with you we knew someone, who knew someone
who could only tell us that you were in New York State and were an
excellent student, and also actively played sports.  Our exchange for this
information was a promise we would NEVER try to get in touch with you until
you were 18.  We KNEW you were in great hands and were cared for quite
well. We, in no way, celebrate your being here with us in the sense that we
think it's a great thing.  Your Mom and Dad were special in so many ways,
made so many sacrifices for you, we give them full credit to the young
woman you've turned into.  We hate that you've had to go through this pain
and angst.  My Dad always said to me each time I was sick that he wished it
were him, he so hated to see me in pain.  We now know what he meant when he
said that.  Do you think we wanted our little girl to have to feel the pain
of losing both of her parents, especially in the manner in which you lost
them?"

   At this point all 3 of them were crying and Dana really began to
understand them, and how they felt.  Even though she had thought it before
and never said it aloud, she was happy that if she had to be another
family, this is where she SHOULD be.

   "Dana, don't worry," Joe said joining the 3 way hug, "this will NOT be
portrayed as a celebration in ANY way, I promise you.  If any questions we
get try to color it that way, we will strike that idea down swiftly."

   On the morning of Monday August 3rd the major local newspaper and the
50,000 watt radio station, that was part of a network, were invited to a
press conference at the home of Joe and Selena Johnson with news that would
finish their story of loss and rescue from the World Trade Center.  Selena
would leave as soon as the conference ended and would go by a hired car to
WSGG where Ross Curran will have made his "news release" at 10:00 a.m.

   At 8:00 the invited news people and their assistants, producers, camera
people and such began to gather.  Other news agencies also came after word
got out, but they were kept at a distance to listen, but not participate.
The two media outlets who could ask questions after the statement were told
they would have 15 minutes, and that would be all ever said.

   Selena had spoken to Dana to ask if she wanted to look her 13 years, or
look more mature and more obviously Selena's daughter.

   Dana seemed to be resigned to not liking the situation at all and said
to her, with attitude, "However YOU want me to look."

   Selena got a stern look on her face and put her hands on her hips and
stood motionless in front of Dana until Dana tipped her head up to look at
the glare.

   "I may not be your Mom, but I certainly hope I'm a good enough friend to
you to get cooperation and a straight answer from you.  In this family you
will get used to the fact that Joe and I are both celebrities, somewhat,
locally and in the financial community, even without the whole mess of 911.
You're going to have to get used to the fact that everything is not going
to be private, or always your way.  How you look today is going to be how
the world sees you when this story goes out there as a major human interest
story.  All of your friends from school up north will see you, as well as
your future teachers who know you're coming to PolyTech.  When Doc Stevens
finds out you are my daughter you will become very special to him and he
will look out for you, guide you and help you.  If you want him to see a
vulnerable child, fine, if that's how you want it.  If you want him and the
world to see a mature young, but innocent, woman, that's your choice as
well.  Nothing will change the fact that you're 13, and you're very special
in ways far beyond the fact that you were brought into the world by Joe and
I during the whole terror mess.  I'm not mad at you, nor am I laying down
the gauntlet.  Sometimes I get the impression you want to grow up a little
slower, and I would not blame you for that.  If you want a Mother's advice,
look nice, DO NOT wear any make-up, no matter how mature you may look, make
up will make you look too, . . . . .  ummm."

   "Slutty?"

   "NO!  Why would you say that?  It would make you appear older, not
mature.  Do you want guys to look at you and think "wow, she's only 13, but
she looks 18 or 20 and have them asking you on dates?" Selena asked arms
akimbo.

   "No, I don't date, at least not yet.  My Mom said I had to wait until I
was 16, and only with their approval." Dana said very matter of factly.

   "We'll keep her wishes intact, then, OK?"

   "Yes, I can agree to that." Dana said as Joe walked into the room.

   "Agree to what?" He asked.

   "That I won't date until I'm 16."

   "Who's asking you out?"

   "No one, you missed the context, let's move on.  I want to dress and
look mature, but 13.  Being with all those older girls, you know, HAS made
me feel older, or should I say when I'm with my friends my age, I don't
feel like their peer.  I feel 16 or more." Dana admitted.

   "So you want to date?" Joe asked impatiently.

   Dana smiled at his urgency, afraid that he missed something, and went to
him, taking his hand.

   "No Joe, my protective father who reacts just like my Dad did.  IF I had
an interest in a boy, and he asked me on a date the answer would be NO
until I'm 16, no matter how old I feel.  I have gotten "the talk" from both
my mom and Selena and I know the score, I know what boys are after, and I
can tell you that my education and future are foremost in my horizon, as
well as adapting to this family.  No matter how old I look or feel, let me
be 13 until I get to school, and then to Poly.  I'll still be 13 then, but
will act and perform at my learning level."

   Joe grinned wide and looked her directly in the eyes before saying,
"Don't ever wonder if your Mom and Dad are watching over you.  Your words
are proof they still guide you.  I hope we can make them proud as well."

   Dana's eyes teared up and she turned to hug Selena and then went to get
dressed and ready.

   It turned out to be a typical New York August morning with heavy dew on
the lawn and coolness in the air that you were sure would burn off for
another HHH day, as the weathermen called it.  (Hazy, Hot,& Humid) It was
already 74 degrees at 9 a.m.  when the garage doors rolled up to the same
set-up they used for their "coming out" news conference.

   The table featured bottled water, a stack of notes, with 5 chairs and a
short podium.  Seated were, in this order, The Hansons, Dana, Joe and
Selena, along with a picture of Dana's Mom and Dad.  At the podium was a
moderator of sorts, Charlie Fields a local radio newsman friend of Joe's
who had since retired and opened an ad agency.

   Charlie read the statement Joe, Selena and Dana had composed and as
instructed, he kept the tone mostly somber, as the reason for the discovery
and reuniting was a deep tragedy for Dana.

   The questions were varied, but could be summed up with;

   "When did you discover that Ms.  Johnson had a baby?"

   "Have you DNA tests to prove you are both the parents?"

   "Were you aware she was pregnant on the morning of 9/11?" zoot

   Of Dana they asked;

   "You were fairly well convinced that the Johnsons were your parents
BEFORE the whole bus accident ordeal?" (I had an idea it was very possible,
but I was very happy and content, as well.)

   "What was your proof positive?" (I narrowed down the dates and found
pictures of Selena Hanson at my age and, . . .  I just knew when I saw
video of her.)

   "Had it not been for the tragedy of your parents, would you have sought
them out?" (No, but I fully expected them to look for me once I turned 18
or 21.)

   "Do you think they would have found you?" (Hard to say, no one had my
information, but they had a rumor that I was in New York State.  Understand
I was a very happy kid, and loved my Mom and Dad.  I had no reason to seek
them out unless I thought there was something medically I should know, but
I'm very healthy, and very active in sports and nothing ever turned up to
make me question anything.  Medical reasons were my most important reasons
for wanting to know should a health problem ever show up.)

   "Is it true that you will start at PolyTech in the Spring?" (Ummm, no,
but I do expect to go there.) She snickered to herself that she would start
at PolyTech in January not the Spring, saying to herself "One for my team"

   After that last question to Dana Joe nodded to Charlie who said to the 2
reporters, "OK, one more question each to either Joe or Selena." "Selena
how were you living with the fact that you knew there was a child out there
that you bore?"

   She:" I had been assured she was healthy and brought into an exemplary
family and for me to interfere with a 9 or 10 year old at that stage of
growth would have been very cruel on our part.  I know that I was lucky she
wasn't aborted and I was certainly in no state to care for her myself as an
infant."

   "Selena, does this mean your career on Wall Street is over?"

   She: "Not exactly.  It's always been my intention to leave in 2016, as
long as WSGG could carry in a good state when I left them.  There will be a
news statement from them in about 3 and half hours.  Thank you all very
much for your patience."
At that Joe clicked the garage door opener and the door began to come
down as questions were shouted from behind the barriers and local police

began to disperse the crowd that had gathered.

   Dana picked up the picture of her parents that she had on the table and
hugged it, ready to return it to her dresser.  She looked at Joe and Selena
and said, "So it begins, I just hope people will leave me alone."

   "It shouldn't be too bad, they've always respected our wishes.  Just be
firm with ANYONE who approaches you, that you have nothing else to say, and
then ignore them in the future.  It should go away soon.  That was how we
handled it and it worked fine." Joe said hoping to allay her fears of
losing privacy.

   "However, I wouldn't go on your normal walk for a bit, at least a few
days, and when you do start, use a different routine each day for a while."
Selena warned her as she gathered her things having just read a text that
her car was enroute.

   "I'm going up to Saratoga National to shoot nine with Bill Payne, he's
my ortho and a member there.  I'll bet he can get you in the club, they
have an indoor track and some exercise equipment.  It will get you out of
the house, off of the street and let you have a few hours of free time."

   "Do they have a pool, too?"

   "Yes, they do, indoor under an atrium.  There might even be some good
looking young men around." He said with a little smile.  "You just can't
look or talk to any of them." He said with a chuckle.

   Selena heard a clamor outside and she knew they were moving people for
her car to come up the drive.  She headed towards the door, stopping to
kiss Joe and hug Dana, saying, "With me gone, and Joe up there, you may as
well leave and the lookie-loos will have no reason to hang around." Dana
looked at both of them and then suddenly smiled.  "That sounds great.  Let
me go get something to run and swim in.  Can I wear the bathing suit my Dad
said my Mom would never approve of?"

   "As long as it has a full back, and not a thong and you don't show
cleavage.  THIRTEEN, remember?" Selena said looking to Joe expecting him to
approve as she opened the door and got in the car to head to Wall Street.

   Dana looked at Joe saying, "Yes, I'll be covered, altogether.  My Mom
never wanted me to wear a bikini at all.  My dad approved of this suit the
one time I have worn it."

