Marriage2

Marriage2 is a working title, when something clever occurs to me I'll changed the title but not the file name.

I'm looking for feedback on style and what you like or don't about the story. You can post a comment here, or e-mail it to [email protected]. I'm expecting to wind it up after about 150K words, this being the first third.

I find reading with web browser zoomed in a bit to be easier. Reading on Apple products seems to require execelent eyes. PC broswers can zoom, use control-Mouse Wheel. That typically does the trick.

The links are to U-Tube versions of the songs, I'm working on the lyrics to make them match. Sorry about the ads. I don't know how to avoid U-Tube adds. If you right click on the link and select open new tab or window you can avoid moving a way from the story text. My HTML savy is insufficent to make the link do that.

If you read Italian can you check my translation of Anema e Core. Not sure if I got it right, and web translators are useless on lyrics.

The story will be a single html page, so you can save it on your computer, without having to scrounge up a bunch of pages. Down side is the finished product will be over a megabyte in size presuming I don't get crazy and include a massive number of songs.

Finally the ASSTR Web page get's cached on the ASSTR server sometimes, if you use the file link rather than the web link it will update to the latest version. As of 6-13-2014 the server's date is a bit in the future compared to NIST which makes just re-freshing your browser problematic (F5 on PC browsers).

I looked up from my labors to catch my breath and give my tongue a rest. It was an odd perspective of my love, my Karrie. My arms were draped over her legs so I could support myself as I worked my magic on her. Her eyes were closed, one hand was on my head and the other was clenching the sheets. She sighed and the opened her eyes and looked a question to me.

“Just taking a breather my love.” I gave her a wild grin. My face covered with her nectar.

She fondled my hair and smiled at me, “Make it short lover, I’m almost there.”

I dove back in and gave her some furious licks and probes and she arched her back a little. So I stopped. Still with my wild grin I looked in her eyes. “What’s your hurry my love? We don’t have to be anywhere in the morning, we can just take our time and make it last.” I let my grin fade and studied her body. Her legs are all curves exactly in the right places. Her belly wasn’t flat, but domed slightly. Going toward me the curve of her belly flattened and faded into her pubic hair which was fleecy blond, her labia were held open by my two hands her legs trapped under my arm pits. I looked up to her breasts, which, because she was on her back, had flattened but still had a beautiful curve, with no sign of the slight droop they presented when she was standing. Her nipples were long and inviting. I was beginning to forget what I had been doing. I looked higher to her face, which took my breath away as it always does in spite of this unusual position. She had an amused smile on her face because she knows what she does to me.

“Earth to Jimmy, remember what you were doing?” She shook her head, causing a few of her blond curls to fall in front of her face, while most of her long hair was randomly distributed around the pillow supporting her upper back and head.

I felt my erection pulse as it got harder, causing a dull ache. “What?” I missed her question my brain was wedged.

She laid her head back and started to laugh. It made all her parts jiggle around and tightened my brain wedge. She hiccupped and that woke me up, and I thought time for kisses. So I started my journey up her body to her mouth. I got up on my knees and leaning down tasting her skin. She put both hands on my head and ruffed up my hair and tried to push me back down, but I was on a mission and would not be diverted.

I finished her left nipple and the flopped down beside her and kissed her lips. She opened her mouth and grabbed my erection and stoked me. It felt good; it covered up the aching.

I broke the kiss and shoved my face against her neck and blew a raspberry. She started laughing again so I started to lick her neck and then I rolled to my side and looked her in the eye. “You taste good. You look so good I could shoot no hands.”

She snorted and then with a goofy smile said, “Jimmy you’re so full of shit. I’ve got a fat ass, a big belly, my tits droop, and I’ve got wrinkles.”

I jumped up, “Wrinkles! Where?” I started a detailed inspection of her body. Stroking nibbling. I rolled her over on her stomach and studied her back and her legs, and then rolled her back. I started going over her front while I tried to tickle her. I spread her legs and stopped and put my hand on my chin. “Well, I suppose you could call that a wrinkle, but to me it looks pretty young and ready.” I slid two fingers inside her and stroked a couple of times, then threw myself back beside her, and kissed her chin. “Nope, no wrinkles that I can see.”

She gasped and then blew in frustration. “I’m old enough to be your mother young man, and I’m going to spank you if you don’t get back to business.”

I laughed loudly, “Karrie there is no way you are old enough to be my mother. You’re only eight years older than me!”

She calmed her face. “I’ll have you know I had my first period when I was eight.”

I smiled, “Well, you barely look legal to me.” I sighed. I was dead serious she didn’t look a day over sixteen, a well-developed sixteen but still.

She gave me a look of frustration. “Jimmy, you are so full of shit. I’m positively decayed, you’re just feeding me a line.”

I looked at her with my slight grin. “I will not have you disparaging the woman I love. You take that back or I take my marbles home!”

She snorted and fell back, “Okay, you win. I am jail bait. Now will you just get on with the show?”

I smiled at her and said. “Soon, first I want to play with the best part of you some more.”

She stepped into that one, I grinned. “It’s the part between your ears silly.”

She smiled and then grinned. “Liar, I think you like the part between my legs better.”

I sat up on the bed, crossed my legs and took both of her hands. “Karen, look at me. Hear me.”

I gripped her hands, “I promise you that I have never lied to you and I never will. I might not answer, but I will not lie. If you require an answer you say the following to me, “Jimmy by the love I hold dear to you, give me an answer.” When you say that I will give you a truthful answer to the best of my abilities. I swear this by the love I hold dear to you. I said that your best part is your mind and I mean it. I can’t describe how much I love you.” I felt myself blush as I looked at her. I released one of her hands and ran my hand down the side of her face over her breast, down between her legs and over her thigh. “These parts are quite good, and I hope to worship them further, but it’s what’s inside that takes my breath away.”

I stretched out beside her and kissed the tear off her cheek. “Karrie, tears of happiness, make my heart soar. Karrie I want to talk a bit and then we can make love, OK?”

I looked at the clock it said 10:30 pm. “Maybe.” I said it with a cagey smile.

She looked a bit mad and then grabbed me, “We can talk after.” She rolled me on top and grabbed my erection and tried to wiggle and stuff me inside her. I relented and pushed into her.

“Karen, it won’t take long. I’ll ask, you can answer and then we’ll fuck, OK?” I was laying on top of her and whispered into her ear.

She stopped moving. “On one condition. No, don’t be hurt you’ll like the condition. You have to make me pregnant. When I pass the pregnancy test you’ll have a yes. Until then I’m yours but I won’t marry you.”

She sighed and quit moving. “Jimmy it hard to explain, and it probably won’t matter in the end. Can I explain after?”

I thought about it. “Okay, but do me this favor. If we succeed, then you’ll retroactively marry me today.”

I smiled and pushed up off her and started thrusting into her. “Here we go. Jimmy’s going to fill you up. I hope you’re open for business.”

She started moving, banging and gasping. “Oh lover, the chart says now’s the time, so give it to me.” She started jerking on my back trying to bang on me as I pushed into her.

I began humping her harder, pushing her up the bed, I had to pull her back and hold on to her shoulder. I felt my release start to take me, “Karrie! I’m going to lose it, can’t hold on much longer.”

She wrapped her legs around me and rocked her pelvis back and forth rapidly, “I’m there Jimmy! Let her rip honey, fill me up!”

I felt my heart pounding as I shot my seed deep inside her. I dug my toes into the bed and pushed into her as deep as I could. Once, twice, then three short shots and I collapsed on top of her breathing deeply. I rolled off of her and she clamped her hand over her opening and pressed her legs together.

I nuzzled up against her neck and whispered. “Here’s hoping your egg finds my offering worthy.”

She put her other hand on my face, “Jimmy, you’re such a romantic fool. I hope so too.”

I kissed her quickly as I was still out of breath. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “So my maybe wife why?”

She was still out of breath and laughed, “I needed that. You’ll need to do that several more times over the next few days to get your diploma my apprentice husband.”

I slid down a bit and started nursing her tit. I spent some time doing it right. Her hand was in the hair on my head giving me encouragement. I looked up, “Taste is good can’t wait for production to start.” I switched to the other one and put my hand over her’s between her legs. I felt her sigh and she pushed me against her breast. It was getting hard to breathe so I bit her lightly and she released my head and slapped me lightly on my cheek.

She sighed. “I’ll try, but it’s a mess in here so you’ll have to bear with me.”

I gave her a grin, “I’m here and already bare-with-you.” I waved my hand over my body.

She smiled and punched me on the shoulder. “First, I love you and a life with you is what I want.”

She looked sad, “I want children and I want them to be yours, what if we can’t make them together?”

I shook my head, “You’ve no reason to think there is a problem, but most problems in this area have solutions. I want kids from you too, but marriage isn’t about kids.”

She nodded, “Yes, but suppose I can’t have them. If you married me, you wouldn’t be able to have them so I won’t until we do.”

I laid my head back on the pillow and thought about it. “I suppose we could find a co-operative surrogate, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t like that. But still, being married to you is more important than having babies.” I lifted up and kissed her softly on the lips. “I love you.” I whispered as I pulled back.

She nodded. “Yes, I had the same thoughts. The next reason is kind of jumbled, and try not to be hurt. A baby would help me make the commitment. I don’t know if I can make a marriage work, if it’s right for me, or for you. But a baby pushes all that away. A baby needs parents and married ones are best.”

I looked her in the eye. “So medical problems being unlikely, you are saying yes to marriage by mating with me, that you need a push.”

I got an idea. I got up and assumed my original position. I pulled her hand away and went to work. She started to leak and I licked up all I could get. The taste was over the top. I looked up, “Karrie with cream, it’s heavenly.”

She laughed and wiped a bit off my chin and put it in her mouth. “Jimmy sauce a-la Karrie. You’re right, it’s good.”

I went back to work and felt she was getting close so I slowed down and let her slid back down. Over the next half hour she got close but didn’t fall over.

She slapped me, and it hurt a little. “Dammit, finish me, I can’t take it.”

I gave her a lick and looked up. “Say yes to me and you’ve got your heart’s desire. A life of great sex, a loving husband, big fights, major reconciliations, endless conversation, a friend in need, a boy toy, a master to your slave, a slave to your master, maybe babies, until we can’t think straight, anything you want. You need a push so here it is.”

She looked angry, “So you hold me hostage. An agreement under duress carries no weight.”

I shook my head. “Now this is just a sample. I know you better than that Karen. By the love I hold dear to you I demand an answer.”

She shook her head, fell back, and screamed, “Yes, YES I’ll marry you on Monday we’ll go fill out the forms and sign. Now fuck me.”

I pushed up and crawled back to her. I felt a tear run down my cheek and l looked into her eyes. Her face softened and I kissed her as I slid into her. “Home at last.” I whispered.

Her face scrunched up and a tear ran out of her eye, and then the other followed suit. I kissed them away. “Nectar of the gods.” I felt my love swell and I felt my body tense as I shot a load into her. “I told you I could shoot no hands.” I kept thrusting staying hard. I felt her tense and she slapped her hands down on the sheet and pulled up. I heard a rip as her body tightened and I felt another small load pass from me to her. Her upper body was flushed bright red and her head was thrashing back and forth. She tensed again and then explosively exhaled and relaxed.

I collapsed on top of her and she hugged me tight with her arms and legs. I tried to roll off of her, but she wouldn’t let me so I kissed her ear and whispered, “Convinced?”

I laughed in her ear. “Sometimes you just think too much my love. It was a sure thing when you let your heart speak.” I felt her start to cry. I whispered into her ear, “I love you.” I kept repeating it every few seconds as her tears stopped. She relaxed her arms enough for me to roll to the side without pulling out. I was getting soft but still inside. I kissed her eyes, her nose, and her mouth repeating “I love you” between each kiss. I kept it up varying it. “I love you.” “Oh, by the way I love you.” “Did you know I love you?” “I want you to know I love you.” “I heard on the radio that I love you.” I didn’t lack for ideas. I was getting sleepy, so the interval between kisses started to lengthen and then my words started to slur a bit.

She put her hand over my mouth. I tried to speak, but lost consciousness instead.

I woke up and moved my arms around and found the bed empty. I could smell our last night’s labors in the sheets and sighed and took a deep breath. I also smelled breakfast and so I knew where to go. I rolled up and off the bed, I went into the bathroom and took care of business. I used her toothbrush, a bit harder than mine, but first kiss of the day needs preparation. I looked around and couldn’t find any of my clothes. I looked at the sheets and there was a big rip in one and I laughed. I got an idea, found some scissors in the medicine cabinet. I cut out a part where the tear in the sheet ended. I looked around trying to find somewhere to stash it and noticed my wallet on the dresser so I folded it up and stashed it inside my wallet.

I walked down the hall to the kitchen my morning wood, making it a bit comical I thought. She was standing in front of the stove cooking nude, but aproned, so I just watched, trying not to let her know I was there. She turned around and dished up the eggs and bacon into the place settings on the table, turned back to the stove and turned it off. She untied the apron and tossed it onto the back of one of the chairs. She turned to me and lifted her hand slightly toward me.

“Hello sleepy head.” She smiled at me and gave her body a slight shake causing her breasts to bounce.

My brain shutdown and my jaw dropped as I felt my woody pulse. She stepped up to me, and the end of my woody touched her tummy. I grabbed her and kissed her pushing my tongue into her mouth. I felt her tremble slightly so I grabbed her ass and lifted her up and pushed inside her as my helmet slid through her wetness.

I chuckled as I pounded her, “It might, but this won’t take long hope you don’t mind.”

She clamped around me. “God, I can’t believe it, I’m there Jimmy let her rip.”

I pushed in as far as I could and felt the rush as I emptied into her. I pulled out and set her down and kissed her again. It was short because I needed to breathe. I smiled at her. “Wow,” I said, shaking my head.

She pushed me away. “Sit. Eat. You need to keep your strength up. Off to a good start though.”

I sat bacon, eggs, hash browns, coffee and orange juice. I shook my head. “Did I tell you I love you? I think your cooking might be a close second. I really love you, you know.” I sat down and started stuffing myself. I am a big bruiser, six feet six tall, and a natural bodybuilder. I finished before she got more than five bites into it and stood up fired up the stove, took the apron and put it on. Try cooking bacon and eggs in the nude, you’ll find out real fast an apron is required. I broke four more eggs and three more bacons into the pan. “You want more?”

Karrie laughed. “Look at you, a house husband. No, I’ve got all I need here. How can you eat so much without getting fat?” I heard her chair slide back.

I smiled at the pan. “Lots of exercise on top of more exercise. Plus there always the time I spend with you which usually involves more exercise.”

Karrie laughed. “Ha, I’ll bet that part doesn’t amount to much. Turn around lover and smile.” She had her cell phone and was ready to take a picture, so I waved the pans at her, threw out my chest and tried to look sexy. “Ha, that’s the trick,” she said and snapped the picture.

I went to the refrigerator and looked for some milk. There was a carton of milk. I opened it and smelled it. May be OK. I poured a bit on the spoon and tasted it. Shit, it’s bad. “Karrie I think I should move in with you and be your live in cook and boy toy. You got any cereal, veggies?” I looked in the crisper disaster there. Veggies almost liquid from decay.

Karrie sat back down and took a few more bites. “I don’t eat in much, so you probably won’t find much in the reefer that’s fit. I got chocolate ice cream, which is the only real reason I have a reefer. There might be some Wheaties in the cupboard from my brother’s visit.”

I opened the freezer and took out the ice cream. Ha ice milk better yet. It should be a quick sub for milk. I slapped a scoop on a plate and dug out the Wheaties and poured some over the top. “Want some?”

Karrie made a face. “Ice cream for breakfast yuck. You’re not going to eat that?”

I sat down and started in on the ice cream and Wheaties. “And let it go to waste, are you kidding? I got to have the dairy and the grain. I got the protein and fat covered nicely. Too bad about the veggies and the fruit. Girl I’m offering you professional help here, I’ve almost got my PhD in sports nutrition just have to finish my paper. Hey, I thought girls treated chocolate ice cream as sacred. You could have some, but you’ll have to come to the gym with me later. Wouldn’t want it to go to your waist.” I laughed. I finished my chocolate Wheaties and started back in on the eggs and bacon.

I put down my fork stood up and pulled her to her feet. Then I knelt in front of her and kissed the dome of her belly. “I told you. Hear me by my love for you. You are not fat you are purr-fect.” I blew a raspberry on her tummy. “Maybe I should say you’re not fat yet. No, that’s not right. I’ve got it, you’re perfect now and here’s hoping you get bigger and more perfect soon.” I stood back up and she grabbed my penis, which was starting to wake up again.

Karrie wiggled my penis and then let it go. “Jimmy, you got a one track mind.”