   "OK, go get ready and we'll leave in 15 minutes.  We'll drive the
Hanson's home on the way so they won't have to deal with the press.

   When Joe got upstairs Betty Hanson was with Dana as she put things in a
gym type bag.  He overheard her talking and listened.  "Dana, you know that
you're fairly well developed for a girl of thirteen and you have to make it
clear to any boy or man who strikes up a conversation that you are just 13.
You do look older, especially with that make-up on."

   "Mrs Hanson, my Mom approved of the make-up so I could fit in with the
other girls in class.  Selena has even helped me with it.  Please know, I'm
not trying to catch a boy.  Most boys my age are immature and geeky, and
any older guys don't really interest me.  I can't date until I'm 16 so why
would I be interested in a boy?"

   "Because you're a woman, and it's the way we're wired.  You may not be
interested, but if a cute guy strikes up a conversation with you, you may
change your tune." Betty added.

   "Selena had "the talk" with me, and remember I've been in class, in the
gym, and the locker room with 17, 18, and 19 year old girls.  I've heard it
all."

   Joe made a sound to make him obvious as if he just came upstairs.

   "Hey, are you two discussing world problems?"

   "In a way, just making sure Dana knows about appropriate dress and
conduct." Betty said, acting over protective.

   "Selena has her on the right page, plus she and I will talk on the way
to Saratoga to be sure we're all on the same page concerning behavior.  Her
Mom had her prepared for being with older students and all that.  We got
this Betty."

   Dana turned to Betty Hanson and in an almost conciliatory manner, took
her hand.  "Betty I appreciate your concern, but please remember that since
I was 7 or 8 I've been with classmates 3,4,and 5 years older, and with High
School seniors the past 6 months.  I am prepared for what I have to face,
and I'll promise you as I have to your daughter, and Joe here, . . .  I
will not disappoint you."

   Betty realized that Dana was mature in many ways beyond her years and
decided to butt out, and trust her daughter and Joe to set the parameters.

   "That's very sweet of you, dear.  I see so much of Selena in you,
especially the head strong confidence; just don't let it work against you."

   "I won't, I look before I leap, I promise." Dana said with a smile.

   Joe wanted to break all of this up and clapped his hands.

   "OKAY, Dana get your stuff, Betty go find Scott, I think he's reading
the paper by the pool and we'll meet in Essy's car, since mine won't hold
4."

   "Oh, Joe, Scott and I can walk down." Betty protested.

   "You'll have to run a gauntlet of news people." Joe warned.

   "Point taken, I'll go get Scott and meet you in the garage." Betty said
as she headed for the slider to go outside.

   Joe looked to Dana, "Don't mind her, she means nothing but well, and
until I was in the picture, they were like wild dogs protecting their
daughter.  We'll talk about it on the drive, OK?"

   "I'm already learning to bite my tongue and nod and smile at some
times."

   "You're learning, kid!" Joe said with a chuckle as he motioned her to
follow.

   After dropping off The Hanson's and heading North to Saratoga Joe and
Dana were quiet in the car until Dana broke the silence once they got on
the interstate, in a low, shy measured voice.

   "I appreciate everyone wanting to protect me from the big bad wolf, or
wolves out there, but I do know the score.  I'm ashamed and embarrassed
that Selena told me you've heard me through the walls at night at times.  I
DO know the score and know how to relieve frustrations and understand about
boys and hormones and all of that.  Beyond that I have no intention of
becoming sexually active, nor am I even interested in that.  I'm quite
aware that my mind and my body are way ahead of my age, but I really want
to experience life through a growing process, and I want to enjoy being 13,
14, 15, and etcetera.  In reading about Selena in the various stories about
her, one thing stood out for me, she said she missed the natural maturation
process of some of what should have been her formative years.  She began to
open up to one of her nurses at the hospital who told the story."

   "Don't be too sure of anything you've read, because we have given very
few interviews." Joe cautioned her.

   Dana continued,"They talked with a nurse at the last place she was, they
spoke just before her release when her memory was coming together.  She was
babbling to this nurse and the woman probably was paid for a story, but the
words sounded like something Selena would say, and she basically said that
she talked about being moved ahead so much, she missed some of the dolls,
games, music and toys that were milestones for certain age groups.  Whether
she actually said that, um......it made real sense to me, and I read this
before losing my Mom or anything.  I had the inkling I was her baby even
then, almost wishing I was, I looked up to her, so pretty and so
successful, . .  not to mention heroic.  Actually BOTH of you, brave and
heroic."

   Joe nodded the praise, then played it down,"The struggle to live against
all odds is in every one of us, no one wants to die, especially that way. I
was driven by the want to live, and to save Selena, and I thought she was
safe when I left her."

   "She wasn't safe?"

   "Well, no . . .  uh . . . .they didn't get to the hospital for so long.
I was obsessed to just get away, lots of us were.  Just running and walking
away. . .  I'd rather not talk of it, OK?"

   The car stayed quiet for another 10 minutes when Dana spoke in her low
shy voice again.

   "I told Selena that I've heard you two a lot as well.  That empty long
closet really amplifies the sound.  I used to hear my parents.  My
girlfriends thought it was creepy, but my Mom and Dad were handsome people
and easy to imagine making love, just like you and Selena."

   "I'm not sure you should be telling anyone about that though.  I'm sorry
if we make too much noise."

   "But, it's comforting to know your parents are still so much in love, I
mean with my Mom and Dad, but even to know that I was a love child, and you
still love each other.  That's awesome." Dana insisted.

   "But, it's not a conversation topic."

   "Oh, I know.  When Selena brought up that you had heard me I was
mortified, and I'm still embarrassed.  It's cool that I didn't get a
lecture over it and was understood." Dana said quietly not quite able to
look at Joe.

   "Being young in this day and age is very tough and I'm not sure how I
might handle it and I, or I should say, WE, understand growing up is very
different now.  Understand that when I was your age married couples in
sitcoms slept in separate beds, and rarely did you even see a pregnant
woman.  Now you see everything but the most explicit sex on TV.  We let our
children grow up too fast and miss the innocence of youth." Joe lamented.

   "That's why I would love to experience some of the things kids my
physical age do.  I doubt many girls my age wake up, eat a high protein
breakfast, power walk into a jog, and do light weight training before
reading text books, The Wall Street Journal, shower and get ready for
lunch, a lunch that is not a hamburger or pizza.  If I was 18 or older it
might be a normal day, but it makes me feel so good about me.  The only
thing that makes me feel uncomfortable when I hang with classmates that are
5 or 6 or more years older is their frank talk about sex.  I was brought up
in a Christian house and it just isn't my style, plus I have no desire,
well beyond my personal pleasures I don't.  I worry so much of losing my
mental innocence, losing my physical innocence is not in the picture.  My
body is changing in so many ways, it scares me.  Thinking of sharing it
terrifies me.  If I don't understand it fully, NOBODY is going to take
advantage of me."

   "Just be sure to come to us with any questions about anything where you
feel it's a decision you have a problem with."

   Dana nodded and explained, "Selena and I had a long talk about that. 
Speaking of which, we did not have "the talk" specifically as I've claimed.
My Mom gave me the Cliff's Notes version, and Selena spoke of some things.
I really want to sit down with her and ask some specific questions."

   "Whew, I thought you were going to ask me." Joe chuckled.

   "GOD, NO!  I've barely been able to look at you with most of what we've
talked about here.  My Dad would have ran away by now.  I appreciate you
being frank and not being afraid to listen.  Let's just say, that you are
so correct in thinking that growing up is much harder today than even a few
years ago, even I see the changes in society and morals.  So much scares
the crap out of me." Dana admitted.

   "Well, never be confused, always ask.  You'll never be chastised for
that."

   As Joe finished his statement they were pulling onto the Avenue of The
Pines in Saratoga near the Par 3 course and facilities.  They met Bill
Payne and right away he put his hands on his hips asking "Was it always
your plan to make this statement to the press before meeting me here?  You
shocked me and I hope we don't get recognized too much today."

   "I wouldn't worry too much about that.  I hardly think we're the public
fodder like that."

   "Well, it's very nice to meet you Dana and I'm so sorry for everything
you've had to go through recently.  I can tell you as a somewhat of an
outsider that Joe and Selena are two fine people I'm sure once you get over
the shock of this bump in your life the road will be very smooth if they
have anything to do with it."

   "Thanks you for your kind thoughts and I'm sure they will help me in my
life." Dana said uncomfortably, thinking that expressing any sheer
happiness might seem a slap to her parents, although she knew it was not
true.

   She went with Dr.  Payne and he registered them as guests and showed
Dana to the pool and exercise rooms.

   "We'll be a couple hours Dana, just send me a text if you have a problem
or get bored and want to join us, or just sit in the sun, but try not to
burn." Joe said as they went off.

   Joe and Bill Payne made small talk through the first few holes before
Bill could no longer bite his tongue.

   "You realize that Dana is Selena's "mini me", they could be twins."

   "All the more convincing proof that she's her daughter." Joe said
smiling

   "What are you going to do when a wolf like you comes along to sweep her
away like you did Selena?"

   "You do know she's just 13?" Joe asked

   "Of course, but she just looks older and I would have many worries about
being a father figure for her.  I will tell you that when I was 16-17-18 I
would definitely hit on her, of course not if I knew she was 13, but . . .
. ." Bill said honestly.

   "Thank's so much Doctor Payne, you sure have made me feel uneasy. 
Thankfully, Dana is somewhat prepared by the fact she's always been in
school with older guys and has to react to them."

   "Well, let's not worry about her today, she'll be fine at the pool or
exercise rooms.  There are LOTS of chaperones there during the summer. 
They're paging our tee card right now.  Let's go."

   Their round of 9 hole - par 3 golf went longer than expected and as they
approached the 8th hole tee box they saw Dana sitting on the bench there,
waiting for them.

   "Everything go well?" Joe asked.

   "Pretty much, just too much sun.  After my workout I went to the pool,
but there were too many creeps, so I laid under the atrium for a bit,
showered and asked the Tee-master to locate you, I guess there's GPS in all
the carts."

   "Yes," Bill replied, "too many Doctors on the course, and some don't
answer their pagers, or don't hear them."

   Bill Payne wound up and shanked his 5 iron drive on the 230 yard hole
into the weeds and thicket about 100 yards out.

   "Uh, what do you mean "creeps" by the pool?" Joe wondered just before,
using the same club, he hit an unsatisfactory drive about 150 yards
straight out.

   "Let's just say, boys who act like they've never seen a bikini before.
Gawkers!"

   "They weren't bothering you were they?"

   "No, they just made me feel self conscious."

   "Do you want to talk about it?" Joe asked.

   Dana looked at Bill and then to Joe saying, "Later, OK?  No big deal."

   "I've got to chase down my last ball in the weeds over here, so don't
mind me." Bill said as he walked to the side rough thicket and tree he had
hit.

   Joe and Dana got in the cart, he letting Dana drive, and drove out 100
yards waiting for Bill to locate his ball and take his second shot.

   Dana took the opportunity to talk, but flushed red before doing so.

   "If I lay on my stomach and guys, even men, see my behind, I can feel
them staring.  When I turn over I look a little more thirteen, but my hips
and butt seem to be more grown up.  It feels so weird to talk about this. I
would never say it to my Dad, my Mom always handled this."

   "Dana, since the beginning of time men looked at and admired women. 
While it's rude to stare, most "gentlemen" will use decorum and do so
politely without being noticed.  Young men with their hormones raging will
stare.  I suppose you should be happy that you're so pretty, but I also can
see why you're uncomfortable.  You ask Selena how she handled it.  You know
what attracted me to Selena initially was her mind, but her figure is what
sold me.  She was, and is, very pleasant to look at, and I'm quite taken by
her, uh . . .  walk-away.  You'll find when you look for a relationship
that many boys and men will be attracted by your looks, but your mind will
always be the top selling point.  If it's not, you haven't found the right
partner."

   "So just don't pay any mind to these gawkers?"

   "If you say something, you just bring more attention to yourself, and if
you challenge or embarass them in front of their friends you might face
reprisals.  You can talk to Selena and see if she agrees with me, but those
are my thoughts." Joe said, hoping he handled it tactfully.

   Dana's eyes seemed to fill with tears, but she stifled the urge and
reached for Joe's hand.

   "I just want to grow up normally and be me.  I wonder if I'd be happier
as the dumbest kid going into 8th grade right now."

   "I can tell you that I too had those same feelings from time to time, as
did Selena.  Accept your gift and make the most of it.  It's not a curse,
although it may seem so at times.  You may feel better knowing that every
13 year old out there right now feels just as out of place in whatever
situation THEY are right now as well.  As far as your body maturing a
little ahead of schedule, we think it has something to do with the same
situation where girls who are together all of the time synch their cycles,
but you really should talk to Selena about this, I don't feel it's my place
right now."

   Dana nodded and patted his hand.  "I understand, but being my father,
you'll have more questions I'll need answers to." She said as Dr.  Payne
made his drop and took his 2nd shot and was walking to the cart.

   Joe looked at her curiously as she looked away.  He didn't know how to
interpret her statement; did she accept him as her father and want frank
advice?  Or was she stuck with him as her father or mentor and he better
face up to it?  The question troubled him throughout the last 2 holes,
during which Dana seemed happy and kidding with both men about their
seeming golf skills.

   After the round Joe and Dana skipped any after golf 19th hole rituals so
they could be home for the dinner Betty Hanson had promised.  It was quiet
in the car besides small talk and at one particular long lull Dana spoke
about her earlier words.

   "I didn't want it to sound like I know you really are my father and I
can't do anything to change that.  I simply meant that you don't have to
candy coat your answers; I want to know your thoughts.  Not to sound snooty
or bragadosious, but, in the little time I've spent with both of you, it's
apparent that we are on another plane, thought-wise, from let me call them,
average people.  When I've acted like a spoiled, bratty, smartmouth kid,
it's just been an act.  I don't know, maybe to test you, or Selena, or her
parents, but I do know when 2 or 3 of us are together, there's a special
vibe.  Whether that's the vibe of our IQ's melding, or the blood and DNA
connection, I don't know.  What I DO know is, my Mom and my Dad, were my
Mom and my Dad.  You and Selena are my mother and my father and our
connection is very palpable and I want to explore it.  I do love you both
in a way I don't fully understand, but while I may seem confused at times
about my situation, I am happy here with both of you.  I, obviously, in
many ways, wish I was still with my perfect Mom and Dad, that hurt of
losing them will stay with me forever, but being thrust into this situation
is a perfect alternative I could never have imagined or wished for under
the dark circumstance I was put in."

   Joe was speechless and even considered pulling over to the side of the
road to digest her words.  Where he knew that Selena and he were special,
this young sprite might be smarter and more mature mentally than either of
them NOW.  "Dana, where do those words and thoughts come from?  Your
perceptive intelligence is beyond my imagination or wishes for you when I
knew you existed, but never thought I would ever know you.  I . . . ."

   "Stop, don't build me up like that, it's being around you two that has
made me look at life and all of it's questions from a different position.
Any point I am at is there because of you and Selena, my mother.  I know
I'm special, and I want to be special, but like I told you before, I want
to be a 13 year old kid sometime, and it's very hard to do."

   "OK, I'll just take your words as you meant them and stop telling you
how amazed I am." Joe said with a big smile as he drove down the interstate
beaming.

   Then after 5 or 6 more minutes, Dana got very frank again, hoping to
explain herself and her earlier questions about male's interest in her.

   "Embarassingly, you both have heard me enjoying myself alone.  I know
that sex can be joyful and a great tension easer.  I've been propositioned
by more than one older guy that other girls would kill for the opportunity
to be with.  While being naturally inquisitive makes those propositions
tempting, I know I don't understand sex in that way, nor do I WANT to, at
least yet.  Between my Moms warnings as I began to mature faster than she
would have liked, and speaking with Selena and you, there is so much more
to know and understand.  I don't dive into anything without full knowledge.
My questions earlier were sincere, in as much as I really don't understand
that lure I seem to have in my shape or my innocence.  So, I'm not totally
as smart and aware as you think, and you know why I ask embarassing
questions." Dana said hoping she got her point across because explaining
this to a man, even though she was aware of his stake in the game was hard.

   "We'll discuss this frankly when Selena gets home on Wednesday night. 
There is nothing she and I would like to have for you than a simple life of
a 13 year old, while still considering you will be with 17 and 18 year olds
in school until January,and then with18, 19, and 20 year olds in January."

   "Tell me," Dana asked, "Is this pushing the educational curve ahead of
schedule really worth it in the long run?  Would you or Selena have been as
sucessful if you had just started and finished school with the same group
of kids?"

   "There was a stage where I was deemed behaviorally immature and was sent
back to be with the same group I started with and I quickly learned how
boring the classes were, AND how socially immature my like-aged classmates
were.  I got my act together and had no problems after that." Joe
explained.

   "I don't want to go back; it wasn't my reason for asking.  Competition
makes me work harder."

   "Good Lord, you may end up at Wall Street too.  Once he talks with you,
gets to know you, Doc Stevens is going to adopt you too, make you his
special project.  If I had taken his first offer to get into the WSG
program, Selena and I might be working together, but I doubt we would be
married; funny how things work out." Joe lamented.

   "So, when she's home onWednesday night we can discuss things like I
talked about, then I promise I won't make you uncomfortable again." She
said with a chuckle.

   "Dana, I'll always answer any question you have.  Guiding you through
life is now our responsibility and I will take it seriously."

   "Fair enough!" Dana proclaimed as they pulled up the drive to Joe's
place.

   "I see my mother-in-law is here cooking already.  Whatever you do, don't
bring up any of the talk we had.  Their views on sexuality are a bit dated,
and you should only hear it from us at this point until it comes up in
school."

   Joe and Dana checked in with Betty who told them she was putting
together a wash if they had anything to add to it.

   "You don't have to do that Betty.  If I don't get to it Selena will be
here Wednesday night, or I can show Dana how to use this washer.  She's
used to taking care of laundry too." Joe protested, but Betty was standing
there with the basket ready to go to the laundry.

   Dana reached into her bag and took out her workout clothes and bathing
suit.  Joe said he would change and bring out the clothes he golfed in. 
When he opened the bedroom door to bring her his clothes she was standing
there holding Dana's bathing suit up while saying in a low voice, "You let
her wear this little thing in PUBLIC?  The one she wore here wasn't much
better than this, but she should be a bit more modest.  Thank God her
breasts haven't developed yet."

   "Betty, you know me well enough to know I use good judgement.  I
understand some of the things she's going through and the struggle to fit
in.  Remember, she spends more time with her intellectual peers than her
similar age peers.  Yes, if she were in junior high it would not be
appropriate.  We've discussed these things with her and Selena and I both
would appreciate you keeping your comments to yourself unless we ask for
them.  The last thing we want to do is confuse her with mixed messages. 
She's 13, very bright, about to accelerate her education for the 4th or 5th
time.  On top of witnessing her mother dying and nursing her father until
he passed, she has a lot on her plate.  Trust us on this one Betty.  "Joe
said hoping she understood.

   Betty turned and disappeared down the stairs, as she did Dana popped
around the corner having heard the exchange.