I sat down and started feeding again. “No, I don’t have a one track mind, I multitask. I love cooking, exercise, math, engineering, nutrition, sex and Aikido. Overall that is you. When I cook I think about you. When I exercise, I think about you. When I work, I think about you. When we make love, there’s you. When I study at the Dojo, I think about you. Did I tell you I love you? I do and that’s a fact.”

Karrie laughed. “Okay, lover boy, I think I get it. Why are you telling me so much? I like it.”

I finished eating. I picked up the plates and started washing them off and stuffing them into the dishwasher. “My momma told me when I was a teenager, when my dad died, that men don’t express their feelings too well, and that my daddy loved me but he just couldn’t say it to me. I thought about it and decided that I wouldn’t be like that. If I loved someone I was going to let them know it. You know me, if something is worth doing…”

I finished up the dishes, cranked up the dishwasher, policed up the area stood up and pulled her to her feet. “Take your coffee, I need to talk at you some more.” I took my coffee, set it on the coffee table in the front room. I took hers and set it on the table too. I stepped up to her, “Alley oop.” I picked her up and sat down on the couch and cradled her in my lap. “Coffee?” I picked up her cup and handed it to her. She took a sip and handed it back to me. “Okay. I thought about what you said and I understand. I agree that an agreement made under duress is not valid so a release you, and will abide by your conditions.”

She smiled and then got a faraway look on her face. “I thought about it too. It’s hard to explain, but the uncertainty, I felt is gone. You are right, I think too much sometimes. In my heart, I’m married to you so bub, I refused to be released. You got me fair and square.”

I felt my love surge and was struck dumb. So I sat there and stroked her belly and stared into her eyes. I was holding my breath and didn’t realize it so I gasped when I took a deep breath. I put my hand behind her head a pushed her up and kissed her. I kept on kissing her. I didn’t want to stop; ever. About two minutes passed.

She laughed as I was kissing her. “Jimmy, calm down and talk. I sure you had more to talk about.”

I pulled back from her, almost able to talk, “Coffee?” I managed to croak out.

I sighed. “Ouch, thanks. As sure as the sun is going to shine; I love you. Ok, so we are married. I think I should move in with you. My digs are not fit for a woman.”

She laughed. “Plus, I own this house, care of insurance and my first’s untimely departure so you can move in soon as you like.”

Her face dropped. I felt like a heel. “You can ask I might not be able to answer.”

I smiled, “I feel like a heel asking you about Roger. I just want you to know that it’s OK with me if you still love him, and I wanted to offer my help, anything I can do?”

She sighed and smiled tentatively. “I don’t know what you can do more than you are already. I love him I always will. He’s dead and it hurts, still. I don’t think it will ever stop hurting.”

I nodded and squeezed her hands. “You kept his pictures. I think you should keep them out don’t put them away on account of me. Keep his memory alive.”

Karrie started to cry and kissed me hard. “Thanks for understanding. I love you Jimmy.”

I brushed the tears from her face. “I’ll be wanting to know more about him, but that’s for later. You never had kids, so that’s where the condition came from partly, right?”

Karrie shook her head. “Only a little bit. Mostly I want to make sure you have kids. If I couldn’t I didn’t want to take that chance from you.”

I nodded. “Karrie, I’ll talk to you about that later. Did you get a medical opinion?”

Karrie sighed and nodded. “They said there was nothing wrong with me. Roger was funny, he wouldn’t let the doctors touch him. It was irrational, but his mother died when she went into the hospital and since then he has refused to go to a doctor unless he was forced to by work or insurance.”

Karrie shook her head. “No. The doctor suggested I bring a sample of him and he’d see what he could see. So I did and the doctor said it was normal as far as he could tell.”

Karrie looked horrified. “Absolutely not, he would have taken my skin off for invading his privacy that way. I would have hurt him deeply.”

I nodded again. “Good for you. Karrie don’t ever worry about me in that regard. My life and body are open books. I hope you never have to make a choice like that with me.”

Karrie sighed again. “He wouldn’t discuss it. For Roger sex was nonverbal something we did together, but could not talk about. The counselor said he must have had some kind of bad experience as a child. The doctors said they could do it with what I could get from him, but I couldn't lie to him like that.”

Karrie looked at me and shook her head. “Jimmy, I can’t talk about that. It was a car accident.”

I kissed her. “OK, enough. Next topic. I understand about you not wanting to take the chance of children away from me, but hear me true, by the love I hold dear to you, if you ever harm yourself to protect me or what you think are my interests, I will give you the spanking of your life if I find out. You won’t sit down for a week and you will hurt me deeply. Is that clear?”

Karrie nodded, but didn’t speak. So I stared at her. She got the point. “Yes, I understand. You will never find out.” She said it softly with a smile.

She turned it back to me, “Jimmy…” she said it just like me and stared me down.

I shook my head. “At least ask me before, please, the thought of me being the cause…”

Karrie smiled the ‘I’m a woman and that’s tough shit for you smile’. “If I want your opinion, I’ll ask.”

I sighed a bit louder. “Okay, I guess I’m not going to win this one. I apologize for threatening to spank you.”

She laughed and squirmed around in my lap, shook her tits at me. “You ought to try it some time. Maybe I’ll like it. Or maybe you’ll get more than you bargained for who knows?”

I smiled and nodded, “I think I just did.” So kissed her. “Ok, what’s on tap for today is we go to my digs and get some stuff. We go to the Gym and do our dozens. We go to the Dojo so I can introduce you to the Sensei, and show you off a bit. We go to the store and get some food. Finally, we go to a restaurant and toast our marriage. You want to look at rings? Anything you want to do today?”

Karrie smiled. “Well, sounds like the man has a plan. Oh shit, unless you want to go naked I need to finish washing your clothes. I don’t have any exercise clothes.”

She bailed out of my lap and ran off to the laundry room. I stood up and took the cold coffee back into the kitchen and cleaned up, and then followed her back to the laundry room. She was leaning over stuffing laundry in the dryer so I stepped up close, grabbed my penis and rubbed it in her slit. She looked back and smiled, spun the knobs on the dryer and the laid her arms on top.

I slapped her butt. “Rush, rush, rush. Oh well, I can probably do the deed.” I started to move and had to clench down to avoid shooting right off.

She laughed. “Dude, I bet you the price of dinner that you don’t last until the buzzer.”

She spread her legs. “Hey, that's cheating.” I stopped. “Jesus don’t stop I don’t care cheat all you like.”

I laughed, and blew a raspberry on her butt cheek and went back to work on her. I kept at it until I felt her start to jerk a little and stopped. I stood up and turned her around and put her on the dryer and slipped into her while her fingernails scratched my chest and her tits bounced as I banged her.

She threw her head back. “God Jimmy! The vibration of the dryer is fantastic. I’m going to blast off into outer space.” She arched her back and grabbed my shoulders as I banged away alternating fast and deep thrusts. I reach over to the knob on the dryer and added five more minutes. Need to keep this going. I slowed down and she started to relax and then tensed up again. “Oh fuck again.” She started to shake and pull on my shoulders, pulling me down to her mouth. I kept on keeping on. She dropped back and relaxed but kept moving helping me. I felt myself getting close so I pulled out and knelt and started eating her again. She grabbed my head and forced me against her. I had to pull back to breathe.

“News at noon. Man smothered while eating his wife.” I laughed and went back to fucking her.

She laughed and gasped. “In other news. Woman found in outer space. When questioned, she said her dryer sent her there. God again, fuck me Jimmy, it’s…” She couldn’t finish. She arched her back and the buzzer sounded. The vibration from the buzzer drove her crazy and she screamed. I felt my load start to bail out so I pushed into her as deep as I could and let it rip. She lifted her legs so I sank into her deep and she wrapped her arms around my waist. The buzzer went off again and she jerked again. “God Jimmy turn it off or I’ll pass out.” I reached past her and turned it off.

I made a couple of small thrusts. “You know I have to eat you now. Karrie ale-mode can’t miss it.”

She took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll suffer on through. If I pass out, it’s on your head.”

I pulled out and squatted down. “Well more like in my mouth and on my face, but I appreciate the sentiment.” I started in with gusto just as a wave of cream started down her crack. I licked up from her ass to her box and started sucking and licking. It tasted fantastic. She was holding on to the edge of the dryer her legs draping over my shoulders. I felt her tense and squeeze another dollop of cream out. I sucked and licked. She took a deep breath and then tensed and moaned again, giving me another small taste. She laid back, breathing deeply a flush covering her upper body. I kept on for a bit, but didn’t get any so I stood up. She looked great, relaxed with a smile, eyes closed, just fucked, beautiful. “Oh Karrie, you look great.” I whispered.

She opened her eyes and looked at me in disbelief. “I’m sitting on a Dryer, spread eagled, covered in sweat and sperm, and my hair is a tangled mess. You think I looked beautiful.” She sighed and smiled. “I feel fantastic but I know I’m a mess. Come here sailor let me lick your face off.”

I leaned into her and she licked my face off smacking her lips. She pressed her mouth against mine and shoved her tongue in and tasted me. I stood up and put my arm behind her head and leaned down. “Put your arms around my neck beautiful I carry you to your shower. I stood and got my arm around her back and under her legs. She kissed me on my neck and I carried her to the bathroom. I tilted her down so her feet touched the ground, she knelt, grabbed my penis and sucked it into her mouth. I wasn’t going to get hard so soon after but I wished I could.

Karrie stopped and then kissed the end and said, “Tasty. Maybe you’ll give me a taste direct from the source sometime.”

I set the temperature in the shower and handed her in. She turned under the nozzle and handed me the soap. I started with washing her neck and back. She turned around and I washed her breasts. I made a move to suck her nipple and she waved her finger at me. “No sucking, just washing. You’re done there proceed below, finish the job. I washed up her legs and soaped her crotch and privates, resisting the temptation of shoving my fingers into her. I soaped up my hand and shoved a finger into her ass. She jumped and then said. “Okay Romeo, just work on the outside let the inside take care of itself.

She took the soap from me and worked me over real fast and then she went to work on my penis pulled the foreskin back and washed it better than I usually do. I felt it start to harden. She let it go and then gave it a little slap. “Rest now stupid, you’ll be needed later.”

She leaned over a grabbed a conditioner bottle and a big comb. “Ok Jeeves time to deal with the mop.” She smeared a liberal amount on the top of her head and then worked it down into her long tresses which reached below her waist. She handed me the comb. “Jimmy this will be quicker if you do it. Comb it out and try not to break too many. If the comb gets stuck work the hair apart and remove the tangle before you press on. When you get so the comb can pass through the full length we rinse and we’re done.”

So I did it and we were done. We got out. I took a towel and dried her off and she gathered her hair in front of her and patted it dry with the towel every once in a while running the comb through it. I went back to the laundry room. It smelled like a herd of camels fucked their brains out. There was slime on top of the dryer. I used the wet towels to mop up and threw them in the washer. I fished out my clothes from the dryer.

I made it back to the bedroom, she was standing there in cotton panties, a gold chain around her waist, diamond stud earrings, and a lime green wrist watch. She was weaving her amazing hair into a complex knot on top of her head. She finished and pushed a wooden peg into the leather strap that was part of the arrangement. For the ten inch tail leftover she took a lime green cloth strip tied it off near the complex knot, leaving two tails hanging down intermixed with her fluffy slightly wavy pony tail. She picked up her sports bra and stuck her arms through and pulled it down over her tits. She reached behind to pull her pony tail free of it in the back. “Help me out her Jimmy.” I stepped up and begin pulling the wrinkles out of it in the back and ran my hands around front to check for proper alignment. That got me a slap on the hand. “Offsides, step back 5 yards and get dressed you lush.”

I pulled on my boxers noting my junior partner was feeling frisky but I knew we needed to get moving so I tried to ignore him. Pulled on my Black Death and Roses concert tee shirt pulled up my khaki shorts. I sat down on the bed to put on my socks and looked up. Karrie had on a loose fitting, light pink top with dark red shorts and dark red tennis shoes with pink socks. My brain wedged, and my breathing stopped.

Karrie leaned over the dresser and was filling a small duffel with a change of clothes. She went to the closet, grabbed a few items, rolled them up on the hangers and stuffed them in the duffel. She turned to look at me and put her hands on her hips. My heart stopped. “Karrie, Luv u” I sounded like a baby, it’s all I could get out.

She looked at me, shook her head and came over to me and pinched my arm. I woke up and started pulling on my shoes, while I blushed bright red. She put her hand to the side of my face so I turned and kissed her palm. “Shoes on lover boy, tie them up. Let’s get this show on the road.” She walked out of the room. I finished my shoes and went over to the dresser recovered my wallet and my keys. All set. Karrie came back, stuffed two towels and a hand towel in the bag. She zipped it up and threw it at me. It woke me up I was getting wedged again looking at her. She turned to the mirror looked at her reflection shook her head, took off the lime green wrist watch, pulled out a red one from her jewelry box and put it on.

“Ready to rock Jimmy lets go.” She walked over to me and pushed me out the door. Good thing too, I was completely aphasic and almost paralyzed. She pinched my butt. That got me going. I couldn’t see her behind me so we made it out the door to the street and my car, a Tesla Model S. I saved for two years to pay for it, started before the company started advertising it. I just took delivery of a used one. I had it detailed and it looked better than new.

Karrie shook her head and got into the car. I tossed the duffel in the back and got ready to go. “Jimmy you’re a piece of work you know that?” Karrie said with a big smile on her face.

I nodded. “That’s right, ma’am. Just what me strut.” I goosed it up to 35 mph the feeling of power was too good for words.

Karrie was pushed back into the seat, but patted my hand. “Have fun dear, but don’t scare me and don’t kill us.”

I laughed, “Karrie, no matter what you might think about how much I’d risk you in this dream machine, can you imagine what it would mean if I got a scratch or even a dent in this rocket? I die of mortification. I barely have the nerve to drive it on the freeway, let alone recklessly.” I slowed down to thirty the speed limit in this housing area.

I ran up the ramp onto the freeway and made it to the exit where my digs were. I stopped in front of the high rise and handed Karrie out of the car. “Wait in the lobby Hun, I’ll go park the car. Be back in a flash with the stash.”

I drove into the parking structure and found my secret parking place. I got the super to arrange it for me so no cars were near my baby. Only cost me a fifth of Jack Daniels and a promise to help him with his taxes.

I made it to the lobby and found Jack and Jamey talking to Karrie. I got a big smile on my face and walked up. Jack saw me coming and elbowed Jamey. Karrie had her back to me. Jack called me over, “Jimmy come on dude, meet the beauty. She hasn’t told me what apartment, she’s in yet, but I’m hoping she’ll see through to my heart of gold and give me a break.”

I smiled at him, and figured I pull a rozzer on him. I walked up to her and Jack waved at her. “Jimmy meet Karen, she hasn’t had much time to tell me why a beautiful girl like her is hanging out in our lobby but here’s hoping she wanted to meet some really great guys. Jimmy qualifies, though I must say not many others in this building beside me, Jamey, and Jimmy will serve.”

I winked at Karrie and she smiled back. I reached out my hand. “Nice to meet you Karen. Don’t mind Jack, he’s just on overload. He can’t think straight around a beautiful woman. So are you moving in, moving out or just here to admire the scenery?”

She smiled, “Well, I’m kind of moving out, though you might say I’m moving in too depends on a few unresolved issues.”

Jamey spoke up, “Well, if you need help resolving them just let me know. What room are you in?”

Karrie smiled sweetly, “Well its 2342B I think.” I nodded slightly. “Yes 2342B that’s the one.”

I laughed and so did Karrie. “Damn straight you wolves. Meet Karrie my wife of 8 hours.”

Jamey and Jack both smiled. Jack spoke up, “I knew it was too good to be true. I guess congratulations are in order.” They bashed me on the back and then put their hand out to Karrie. She ignored their hands and hugged them both. They both were shocked, but cooperated.

Jamey smiled and looked at Jack, “Karrie if Jimmy can’t cut it just give the word we’ll rally around.”

Jack slapped me on the back. “Jimmy you sure know how to pick them. But seriously, Karen, you or Jimmy need anything you just give us a call. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “What’s your phone I text you our contacts, never know, I’m sure Jimmy hasn’t thought of sending them.”

I smiled. Jack spoke up. “I’m electrical, Jamey is mechanical, and Jimmy is theoretical. If it’s engineering we do it.”

Karrie laughed and looked at me, “These are your mysterious partners in crime then.”

I nodded. “Yep, these are they. Listen guys we got to blow. We’re headed for the Gym to do our dozens.”

Jack and Jamey smiled, “Thanks Jimmy, we promise to be good. We won’t tell about all the others no sir.” Jack said.

I smiled. Karrie looked a question to me and I shrugged. She smiled “What others?”

Jack zipped his lips. “No, no, I promised I can’t tell. Ask him.” He pointed at Jamey.

Jamey took a step back and raised his hands palms out. “Oh no you don’t, you remember the last time? I’m not getting tangled in your schemes. Jack you ass hole, it’s his wife not some…” Jamey looked at Karrie and couldn’t finish.

Jack nodded, “You’re right, sorry Jimmy. Karrie I was making it up, I pretty sure there aren’t any others… Mostly that is.”

Jamey groaned and bashed Jack on the shoulder. “Come on ass hole go get your stuff. We’ll meet you down here in ten Jimmy. God you're beautiful Karrie. You got a sister? Invite her over some time.”

Jamey turned away and grabbed Jacks collar and dragged him into the elevator. “See you in ten.” He punched two buttons and pushed Jack against the wall.

I was smiling as they left. Karrie looked at me. “Jimmy they’re absolutely the craziest pair I’ve ever met. Where did you find them?”

I looked into space. “I met them in college. I went to a party because of a bet I lost and found them fighting on the grass in front of the building. They were both drunk and missing more often than connecting as they fought so I thought I’d pull them apart. I grabbed one of them Jack I think and threw him across the grass he landed better than I’ve seen most people land sober. I tried to help Jamey up, but he staggered and then fell. I leaned down and he grabbed my arm pulled me down on the grass rolled me over and got a hammerlock on me. It was a good one and he knew what he was doing so I relaxed. Jack came back and Jamey asked him if he was OK. They asked me who I was, I told them and they knew about me. Jamey let me up, we sat and talked on the grass. They said they were looking for another for the company they had started and that they needed a theoretician as they were weak in that area. I said maybe and they said OK. They took me back to the party. We got in a lot of trouble, but it all worked out in the end. I signed up with them. Never regretted it.” I looked at Karrie and smiled and waved toward the elevator. “After you my love.”

Karrie walked to the elevator and I had a good time watching her ass. She walked into the car and punched 23 and I followed. The door shut and she swarmed up to me and gave me a sexy wet kiss.

I smiled at her, “Yes, it took me a while to realize it but yes. They are two of the best human beings I’ve ever met.”

Karrie nodded and stepped back so she wasn’t touching me, but I could feel the heat from her body in my arms. She took hold of my hands. “I thought so they seem really nice.”

The elevator door opened, a couple walks in and Karrie let go of my hands. I smiled at them. “Karen this is Steve and Emily.” We shook hands all around. “Hey, where is Steve junior? I haven’t seen him for a while.”

Steve looked at Emily and smiled. Then he looked back at me. “We left him at the grans. It’s our anniversary the grans are giving us a day off as a gift.”

I smiled and looked at Karrie. “Well, it’s a small world, it’s ours too.”

Emily looked at Karrie, “Jimmy I didn’t know you were married. Where have you been hiding her? Jesus Jimmy I thought you were married to the other two Jays.”

I smiled, “Well, it’s our zeroth anniversary, we’ve been married,” I looked at my watch, “Eight hours and twenty two minutes.”

Emily got a big grin and Steve slapped me on the back. Emily hugged Karrie. “You’re not going to live here surely? Your apartment is the size of a closet.” Emily looked at Karrie from top to bottom and smiled.

Steve looked at Emily and then she smiled at him. Steve leaned close to me and whispered. “Jimmy I know that look. I hope you’re ready.”

My chin dropped. I looked at Emily and she smiled and nodded. I looked at Karrie and she looked at me with question marks.

Emily looked smug. “Hey, it doesn’t spoil it just makes it happen sooner.”

Steve shook his head. “Karrie, Emmy has this thing she can tell when a couple is pregnant. She’s never missed. She knew hours after we did it. I don’t know how she does it, but she’s always right.”

Karrie looked at Emily and Emily nodded. “Karrie it happening I see it.” Emily nodded again.

Karrie looked at me and her chin started to shake. The elevator door opened and Steve blocked it. “This is your floor folks.”

I stood there like an idiot with my mouth catching flies. Steve looked at me then looked at Karrie and groaned. “Emmy, help me get them to their apartment.” Steve pushed me out the door and down the hall. Emmy hugged Karrie and took her hand and led her down the hall.

I stood by my door Steve grabbed my hand and palmed the lock with it. The door opened into the wall. “In Jimmy”, he pushed me in and sat me on the bed. Emily led Karrie in and sat her next to me. Steve slapped me on the back. “Snap out of it Jimmy; say something.”

I looked at Karrie and smiled and got a wicked idea. “Damn, I was hoping it would take weeks to do it.”

I looked at Karrie, “Well, now that we are sure there’s no point in making a big effort is there? We can relax and just maybe once a week, what do you think?” I tried to keep a straight face.

Emily looked shocked and then glanced at Steve and then she caught it and smiled.

It took a bit for Karrie to understand what I just said. “Oh no you don’t. I expect full measure you’re not going to get off that easily. The pregnancy test won’t work for almost two weeks and you are…” She stopped, blushed and looked at Emily. We all started laughing.

I took her hand. “You got your wish honey.” I kissed her and Emily hugged Steve. I looked at Steve. “Steve, can you and Emmy come to our anniversary party at Aloma’s? Seven sounds good?” I pulled out my phone and started dialing. “The Jays will be there I’m sure.”

So I nodded I spoke into the phone. “That’s right party of eight, seven PM, Jay’s anniversary party.”

Steve took Emily’s hand and waved as they left the room. The door snapped shut. I opened my dresser and Karrie went to my closet. She pulled out some black slacks and a white shirt. She found my dress shoes and put them next to the clothes on the bed. I found my sweatshirt, sweat shorts and jock strap threw them on the bed and went to the shelves to find a clean towel. “Shit” no towels.

Karrie went to the bathroom nook, these one room apartments had a low privacy screen near the toilet, and an open shower with a rail for the shower curtain. Next to the toilet was a medicine cabinet. She opened it up found my deodorant and tossed it on the bed on my sweat pants. She opened a few drawers, found a trash bag and started dumping the contents of my dresser into it. “Hey be careful, some of those are clean.”

Karrie just snorted. “Sure Hun. We’ll wash them again for luck.” She went to my closet again and selected three shirts and two pairs of slacks and tossed them into the bag with the dresser contents. She tied the top of the bag and threw it back in the closet. “We take these tomorrow.” I found my duffel bag and she took it from me and started stuffing my change of clothes into the bag. “Jimmy, put your Gym clothes on honey. Where’s your towel?”

I grabbed a couple of hand towels. “No clean ones left. The cleanest one is not fit for public display sorry.”

I looked at her, “You’re going to wear that to exercise in? Fuck, I’m not going to be able to see straight. I’ve got a sweat shirt you can wear that as a dress. Then maybe…” I looked at her, she was tapping her foot her with hands on her hips. I blushed. “Not going to happen, right?”

Karrie nodded. “Jimmy, think. Have you ever seen a woman at your gym dressed in a sack?”

Karrie laughed. “I rest my case lover boy, let’s get going the Jays are waiting.” She grabbed my duffel and palmed the door open and walked out. I stripped off my clothes pulled on my jock, sweats and made it out the door. Karrie was waiting at the elevator.

I made it to her and she looked at me my sweatshirt was cut off below my pecks because I’d cook otherwise. My sweat shorts were tight because it made it easier to concentrate on the muscle groups if you could see them. They had to be tight to keep junior contained. There were ladies all over the gym.

Karrie laughed when she saw me. “Jimmy you need to get junior under control or the Jays are going to make you rue the day honey.”

I looked at my crotch shit she’s right. “Fuck, what can I do, you’re just too cute. I can’t get him down.”

Karrie laughed, “Okay, now what’s going to happen when she sees you like that?”

I felt junior soften a bit. “She’ll pull off my penis and beat me to death with the bloody thing.”

Karrie laughed and the door opened to the elevator. She pushed me into the elevator against the wall. “That's right. Or she’ll just kick you in the crotch and you’ll have to pack junior in ice. Think of the cold.”

I was almost back to normal I started to turn. “No you don’t. Stay facing the wall keep thinking thoughts of Martha, cold showers and ice packs.” The elevator door opened. “Okay Jimmy one step back from the wall close your eyes and turn around.” I did as instructed and felt Karrie walk behind me. “Okay Jimmy go get the car.” She pushed me out the door and I walked off.

Karrie walked up to Jamey and Jack carrying the duffel bag. Jamey walked up to her. “What the fuck. Give me that. Women are not allowed to carry shit around me. What’s wrong with Jimmy I thought I’d trained him right.” Jamey snatched the duffel from her and Karrie laughed. She sized them up they weren’t in as good of shape as Jimmy nor as big but they looked good.

Jack look at Jamey and shrugged. “Stick to the truth and don’t embellish it and you can tell her.”

Jamey sighed. “Yes, you’re right. Well, it’s like this Jimmy was a bit of a virgin when we met him in college.”

Karrie shook her head. “A bit of a virgin? What do you mean he was or he wasn’t?”

Jamey nodded. “Well, we quizzed him big time and he just wouldn’t come clean. I think he was protecting the girl that got his cherry. Jack thinks he was a virgin. Jimmy had this big problem when we met him. First off, he didn’t know how to talk to a girl without stumbling around and making a fool of himself. Second, he had no manners, he’d let the girls open doors, carry shit, even wouldn’t punch out a guy’s lights when he’d insult a woman. Also, he had this nobility streak a mile wide. Now that’s a good thing most of the time dealing with women except when it got in the way of them having their way with him. He couldn’t give them what they wanted because he thought it somehow demeaned them. So here’s the deal he was horny as hell, but a total disaster. We’d take him along with us when we went out because he was a total chick magnet. The chicks would gather around and he’d be absolutely tongue tied and sit there like a log. Jack and I would give them sympathy and usually they’d… Fuck.”

Jack looked at him. “Jamey it will still work. Karrie will help, you’ll see. Right Karrie?”

Jack smiled at her. “Jamey is worried we won’t be able to use the magic anymore.”

Karrie laughed, “Let me get this straight. You took Jimmy out pub crawling with you and he’d pull in the chicks and you’d sweep them off their feet. Didn’t he take advantage, dip in, as it were?”

Jamey snorted, “No remember the nobility? Well, he was charming, polite, he’d give us rave reviews and practically push them into our arms. It was kind of disgusting actually. Some girls wouldn’t take no for an answer. He even got slapped a few times. I don’t think many ever got in his pants. He didn’t want to get married, so he couldn’t play with their emotions like that. He once told me he was worried that they’d fall for him in spite of their assurances and he’d hurt them. One thing about Jimmy he could never hurt a woman that way. Some of the girls asked about him and we’d try to explain, but it’s like he’s from another planet. Once in a while a girl would understand, try to make friends and then they’d drift away.”

Karrie looked at them. “But Jack, Jamey you’re pretty good looking surely you did fine alone.”

Jack smiled. Jamey shook his head. “This from the woman that caught him. Karrie Jack and I kept score one quarter. By ourselves, one in eight. The two of us together, fifty-fifty one of us would score. One in four both of us would score. With Jimmy it was around ninety percent both of us would score. Always one of us would score.”

Jamey looked at Karrie. “Listen Karrie, don’t tell him we told you this I’m not sure how he’ll react.”

Jack looked her up and down. “Karrie if you don’t want to tell me just tell me to fuck off. You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

Jack looked at her again. “I saw his face when he left to get the car. I think I saw Emily and Steve. You met them, didn’t you?”

Jack looked at Jamey. “See Jamey Emily told her. Karrie when we met you and Jimmy walked in I was sure there was something big different about him. When he dropped the bomb on us about being married that covered the difference. When he came out of the elevator, he was almost glowing, I’ve never seen him so happy. I look at you and I don’t know you very well, but I feel the same glow.”

Jamey chimed in. “Karrie, Emily is absolutely accurate. Everybody in the building knows it. Every woman trying to get pregnant consults her. Every woman trying to avoid motherhood consults her. You never bet against Emily. You might as well throw your money in the sewer. I look at you and I know you believe her too.”

They heard a horn beep and Jack and Jamey grabbed the duffels and started out the door.

Karrie stopped them with a hand on their shoulders. “Guys, I need your help. Jimmy has a problem, he looks at me and junior reacts. Help me out and keep his mind on safe ground OK? No jokes about being married, fucking our brains out or being pregnant. Talk to him about Martha that seems to do the trick.”

Jamey nodded agreement, “Martha could bust the balls of god; she’s a bitch from hell.”

Jack spoke up, “I’ll take shot gun you can sit in the back where he can’t see you.”

Jack shook his head, “No dude, you had Kathleen last night, not much chance of you getting embarrassed and Karrie won’t be driving you up the wall. I went solo last night and I don’t want Martha busting my balls. Karrie is one hot potato. Begging your pardon ma’am.”

Jamey escorted Karrie to the seat behind the driver and handed her in and went around to the passenger side seat hand stepped in. Jack handed him the duffels. Jack got in next to me.

I tried to look around to Karrie. As I turned in my seat I spoke up, “Hey, what’s going on?”

Karrie spoke up, “Sorry Jimmy it just this once. We’ll work it out somehow.”

Jack turned in his seat. “I don’t think so. I’ve never seen a woman look at her with interest, and I’ve never seen her look at a woman. I’ve seen her look at men she doesn’t know… I get chills just thinking about it.”

I nodded as I drove. “Oh yes I do. It’s like a predator sizing up its prey. She looked at me like that once, but didn’t do anything. I guess I didn’t measure up.”

Jamey shook his head, “Karrie trust me, by all that’s holy; we are telling the truth.”

We got to the gym and I parked the car in the corner of the lot away from the others. Jamey mumbled under his breath, “Fucking car.”

I laughed, “Hey, we’re here to get some exercise a little walk is a good warm up dudes.”

I walked fast trying to keep my mind off Karrie. I was starting to get some control, but it was tenuous. We walked into the lobby through the big double door. I walked in a bit and yelled, “Hey Martha are you here? Come out front.”

I heard her call back. “Be right with you Jimmy.” Her strong alto voice gave me shivers. I felt stupid and silly, she’s just a woman and a nice person; she’s not the antichrist. She came walking up the stairs, her hard body didn’t jostle or jiggle her good size breasts were held tight against her chest by her sports bra and didn’t bounce. She wore short shorts and a sweatshirt cut below her breasts. We were dressed the same, I’m taller, but she looked stronger. What you could see of her body was muscled and totally without fat. You could see the blood vessels below her skin in some places. Her waist is narrow, and her hips we only slightly broad because her legs were spaced wider than a man’s. I looked at her and thought she could break me in half on a whim.

She looked at me and smiled. “Looking good Jimmy, good fashion sense, we match. Still a little fat, but that’s what a desk job will do to you. High fives Jays, still chasing tail I’ll bet.” She looked at Karrie and smiled broadly, then got an uncertain expression looked at me, look at Karrie. “Well god damn me to hell I don’t believe it. Jimmy, introduce me.” Karrie walked up and took my hand. I smiled down at her and looked at Martha, she was shaking her head in disbelief. “Marty, this is Karen, my wife.”

She stuck out her hand to Karrie and shook it. “Nice to meet you Karen, Karrie I’ll bet I know how his mind ticks. Damn, I’d never believe it, if you hadn’t introduced us.” She turned to me and hugged me and pounded me on the back. “Jimmy I'm proud of you. I never thought you’d find someone that would get through your thick skin.” She looked at me and the Jays and said, “You boys run along I take her into the woman’s jakes and show her the ropes.” We walked off to our routines.

Marty grinned back at her. “I see the boys have fed you a line of crap about me. Listen honey, I’m not the antichrist, I’m not a lesbian, and I want to be your friend. Anybody that could land Jimmy has to be worth knowing.” Marty wrapped her arm around Karrie and squeezed her slightly. “Come on, I show you the women’s locker room and we can talk about what kind of exercise program you want.”

Marty led her through a door to the right. “I don’t label the doors, I just tell them when I interview them. I tell them I’m the boss. This is my club. I’m right; so women are on the right, men on the left. Get it wrong twice and your membership will be revoked. Nobody forgets.”

Karrie laughed. “I like it. Do I need to sign something, pay something to use your club?”

Marty sat on a bench in front of the lockers. “Sit Hun. We need to talk. Karrie as Jimmy’s wife you get in for free. As long as you don’t do anything stupid I don’t need you to sign a release. Jimmy has a lifetime membership and he insists on paying me even though I told him he could come for free. I even offered to pay him if he’d come more often. Jimmy is a women magnet, asks the Jays they confirm it. When Jimmy’s in the club female attendance doubles. I can’t explain it and I swear to god Jimmy doesn’t realize it. It’s part of his charm. If I could figure out what it is that he does and market it, I’d be a billionaire. When he watches the dance class they dance harder and better. If a woman brings her baby to the club, she shows it to Jimmy. If a baby gets loose it crawls to Jimmy. Even some guys are affected by it. When Jimmy pumps iron, every male in the club tries harder. I’ve asked him to teach classes. He won’t do it, he’s says he’s not qualified.” Marty stared off into space. “You know I considered marrying him, but I couldn’t bring myself to try. He’s not my type; I love him like a brother. Also, I’m not his type; I probably would never have got to first base with him.”