   "Thank you, I appreciate that.  I know she means well and wants the best
for me too.  I didn't wear that until you two approved it, remember?" She
said in a whisper.

   "Don't forget you were the one who got leers and looks and felt
uncomfortable by what it showed.  She was right on some points." Joe said
as she nodded, but quickly turned back.

   "What did your mother look like?"

   Joe smiled and asked, "Worried about the "breasts" comment?"

   Dana flushed and gave a little nod.

   "You can see your mother and grandmother are nicely endowed, and my Mom
was too.  I

   After the morning news announcement about Selena Johnson's pregnancy,
and eventually giving birth while hospitalized, each member of the WSGG
team spoke with her privately to express their thoughts.  Each member was
happy that she finally got to meet the child she barely knew of, but
expressed sympathy for Dana because of the reasons she came to be with she
and Joe.  Real news took the story in stride as a nice addendum to their
"911 Rescue" story, but didn't exploit it because of the circumstances. 
The supermarket tabloids and paperazzi were not as kind wanting to make the
story more sensational.

   Luckily, New York City police were not going to be patient and let the
story hounds block up the streets in and around WSGG and its neighbors. 
While some groused over being shooed from public streets, NYPD simply
leaned on "security reasons" for clearing the streets of those who had no
business there.  The same scenario was exhibited and used on the block
housing the Fox Studio and the condominium complex opposite it.  "Sorry,
you can't plug the streets of this thourofare; it must be kept wide open
for emergency vehicles." That was the common excuse given to anyone without
business in the area.

   The charitable work for NYPD and FDNY families who lost officers and
firemen on 911 by WSGG, Joe and Selena Johnson, and the Wall Street
community in general bought a lot of dedicated cooperation.  Those seeking
to make a sensational story of the situation would run into the same brick
wall they did when the story first broke of the Johnsons re-emergence.

   "Joe, not having you here after a day like this is heartbreaking."
Selena told Joe when she called after getting home after doing her regular
stock market news report.

   It was the last thing she wanted to do, sitting in front of another
camera that day, but she tried to make everything seem as normal as
possible.  Her friend and producer, Alexis, convinced her to end with a
short statement about herself.  She fought the suggestion but Alexis
convinced her it was best and would make her seem a little less "cold to
the situation." Selena eventually agreed and read the agreed upon wording ,
"Finally I would like to thank all of those who have expressed well wishes
for my situation after the 911 tragedies.  This newest wrinkle was brought
about by a great family trauma that we are helping our loved ones deal
with. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers."

   "Well, it's not a breeze having you so far away either." Joe said. 
"I've gotten into a couple touchy subjects with Dana, and your Mother, not
having anything to do with the announcement.  Your Mom doesn't like the
bathing suit Dana wore to the pool at Saratoga Spa, and . . ."

   "You tell her that I approved of her wearing that.  She may be 13 but
she is with older girls all of the time and she looks much more mature than
13.  We depend on her being frank and honest with us about these things and
as long as she stays in that vein and gets our approval. . . . ."

   "I know, I know Selena.  But I am a little uncomfortable with the fact
we have discussed her . . . .  um . . .  private moments with us." Joe
started in before Selena stopped him.

   "Joe, you KNOW she looks to be 15-16-17 years old and is with girls, and
GUYS, even older.  They talk and just like all girls in a group, like the
service, their cycles begin to match up.  In that same way I guess we can
figure they mature like that too.  I confronted her about what we heard to
be sure she knew the score and knew what personal lines she might live by.
Her Mom had begun discussing those things with her when she was only 11
because it was apparent that she would mature faster than most.  You, more
than anyone, shouldn't feel uncomfortable about talking about sex." Selena
insisted.

   "I know that, but I'm just afraid she'll say something to someone else
about my discussing her sexual habits, and although I'm her father, I'm not
HER FATHER, her Daddy.  I don't see a way it sounds appropriate and some
do-gooder will want her taken away from us." Joe said expressing a
farfetched fear.

   "You make a semi-valid point, but I think I can explain that to her. 
Don't worry, I'll be home in a day or two and spend some time with her.  In
the meantime, give her the phone so we can talk a bit."

   Selena smoothed out a few things with Dana, making sure she kept mum on
some subjects with people, especially Betty Hanson.

   Over the next 2 weeks Selena, Joe, and Dana began to adjust to her
schedule of being in New York and away 4 nights each week.  Typically she
would leave Monday morning and return Wednesday evening, only to train back
Thursday morning.  Depending on their plans she might come home Friday
night, or sometimes Saturday morning.  It was planned that on occasion Joe
and Dana would drive down on a Friday evening and spend the weekend there.
The time was especially good for Joe who felt he was setting up a good bond
with his daughter.  He hoped this all would crystallize even better once
she began school.

   Chapter Thirteen August 17 to September 9th (First Day of school)

   "What's the smallest class you ever had to sit in?" Dana asked of both
Joe and Selena at the breakfast table.

   "I had a couple of Doc Stevens lectures where there were just 3 or 4 of
us invited." Joe said with Selena adding, "Me too!"

   "Well, I'm pretty certain that there will be just 6 or 7 of us in this
class, unless more were added during the summer." Dana said unsure of how
she felt.

   "I'm pretty sure you'll just be doing English, American History, and New
York History.  I can't imagine there would be much Math you don't already
know besides some Calculus, and that will probably be a college course. 
The math class may seem repetitive, but it will keep you sharp.  Calculus
will try your patience, but it will make your math skills sharper." Joe
added.

   "Doc told me he set up the curriculum to be sure they got the high
school senior experience.  Though you'll be in the small class, you'll
participate with the rest of the Seniors in any functions they have,
including Lunch and you will have study periods with them as well.  I
believe he told me you would have "classes" each day, all with the same
group, but a different teacher, and a study hall where you can start
homework and who knows, study?" Selena threw in.

   "If we see him at school, or on campus, do we call him Doc?" Dana asked.

   "Although we seem very familiar with him, you better stick to Professor
Stevens until he tells you otherwise" Selena told her.

   "He really freaked out when you told him I was your daughter, huh?  I
thought he was going to kiss me, for God's sake!"

   "It was probably only good sense that stopped him.  Remember, I was his
pet, his pride and joy, and then I was lost for 9 years.  When we came back
he went crazy and to think that now he'll have you I'm guessing he's on top
of the world and will want you to be his continued legacy." Selena said
rather proudly.

   "So I'm screwed if I don't become his perfect student?"

   "No." Joe said, "He knows everyone's speed limit and ability.  You'll
only disappoint him if he thinks you're lazy and not using all of your
talents.  He has little patience for a lazy student, especially one who
lacks the gumption to push himself when he knows the talent is there.  He
might figure you've inherited a lot of our talent, but if he sees you're
doing the best you can, that's all he asks.  Come January when you get in a
few of his classes and he tests you, you'll understand."

   "I hope so.  Up until now I've achieved everything I have without
trying, not to say I never study, I study like crazy.  It's just the want
to learn I have is, um . . .  uhh . . . . .  not easy to understand.  When
we were posed an oral problem in pre-college calc or trig I was first to
raise my hand with an answer.  I mean it got to a point where I would
hesitate so I wouldn't seem like a teacher's pet or show off.  I would look
around the room and I would see fingers jabbing at keys and pencils
writing, I just knew the answer.  I remember in low grades I was bored
silly and I would move up another grade.  But in a class with 4 or 5
advanced students I felt the same way." Dana said in a way that showed her
innocence on how to deal with this "problem".

   "I hate feeling like a Poindexter sometimes, but . . .  it's so damn
hard to explain." She said almost tearing up.

   "Dana," Selena said as she went to hug her.  "We understand, we've been
there."

   "Well," Joe said, "Her more than me, but . . . . .  Once you get into a
class with students more on your level, you'll feel more at home, more
comfortable.  They might be 4-5 or 6 years older than you but their
thinking process will be more like yours."

   "You won't feel like a fish out of water and when you think you're
struggling to understand something and you have to put your mind to work
some overtime, you thought processes will begin to fine tune." Selena added
as she realized that Dana was feeling and struggling just as he was until
she reached her level.

   "I just hope my study habits translate to that life, that style, that
level." Dana added as Joe and Selena both were floored by her mental
maturity.

   Selena told her, "Just get through the high school advanced learning
cycle to be called eligible to enter Poly and I promise you that you will
be challenged by all of the other subjects and that will stimulate your
brain for what Doc Stevens will do in his classes.  One particular gift I
have is the fact I can write down all the notes I want, and never have to
refer to them because, once I've written them down, they are like recorded
in the hard drive of my brain."

   "I'm finding that as well, but I'm still a voracious note taker." Dana
added, "I'm obsessed and then later wonder why I bothered."

   "Don't lose that obsession; it will bode well for you.  Now I'm not
quite as lucky as your Mom, I have to refer to the notes to get my recall
going, but then I'm fine." Joe said shaking his head.

   Dana suddenly shook her head and was taken a bit aback and her eyes
welled.

   "I respect the two of you more than anyone in the world, and can
honestly say I'm growing to love you both, but please remember, I only have
ONE Mom and Dad and I will always remember them as that.  I can call Selena
my Mother and I will and have at times as I get more comfortable with the
situation.  Please afford my Mom and Dad that respect, not that you
disrespect them.  I know how grateful my Dad was to have you both enter my
life.  One of the last things he told me was that you two made his
transition of life so easy to accept.  That meant so much to me."

   "I'm sorry Dana, "Mom" slides off the tongue so easily and when looking
at the 2 of you it's so obvious where you came from.  I will try hard to
not let it happen, but understand, I would never ever so or say anything to
hurt your feelings or their memory.  You should understand the tremendous
love and respect we have for them, even before we knew anything about them.
When we would see a news story about some bad kid, or some unfortunate soul
we were buoyed by the fact we knew you were doing real well, healthy,
participating in team sports, and excelling in school.  When the person who
knew a person who knew a person that knew of you, she was so over flowing
with accolades almost to the point where you could have been identified if
she went any further.  She had to stop herself from overflowing.  That was
as great a relief to either of us as finding each other still alive!"

   "Just knowing I was OK?  Knowing I was happy and thriving?"

   Selena started crying and said, "YES!  Some day if you're ever a Mother
you'll understand."

   "Selena, my Mother, I'll always do my best to make you and my Father
proud, as well as the spirits of my Mom and Dad.  We better get going to
start this Senior Year catch up.  I'm looking forward to gaining my focus
on this whole thing."

   "Looking forward, really?  You hadn't seemed too excited about it
before." Joe asked.

   "Don't think this is snotty or anything, but I really don't think I'll
need it, I just hope it's challenging so that when I start at Polytech for
my pre-semester in January."

   "You know there won't be any special classes in January, you'll be in
regular Freshman curriculum with hoped you can catch up, there will be lots
of study reviews, except Doc Stevens class, he'll throw you right into the
fire."

   "Is he that kind of a pri . . . .  person?" Dana stuttered through,
embarrassed.

   "That kind of a prick? . .  you were going to say?" Selena noted holding
up a warned finger, "First off, that isn't the sort of language you should
be using about any professor.  Doc Stevens would not give you any work, any
problem he didn't think you could handle.  If you think it's over your
head, you didn't prepare enough, . . .  or . .  you're not all that."

   Joe chuckled loudly and stepped in.  "Dana, that wasn't fair for your
MOTHER to say.  "Maybe you're not all that" is a Doc Stevensism that he
uses when, during orals, you give what you THINK is a sound answer in front
of everybody, and it's WAY wrong.  He'll have you on his "meet me" list he
puts on the easel.  He'll privately show you the error of your ways, and
probably even show you how you got the wrong answer." "He'll NEVER do
anything, say anything that isn't meant to help you.  He's very tough, and
the best." Selena added.

   "But he won't be your problem for a few months, just keep our words in
mind.  He loves Selena like his own daughter and, . .  HOW many times did
he tell you a problem solution was perfect?" Joe asked Selena.

   "Never!' She chuckled, " So let's get you out of here.  Starting
tomorrow you get a bus to school.  He turns around right at the end of our
block.  Since you start late, I'm guessing it won't be a regular bus, maybe
even a car.  You'll get all that today." Selena said ready to drive her in
before she left for New York.

   "I can't believe I have to have my MOTHER bring me to school the first
day." Dana said acting embarrassed.

   "Don't forget your Barbie lunchbox!" Joe kidded.

   Selena went to the car with Dana and explained something to Dana to ease
her worries.

   "There are usually maturity issues with many of the type of people you
will be in with.  You'll be given your book list and will go the book
office and get your stuff.  During that time we meet with the teachers and
explain any issues you may have."

   "Issues?  What issues do I have?" She asked glaring at Selena.

   "That, right there!  Don't be so defensive.  You are a very special
child (whispering) I know you're a young woman, you've had no maturity
issues in the past and none are expected.  You've accepted and fit in every
time you've been put ahead.  The one transcript from your school up north
said you made friends easily, usually with your classmates, not so much
with girls YOUR age.  They may try to force that issue, but you don't have
to go along.  You'll gravitate to the level you find most comfortable, and
we have no problem with that.  According to what we see, you will take
lunch and any phys-ed with other Seniors, that may change, but I don't
envision any problems."

   "I'm going to be with the geeks and poindexters and I won't be part of
any caste system, be sure of that!  Most times the older classmates thought
I was cool.  With 5 or 6 of us I tend to think they won't be as socially
accepted as me." Dana declared.

   "Just don't make yourself an elitist, and don't go telling everyone how
old you are, and beware of boys." Selena warned her as they pulled into the
school lot.

   "Hmm, boys, are they the ones with penises?" Dana said smartly.

   "Dana, be aware you will be watched closely and although you might find
a boy your school age or class age to be a "friend", watch yourself."
Selena said in a tone that told Dana she was not fooling around.

   "Selena, I've been asked out by lots of Senior boys back home and they
have all been refused, even though I would have liked to go to a dance, a
party, or movie with them.  I know what I am, I know what prize I want.  My
Mom told me I could not date until I was 16 and we've said you will keep
those same rules.  I know the score and I WILL be honest with you if any
situation comes up.  I intend to heed my Mom's warning and not date until
I'm 16.  If I want to change that, I'll talk to you first." Dana swore.

   "I'll take you at your word, as I always have.  That will always be the
case unless you give me reason not to.  If Joe or I are anything, it's
straight forward and honest.  You can count on us in ANY situation, no
matter how right or wrong you might be.  We will always be with you to
guide you."

   Dana choked up a bit and said, "I know, you've already shown that.  Now
let's get in there before I start bawling.  Wouldn't that look great?"

   When they walke in the door of the designated room they were met with a
teachers aide.  "There were going to be 7 students in this accelerated
class and 3 had already been sent for books and had a parent, or parents
interviewed." She said.

   "We weren't late were we?" Selena asked after declaring that Dana
Langston-Johnson was here.

   "No," the woman said, we staggered start times so you wouldn't have to
wait.  You're actually about 5 minutes early.  They are just finishing up
with a parent now and you will be next.  When your daughter has been called
I'll walk her down to the book store and show where they can all get
socializing and studying until the last interviews are done."

   As Selena and Dana sat waiting Selena could tell Dana had a problem.

   "What is it?  No reason to get all flustered your first day!"

   "No, it's not that.  I've changed my mind about my name.  I want to be
registered, or at least referred to as Johnson.  Once all the papers are
finalized, (sigh's) that will be so.  I don't want to sound like some
snooty girl, Langston-Johnson.  Johnson will make me somewhat
unnoticeable." Dana said looking at Selena with a tender eye and putting a
hand on hers.

   "That's sweet, and thank you.  Just be sure all your official school
papers that have anything to do with registration have both names until we
can officially declare you as Johnson." Selena said, hoping there would be
no mix-ups as they were called.

   Selena stood and expected to see Dana follow the other woman but Dana
hugged her first and whispered "I came from your womb, I should be
Johnson." Before peeling off to follow the school aide.

   Selena had to swallow hard before going behind the partition to speak to
the school representatives.  Dana would have 4 teachers, Math, advanced
Math, English (with creative writing), and one teacher for the balance of
courses to be covered.  Selena spoke frankly about Dana's upbringing and
the instant growing up she had to do, besides being pushed through school
classes.

   The Advanced Math teacher sat back and wondered aloud, "If she hadn't
been in her mothers pre-school classes over 2 or 3 years, she may not have
had her brain awaken so soon.  In my opinion they pushed her too far too
early.  Do you think she has any emotional problems from that?"

   "Just in her advanced maturity.  We think that being with girls 4-5-and
6 older and sometimes participating in sports at that level, talking and
spending time with those older girls, she may have been exposed to . . .
.".

   "Things most 12 and 13 year old girls aren't?" He interjected "You know
how they say in dorm situations when women are all together they synch
their cycles.  So, signs of maturity may be subject to that as well.  I've
observed her walking and jogging in your neighborhood when I knew she would
be here, and she looks older than 13, for sure.  She isn't acting out at
that level is she?"

   "No, but she is quite mature in her thoughts.  But while she may be
mature like that, conscious of fashion, interested in boys, she plans on
making school her priority.  She's well aware of the fact she has missed
being her actual age.  Her Mom had told her she could not date until she
was 16 and she has reiterated she would stick to that.  Of course, she's
interested in boys as any 13 year old would begin to, but the boys she will
be with are 17 and 18.  Do you think she might be better taking Phys-ed
with her own age group?"

   "No, that won't work, and some senior girls have already asked if she
might be able to play fall softball and indoor field hockey.  She excelled
in those sports up north, even playing with older girls." The teacher
explained.

   Another piped in, "Athletically she is quite skilled and she would have
gotten scholarship offer for sports from some colleges.  Athletics are good
when balanced with scholastics."

   "Well, I will leave that up to her, and of course her marks." Selena
decided on the spot, having not thought about that aspect of her education
before.

   The advanced Math teacher acted as the spokesman for the four and
stated, "We spoke earlier, together as a group, and decided to treat her as
"just another Senior unless she proves otherwise.  We spoke with her
teachers up North and they can see nothing wrong with her maturity."

   Selena sensed they were about done and she stood and added "Just keep
your eye out for her, she is so precious to us after everything . . . . .
."

   "Not to worry, we'll treat her fairly and remember where she's been,
what she's been through, and the kind of stock she comes from." One of the
teachers said nodding at Selena.

   Choking up, Selena said, "Don't forget how incredibly special and
self-less her adoptive parents were and that she will ALWAYS refer to them
as her Mom and Dad, with our blessing."

   All four teachers were getting wet eyed and emotional and one simply
said, "Not to worry Mrs.  Johnson, we all understand the situation."

   As Selena was walking out the aide was getting another student ready to
go down.  She stopped and told Selena, "Her bus will leave here at 3:40
today, but 4:00 every other school day.  She knows the stop for the
morning, right?" She said as Selena nodded.

   "7:45, she has to be out where the bus turns.  He will wait but a minute
or two past her time." Selena repeated to her and she was off to make her
connections to New York City and WSGG hoping her first days at her new
school would go smooth and Joe could handle any problems.
Joe spent the day at home hoping the phone would not ring with a problem
from school.  He knew he was being an over-worry some father, but he was

new to this.

   Just before 4 o'clock he heard the front door open and he walked up the
hall to meet Dana.

   She looked at him and smiled saying, "I'm back, and in one piece.  It
was much better than I expected.  Let me change, then hit the bathroom and
we can sit and talk."