Marty nodded, “Yes, I know. It’s the way I’m built and my personality. There’s something in a male that recognizes my dominance. Most men don’t want that. Most men that do, I don’t want. I… listen I don’t want to saddle you with my problems. Let just say it takes a strong man not afraid to take what he wants to make my toes curl. Jimmy’s one of the nicest, best men I know you’re very lucky, but sorry honey, he leaves me cold. So no need to worry about competition from me, if that matters to you. I mean what I say when I said I want to be your friend.”

Marty patted her on the back. “Ok honey, so back to the interview. What do you want out of an exercise program, how can I help you?”

Karrie shook her head, “I don’t know how to explain. I’m eight years older than Jimmy and I feel like I’m fat. I might be weak, I can’t tell cause I’ve always been this way.”

Marty looked at her. “Stand up, take off your blouse and shorts let me see you. Don’t be embarrassed. Think of me as a doctor with a better than average body.”

Karrie laughed and stripped off her blouse and shorts. She started to take off her sports bra, but Marty touched her arm. “No Hun leave it be. If you don’t mind, I need to touch you a few places.” Marty ran her hands over her body, feeling her muscles and pinching her skin a few places. “Come over to the scale Hun.” She walked over to the scale and Marty weighed her and pulled up the measuring rod. “Stand up straight Hun, throw back your shoulders, stick out your tits and imagine you can touch the ceiling with the top of your head. Good, that’s it.” She measured her height and measured her arms and legs. “Hum, well. Let’s see. Come over here, okay bend your arm, okay now pull me to you as ward as you can.” Marty gripped her wrist. “Okay, now the other hand.” She tried again. “Okay, now I want you to jump straight up as high as you can.”

Karrie tried it. Marty smiled, “Try a bit harder Hun. Try to touch the ceiling.” Karrie jumped and threw her hands up, landed and staggered. Marty reached out and steadied her. “Okay Hun put your shorts and blouse back on, wouldn’t want the boys getting any ideas.” Marty laughed and waved her hand at the bench, “Sit Hun. Okay, how old are you?”

Marty laughed. “Go ahead and lie most women do it doesn’t really matter much.”

Marty laughed, “You don’t remember telling me, you’re eight years older than Jimmy. I asked because it tells me something about how you feel about your body. Okay Hun, here’s my professional opinion. For you size, shape, age and training level, you are in the top ninety percent of your group. You could lose ten pounds, but I don’t recommend it.”

Marty smiled, “Hun I’ve known Jimmy for five years. I saw him look at you when he introduced you, and you looked at him. If you’re not already pregnant, I’m betting you’re working on it though it seems to me you’ve already run the ball. I’m willing to bet you’ve met Emily and you know for sure.”

Marty laughed, “No, but a lot of people do. I’ll bet the Jays saw it right away after looking at Jimmy. Hun I have Emily read all my female clients, especially the ones that ask me to design a diet for them. I won’t allow a pregnant woman to go on a deep diet. If they listen to me they get weighed every time they show up and I give them hell if they don’t gain the right amount each week. The really fat ones I let them loose maybe one percent of their body fat in the first trimester, but after that no way. Of course the fat ones usually can’t diet worth shit anyway.”

Karrie looked at Marty and started to ask, but then shook her head. Marty smiled, “I know that look. Hun, I can’t get pregnant like this. My periods are irregular and I often skip. I’ll have to gain back at least twenty percent of my lean body weight to do it.”

Marty sighed, “It might be nobody knows. I’m just a reformed anorexic dear. I keep my muscle mass up so I don’t die from a heart attack. My boy friends like me like this they say it gives me staying power.” Marty patted her arm.

Marty nodded, “Yup. I’ve got three. Nice guys out of bed. Hell between the sheets. It takes all I’ve got to keep up with them. Anyway, I recommend you come with me to the dance class. We jump around, and get a little winded. It will do you good and get you started. You can watch or you can join in. Stay out of the pool the chlorine will do bad things to you.”

I sat down on the bench press and loaded up two hundred kilos and started warming up. Jim and Jack spotted for me. As I pushed I thought about Karrie. I stopped for a breather. “You think she’s Ok?”

Jack slapped me on my ABS, “Jimmy you know Marty’s a pussy cat with women. She’s fine. Now come on dude pay attention to what you’re doing.” Jamey slipped another twenty kilos on the bars while I was talking. I grabbed the bar and the Jays lowered it to me. One two three, into the rack. Jamey snuck another eighty kilos on the bar and I didn’t notice. The Jays lowered the bar to me and I did one, then two and then I grunted and pushed and got it up The Jays grabbed the bar and dropped it in the rack. “Fuck, how much was that, assholes, what are you trying to pull.” I sat up a bunch of guys were clapping, some were shaking their heads. I looked at the bar, fuck three hundred kilos. I have never broken six hundred pounds before. The Jays had big smiles, “Jimmy you are the man bro that was fucking awesome.”

I heard the music start up for the dance class and took a glance over at the window. I stood up I thought I saw Karrie. So I made a move in that direction.

Jamey spoke up, “Jack head him off dude; we’ll be here all day if he starts watching.”

Jack grabbed my arm and spun me. “Crunches Jimmy time for crunches.” He pulled me over to the hand weight rack. I picked out a fifty pound bar and set it down. I started to sit on the mat and Jamey tripped over the bar and picked it up and put it back. I lifted my arms up they ached a bit from the press, but no big deal I grabbed the bar while Jack sat on my feet. I did ten, caught my breath, and then did ten more slowly, my gut and chest were burning on the last two. Jack was smiling again like he ate my canary or something. I sat up and looked at the bar. Seventy five pounds the assholes switch bars on me. “What’s going on? I’m going to be hurting for days.”

Jamey slapped me on the back, “No pain, no gain Jimmy, you know the rules.” I nodded, this was how we did it tricks and goads to make gains. If you know the weight you can’t always lift it. I thought about Karrie again and looked toward the dance window.

Jack shook his head, “No, I think sticks; let’s do sticks. Harder to see you know, and think about…”

I had to laugh, “Okay, Okay, I get it, I’ll be good, but one peek please dudes?”

Jamey pushed me toward the room next to the dance room. “Jimmy no way. One peek and it will take us twenty minutes to get you back in focus. We’ll do sticks and then you can peek all you want.”

By sticks they meant Jo and Bo sticks we got from the Aikido Dojo we belonged to. We had a routine, we worked on using Bo sticks, wooden swords about one meter long, and Jo sticks about one point four meters long. The Jays picked up a Jo stick each which left the Bo sticks for me. I walked to the middle of the mat. The trick here is we you can hit the sticks as hard as you like, but you can’t hit the man, you can touch him, a light tap. We don’t have armor so we have to be careful.

The Jays held the Jo sticks in a double handed grip, I held the Bo sticks one in each hand. We warmed up with tapping tips. We execute a figure eight pattern tapping swords as we passed speeding up and spinning around. Marty says it looks like an elaborate dance. It’s actually quite strenuous to keep from hitting each other. So we did that for about ten minutes. A small audience in the weight room and a few of the dancers were watching as we did it.

We stopped and bowed to each other, breathing hard. Jack said, “Look to your loins Sith scum, the Jedi are here to end your misbegotten existence.”

This was the show part of the exercise. A free form battle where we hit our sticks together and only touch when we get through our guard. I stood in the middle and gave my crazy Sith Master Laugh, “Come and meet your doom Jedi worms, you haven’t a prayer against a Sith master.” The Jays came at me and I started blocking furiously making loud sounds as our swords hit. This part of the deal was fast and complex. The audience usually loved this part. I bashed the Jo stick out of Jacks hand and he scrambled to recover it. Jamey bashed one of my Bo sticks away and I dropped the other and slapped my palms together as he struck at me and trapped his Jo stick. I twisted it out of his hands and threw it aside. Then I rolled and recovered my two Bo sticks. The Jays stood to the side and conferred, “Gambit 24 I think brother.” They nodded.

I gave my evil laugh again, “Gambit 24 Jedi worms? I learned that move as a grub. You think you have a chance with your Jedi tricks? Come and meet your doom insects.” I had no idea what they meant by Gambit 24 of course. The Jays had a code which I’ve never cracked. They separated and stood ready on opposite sides of me, I turned so my left sword was directed to Jack and my right sword was directed to Jamey. Jack spoke up, “On five my brother, one, two, three…” They attacked on three, I expected that never trust a Jedi. Jack dove and rolled to my back to make a slash at my legs, Jamey did a front flip to my front to make a slash at my neck. I dove under Jamey and tripped him as he landed pushing him onto his back. I rolled onto my back and slapped my Bo onto Jamey’ chest and then started blocking all Jacks cuts as I lay on the floor. He took a step closer to me, bad move I kicked his feet out from under him. He fell and I tapped his neck. They lay still being dead, so I jumped up and stood with my Bo sticks pointing down and away from my body. “Die and feed the maggots Jedi pups. Your teachers failed you. The force is not in you. I have…” I froze and fell back like a cardboard cutout rigid on my back, the Sith master always dies at the end. Jack and Jamey jumped up. Jamey saluted Jack with his Jo stick, “Gambit 24 brother it never fails.” They walked over to me and grabbed my shirt on each side and drug my body from the field of honor. I jumped up and we all turned to the audience and bowed. It was pretty substantial now. A lot of clapping a few cheers.

I looked into the dance room and saw Marty smiling and clapping. She liked it when we did our practice it kept people interested. I looked to my left and there was Karrie her hair had mostly escaped her clasp on the top of her head she looked amazing. I walked to the window, put my hand on it and she touched her hand on the other side, I mouthed I love you. She nodded and mouthed ditto. I started walking to the door and Jack grabbed me. I handed him my Bo sticks.

I went to Karrie, kissed her quickly and stood back holding her hands. Marty didn’t like touching she runs a high class family club not a meat market.

Jamey went over to Marty and Jack tagged along. “Marty, I think you got a bed in your office right?”

Jamey shook his head. “Come on Marty look at them. We’ll never get them out of here like that. Have a heart. I’ve got to think that bed is not a virgin, Brutus and Brain Case have surely trapped you there a few times.”

Jamey jaw dropped. “Fuck Jack look at that she blushed. The antichrist blushed. Come on Marty we need to get them off the floor before they start a scandal.”

I was swinging Karrie’s hands back and forth just staring at her blind to the rest of the world, in front of the entrance to the locker rooms.

Jack went over to Marty and started to hug her, but she glared him back. “Jamey you’re such an asshole apologize right now.”

Jamey bashed his head, got down on his knees and crab walked to her. “Martha, I respectfully request you forgive me for accusing you of blushing. God knows the antichrist can’t blush.”

Marty laughed and lifted her foot and pushed him over. “Okay, you get your wish round up the children and herd them into my office. I’ll meet you in my waiting room.”

Jack whispered, “Marty I don’t think you’re the antichrist, don’t listen to him he’s an asshole.”

Marty patted Jack on the cheek. “You be good, boy, or I show you the antichrist.”

Jamey went over to me and Karrie. “Come on you two Marty wants to see you in her office.”

I followed Jamey holding Karrie’s hand. We made it to the back and into Marty’s waiting room. Marty and Jack were there. Marty looked at us and sighed. She pushed us toward her office. “Go, you’ve got a half hour we’ll guard the door.” She pushed me through the door and closed it. Karrie looked around and spied the bed and laughed. “So lover boy want to fuck me in Marty’s bed. Shit, I feel like a randy teenager.”

I stepped over to her and started unbuttoning her blouse, she worked on her shorts and then pushed me away, “Come on stud get naked.” I pulled off my half sweatshirt and pulled down my shorts. Karrie bent down as she stepped out of her shorts she gave me a look and turned around and put her hands on the desk and spread her legs.

Marty laughed. “Jimmy probably didn’t catch on but Karrie knows how to get her bread buttered, you can bet your ass.”

Marty jumped in front of the door and put her hands on her hips. “Back off asshole. They get their half hour.” A loud groan came from the office. Marty blushed again but smiled, “See I told you Karrie knows what’s what.”

Jack was staring at Marty he stood up from the chair he was sitting in. “Jamey, close the door, lock it and stand facing the door.”

Jamey jaw dropped, but he did as he was told. Jack looked at Marty. “Marty I want to fuck you. I’ve always wanted to.”

Jamey spoke up, “Shit, Jack, I can’t believe you’re saying that. Marty, he’s just horny he’s not thinking straight.”

Marty stared at Jack while Jack returned the favor. They both said, “Mind your own business Jamey.”

Jamey shook his head. “Okay, I’ll just put my fingers in my ears, just keep the screams to a minimum.” Jamey put his fingers in his ears.

Jack nodded. “Yea, I’m thinking I’ve been missing out on a real woman, someone that can take it and dish it out.”

Jack looked crestfallen, “Why not? Shit Marty you got it all, I can almost shoot just looking at you.”

Jack turned away and then it hit him, he turned back and grabbed her. “God damn you woman, I am going to fuck you. I’m not taking this regret to my grave.”

Marty smiled a wicked smile threw her arms around his neck. “That’s the ticket Jack. Fuck my brains out.” Marty pulled down his shorts while Jack pulled down hers. He picked her up and pushed her against the office door and thrust into her. She wrapped her legs around him and started humping him while he banged away.

Jack pulled his mouth away from hers. “Fuck Marty I knew you’d be fantastic. You are fucking awesome.”

Marty dug her fingernails into his back. “Fuck me Jack. Come on, split me in two. Don’t hold back. Give it to me. God damn you’re big. Give it all to me.”

Jack pulled back from the door and began bouncing her down while he banged up in her. Marty started pounding on his back. “Jack, I’m going to fucking cum, god damn you. Where have you been all my life?” She grabbed his neck and arched her back. Her toes curled as she screamed.

Jack made a couple of more thrusts then his butt clenched and he moaned as he shot his load into her. He staggered over to the table, leaned down, dropped her a couple of inches onto the table and popped out of her. He groaned again and shot a load on her stomach and then staggered and almost fell on top of her. He put his hands down to steady himself and then began licking cum off her, working his way down to her pussy.

Marty pulled his head tight against her. “Oh god, Jack, eat me.” She arched her back and her toes curled again and she groaned. Jack kept at it. She slapped her hands down on the table and arched, raising her butt off the table while she pounded her fists on the table. “Shit I’m going to fucking pass out I can’t believe it.” She arched her back again and tensed all over and then she passed out and fell back limp on the table.

Jack kept eating her and then he realized she was out. He pulled up a chair, sat, and laid his head on her ABS and sighed. “What a woman.”

Jamey tentatively pulled his fingers out of his ears. He looked around and saw the table. “Fucking shit he did it. I think I’m going to puke.” He turned the knob on the door, opened it and then locked it, ran out slamming it shut behind him.

Marty woke up and looked at Jacks head on her ABS and took a deep breath. Jack looked up and smiled at her. She grabbed his hair hand pulled him up. He had to stand as she dragged him up to her, he fell on top of her and she kissed him savagely. “Thanks Jack.”

Jack blushed, and returned the kiss also roughly. “Marty, come to Jimmy’s anniversary dinner with me. It’s at Aloma’s at seven.”

Marty shoved him off her. “About time you grew up. I’ll be there.” She recovered her shorts and was putting them back on while Jack was putting his back on.

I opened the door and saw them and my jaw dropped. I looked at Karrie and she had a wicked smile on her face. “Everything in order Marty?” Karrie said.

Marty smiled and finished pulling up her shorts, “Perfectly in order, right Jack.”

Jack stood up straight and looked at Marty. “Everything is in perfect order and right where it belongs.”

Marty stepped over to Jack and grabbed his hair pulled him down and kissed him. “Several millions are right where you put them.” She laughed and let him go. Jack blushed, but stood his ground.

I looked at Jack and then Marty. I closed my mouth. “Marty, can you come to Karrie and my anniversary party?”

I looked at Jack and he threw out his chest and looked proud. “Through with skirts Jack?”

Jack looked at Marty. “Everybody grows up eventually Jimmy. You just beat me to the punch.”

Jack looked worried, “You think so? God, but think of what he missed.” He looked at Karrie. “Well, it worked out well anyway.”

Jack looked embarrassed. “He couldn’t take it and bailed out on door duty.”

Jack looked pissed. “God damn it woman, can’t you meet me half way? I don’t want you as a slave.”

Marty nodded. “Good, you go. I’ll meet you at Aloma’s at seven. I’ve got too much to do here.” Marty turned to leave.

Jack spoke up. “Hold it Marty.” She stopped and Jack grabbed her and kissed her hard. “Okay, you can go.”

I looked at Jack, he looked a little embarrassed but happy. “Jack, you blasted my man?” I asked.

I laughed, “Join the club.” I took Karrie’s hand. “So let’s find Jamey and do damage control. Then we can go do the demo with the Sensei.”

I tried to keep a straight face. Jack laughed again. “Karrie, Jimmy’s demoing you to the Sensei. He loves you and wants the Sensei to meet you.”

I laughed and Jack joined in, “Hey, we are the Jays. J, J and J, engineering and insanity are our trade and trade mark.” We said it together.

Karrie grabbed my arm kissed me on the cheek. We made it out of Marty’s waiting room and went trolling for Jamey. I looked at Jack. “How bad is it Jack where do you think he is?”

Jack looked at me, “Karrie, it’s not going to be pretty, but I think it well help if you’re there. If you think of something that will help speak right up. You’ve got good judgment and you’ll have a different perspective on his problem.”

Jack stopped and looked at me. I thought for a moment, “Karrie his problem is twofold, one is he can’t imagine Marty as a lover, the other is he’s having trouble with Jack making that kind of commitment. You can’t have Marty that way without going in with both feet.”

Jack nodded. “That’s it, but he’s also hurting because he thinks I’ve abandoned him. I’m no longer his buddy who chases skirts with him. While it’s true, he needs to grow up some and understand that I’ve moved on to better things. At least I hope it works out that way.”

Jack spread his hands out, “About what I want? No. About understanding what makes her tick? Yes. I understand now she wants me to be a man and take what I want from her. The problem for me is I don’t ever want to hurt her. It’s going to be difficult to work this, but I’m sure as hell going to give it my best shot.”

We made it to the punching bag, and Jamey was there practicing his roundhouse kicks, covered in sweat. I pulled Karrie up. “Let Jack start it, Hun.”

Jack shook his head, “Jamey, bull shit. Talk to me man. We can work it out.”

Jamey stopped and looked at him, “What in the world were you thinking fucking Marty? Are you out of your mind?”

Jack smiled, “She might but I doubt it. Jamey I’m going to marry her if I can wangle it.”

Jack smiled broader, “That’s between me and her, but I don’t think they’ll be a problem.”

Jamey sat down on the mat. “Why not? They’re going to come gunning for you.”

Jack shook his head. “Jamey they don’t care about me they only want Marty for her body. I want more.”

Jack smiled, “Not the way you’re thinking. She wouldn’t have me that way. She hates slaves. But in a sense she owns me already.”

Jack sat down, looked at Jamey and put his hand on his shoulder. “Jamey, look at me. I’m her equal, I’m her master, and I’m her slave. I’m all three.”

Jack smiled, lowered his hand and got an introspective look, “I’m her equal because I tell her what I think and she listens. I’m her master because I take what a want from her and she gives it because I want it. I’m her slave because I love her.”

Jack nodded. “You don’t have to understand the why of it, you just have to understand that it’s true.”

Jack nodded again, “The way I love her? I don’t think so, not yet. She is considering the possibility and wants me to sell the idea to her. She loves me as a friend, and believe it or not she loves you as a friend.”

Jamey nodded, “Yes, I know she’s my friend. She scares the piss out of me, but she’s still my friend.”

Jamey shook his head, “No, it’s not that, I think you and Jimmy are stronger than her but you don’t scare me like she does.”

Jack nodded, “Jamey let me tell you what used to scare me about her. She scared me because through her I could see what true strength means. I looked at her and knew she expected so much of me and wanted me to be the best I could be. I was afraid to accept the responsibility.”

Jack punched him lightly on the shoulder, “Any way you think about it. But for now man, I want to have you back. I don’t want this to drive a wedge between us. Yes, I’ve changed, hopefully for the better. But I still want to be part of J, J, and J.” Jack stood up and held his hand out to him.

Jamey took his hand and Jack pulled him up. Jack hugged him and slapped him on the back.

I looked at Karrie and saw tears were running down her cheeks. I felt it too. Karrie went over to Jack and kissed him on the lips and hugged him tight. Jack looked surprised and rubbed her back. “Karrie don’t be silly now. Don’t cry.”

She stepped back and wiped her face, “You’re right, I’m silly but I’m just a girl.”

Jack looked pissed, “Karrie, you are a certified card carrying woman, only a woman could have landed Jimmy. You’re also a girl, but there’s no just about it. Marty is too you know.”

Karrie nodded, “I know.” I walked over to Karrie and took her hand. I looked at Jamey, “So Jamey coming with us to the Dojo for the demo?”

Karrie snorted, “I feel like a thoroughbred mare. Is he going to check my teeth?”

I tweaked Karrie’s nose. “Let’s go we can come back here and change before we go to the restaurant.”

Karrie reached up to the top of her head and released the rest of her hair and then untied the ribbon and retied her hair into a long pony tail that extended below her waist. “I suppose he might ask you to practice a bit, so OK, but I look like a hag.”

Karrie grabbed her ponytail and whipped me with it. “You’re not objective, Jack, what do you think?”

Jack took a step back and held up his hands, “Oh no, no, no, I’m not stepping into that. You look absolutely fantastic, Jimmy is dead nuts on center no question about it.”

We made it to the car and I drove to the Dojo. I took a big duffel out of the trunk it contained our uniforms and tossed it to Jack. We entered the Dojo. We bowed to the Sensei’s picture and we sat down on the edge of the practice floor. There were two students training with an instructor helping them. The Sensei was watching from the side. The Sensei stood and came over to us. We all stood up and bowed Karrie tried to imitate us. The Sensei smiled at her. “So Jimmy you have no classes today what brings you?”

I smiled at Karrie, “Sensei I wanted to introduce my wife to you. This is Karen.”

The Sensei smiled at her. “Nice to meet you Karen. Jimmy is well loved here.”

The Sensei smiled again and bowed slightly. “Jimmy I didn’t know you were married.”

The Sensei bowed deeply to Karen. “I congratulate you both. I hope you have a long and fruitful life together.” The Sensei looked at Jimmy, “Jimmy, I read your essays they are acceptable. You have attended the teaching seminar. Do you want to be tested today? We have the time. Jason, Andrew, Mutsuko and Sayuki are here. It seems like an auspicious day so close after your marriage.”

The Sensei put his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “Son, I have seen you help the little ones. I understand it is a great responsibility to become a teacher, but you are ready. Don’t wait; we need you.”

I looked and Karrie, “Hun I hadn’t planned on this. It will take a little over an hour to do it.”

The Sensei looked at Jack and Jamey, “You should watch your day is not far off.” The Sensei smiled at Karrie, “Come, we’ll sit and watch.”

Jimmy came out, dressed in a heavy white shirt and black voluminous pants with odd straps tied around his waist. The instructors assisted as he demonstrated the five arts in four different Techniques. Jimmy sat and demonstrated several sitting throws. At each stage he demonstrated throwing his attacker, and attacking and being thrown. He stood and he demonstrated weapon attacks, weapon defenses and disarming techniques.

The Sensei laughed, “Yes, it does. The Tori is the defender, the thrower, the Uke is the attacker, the one who accepts the defense of the Tori. It takes great skill to avoid injury as a Uke. The Tori works with the Uke to learn the technique. They dance the technique as you noticed. Jimmy has demonstrated his knowledge of both the throws and the attacks.”

Jimmy stood and picked up a Jo staff. Jimmy began the movements after about a minute he was done. Then he repeated them very fast. Then he bowed.

The Sensei look at her, “It is thought that the Jo was a walking stick. Aikido is a defensive martial art there is no attack per say. When people walked around Japan they often carried a walking stick, it is thought that the Jo Kata as we call them derived from spear moves and defenses you might accomplish with a walking stick. Jimmy was required to demonstrate twenty two moves, but he did thirty one as that is how he practices them. That’s our Jimmy always the over achiever.”

The Sensei smiled again, “I think he started at eight, so this will make his sixteenth year. He is a very precocious student. He is quite young to become a Shodan.”

The Sensei smiled, “It is a first degree black belt, a teacher’s assistant. Black is for teachers in Aikido.”

The Sensei nodded, “There are ten black belt levels, if Jimmy continues at has current pace he will be a fourth level black belt a full teacher, a Yondan before he’s thirty five. I’ve never heard of anyone that’s done that so young.”

Four Uke started attacking Jimmy and he threw them or tied them up and made them fall. Each move was repeated four times, and more times with Jimmy as the Uke ganging up on one of the teachers. After they were done, he bowed and knelt in the middle of the mat.

Karrie looked at him and thought about the test. “I didn’t see any missed steps it was all very fluid and smooth almost peaceful. Knowing Jimmy I’d guess he passed.”

The Sensei smiled and pulled a small folder from his robe, one of the instructors got up and came back with a low table with a brush and ink. The Sensei finished the diploma and blew on the ink to help it dry.

The Sensei looked at Jimmy and then looked at Karrie, “You are a very lucky woman to have him Karen. Help him to be confident in his skill he is very humble, almost too humble.” The Sensei picked up the diploma, and handed it to her. “Take this to him, I think it is right that you give this to him.”

The Sensei smiled at her. “Karen, Jimmy doesn’t take praise well, he doesn’t feel worthy. It is a flaw in his personality, an endearing one, but still a flaw. I think from your hands the blow will be softer, you can help him to understand that he deserves this.” The Sensei untied his black belt and handed it to her. “Karen some day you will know when he will accept knowing where this belt came from. For now just give it to him and hide it in your heart. If I tried to give it to him, he wouldn’t accept it or he wouldn’t wear it once accepted. So just hand him the diploma and the belt, and do your best.”

Karrie looked at the belt and the diploma and walked slowly over to me and knelt in front of me.

She touched my face, I opened my eyes and I smiled at her. She handed me the diploma and leaned into me and tied the belt around his waist.

I looked at the diploma and nodded absently and looked bashfully into Karrie’s eyes. “Jimmy, the Sensei said you are must accept this and be proud of your accomplishment.”

I smiled again and a tear ran down my cheek. “Karrie, thank you for giving this to me. I don’t think I could have accepted it from his hands directly. You know when I started out in Aikido all I could think about was getting my black belt. I tried so hard and worked so hard and now that I have it, I’m not sure I want it anymore. It’s like the end of a great journey.”

Karrie shook her head, “It’s not an end you know; there are ten levels of black belt.”

I sighed and nodded, “I know, but I don’t really care about levels anymore. I just like to learn and do.”

I laughed and looked at the Sensei. I felt a kind of joy and surprise that I could feel joyful about this. “Karrie; one thing the Sensei knows, he knows me better than I know myself. His sending you is a stroke of genius.” I jumped up, took her hand and went over to the Sensei. I knelt again and pulled Karrie close to me. I gave him a big grin. “Up to your old tricks again, I see.”

I interrupted him and touched the black belt around my waist. “Your belt too.” I pointed at his missing belt.

I looked down at the mat and then up at his face, “Okay, I’ll wear it and I keep trying. I don’t care anymore about the levels, but I keep learning and I’ll try to learn to teach what I know.”

The Sensei smiled, and bowed slightly. Then he looked around, “Where are those two miscreants Jack and Jamey? Jack, Jamey front and center.”

The Sensei looked sternly at them. “Take these two out somewhere for lunch and buy Jimmy a beer for me will you? Now get out of here all of you.” The Sensei stood up and walk away.

Jack and Jamey cracked big smiles, I kissed Karrie on the cheek. “Hun I can’t even begin to tell you.”

We made it back to the car and I drove up to the front of the gym. “Bail you lot, I’ll go park the car.” Everyone bailed out and I parked the car and ran back up to the front. I met them back in the lobby. “Okay, go change and we’ll go do lunch. Jack I’d like Marty to come arrange it.”

Jack dashed into the men’s locker followed sedately by Jamey. I looked at Karrie, “See you in ten, if you can help with Marty take a hand.” I leaned down and kissed her, for a couple of seconds and then felt a blush.

Karrie smiled, “Jimmy, get a grip.” She slapped my face lightly, then pointed to the men’s locker room. “Go!” She ordered.

Karrie went into the locker room, took a quick shower and opened her locker and changed into a burgundy long sleeved mid-thigh form fitting dress, a single strand of freshwater pearls as a necklace, with gold bracelets and an ankle chain. She finished with putting on some dark red sandals, and switched to a gold watch. She went over to the mirror, refreshed her makeup and was ready to go. As she turned around Marty was there smiling at her.

Marty laughed, “Jimmy’s not going to be able to cope with that, you know that honey.”

Karrie laughed, “The boy’s going to have to learn to live with me. Marty, come to lunch Jimmy asked Jack to speak with you, but I think Jimmy has some kind of bomb to drop on you and wants you to come.”

Marty looked interested, “Jimmy wants to talk to me? Now that’s a change. Okay, I’ll come give me a few shakes.” Marty walked out of the locker room and yelled. “Brutus! Where are you? Front and center.”

Karrie followed her into the lobby and heard a yell from the depths of the club. “Don’t get your panties in a knot woman I’m coming.” A tall man built like a linebacker for a professional football team made his way to the front.

Marty stood waiting with her hands on her hips. “Brutus, I told you to watch your mouth.”

Brutus had a lopsided smile looking almost like a sneer, but you could tell he was a nice guy. He winked at Karrie and turned to Marty, “Sorry, you’re right, let me try again. Be right with you Marty.”

Marty nodded, “I’m going out to lunch with the Jays. You’re in charge. Don’t fuck it up.”

Marty smiled wickedly “Nothing happening till one. There’s a dance class. You take it if I’m not back.”

Marty started tapping her foot, “Brutus; Lisa’s got yoga, Susan’s doing Lamaze. You want to swap be my guest.”

Brutus dropped his shoulders, “Damn, prancing around like a faggot. Marty you’ll be the death of me woman.”

Marty laughed, “Brutus, you know the girls all love you. You're pretty good at it too when you put your mind to it.”

Brutus nodded and squared his shoulders, “It’s not the girls that worry me; it’s the guys.”

Marty shook her head, “Brutus, cut the crap. There’s isn’t a guy in here you couldn’t cold cock with one jab. Be a man dude.”

Brutus cracked a big smile and winked at Karrie, “Okay, I’ll be good.” He raised his arms up like a ballerina and danced away on his toes. Then started walking while he laughed.

Karrie started laughing. Marty just shook her head, “Karrie, don’t let him bullshit you, he loves doing the dance class. It’s just not in keeping with his macho man image. All that female flesh bouncing around, he’ll be in heaven.”

Marty nodded, “Ex-boyfriend. Jacks got the field now.” She led Karrie back into the locker room.

Marty chuckled, “Brutus knew it was coming someday. He gave me a kiss and warned me to cut Jack some slack or he’d tan my butt. He could do it too.”

Karrie sighed, “Okay, Marty, I want to tell you something Jack said, but it’s a little out of line do you mind? I can never admit to telling you this.”

Marty pulled on a tank topped green dress which flared at the hips and had a hem which bisected her knee caps. She put on some sandals and fluffed up her hair. “Honey, don’t violate a confidence on my account. You’re going to tell me he loves me, right?”

Marty reached out and touched Karrie’s arm, “Hun, I know it’s implicit. Jack’s an open book to me.”

Marty smiled, “Yes a very good chance. Hun we have to find a common ground, a place we can live. I’m not going to marry him and ruin his life. I’m pretty hard to live with and I know it.”

Karrie looked relieved, “Just one question and I’ll shut up. Do you want him?”

Karrie squealed and hugged her. “Oh goody. You’ll find a way. Come on lets go turn their heads around.” Karrie slipped her arm through hers and they walked into the lobby.

I was standing in the lobby waiting with the other Jays when they came out. I looked at them and didn’t recognize them at first, my eye fixed on the tall muscular one. Realization penetrated the lead casing around my brain, that’s Marty. I shifted my gaze to her partner and by brain wedged. Some part of me knew it was Karrie, but rational thought was difficult. I glanced over at Jack and saw his mouth hanging open and then realized mine was to and snapped it shut. I cleared my throat.

Karrie elbowed Marty, “Bingo girl dead center. You better go resuscitate him.” She whispered. Karrie walked over to me and slipped her arm through mine. Marty walked over to Jack slipped her arm through his and pushed his jaw up to close his mouth.

I was starting to un-wedge seeing Jack was just too funny and realizing I was just like him embarrassed me enough to allow conscious thought. Kerrie whispered, “Help him Jimmy.”

I smiled at Jack and said, “Jack earth to Jack. Jack, what kind of shoes is Marty wearing?”

Jack looked at me and then looked back at Marty, his eyes drifted down to her cleavage. Damn, he’s locked up again.

I gave up, “Marty, drag him out to the curb will you? Let’s go. Is Patrick Malloy’s Ok with everybody? I’ll get the car.” I freed up my arm from Karrie and she went over to Jack and helped Marty drag him out the door. I ran up to the car and hopped in and drove back to pick up the others. Jamey sat in the back and tried to scrunch over against the window, Jack sat in the middle and Marty sat behind me. Karrie took shot gun and we blew down the road. I looked in the mirror and Jack had a lip lock on Marty and his hand was on her left breast. “Marty, calm him down, we’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Marty broke the kiss, “Mind your driving Jimmy, he’s calming he'll be Ok before we get there. Right Jack?”