   "I was going to make a Keurig, do you want one?"

   "Yes, please.  Nothing fru-fru though, real coffee please,no flavors."

   Selena and her Mother drank flavored coffee's after breakfast and had
given Dana them when she joined them for coffee.  She hadn't voiced her
disdain for the flavors to avoid hurting feelings, but she spoke up to Joe
who only drank real coffee himself.

   Dana was back from changing as Joe was putting the cups on the table and
Dana opened up right away.

   "Of the 7 of us, only 2 are real poindexters, and although I'm the
youngest, but I might pass for the oldest.  How parents dress their
children is amazing without considering the situation.  One girl is a
ginger and she came in pony-tails and a blue checkered dress.  You could
tell she was embarrassed and I bet she's giving her parents what for right
now.  The Math teacher is very cool and said we should conduct ourselves as
if going to the office every day; that we should act professional.  He told
us we were all very special and if we wanted our teachers to treat us in
that manner, we should act that way.  We shouldn't try and separate
ourselves from our older classmates at lunch or gatherings, we would only
become fodder for "mean kids".  Ummm, we take all of our classes in the
same room, except some Math, English, and 2 study halls.  We all got to
meet other seniors there, and at lunch.  The poindexters and the ginger
stuck together, the other 4 of us found new friends.  One guy in my class
is black, and real good looking.  He had more than a few girls trying to
meet him.  He seemed pretty mature, but hadn't grown into his body yet. 
The other 2 guys seemed shy, but seemed to at least try and open up."

   "Now you know", Joe began, "Some people will take offense at the name
poindexter."

   "Joe, I'm talking about 2 girls with slide rules and calculators in
fanny packs, with black rimmed glasses.  That type.  They're going to be
made fun of and picked on if they don't wake up.  I'm friendly to them, I
don't shun them, but I've seen it all too often in school up home.  The
ginger girl was embarrassed how her folks dressed her today.  She looks
like she might be pretty if they just let her dress with a bit of style,
and can look like a girl in her senior class."

   Joe had no comment or rebuttal but just looked at Dana and marveled at
how much she looked like she could be a senior in high school, and only 13

   "Joe, don't think I'm judging people, it's just the way it is.  The 7 of
us have to make an effort to fit in somewhere and any one of us can drag
the rest down.  If just 2 of us stand out as geek freaks, we're all geek
freaks." Dana insisted.

   "Dana, with your look, you have nothing to worry about!" Joe insisted.

   "But I don't want ANY of us to get labeled.  If they get forced to a
"geek table" at lunch, I'm sitting at it too." Dana said folding her arms.

   "Well then, you better talk to them, but I doubt this is the first time
they've been pushed ahead." Joe said with a chuckle at how Dana was
sticking up for the group.

   "Truth be told, when we were all in the study hall and talked, they all
think I'm the oldest, so I'm hoping they listen if I speak up."

   "You didn't tell them how old you were?"

   "No they were looking up to me, thinking I had all the answers about the
situation, so I let it roll.  I think I'm the youngest, I know 3 of them
are 15, another 16, and the pocket protector twins are 14 if I heard
right." Dana said.

   "Well, got any homework?"

   "No but I brought home all the books just to get an idea."

   "All the books?" He wondered.  "We only got 6 so far, there's two
workbooks they owe us.  Supposed to be here by Monday.  What's for dinner."
Dana asked as she headed to her room.

   "We're going to your grandmothers.  She's making you Mac & Cheese, . . .
for your first day of school." Joe said with a snicker.

   "Ha, she knows it's my favorite and she's still not sure about me.  She
doesn't understand that I really appreciate her, I know she means well. 
I've just never had grandparents before."

   Joe went up to Dana and touched her shoulder, "Just when we get there,
go up and hug her, say hello and then the same for your grandfather.  They
really are great people.  They never really accepted that we were gone in
the attacks you know.  This place was the same way we left it before 9/11."

   "I guess that alone is reason enough for me to be nice to them, anyone
with that much faith should be admired.  Just get that I DON'T dislike
them, I'm just not as affectionate as they think I should be."

   "Dana," Joe implored.  "Try, just try."

   "I will.  I promise." She said as she headed back to her room.

   About an hour later right after Selena had called to ask how Dana's day
went Joe called out for her and found her asleep with a textbook open at
her desk.

   "Dana!  School beat you up that bad today?" He called out and she
startled awake.

   "Oh God!" she exclaimed, "Wow was I out, dreaming and everything."

   "What are you going to do with a college schedule?" Joe asked as he
chuckled.

   Dana picked up a sweater to get ready to leave with Joe saying, "Well
for one thing I won't have to ride that stupid bus, plus I'll be with
others changing classes and I'll be able to get a coffee between classes.
Selena already warned me about the intensity level with a small class.  She
said it was like always being ON.  Not being able to sit back and blend in.
That will change at Poly, plus being taken to and from school, and
eventually . . .  ahem . .  driving myself."

   "Really!  I don't recall you having a car!" Joe said as he turned on a
heel and headed up the hallway to head out.

   Dana did a couple pick-ups steps to catch up saying.  "Selena, she's my
mother you know, she said maybe I could have her Mustang."

   "Oh?  I think your grandfather has the Mustang now, it's not your
Mothers to give." Joe said, half smiling to himself.

   Dana was still scurrying to catch up not getting that Joe was trying to
not look her in the eye.  "Selena said he already proposed giving to me,
when I turned 16.  God, do you have to go so fast?  I'm trying to talk to
you.  Why are we walking, not driving, down to Grandma's?"

   Upon hearing her say "Grandma's" Joe stopped.

   "Did I hear you say something that might indicate an emotional
attachment to the Hansons?" Joe asked with a smile.

   "YES!  Jeepers, I got to thinking after before, she's making my favorite
dinner on what she thinks is a special day, ("God it's only school!" she
said under her breath) He told Selena that he would take care of the
Mustang until I turn 16.  They are really invested in me and my well-being.
Of course I have a soft spot for them." Dana said as they began to walk
together now.

   "Listen kiddo, I'm no psychologist but do you have a fear of loving
something so you won't have the pain of it being taken away?  It would be
quite natural.  Maybe you should talk to someone about that, a
professional."

   "Well, I DO HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF LOSING PEOPLE.  I lost both of you
before I was born, I lost my Mom and my Dad and . . . ."

   Joe stopped and turned to her.  "My sweet child, let me tell you a sad
fact of life, NO ONE lives forever, and we never know when we might lose
someone, whether it's tragically like your Mom, whether it's a long good
bye like your Dad, or whether we have to watch someone get old, wither and
pass away.  Make the best of the people who care about you, and you care
about."

   Dana was ready to burst into tears when she swallowed hard and hugged
Joe.

   "I know that sad fact is true, but somehow to hear you tell me in this
context I may understand it better.  It makes me understand something my
Dad said when he was in the hospital after the accident.  He said "always
tell the people you love how you feel, it may be the last time you'll have
the chance." I thought he was rambling in his grief at the time, but
suddenly the wisdom of that all comes together.  Some of the time I've
spent feeling sorry for myself and holding my love in, I could have been
more expressive."

   "Come on, let's get going so we aren't late for dinner.  I think you may
have figured out something about you and about life just now.  We can talk
later." Joe said.

   "Can I call my Mother and we can all 3 talk?" She asked, her mind
already working on things troubling her that she wasn't expressing before.

   "Of course, she would love to hear from us." Joe said as they turned on
Decatur to The Hanson's.

   They went through the garage where Dana saw the Mustang and half smiled
before going through the mud room into the kitchen.  Dana went right up to
Betty Hanson and hugged her.

   "You were so sweet to make my favorite dinner for me, this special day.
Thank you!"

   Dana turned and went to look for Scott leaving Betty in tear eyed shock
to look at Joe.

   "What came over her?  Did you pay her to hug me?"

   "No, and don't be so skeptical.  She may have just realized how special
her life is, despite the cruddy hands she's been dealt.  She knows who we
ALL are." Joe explained.

   Scott was busy putting his drawing pencils away and covering an easel he
was working on when Dana came into the room.

   "Hi Grandpa!  My first day of school is over and I start real classes
tomorrow.  Thanks for having us down for dinner.  I can tell you all about
it while we eat."

   As she turned to go back to the kitchen Scott had to take a step back
and wonder if he were dreaming the change in Dana.

   Betty was setting the table and Dana came up to her and took the plates
from her saying, "Here let me do that."

   Betty looked at her strangely and Dana stopped and looked her eye to
eye. "I know I've seemed like a spoiled little shit, but I really do
appreciate you and Grandpa and know you love me.  I love you too and we'll
fix things, I promise."

   Scott and Betty Hanson were in a state of somewhat shock over the change
in Dana and it got to point where Scott stopped eating and looked to Dana.

   "Dana, forgive me for saying this, but you can't go from resenting
someone to professing your love for them in one day, there's a seeming
phony-ness to it, not that I don't welcome and appreciate the sudden
change."

   Dana looked into her lap and swallowed hard, then took a deep breath. 
"As I told Grandma a bit ago, I know I've been a spoiled little shit, and
THAT fact is where I've been a phony.  When I found out that I had
grandparents I was terribly excited inside, but didn't want anyone to care
for me just because of some bloodline.  I told myself you would both try
too hard and YOUR love would be phony.  I've had a couple moments of
realization in the last couple days, especially in thinking about things my
Dad said somewhat philosophically.  Now, of course you would love me, being
your daughters own child.  I was always jealous of my friends who spouted
off about grandparents.  Being adopted, I wouldn't have any REAL
grandparents, but I didn't even have ANY grandparents.  When I finally
found I did, I guess I didn't trust your love.  I've realized I don't have
to earn your love, but I do have to earn your respect, and that's what I'm
working on now.  Please know that I respect BOTH of you.  The faith you
kept for my Mother and Father, never totally accepting their deaths is so
admirable.  Keeping their home, never going to collect her things in New
York, keeping her car, I'm sure people thought you were in great denial.  I
love and respect you both for the faith you kept and when you found one
stone unturned you chased after it."