Jack was staring into her eyes, “Calm down? Shit Marty I’m about to cream my jeans you look fantastic.”

Marty got a wicked look on her face, “Jack, I will not give you a blow job in the back seat of this car in front of all our friends.”

Jamey gurgled by the window and Jack did a double take and then started laughing real loud and blushed beet red. “Okay, that did it. I’m calm enough to function. I’m not sure I’m ever going to calm down.”

Jack kept laughing and looking at Marty. He kissed her on the cheek, “What a woman.” He said and laughed again.

Jamey was looking at them and finally spoke up, “Jack have a heart man lighten up.”

Jamey looked at Marty, “Ah, Marty I’m sorry I called you the antichrist. You look good in a dress. I never saw you in a dress before.”

Marty laughed, “Why, Jamey, thank you. I forgive you.” Marty reached over and patted his knee.

Jamey looked at his knee and then cracked a big smile, “Ok Jack, you got me. We are the Jays and insanity is our trade, and our trademark.” We all said the last part together.

Jamey fingered the car door and it winged up, “Try to park in this state Jimmy.” Jamey bailed out went into the restaurant to get the table. Jack dove out the side Jamey exited from and ran around to hand Marty out of the car.

Jack gave his hand to Marty, “Karrie, cool your jets Hun be there in a second.”

She nodded and Jack came around to her door and handed her out. Karrie stood up and grabbed his cheeks and kissed him on the lips. She turned to me and gave me a wicked grin and walked over to the entrance. Jack smiled, “Well god damn she kissed me.” He came to his senses and ran over to the restaurant door and held it open. Karrie walked in doing the sexy walk followed by Marty walking like a panther. I was laughing my head off as I drove into the parking lot looking for an acceptable place to park. I found an Ok one on the end in the back and dashed back to the door and made it in as they were being escorted back into the restaurant part of the club. I sat on the outside near Karrie, then Jamey, then Marty and finally Jack on the outside going around the booth. The waitress walked up and Jamey perked up.

Jamey raised his hand, “Wait, you lot we got business Sensei said we had to buy Jimmy a beer. What do you have on tap? Lite beer.”

The waitress spoke up, “We have Miller lite on tap, twelve or twenty two once?”

Jamey nodded, “Twelve once, don’t want the ladies getting drunk yet; we have business.”

Jamey looked worried and then rallied, “No business first drinking later. This is lunch not dinner. One round all around first can you bring that?”

The waitress smiled at Jamey, “Sure thing sir, one round coming up.” She walked off and gave him a bit of a swagger for fun.

Jamey looked confused, “Shit, she called me sir, hey come back here I’m no…”

The waitress came back holding five mugs by the handle and dealt them out. “Want to order, eh…? Listen, I don’t know what to call you. Sir is the normal handle for a male customer.”

Jamey smiled a sunny smile at her, “Call me Jamey or meathead, I respond to both.”

We all laughed. The waitress smiled, “Well, meaning no disrespect mister meathead sir, you want to order?”

Jamey slumped, “Damn, got to get a grip. Okay, you can call me sir, if you give me your phone number.”

The waitress looked him up and down, looked at the others, and then smiled. “You know you all look like a fun group, my name is Gail.” She wrote her phone number on a napkin and handed it to Jamey, “Now if you like sir, you can order now or I’ll come back.”

Jamey was stunned. So Jack took over, “Hi Gail we got a toast and then we’ll order come back in five or so.” Gail gave him a smile and spun around and give a sexy walk away. Not overdone, just clear as a bell.

Marty started laughing and Karrie picked up the napkin with the number on it and shoved it into Jamey’s front pocket. Jamey started to rally, “Shit, Jack the magic is still there.”

Jack laughed and Karrie said, “Jamey give yourself some credit dude. You can be pretty charming you know.”

Jamey looked at Karrie, “You think? Damn.” He shook his head and nothing rattled. “Anyway to business. Jimmy, stand up where Gail was standing.” I stood up as ordered and picked up my beer mug.

Jack raised his glass, “Okay, now get your mugs. A toast to assistant Sensei Jimmy, we peons grovel at your magnificence.” Jack looked left and right at Karrie and Marty, “Sorry, excepting Marty and Karrie, we peons grovel at your magnificence.” We all bashed our glasses together and drank and I sat down.

Jack smiled, “First degree black belt in Aikido. A card carrying Shodan no less. He has the diploma to prove it.”

Karrie beamed with pride. I blushed. Marty looked impressed. “Well god damn Jimmy I’m proud of you. So Karrie said you had some other news too.”

I sat back down and took a sip of beer. “Well, Marty, you’ve been after me to teach at the gym and I told the Sensei I would keep learning and learn how to teach so I’d like to offer my services. I can probably teach weights, and aerobics. I definitely can handle nutrition. If there’s anything else you just have to tell me and I try my best.”

Marty looked at him and grinned, “You’ll have to accept payment and I’ll expect you to get certified.”

I looked at Karrie and she nodded. “Ok, I guess I can live with that. Can I invest my pay in your gym?”

Jamey spoke up, “Wait on that Jimmy, I have some J, J and J business that bears on this.”

Jamey spoke, “I’m proposing to hire Marty as CEO, and Karrie as biochemical engineer. Marty has a degree in business administration, and Karrie has a masters in biochemical engineering I looked her up on the web. We need a chemist and we have to face it Jays, we don’t know shit about running a business. Maybe we can barter time from each other.”

Marty looked at Karrie and then at me and Jack, “Sure I’m willing, what do you guys say?”

I looked at Jack and he smiled and nodded, “Jamey I’m going to have to give you a raise that’s a brilliant idea. So by unanimous consent of the board of J, J and J you all are hired with equal shares in all the business. So should we change the name to J, J, J, K and M or what?”

Marty shook her head, “No leave it alone, it’s too good the way it is. Are you incorporated? Do you have any money?”

I looked at Jack, “Jack last time I looked we had a couple of hundred I think.”

Jamey shook his head, “Jimmy you’re forgetting the Mason project they paid us 350 for that, and progress payments from the Kassel’s should net us another 500 or so.”

I spoke up, “Oh no we’re talking thousands here, we probably got about six or seven hundred thousand in the bank with about another three hundred thousand due over the next six months.”

I spoke up, “Yes, I’ve done the taxes for the last three years, which are the only years that have been profitable.”

Marty nodded, “Okay, I get the picture. Well, I can probably keep you out of jail anyway. If you guys are Okay with it you can buy the gym for about one hundred and twenty thousand and I’ll take over managing both businesses. We can bury some of your gains into the gym as it’s marginally profitable. I’ll need to run up a balance sheet. I’ll need your records. We’ll have to incorporate. Have you got any other sales or assets?”

Jack perked up and so did Jamey, “Jimmy its only money dude. We couldn’t have done better.” Jack said.

Jamey nodded, “Jimmy we couldn’t even have opened the checking account without your help let alone paid our taxes. Don’t worry. Marty will pull our asses out of the fire.”

I looked at Marty, “Well, we got three big projects going right now. Jack’s got one which will net about 750 over the next two years, I’m working a project which should bring in about 200 over the next six months, and Jamey is working a big project should pan out to about 2,000 over the next three years. Oh, and we have about 350 thousand shares of NV Energy stock, they paid us in stock.”

Marty sat back a little shocked, “You guys realize you’re worth about ten million probably more right?”

I looked surprised so did Jack and Jamey, “Really that much? Go figure.” I had the decency to blush.

Marty looked around shaking her head, “Well, I guess the first thing is to get a decent accountant we can trust.” Marty put her face in her hands and Jack patted her on the shoulder.

Jack smiled, “Marty, don’t worry, love; it’s only money we can get more.”

Marty looked at him, “Jack, I’ll ignore that comment. Don’t ever tell a business major it’s only money.” She glared at him and then she startled. “Brutus! He’s a CPA. He can help me straighten out this mess. Jack, you all can work with Brutus right?”

Jack smiled, “Brutus is a CPA? Damn and I thought he was just a pretty face you kept around to attract customers. Fucking a; he’s awesome. Sure! Should we bring him in or what?”

Marty looked around, “No, I think it will be better if we hire him as our accountant, it’s a bad idea to have your account be a stockholder. It makes the relationship cleaner. He can help me pick an auditor. Hum. Don’t mind me, I’m just thinking out loud. Do you have a stock broker?”

I spoke up, “No, we just have the certificates in the safety deposit box at the bank.”

Marty put her face back in her hands and started laughing. “Fuck, Fuck, Fuck…” She kept saying under her breath. Jack rubbed her back. “Marty it will be all right, don’t get stressed.”

Marty looked up and smiled at him, “You’re right. I can think of plenty of worse problems than too much money in the fucking checking account.” She glared at me briefly and then smiled and shook her head. “Well, no need to beat a dead horse now. I’ll get started as soon as possible.

Jack looked concerned, and then worried, “Ah, Marty, I’m sorry Hun, but I just can’t keep a lid on this.”

Jack looked into her eyes, “Marty I thought I could wait to give you time to understand how I feel about you and to give you time to feel the same for me, but I can’t stand it. I want to marry you.”

Jack got angry. “God damn it Marty, this isn’t like fucking you. This is a commitment; it’s forever. I can’t force you to make a commitment. I can’t take a commitment from you. I won’t have you as my slave. I won’t have you as my master. I fucking love you and I want to be with you forever. I don’t care if we fight. I don’t care if we have kids. I don’t care if you want to keep fucking your boyfriends. I just want to be your husband. I’m asking you to marry me. All you have to do is say yes and mean it.”

Marty looked at him and then looked down. “Jack you don’t know me. You used to joke about me being the antichrist. You have no idea. I do love you. But I don’t know if I can make a marriage work.”

Jack nodded, “Marty nobody knows that. Sometimes Love alone can’t make it happen. Only this can make it happen. I promise to be with you, to make it work no matter what stands in my way. No matter what you say, what you do, I am here and will do my best for you. You used to give me and Jamey shit about growing up. Okay, you were right. I want this more than anything. If you can’t, I’ll survive. But don’t say no because you think you’ll hurt me. I’m a man and I expect to get hurt by you. I also expect to hurt you though I’ll do my damnedest to avoid it. But sure as there is a sun in the sky, I will not allow you to cop out on me to protect me. Look at me, I’m not saying I will try to be your husband. I’m saying I will be your husband no matter what fucking happens. You are strong you know what I mean, just throw caution to the wind and say yes because you want it and you mean it.”

Marty started to cry and looked up with tears running down her face, “Okay Jack I want it. I will make it work no matter what.”

I looked at him and said, “Jack, I had no idea you had that kind of strength in you, I’m proud to know you.”

Jack leaned over and kissed Marty lightly on the lips. “Quit crying Hun we got each other now nothing can stop us.”

Marty sat up straight and wiped the tears from her face, “You're right. Just for the record, I fired Brutus, Brain Case, and the Hulk as boyfriends while you were at the Dojo.”

Jack smiled, “He said that Brutus, Brain Case, and he was pulling for me and if there was anything either one of us needed they were there for us.”

Marty looked relieved and surprised. “Damn, no shit. I had no idea they cared.”

Jack shook his head, “Marty all three of them love you. They just understood you couldn’t go to the wall with them.”

The waitress walked up with the food and an assistant and starting placing plates. We ate. I ordered the sorbet for desert, Jack ordered a single malt, Jamey had another beer, Marty order a crème brûlée, and Karrie order a tiramisu. We chowed down on the desert. Jamey picked up the check and left a fifty dollar tip with his phone number on it for Gail. We blew out to the car and started back to the gym.

Marty spoke up in the back, “Jimmy I was wondering if you could take the dance class? Brutus and I could get started on whipping the companies into shape.”

I laughed and looked at Karrie, “Marty I don’t know anything about dance, I’ll be happy to try, but it’s going to be pretty wild.”

Karrie spoke up, “Jimmy when I watched your test, I told the Sensei it looked like you danced the test. He laughed, but agreed with me that you did indeed dance the test.”

Marty laughed, “Jimmy you and the Jays put on a good show with your Jedi bull shit, the dance class is like that, just keep them moving and get them winded a bit, nothing really strenuous as a some of the girls are not really fit just have fun. Jimmy, you got your records on-line can I get a copy?”

We made it to the gym and they all bailed out and I parked the car. I went in to find Marty talking to Brutus, Karrie, Jack and Jamey were standing by listening.

Marty had just finished explaining the situation to Brutus. “So Brutus that’s the deal what do you say? We could sure use your help.”

Brutus gave us a quick scan and the shook his head, “Who’d have thought the Jays would amount to anything, damn Marty this is a lot to take in. I’ve got two customers right now, one is taking about half my time because they’re in deep shit with the Feds over unpaid taxes. The auditors are ripping them a new asshole and I’ve been hired to do damaged control. I can work with you on an hourly rate and we can see how it goes, when I get free of my current commitments we can revisit the full time position.”

Brutus looked at me, “Listing Jimmy, Jack and Jamey, I guess I owe you an apology. I thought you all were just a wild and crazy bunch of boys on a tear. I’ll do my best for you, and from what Marty says you should be in good shape.” Brutus held his hand out to me.

I shook his hand and he gave me a bone crushing grip which I tried to return. I looked him in the eye and grinned.

I pulled out my phone and flipped through my cloud files and found the Excel of our records. “Sure, Marty, I got it all in the Excel I’m sending you.” I e-mailed it.

Marty looked at Jack, “Jack, you and Brutus, come with me to my office, we can get started. You can explain the stuff to us if we have questions. Let’s go get to work boys.”

Brutus put up his hand, “Hold on Marty, it’s quarter to one, I got the dance class remember?”

Marty smiled at him, “Jimmy has graciously volunteered to take it off your hands today. Haven’t you Jimmy?”

Brutus laughed harder, “I had a girlfriend that was a ballet dancer. She was kind of skinny, not like Marty.” He gave Marty a big grin. “She was a real tiger when and came to dancing. She was a real tiger between the sheets too, that girl could…” Marty gave him a glare. “Okay, I’ll be good, anyway, she taught me a few positions.” He grinned at Marty and stood up straight with his hands on his hips with his legs together. “First position, Jimmy, note the position of the feet.” He shifted his arms out wide, “Second position; check the position of the feet Jimmy, that’s a big part of it she said.” He lifted his right hand up and kept his left hand out. “Third position; you got to watch this one, it’s easy to fall over, see the feet pronated heal crossed.” He shifted to his left hand down to his waist and moved his feet. “Okay, this one has two forms, foot out or crossed.” He shifted his right foot and turned it in. “This position makes it a bit easier to get to the fifth position.” He shifted and pulled his feet together raised his are arms back up and started to fall forward. He stepped and then stood up. “Damn, I’m too muscle bound for this. Anyway, Jimmy those moves will convince most of them you’re dancing and then you just do whatever you want after that, mostly I have them do standard exercises like running in place, jumping up and down, jumping jacks, you get the idea.” He grinned at Marty, “Stay away from squat thrusts; it gives them ideas.”

Marty glared at him and then grinned back. She slapped him lightly on the face, “Brutus you are such a piece of work.”

Brutus nodded, “They broke the mold when they made me. Anyway, Jimmy that’s about it.” I was standing there holding Karrie’s hand. Brutus looked at me and then Karrie, “Listen Jimmy I think you should introduce Karrie as your wife at the start, it will help break the ice and provide some protection.”

Brutus sneered at me and then grinned at me, “Jimmy there is always a few bitches…” Marty cleared her throat. “Sorry, young ladies that will try to check out the instructor, if you get my meaning. Most of them will behave if Karrie is there to protect you.”

Karrie giggled and squeezed my hand. “Jamey, you come help.” See looked at me and grinned.

Marty gave a big laugh, “No Jamey, it’s just when Brutus takes over. They’re expecting a show and you and Jimmy are going to have to fill in and give it to them. Jamey my club is a family club, but I’d be a fool to ignore this sort of thing. It’s part of why my club is so successful. I draw the line and then look away when it’s crossed; when it suits me. Some of the ladies come to the gym to socialize and dance class is a good excuse that their husbands can feel safe with. Nothing off color happens, but when there are male instructors let just say they tend to get a little wild. I insist you both work the crowd and give them one on one instruction. Just help them with the exercises. You should wear the head sets and push the button on the sound system when you’re ready for the music.”

Marty, Jack and Brutus left for the office. I looked at Karrie, and Jamey, “Go change, we’ll meet back in the dance room.” Jamey and I went and changed and made it back to the dance room. Karrie was there and I went over to her and smiled, “Ready Hun? Jamey and I talked it over and we don’t think we want to do this straight up so go along as best you can.”