   Betty Hanson was in tears listening to Dana, and that made Dana begin to
cry.

   "God, it's so nice to cry happy tears after everything.  I just ask all
of you and I'll do so with my Mother tonight, give me time to adjust to
everything before we begin to function like a real family.  I mean, when I
think of my life before the accident, it was idyllic, nothing could have
been better.  After having all of that destroyed I could not have imagined
ever being happy again but my Dad prepared me of the eventuality of his
situation.  He told not to make lemonade from lemons, but to accept God's
will and make the best of all things I have going for me.  To call seeking
out my birth parents as something sour would have been wrong, just like he
said, he was so wise.  There was a time when I thought there was no hope
until I started to investigate my roots.  I feared every turn, but then
each turn came out as I had hoped.  I just want you all to know that I do
trust each of you.  I know you all look out for me and my well being, just
cut me some slack because one thing I've thought came to a realization
today at school, I'm 13 by birth, but I'm more mature than that.  Remember
that when you judge me, but please do tell me when I have over-stepped,
OK?"

   By this time Joe, Scott, and Betty were smiling through tears.

   "Your Mother is going to be so damn mad she wasn't here to hear you open
up.  This is all something she had hoped you might realize someday." Joe
said, beaming (like a Father would).

   Chapter Fourteen (October 12 through November 1st)

   "What are you doing up so early, I thought you would sleep in?" Joe
asked Dana as she came into the kitchen looking for coffee.

   "My body clock knows its Monday, and 8:00 a.m.  is sleeping in.  I
thought I would say goodbye to my Mother before she left." Dana said
pouring her coffee.

   "Since the markets are closed today, at the end of the Sunday Night
Letter meeting, they all agreed that she should spend the day back here. 
She fought it, but only for a minute." Joe said with a little chuckle.

   "Grandma was going to take me shopping today, I need a couple warmer
outfits for school, maybe we, all 3, can go?"

   "She's up, just taking a shower, she'll be out soon."

   "Good, if she can go it will be a good buffer between Grandma's Amish
clothes she wants me to wear." Dana said with a little grin.

   "I'll bet she'll be wearing tight BUTT jeans, so you'll have to comment
on them and maybe that will calm her down." Joe cracked.

   "I can only hope I have her figure at her age." Dana said as Selena came
into the room.

   "MY AGE?  I'm not exactly Methuselah!" She snipped.

   "No Mother, I was talking about Grandma!" Dana said laughing.

   Joe turned and explained the context of she heard.  "She supposed to go
shopping with her today and it's always a fight to get stylish clothes
Betty approves of for her age.  I told her that your Mom always wears tight
jeans and she should call her out on them."

   "Not to worry, I'll be going along today so there will be no fight.  I
don't want you dressing too sexy for school, but I don't want you in
gingham dresses or Mom jeans either." Selena said as she poured her coffee
and looked to Dana.

   "Sit down and have coffee with me and tell me how school is going, what
you're learning, how you're getting along, what pressures you have."

   "We're getting some tastes of Calculus, well College Calc, and that's
pretty interesting, but I hate we all get called on so much, but with so
few in the class, what do you do?  In English I'm just cruising because all
of the books they want us to read, I already have.  All those books on my
shelves were my Moms and she had me reading them since I was 8 or 9.  We're
covering a lot more American History that we did up North, and New York
History is incredible.  We took a field trip to the New York Museum of
History and Art and I want to go back and take my time.  Umm, socially it's
been great.  At first we were all freaks trying to fit in, well, I wasn't
but I kept forcing the geeks to join in, plus pressure their parents for
appropriate clothing so they wouldn't get singled out, bullied.  They were
bringing so much of that upon themselves, and I've gotten through to all of
them.  We just had the one Mother who called you guys."

   "Called US?  First I heard of that!" Selena said, glaring at Joe.

   "You had a bad week and it was nothing, so I didn't mention it.  I got a
call asking that my daughter not try to make her child grow up too fast. 
She didn't want her in the fast lane of girls.  I calmed her down
explaining that if she was a senior and dressed like an 8th grader she was
going to be picked on and bullied.  She said that bullying was nothing new
to her child.  I asked her if she were proud of her daughter for that, why
didn't she let her child look like a bit more of a grown-up and fit in with
the people she was going to interact with everyday, just like she would
when she graduated.  She was silent for a time and then said she would talk
to her daughter.  Dana says she began to dress more appropriately and began
to fit it." Joe explained as Dana extended a finger to make another point.

   "Now, there is no geek table at lunch and we ALL have friends with
regular seniors, and still the senior boys know they can't date any of us,
and we can't attend co-ed school functions, except sports team games.  What
we accomplished was social acceptance.  Let's face it, some kids are mean
and when someone looks different, they react.  Learning to fit in is great
for everyone.  I was convinced that I wasn't going to be freak here, and I
didn't want anyone else to have to feel that way as well." Dana said
proudly.

   "You took it upon yourself to be sure no one got categorized?" Selena
asked.

   "Hey, I have to sit in most classes with so few other students that we
all become close.  I'm going to walk out of the classroom, go to lunch and
watch them get segregated to a geek table?  The ones who wanted to poke fun
are the same ones who wanted me to be in their groups, their clubs, their
sports teams.  I didn't cross the enemy line until we all wore the same
uniform.  They all had someone trying to hold them back.  I guess some
parents thought it was cute having a red head freckle face grown up Raggedy
Ann doll amongst all the seniors.  We aren't a freak show, we're only
smart. Until now we were all in classes WITH these older kids as some sort
of novelty or mascot, we had a chance to fit in, now we were segregated
into a separate classroom for most of the day, like special class.  I
wasn't going to be a part of that.  The regular seniors thought I was cool,
but they didn't get me without the others." Dana explained as Selena's
mouth dropped.

   "My God, we brought a politician into the world!" She chuckled.

   "Mother!  I was lucky to get special treatment because I LOOK older and
fit in with people who think I'm on their social level.  I worked as the
envoy for "my people".  No one should be scarred for life.  I can't help
but think the character Sheldon Cooper on Big Bang Theory is modeled after
one our kind.  There's an example of a freak left in the mainstream of
older students who was sheltered and coddled at home according to his
physical age and was then put in classes with students 5-6-7 years older
and expected to adapt when they had nothing socially in common."

   Selena smiled at Dana and sipped her coffee in thought.

   "Dana, you truly are an amazing young lady, I am so proud of you.  Your
Mom and Dad made sure you were always in the right place mentally and
socially.  My parents protected me, but made sure I wasn't a freak in any
years I was moved forward.  Like you, my body developed in ways that denied
my real age.  When I was 9 and 10 I was put with 12-13-14 year olds and
many of the girls were developing, but only a few were ahead of me.  I was
uncomfortable in lockers rooms at first, but eventually it became second
nature and since I asked no questions they didn't make a big deal about
it."

   "I've discussed with you my only, uh . . .problem there, and we've taken
care of that." Dana said blushing thinking of her Brazilian Wax her mother
brought her for.

   Joe got up to refill his coffee to ease Dana's embarrassment and not ask
what she meant, he didn't have to, Selena had confided with him.

   Joe turned and smiled at Dana and pointed a finger as he sat back down.
"You, young lady, have told us that you didn't want to be singled out, you
just want to go with the flow, but I have to tell you something.  Bullying
is such a hot topic across the whole country; you may be singled out for
fighting to stop bullying.  You may think its anti-geeking you're fighting,
but everyone is going to see it as anti-bullying.  Don't be surprised if
you don't end up in some sort of spotlight from this."

   "Oh GOD!  I hope I've been under the radar on this.  Once we get to Poly
I feel I'll fit in more, at least physically, I can almost pass as a
Freshman, plus I won't have to look after the others.  I'm sure we'll be
spread out in different majors."

   Joe suddenly got a worried look on his face.  "Don't try to fit in TOO
much."

   "Don't worry, my nervous Father.  I'll watch the situations I get myself
into, AND I'll have a student chaperone or a matron most times." She
assured him.

   "I KNOW all of that, but don't forget I was a young college student once
and I would have had my eyes on you."

   "Eyes are one thing; hands will be a different story.  I can take care
of myself." She insisted.

   "Well, for then and now, minimize situations." Selena said as she got up
to get dressed.

   "Well, what time did your Grandmother say she was taking you shopping?"

   "Ten o'clock, I better get going myself." Dana said.

   Joe followed Selena into the bedroom.  "Well I thought if the 2 of them
went shopping we might stay home alone."

   "Ohhhhh, feeling unloved or deprived?  I thought we had a nice night
last night." Selena said with her sexy grin.

   "True, but you'll leave in the morning and not be home until Friday."

   "You poor baby; I'll give you something to hold you over tonight." She
chuckled to him.

   "Not the same as having the whole house to ourselves." He faux pouted.

   "You CAN'T be serious!  We've made love at least 10 times since I got
home Friday night." Selena said as Joe was leaving with a chuckle to go
back to the kitchen.

   Dana was right there in the hall heading to the laundry room and Joe was
sure she heard the "at least 10 times" comment.

   She grinned at him saying, "I'd tell you to get a room, but you already
have one.  From what I understand, you're a lucky guy." She giggled.

   "Until you understand, those comments, the one you over heard and the
one you made are inappropriate.  But I do understand the awkwardness when I
KNOW you heard it all." Joe said, actually more upset that she heard it
than she made a comment.