Karrie looked at me with question marks all over her face, “What are you going to do?”

Karrie nodded and Jamey gave me the high sign over by the sound equipment. He had his cell phone plugged into the sound system.

I walked out in front of the class and Karrie came with me. “Ok ladies, it’s time to start I guess. I… I’m Jimmy. Brutus got called away so Marty asked me to take the class. As this is my first time directing a dance class I hope this works out. Let me introduce my wife Karen and Jamey is over at the sound system setting up the music. As I’ve never done this before I figured I’d just wing it. Brutus taught me a few ballet moves.” I went through the positions and almost fell over on the last one there was some random chuckles. “But as you can see I’m not much of a ballet dancer. SO here we go. I thought we would take the music from a movie. Sort of a theme class, and as one of my favorite movies is ‘The Blues Brothers’ all the tunes are from that movie. We’ll start with a slow song to warm up. Just do your thing.” I signaled Jamey. He started the song:

“She Caught the Katy”

She caught the Katy
And left me a mule to ride
She caught the Katy
And left me a mule to ride
Now my baby caught the Katy
Left me a mule to ride
The train pulled out
I swung on behind
Crazy 'bout her
That hard headed woman of mine

Man, my baby's long
Great gosh almighty my baby's tall
You know my baby's long
Great gosh almighty my baby's tall
Yeah my baby she's long
My baby she's tall
She's sleepin' with her head in the kitchen
And her feet's out in the hall
Crazy 'bout her
That hard headed woman of mine

Well I love my baby
She's so fine
But I wish she'd come and see me some time
She don't believe in our love, ah
Look whatta hole I'm in
She don't believe what I'm sayin'
Kid look whatta shape I'm in
Huh-huh

She caught the Katy
And left me a mule to ride
She caught the Katy
And left me a mule to ride
Well my baby caught the Katy
Left me a mule to ride
The train pulled out
I swung on behind
Crazy 'bout that hard headed woman
Hard headed woman of mine

Huh-huh, huh-huh

I started lip sinking the Taj, pointing at Karrie, doing this kind of slow walk, dance, like I was riding a mule, between the ladies. Some of the more aggressive ones started laughing and got into it right away.

I came up to one lady wearing a black mid-thigh leotard with a loose sweat shirt top with a pink arm bands, pink sweatband on her head and pink calf bands, a fashion nut obviously. She wasn’t quite sure what make of this music nor with me. I smiled and started dancing near her, “What’s your name I asked?” I had the headset on so all the class could hear me. She smiled uncertainly and said, “Linda”. I started dancing more energetically “Well, Linda lets go. Don’t be embarrassed look at me, I’ve never danced professionally just go for it.” She started to laugh and started moving and singing along.

I called out, “Ladies, it’s only going to go downhill from here so come on join in with the fun.” Karrie was dancing up a storm in front of the class. Most of the class joined in the slow ones were moving to the beat of the Taj as nobody can resist him. Next Jamey queued up:

“Shake a Tail Feather”

Well I heard about the fellow you've been dancin' with
All over the neighbourhood
So why didn't you ask me baby?
Didn't you think I could?

Well I know that the boogaloo is outta sight
But the shing-a-ling's the thing tonight
Would it happen to me and ya baby?
I wanna show you how to do it right...

Do it right. Uh huh. Do it right.
Do it right, do it right, do it right
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Twist it! Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it baby!
Here we go loop di loo!
Shake it out baby!
Here we go loop di lie!

Bend over, let me see you shake your tail feather
Bend over, let me see you shake your tail feather
Come on, let me see you shake your tail feather
Come on, let me see you shake your tail feather
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Twist it! Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it baby!
Here we go loop di loo!
Shake it up baby!
Here we go loop di lie!

Come on! Come on baby! Come on! Yeah come on babe!
Alright!
Do the twist!
Do the fly! (Oh!)
Do the swim! (Ha! Ha! Ha!)
And do the bird! (Oh!)
Do the duck! (Ah!)
Do the monkey! (Hey! Hey!)
Watusi!
And errr... what about the frug?
Do the mashed potato!
What about the boogaloo? (Oh!)
The Boney Maroney!
Come on! Let's do the twist!
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Twist it! Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it baby! (Oh!)
Twist it! Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it baby!

This is a bit faster song. I started gyrating around and said, “Ok ladies pick up the pace and follow me. Do what I do.” I lead them around when we got to the “Bend over part” I put my hands behind my back and tried to make feathers and shook my ass at the woman behind me. I felt a hand slide up my thigh and tried to ignore it. All the women were into it now, Karrie was up front giving it a great go following me like she was synced in. I took a glance over at the weight room window and a bunch of guys were standing staring like we were all from outer space. Next Jamey queued up:

“Gimme Some Lovin”

Well my temperature's rising and my feet are on the floor
Twenty people knocking 'cos they're wanting some more
Let me in baby, I don't know what you've got
But you'd better take it easy, this place is hot

I'm so glad we made it, I'm so glad we made it
You've gotta gimme some lovin' (gimme some lovin')
Gimme some lovin' (gimme gimme some lovin'), gimme some lovin' every day

Well I feel so good, everything is sounding hot
Better take it easy 'cos the place is on fire
Been a hard day and I don't know what to do
Wait a minute baby, it could happen to you

I'm so glad we made it, I'm so glad we made it
You've gotta gimme some lovin' (gimme some lovin')
Gimme some lovin' (gimme gimme some lovin'), gimme some lovin' every day

Well I feel so good, everybody's getting high
Better take it easy 'cos the place is on fire
Been a hard day and nothing went too good
Now I'm gonna relax honey, everybody should

I'm so glad we made it, I'm so glad we made it
You've gotta gimme some lovin' (gimme some lovin')
Gimme some lovin' (gimme gimme some lovin'), gimme some lovin' every day

Gimme some lovin' (gimme some lovin') I need it
(Gimme gimme some lovin') I need it
Oh, gimme some lovin', every day, every day

I started out slow but picked up the pace, doing double time moves. I jumped when they hit the “Hey” part of the song. I turned around and pointed out one lady who was doing a great job. About this time they were all into it. “Come on ladies, let’s get some of the guys to come in here.” I signaled them to face the weight room, and started signaling the guys to come in. The ladies were all cracking up and dancing away some turned around and sung their asses for them. Others were signaling them to come over.

About this time Marty came downstairs with Brutus and stood behind the guys at in the weight room watching. Some of the guys came in and started dancing along and the girls laughed. I signaled Jamey to re-queue shake your tail feathers. The ladies came through with some of the wildest moves and more guys joined in from the weight room. Some of the guys joined in we were all making total fools of ourselves.

Marty and Brutus walked into the dance room and watched me. Jack walked in and smiled at me and started dancing in front of Marty. I signaled Jamey to queue up:

“Think”

Think (think) think (think) think (think) Think (think) think (think) think (think)

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

Let's go back, let's go back, let's go way on way back when
I didn't even know you, you couldn't have been too much more than ten. (just a child)
I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degrees
It don't take too much high IQ's to see what you're doing to me

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom

There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, if you keep doing things I don't

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

People walking around everyday, playing games, taking scores
Trying to make other people lose their minds.
Well be careful, you're gonna lose yours.

Yeah, think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
Without each other there ain't nothing we can do

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom

There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, if you're doing things I don't

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
Without each other there ain't nothing we can do

(Think about - ah me, think about - ah me,
Think about - ah me, think about it)
(Think about - ah me, think about - ah me,
Think about - ah me, think about it)
(Think about - ah me, think about - ah me,
Think about - ah me, think about it)
(Think about - ah me, think about - ah me,
Think about - ah me, think about it)
You had better stop and think before you think, think!

I started pointing around at the ladies, and singing along (poorly). Jack started hamming it up big time and Marty and Brutus joined in. About this time another group of guys walked in and started dancing along. I signaled Jamey to start:

“Jailhouse Rock”

The warden threw a party in the county jail.
The prison band was there and they began to wail.
The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing.
You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing.
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock.

Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone,
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone.
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang,
the whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang.
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock.

Number forty-seven said to number three:
"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see.
I sure would be delighted with your company,
come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me."
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock.

The sad sack was a sittin' on a block of stone
way over in the corner weepin' all alone.
The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square.
If you can't find a partner use a wooden chair."
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock.

Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake,
no one's lookin', now's our chance to make a break."
Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix nix,
I wanna stick around a while and get my kicks."
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock.

I started singing along (my voice sucks). I signaled some of the guys from the weight room to start singing. “Come on guys singing along so these women what you’re made of.” Some of them started yelling the words. Some of the women and the guys started rocking and rolling and swing the girls around. We were all pretty winded, but I signal Jamey to play it again. Almost everybody in the gym was in the dance room now, a few stragglers were watching from the weight room but most were bouncing around to the music.

I signaled Marty and Jack to move up front with me. Then signaled Jamey to start:

“Minnie The Moocher”

Hey folks here's the story 'bout Minnie the Moocher
She was a lowdown hoocie coocher
She was the roughest toughest frail
But Minnie had a heart as big as a whale

Hidehidehidehi (Hidehidehidehi)
Hodehodehodeho (Hodehodehodeho)
Hedehedehedehe (Hedehedehedehe)
Hidehidehideho (Hidehidehideho)

She messed around with a bloke named Smokie
She loved him though he was cokey
He took her down to Chinatown
and showed her how to kick the gong around

Hidehidehidehi (Hidehidehidehi)
Whoah (Whoah)
Hedehedehedehe (Hedehedehedehe)
A hidehidehideho (Hidehidehideho)

She had a dream about the king of Sweden
He gave her things that she was needin'
He gave her a home built of gold and steel
A diamond car with platinum wheels

A hidehidehidehidehidehidehi (Hidehidehidehidehidehidehi)
Hodehodehodehodehodehodeho (Hodehodehodehodehodehodeho)
[?]

He gave her his townhouse and his racing horses
Each meal she ate was a dozen courses
Had a million dollars worth of nickels and dimes
She sat around and counted them all a million times

Hidehidehidehi (Hidehidehidehi)
Hodehodehodeho (Hodehodehodeho)
Hedehedehedehe (Hedehedehedehe)
Hidehidehideho (Hidehidehideho)

Poor Min, poor Min, poor Minnie

After the energy of Elvis I figured a little slower song made sense. As Cab started the song I pointed at Marty and made like she was Minnie. This got a good laugh from Brutus and Jack, Marty played along and started to strut. I tried to imitate the moves of Cab, but I couldn’t do him justice. When he got to the scat parts I signaled the guys to yell along. That last one had everyone in stitches.

“I Can’t Turn You Loose”

(Huh) I cant turn you loose now
If I do I'm gonna loose my life
(Ooh) I can't turn you loose now
If I do I'm gonna loose my life
I can't turn you loose to nobody
I love you baby, yes I do
Give shakin' mama, I told ya
I'm in love with only you
(Gotta) Baby do it baby why don't ya
I'll give ya everything you want

Gotta, gotta
Keep on holdin on
Never gonna turn you loose
I can't turn you loose
Gotta gotta
Keep on holdin on

I cant turn you loose now
I'm in love with the prettiest thing
I never, never turn you loose now
Because of all the sweet love she brings
I cant turn you loose to nobody
I love you baby, yes I do
Give shaking mama, I told ya
I'm in love with only you
Gotta, do it baby why don't ya
I'll give ya everything you want

Gotta gotta
Keep on holdin on
Never gonna turn you loose
I can't turn you loose
Gotta keep a grip on you
Gotta gotta
keep on holdin on

(I know you think I'm gonna stop now
but we ain't gonna stop it now
one more time)

Gotta gotta
keep on holdin on
Never gonna turn you loose
I can't turn you loose
Gotta gotta
keep on holdin on

Gotta gotta
keep on holdin on
Never gonna turn you loose
I can't turn you loose
Gotta gotta
Keep on holdin on

Everybody want it
Everybody can have it
Gotta, gotta
Gotta, gotta
Soo, soo
Hold on, I'm comin
Gotta, gotta, gotta
Get a grip
Can't turn you loose
Hold on, I'm comin
Gotta, gotta, gotta
Get a grip
Can't turn you loose
Hold on, I'm comin
Hold on, I'm comin
Gotta get a grip on you baby
Gotta, gotta gotta
Gotta, gotta gotta
We're groovin, groovin

Gotta gotta
keep on holdin on
Never gonna turn you loose
I can't turn you loose
Gotta gotta
Keep on holdin on
Gotta get a grip
Can't turn you loose

This one I started almost running in place. I signaled everybody to do it double time. Everybody looked like they were really winded at the end of this one.

“Quando, Quando, Quando”

Tell me when will you be mine
Tell me quando quando quando
We can share a love divine
Please don't make me wait again

When will you say yes to me
Tell me quando quando quando
You mean happiness to me
Oh my love please tell me when

Every moments a day
Every day seems a lifetime
Let me show you the way
To a joy beyond compare

I can't wait a moment more
Tell me quando quando quando
Say its me that you adore
And then darling tell me when

Every moments a day
Every day seems a lifetime
Let me show you the way
To a joy beyond compare

I can't wait a moment more
Tell me quando quando quando
Say its me that you adore
And then darling tell me when

Who lover tell me when
Oh darling tell me when
Oh come on tell me when
Yea tell me when

This is a waltz so I grabbed Karrie and started dancing slowly with her. I spoke into the mike, “Grab a partner cool down time.” A lot of the girls grabbed guys from the weight room. Some of the girls danced together, and some of the guys not wanting to be left out danced with each other.

“Anema e Core.”


Italian	English
Nuje ca perdimmo 'a pace e 'o suonno,	We that lose peace and sleep,
nun ce dicimmo maje pecchè?	do never tell each other why?
Vocche ca vase nun ne vonno,	Mouths that do not want kisses,
nun so' sti vvocche oje ne'!	are not these mouths my dear!
-	-
Pure, te chiammo e nun rispunne	but I call you and you don't answer
pe' fa dispietto a me	to spite me
Tenimmoce accusì: anema e core,	Let us keep each other like this, soul and heart,
nun ce lassammo cchiù, manco pe' n'ora,	Let us never part, not for one hour,
stu desiderio 'e te mme fa paura,	I've got a yearning to caress you,
campà cu te, sempre cu te, pe' nun murì.	to live with you, with you forever, so as not to die.
-
Che ce dicimmo a fa parole amare,	Why do we tell each other bitter words,
si 'o bbene po' campà cu nu respiro?	if fondness can live with just one breath?
-	-
Si smanie pure tu pe' chist'ammore,	If you too are suffering for this love,
tenimmoce accussì anema e core!	Let us keep each other like this, soul and heart!
-	-
Forse sarrà ca 'o chianto è doce,	Maybe it is because weeping is sweet,
forse sarrà ca bene fa	maybe because it makes you feel better
Quanno mme sento cchiù felice,	The happier I am,
nun è felicità.	it is not happiness.
-	-
Specie si è vvote tu mme dice,	especially when you sometimes tell me,
distratta, 'a verità.	unthoughtful, the truth.
	-
Stu desiderio 'e te mme fa paura,	I've got a yearning to caress you
campà cu te, sempre cu te, pe' nun murì.	to live with you, with you forever, so as not to die.
-	-
Che ce dicimmo a fa parole amare,	A hungry yearning to possess you
si 'o bbene po' campà cu nu respiro?	if fondness can live with just one breath?
-	-
Si smanie pure tu pe' chist'ammore,	If you too are suffering for this love,
tenimmoce accussì anema e core!	Let us keep each other like this, soul and heart!

I lip synced it, “Try to follow my movements, I said as the song started.” I swayed slowly. At the break in the song, I took Karrie in my arms and danced slowly. As the last sounds of the song faded I kissed Karrie and I whispered I love you to her but I forgot about the headset. The whole class heard it. That did it, I blushed beet red and looked at Marty. She was standing next to Jack. Jack had his arm around her waist. Brutus stood next to a strong, tall older woman holding her hand.

I turned to the class, everybody was silent as the strains of the song faded. I stammered into the mike, “Sorry about the last bit ladies, I hope you liked my take on dance class.” I bowed and everybody started clapping, I looked up and the ladies were clapping and a few whistled loud enough to hurt my ears. Jamey had his hands over his head. Marty signaled with her chin to follow her out. So I started back through the crowd, the little dance room was packed. A few of the girls pinched my butt as I passed and some of the guys punched my shoulder lightly. Everybody was talking and walking out of the door. Some of the guys went back to the weight room and some of the girls went with them. The guys started helping the girls with the weights. I few couples walked by and said, “Good job Jimmy.” I was still pretty embarrassed about my slip-up with the headset so I just mumbled thanks.

We made it back to the office and Marty looked over at Brutus. “Well, Brutus, what do we do now?”

Brutus looked at me, I had my arm around Karrie shoulder. He shook his head. “Marty you know Jimmy he never goes half way on anything.”