   "I'm sorry Father.  I just didn't see how I could escape the fact I
heard it and you knew I heard it.  You know I'm quite proud that my Father
and Mother are still so much in love." She assured him.

   "The fact we love each other so much is why you exist and why you're
here." Joe assured her, adding "Just know we loved you from the second we
knew you existed, and as much as we are enjoying watching you grow and
mature, we ache for all the tragedy you've had to endure."

   Dana's lower lip trembled and she said "I know.  My Dad told me the
greatest pain is watching your own children suffer and not being able to do
anything about it." before walking along to the laundry.

   Joe knew that the two of them had just had a full dose of reality.  They
loved each other but wished she never had to come into their life this way.

   His pause to ponder the moment gave Dana time to retrieve the piece of
laundry she sought and come back, heading to her room, stopping to hug Joe.

   "I love you both more than you know and in the face of unthinkable
circumstances I've ended up, somehow, happy.  Know that you both are loved
greatly and I thank God daily for bringing us all together.  When there
were great storms and the clouds cleared out, you two were the sun and the
rainbow."

   She walked away in tears as Joe wiped his own.  He reopened the bedroom
door and called out to Selena, "I just heard your Mother's car pull in the
driveway, don't make her wait."

   As Selena headed out Joe stopped her and whispered about the exchange he
had with Dana that began with Selena's faux pas.  As Selena heard the words
Dana had said she welled up as well.  Joe ended the exchange with a kiss as
he whispered, "Let her get whatever she wants.  Heh heh."

   "I usually do, as if she's not spoiled enough." Selena said wiping her
tears away as Dana called out, "Mother, Grandma is here.  Meet you
downstairs."

   It was the first time Selena actually felt like she was a Mother in a
real family.

   In the ensuing days with Selena back in New York she began to feel the
yearning to be home Upstate with her daughter more often.  She kept
imagining what retirement would be like, seeing more of Dana and
interacting with her, catching up on the Mothering she missed out on.  For
a few days it occupied her mind to the point where she felt herself day
dreaming and eventually sought out her recovery nurse, Philly Flowers, to
talk about a few things.  Philly centered her with just a few words and
potential scenarios to make her think things through in her usual
methodical way.  One thing that always kept her going was "future goals,
and Philly asked her when Dana's Holiday vacation was starting.

   "She has exams on the 11th, 12th and 13th of December and as long as she
passes her courses to the satisfaction of PolyTech, she will begin as a
mid-term freshman on January 25th." Selena said checking her calendar.

   "Well there!  You and Joe and Dana can spend the better part of a month
in New York where every day will be a growing adventure for ALL of you. 
You can plan your Christmas together, plan your travel back upstate, and be
together.  It will be your first step together before she has to get back
to classes." Philly surmised.

   "You're right!  Joe and I talked about bringing her down here to learn
about the city and see how we live here.  That'll be fun!"

   Philly smiled and gave Selena a look she was quite familiar with after
all the sessions they had together

   "See?  You only need to add the perspective and that horizon will rise a
bit more every day until the two of you will be shopping and planning for
the Holidays.  I'm not sure when you plan to fulfill your commitment in
2016, but THAT will be the next horizon to can plan for." Philly said with
a reassuring smile.

   "I think by the time she starts her Freshman classes in September I'll
be out.  I hoping to begin to curtail days as she gets toward exams in
early June and be down here for a bit of the summer and when she starts
classes full time, I'll be a stay at home Mom!" She said with a glow.

   "Were you as mature physically as Dana at her age?" Philly wondered.

   "Not at 13, but between 14 and 15 I realized I was attracting looks. 
Just after my 16th birthday I knew I felt like a woman and I wanted to
experiment and got into a little trouble, through my own naivete.  But I
smartened up quickly."

   "How do you think you'll handle Dana?"

   "Luckily, her Mom saw early on when she was only 11 that she was going
to mature early, and really believed it was being with pubescent girls as
they were maturing.  Dana got her period when she was 11.  But Dana knew
the score as far as birds and bees then and promised her Mom she would not
date until she was 16.  She had vocalized that promise more than once to
us."

   "You don't think it's just lip service, do you?" Philly asked.

   "No, that's North Country values.  I think you're comparing her to
teenage girls here and in Jersey.  She's very values driven.  We've talked
frankly about masturbation, we heard her through the walls and confronted
her, assuring her that it's OK and a great stress reliever.  We realize
that she is physically mature, and under a certain amount of stress to
perform, and we always factor in the values her parents gave her.  So, if
that works to iron a few wrinkles, what's the problem.  It was funny, that
after her tearful embarrassment at being caught, and we assured her it was
only natural, she told us that she heard US through the walls as well, and
always heard her Mom and Dad the same way.  She said it was reassuring
knowing there was love in her previous home and ours."

   "So you two are still on a honeymoon?" Philly asked raising an eyebrow.

   Selena flushed a bit and then in a low voice, even though no one else
was around, saying "We make love in one way or another 10 to 15 times a
week and always have.  We never tire of being intimate and making each
other happy.  We don't try to put on a show for her, nor do we eavesdrop on
her.  You see, between our bedrooms is a long closet with a rotating
clothes rack, like a dry cleaner has.  Before September 11th it was always
full of mine and Joe's things.  When we got back most everything was either
out of style or had hung on hangers so long they had like hanger
impressions and we donated everything.  Now it's empty and sounds between
the rooms are somewhat amplified.  Once we move from New York a lot of our
things will go back in there, plus Joe may hang our seasonal coats, just to
take up space."

   "I just wonder if you should be so open about sex with a girl 13."
Philly said raising an eyebrow.

   "If you saw her in her bikini you might understand.  We HAD to make her
aware of the sexual situations she could end up in, and the thoughts young
boys have.  Mind you when she was in school up North she had 16 and
18-year-old boys trying to date her.  Until there is a problem, we won't
cramp her fashion sense as long as it meets with our approval.  My Mother
shudders at times, but I won't have her being subjected to the things they
put me through.  Dana is a smart girl, and we hope we can guide her through
any naïve judgments we don't agree with." Selena assured her.

   Philly closed her briefcase and ended the session and after she packed
up her things Selena offered her a cup of coffee for the road, it was after
5 o'clock and the trip to New Jersey was going to be harrowing.

   "I'll take you up on that, the longer I wait, the less I'll have to sit
and swear at.  If I leave now or a half hour from now, I still won't be
home until 7."

   Selena brewed their coffee's in the Keurig and served as Philly admired
how smart Selena looked in her work outfit, and the confidence she carried
herself with.

   "I still marvel at how far you've came, you know."

   Selena blushed and said "Thanks to you and Joe."

   "It's my job, and I got too personally involved with you after so long,
but I was happy to see you through the doors as they opened."

   Selena patted her hand and said "Thank you" in a near whisper.'

   They both resisted crying and then after a few sips of coffee Philly
shook her head and smiled.  "10 to 15 times a week.  GOD BLESS YOU!"

   "You're such a pretty woman, your husband must be after you all the time
as well." Selena wondered.

   "We have our moments, it's never the same as when we first got
together."

   "Why is that?"

   "It was all new then with us.  After you've done it all, and you do it
over and over it gets to where you know what comes next.  We usually wait
until it's been a while and the frustration builds.  I don't know . . .  we
aren't like you." Philly said as her eyes began to tear.

   "We just keep it new, we keep it real.  He might pick me up for lunch
and bring me back here and make love and get me back to the officevon time.
I may finish across the street and go in the ladies room and take off my
underwear before I go home.  When the elevator opens he's already there and
we're barely inside our door and he's making love to me.  Not to get too
personal, I think oral sex is important.  It's so intimate to or from
either of us.  It keeps it all exciting."

   Philly blushed deeply and Selena felt bad saying, "Oh, I'm so sorry, I
didn't mean to get so personal.  Please forgive me."

   "No, No Selena, it's not that!  We do that when we do get together, it's
just we have our own little kinks." Philly said to satisfy Selena's
curiosity, but Philly continued.

   "I like my bottom reddened before sex, I know that sounds awful, but
we've always done it.  I'm his bad girl, you know play-acting.  But since I
told him of the affair I had way back in our marriage, he says he's
forgiven me and it's in our past, but since when his hand falls, it's a
little more punishment than I'm used to.  He bruises me and I want to say
something, but I'm afraid of opening old wounds.  I want him to say he's
totally forgiven me.  He says he has, but that strong hand says, maybe
not."

   Selena was shocked by her words, but conciliatory.  "Phyll, a little
crack on the bottom can be intense, but it sounds like he's abusing you,
and it may not even be intentional.  YOU'RE THE THERAPIST.  Talk to him
about it.  Be straightforward with him, like you always tell me.  You don't
want this to escalate, do you?"

   "Maybe I deserve it."

   "Stop, listen to yourself.  What would you say if this were me telling
you this?" Selena barked to her.

   Philly suddenly acted like a lightbulb went off in her head.  "I'm so
stupid, that perspective is so easy and you know what I would tell you
about facing demons, or imagining that I deserve it.  You know if he had
just given me one good spanking after I told him, I would have accepted
that instead of this constant fear I have of making love to him now.  I
mean the sex is great and actually tender, but living with a sore butt for
2 or 3 days after isn't right.  I like a red warm bottom, but he gives me
bruises.  Oh.  God, I've gotten much too personal with you.  I've thrown my
ethics out the window."

   Philly put her head in her hands but Selena quickly put a hand to her
shoulder to comfort her.

   "Philly, it's not like we're strangers, or haven't delved deep into our
personal lives before.  It's the nature of our beast here.  You've given so
much to Joe and I, taken so much of your time, we know when you were
troubled in the past and been each other's confessors to ease our minds. 
Never worry that anything leaves our little fortress of solitude."
   More to come............... .