Marty looked at me, “So Jimmy, I have to say I’ve never seen a dance class like it.” She shook her head and sighed.

I looked at her and I started to wonder, “Marty, what’s the problem I figured a change of pace what the hell, no big deal right?”

Marty looked at Brutus and wave her hand at me. “Brutus, I need to think, you explain it to him.”

Brutus had a big shit eating grin. “Jimmy, you did me proud, but you’ve also created a big problem.”

I looked at Karrie and she had the beginning of a smile. Jack and Jamey had really big grins. I didn’t get it. “What? You asked me to do the class I did it. Seems like everybody enjoyed themselves. We got their hearts pumping. Nothing like a little Blues Brothers I say.”

Marty opened the curtains in her office so we could see out into the gym. She nodded to Brutus. Brutus signaled for me to come to the window and I brought Karrie along. “Jimmy, look into the gym, what do you see?”

I looked, there were people on the bikes, people in the dance room, and people in the weight room. “I see people exercising, that’s what they do at a gym.” Karrie put her head on my shoulder and suppressed a giggle, and squeezed my waist.

Brutus nodded, “Okay, Einstein, doesn’t it look a little odd to you?” He looked over at Marty, “Marty how could anybody be this naive?” He was shaking his head. Jack and Jamey sat down and started laughing. Jamey spoke up, “Brutus, that’s our Jimmy the magic is still there.”

I looked out the window again and started to see something was a bit odd. There were a lot of women in the weight training area, there were some men in the dance room, and the bikes were mostly in use. I looked up, “Ah, it seems like there’s a lot more women in the weight area and there’s men in the dance room, which is pretty unusual.”

Brutus smiled punched me lightly on the shoulder, “Bingo dude. Now, do you think the customers liked your class? Ever hear clapping at the end of a dance class?”

I thought about it. “Sure, they seemed to like it. I don’t recall hearing a lot of clapping from the dance classes.” Marty groaned but didn’t speak up.

Brutus sighed, “Jimmy, think about it. What’s going to happen when Marty tries to have a normal dance class tomorrow with electro-dance mix music?”

I felt uncomfortable, but still didn’t catch on. Karrie giggled again and gave me another squeeze. I looked out at the weight room and saw some of the women straining at the weights with guys spotting for them. Another woman was doing pull ups with a guy holding her waist spotting for her and helping her make the dips. That made me more uncomfortable. I looked at Brutus, “I don’t know, what’s the big deal dance classes always use, the electro-dance mix, it’s kind of repetitious but easy to dance to.”

Brutus excelled loudly, “Jimmy your little stunt is going to be hard to follow. Marty is going to get pummeled to have you take the dance classes, ALL the dance classes, every day, seven days a week.”

I looked at him in surprise, “I don’t know shit about dancing, I just tried to give them a good aerobic high and sub for Marty and you.” I thought about it. I got his point. I looked at Marty, “The customer is always right? Shit!”

Marty looked at me, “Light dawns over marble head. That's right Jimmy shit. Brutus, I’m drawing a blank got any ideas?”

Brutus looked introspective and then smiled, “I’ve got it, Marty. Weekends only. Sign up limited class size. He’s got a day job.”

Marty smiled, “Brutus, I knew there was a reason I tolerated your shit. He’ll have to do two classes, one on Saturday and another on Sunday. Jimmy you made this mess so you’re going to have to help us clean it up. After you get a few scripts in place, we can train Lisa and Susan.” Marty looked over at Jack and Jamey. “Jamey can you and Jack come up with scripts we’ll need about eight I think, we can rotate them.”

Jack spoke up. “Sure, but Marty scripts aren’t all we need, there’s the leader and his Moll.” Jack waved a hand at Karrie. She lost it and laughed out loud this time.

Marty nodded, “Okay, I see it. Brutus, who was that woman you were dancing with can she help us out?”

Brutus smiled, “Eleanor? She’s an old friend. Daughter of a friend of my mothers. Sure, she’ll help.”

Marty looked at Jamey, “Jamey you got a steady or someone you can ask? Why don’t you call up Gail and see if she’ll help.”

Jamey looked concerned and then smiled, “Marty you need to start a matchmaking service.”

Marty looked horrified. “Shit no, I don’t want anything to do with that idea. As if I don’t have enough problems. Jamey you need to find someone to help. Okay Jimmy and Karrie, Jack and Me, Brutus and Eleanor, Jamey and whomever he can rope into this, Susan and Anthony until she gets too big, and Lisa and Albert. Yes, I think we can cover it. The Jays are solid they got enough balls to pull this off, Brutus can fake it well enough, Susan can take the lead and Anthony can be the Moll, Lisa and Albert, hum… “

Brutus shook his head, “Marty, forget about them, Brain case is a total loss he has two left feet, but the Hulk was captain of his fencing team in college, he also considered professional ballroom dancing for a carrier he’s a shoe in.”

Brutus laughed, “Marty I saw him talk his way out of an assault charge once. The cop didn’t know which way was up when he finished his song and dance.”

Brutus smiled, “Marty, remember that woman who used to wear the zebra striped leotard? The one you had words with about wearing a blouse?”

Marty concentrated, “Constance, no, Prudence that was it! Can she act or dance?”

Brutus nodded, “Marty, she’s an opera singer, she can wing it just fine. The Hulk can cover the patter she can sing, the Hulk has to stick to lip sync his voice would crack glass at fifty meters, he couldn’t carry a tune if it jumped on his back.”

Marty shuddered, “God, I forgot about that. He tried to sing in the shower once I had to make him promise never to do that again.”

Brutus smiled, “Yea, he said his buddies in Nam used to ask him to sing to the enemy, they thought they’d all die of fright or run away. Anyway, I’ll ask him to help he’ll be delighted, I think Purdy and him are still seeing each other off and on.”

Marty nodded, “Okay, I think we got it covered. I’ll quiz the class tomorrow and trick them into suggesting the new class. That should give the Jays time to come up with some scripts and give us time to practice.” Marty looked at me and Karrie, “Why don’t you two run along we’ll meet you Aloma’s. Jack you stay and help Brutus and me with this spreadsheet. Jamey why don’t you give Gale a call?”

I looked at Karrie and she was having trouble she was laughing so hard. She’d stopped to look at Marty then and me. She’d look out the window and then start giggling. Then she’d laugh. “Oh Jimmy, I love you. I can see it’s never going to be dull married to you.”

Jack looked at Jamey and nodded. Jamey spoke up, “Jimmy, that’s what we hired her for. Marty’s got a plan dude, let’s run with it.”

I nodded and looked over at Marty. “Marty, sorry I screwed up the class I don’t know what to say.”

Marty looked at me and then at Brutus, he was shaking his head. “Jimmy, you didn’t screw up. We are probably going to start making money on the gym because of you. I’ll have you know that exercise gyms are generally unprofitable. Usually the cost of insurance, facilities, and labor make it impossible, there’s just too much competition. You have come up with a new twist and we will blow the socks off the competition until they manage to copy it. By then you’ll probably have another brainstorm. Now run along and have fun.”

Marty laughed, “Jimmy you’re such a prince. There is nothing I like better than making money, well that and spending other people’s money. Who needs a vacation with fun like this? Run along honey before I bash you on the head and damage the prize bull.” She pushed me lightly to the door and looked at Karrie, “Karrie take over Hun.” Marty went over to her computer and started up her e-mail program. She brought up the spreadsheet. “Okay, Jack what is this shit?”

Brutus came over to her. “Push off Marty, let me get at the computer we can start working on classifying this stuff and get a rough balance going.” Marty rolled left and Jack sat down on his right.

Karrie leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, “Go get changed, I'll meet you near the door.”

We made it downstairs and Karrie split into the woman’s locker room. I stood there briefly considering her after image, when out of the women’s locker room came a woman dressed to kill. It was the Linda from the dance class. She came over to me, put her hands on the sides of my face and kissed me. I blushed.

Linda laughed, “Jimmy, you are one hot pastrami dude. I would never have forgiven myself if I didn’t do that sorry. Karen is a lucky woman. Are you going to do any more classes dude? I got to tell my friends to come join in.”

I looked at her and felt my blush deepen. “Ah… Marty says next week I’ve got to do another, probably at one like today.”

Linda nodded, “Good. I figured Marty would know a good thing. Well dude, thanks it was a blast.” She turned away and walked out.

I shook my head and walked into the men’s locker room. I stripped and headed to the showers. Someone yelled, “There he is!” A bunch of guys ran up to me, some of them naked, and they all started pummeling me on the back. “Jimmy you are the man dude.” I took it as best I could and some of them went into the shower and started singing Minnie the Moocher. When they got to the hidey hoes, a bunch of them started yelling it, I could hear some echo’s from the woman’s shower.

I stood there washing off and I heard them talking. “Did you see that tall one with Brutus? What a pair.” Somebody else said, “That chicken dance was almost heart stopping, my wife almost busted a gut she laughed so hard.” Another guy chimed in, “You see that one in pink doing pull ups? Who was that spotting for her? Andrew? Lucky shit. I almost lost it watching them.” As I stood there facing the shower head more comments were made, some of them don’t bear repeating. I started to shake my head.

When I finished, I started drying off and one of the guys spoke up. “Jimmy, are you going to do that again? When is your next performance dude? I got to make sure I’m here.” I spoke up again, I felt a blush. “Ah… Marty says next Saturday. Same time.”

He nodded, “Dudes, he says next Saturday same time.” He yelled it. There was a spattering of clapping and whistling. Then one of the guys started up, “Jim-muie” over and over most of the guys in the locker room picked it up and then they all started laughing and whistling.

Damn, I felt like they were all looking at me while I got dressed. A few came by and slapped me on the back. A couple snapped towels at me. I finished dressing in the white shirt and slacks Karrie selected and made it out of the locker room with my duffel. I stood back by the wall across from the woman’s door and waited for Karrie. A couple of women came out and one noticed me and pointed at me and squealed and put her hand over her heart. Her partner did the same. They smiled at me so I gave them a bow. They laughed and waved at me and walked out of the club.

Karrie came out and looked at me and walked over. “Jimmy you look terrible, calm down, it’s OK.”

I grabbed her hand, “Karrie let’s get out of here." I started pulling her toward the door.”

Karrie looked at me with obvious concern, “Jimmy, what’s wrong, sit down talk to me.” She tried to pull me to a bench by the door.

I resisted and said, “Hun, it’s not too big a deal can we talk in the car?” I blushed and stammered, “I just need to be alone with you, OK?”

We made it out to the car and I opened her door and handed her in. I dashed around to the driver side door and climbed in. I leaned back and heaved a sigh of relief. I turned to Karrie and she grabbed me and kissed me hard and started making out with me. I felt her hand slide down my side and reach behind me and pull me toward her. The front seats on the Tesla are kind of far apart and it was a bit awkward. I started to feel calmer and began to really enjoy her attentions, but the car was just too awkward. I broke the kiss and tried to speak, “Karrie honey, I…” She went back for more covering my mouth and slipping her hand between my legs and stroking the inside of my thigh. She kept it up for about thirty seconds.

Karrie pulled back from me and looked in my eyes searching. “You’re looking better now. Try to stay calm lean back in your chair and close your eyes.” I did as instructed and she started stroking the side of my face and ruffled my hair. “Okay, slow even breaths pretend you’re going to take a nap.”

I sighed and tried to do what she asked, but I wanted to talk so, “Karrie, please I need to talk.”

Karrie put her hand to my neck, “No Jimmy, you're still too hyper, calm your heart honey. Think about Aikido, talk about the Jo kata. What is the starting position?”

I sighed, “You start standing with the Jo in your left hand if you’re right handed, gripping it waist level. The staff is vertical near your left leg.” I opened my eyes and turned my head to look at her. “Karrie, you surprise me, how do you know about the Jo kata?”

Karrie smiled at me, “The Sensei told me about it during your test. What is the first move?”

I looked at the roof of the car, “You rotate the staff, grip it near the bottom end with your right hand and make a thrust leaning slightly forward over your left leg.” I turned to look at her, “You really want to know this?”

Karrie smiled again at me, “Actually, yes, I think I do want to know. I found your test fascinating. It was all so smooth, it looked almost peaceful, like you were dancing. I also wonder why you put so much of your life into it.”

I was surprised and I reached over and took her hand. “Karrie it’s hard for me to explain, but can I talk about the gym? I need your help.”

I looked at her, “Something odd happened after the dance class. As I think about it gets more difficult to understand.”

Karrie looked at me, “Jimmy; what do you think about the dance class itself?”

I looked at her, “It seemed Ok to me. Actually, it seemed to me like it went rather well, everybody had a good time. I had a good time, after I got over the stage fright.”

Karrie patted my hand, “Why didn’t you just use the standard music? Why did you change the format?”

I smiled at her, “Karrie, when I worked out in the weight room it always seemed like the music was so repetitious. Seemed kind of boring to me. The women in the class seemed to me to be going through the motions without a lot of enthusiasm.”

Karrie nodded, “Yes, I'm sure that’s true, I noticed it when I went to the first session with Marty.”

I looked back at the roof of the car. “Well, I promised the Sensei I’d learn to teach. It seems to me that students who don’t approach the training with enthusiasm or at least a degree of mental focus, don’t benefit much from the training. The Jays and I train by a system of goads and tricks. We use the Jedi metaphor to focus our enthusiasm, and we use tricks to exceed our own expectations. It’s like on the bench press, the Jays tricked me into pressing three hundred kilos. I would never have even attempted it if I knew that the bar was so heavy.”

Karrie shook her head, three hundred kilos is about six times her weight, “So you thought you would trick them?”

I looked over at her, “Yes, exactly. I figured if they had a good time, they’d put more into it and get more out of it. Once I had the ball rolling it kind of snowballed. You know me, if something is worth doing…”

Karrie laughed and finished it for me, “It’s worth overdoing. I’d say you did yourself proud there. What possessed you to get the guys involved?”

I laughed, “Well the idea was to get the girls to work a bit harder and I figured a little flirting would do the trick. I didn’t expect such an enthusiastic response from the ladies, but I’ve always been a little naïve about how women think about sex.”

Karrie laughed a bit and then patted me on the hand, “That’s my Jimmy. So what got you bothered? You did yourself proud teacher wise, you even got the guys off their asses, not usually an easy thing to do let me tell you.”

I looked at Kerrie, “I sense a story there, but I'll pick that up at a later time. What bothered me is the degree of response and then the continued response after the class was over. The guys and the ladies started helping each other exercise. Some of the ladies went into the weight room, which is really unusual in my experience, and some of the guys kept right on dancing with the ladies, which I’ve almost never seen in a gym. Guys are almost never in the dance room. What really drove it home was the locker room after.”

I looked at her, “Well, usually in the locker room, you strip, take a shower, dress and go. Not much talk except between close friends. But when you are naked, it almost never happens that you get touched by a stranger except by accident. They pounded me on the back, and expressed their thanks. Now most guys are pretty open to, how should I say this, anything to get them closer to the goal let say. But it seemed to me it went further than that, they actually enjoyed the music and the dancing.”

Karrie looked a question, “Don’t you enjoy it? Why should they be any different?”

Jimmy sighed and leaned back in his seat. “Karrie, I’ve never felt like I was like most guys. I’ve always had this thing about women. It’s kind of hard to put into words. Part of it is I could never bring myself to have a causal relationship with a woman. When I thought about it, I was concerned that I might hurt them if they developed feelings for me. I could never take a chance on hurting someone like that. Now that I know you, I’ve realized that it cuts the other way too. That I didn’t want to get hurt.”

Karrie nodded, “Yes, I can understand that, the Jays told me you were pretty naïve when they met you.”

I laughed, “Karrie I was a basket case. I was so bashful I couldn’t even talk sense to a woman I didn’t know well. The Jays took it on themselves to train me in the ways of love. They did manage to make me feel comfortable around the girls that we met when we went pub crawling, but I never really got over my fear of hurting them or being hurt.”

Karrie smiled, “Jack said they thought you were a virgin, but they weren’t sure. They said you never would come clean about it.” Karrie gave me a look. I figured she wanted to know.

I nodded, “Yes, but I wouldn’t talk about it because I promised. Seeing as you’re my wife and I did tell you my life is an open book to you. I could maybe tell you if you really want to know.” I thought I’d tease her a bit, should be interesting.

Karrie got a wicked smile on her face and then shook her head. “Damn, I thought I could pull your chain and tell you I couldn’t care less, but I really do want to know.”

I laughed and patted her hand. “Karrie, I’ve never met a woman that didn’t want to know all the intimate details. It’s kind of a funny story so I’ll tell you. I was fourteen years old. My family lived in a small community which was hit by a tornado. Our neighbor’s house was destroyed and ours was intact. Many houses were destroyed in the storm and the hotels that were open were chock full. Our next door neighbors were very good friends with my parents, so they offered to put them up. So they moved in with us while their house was being repaired. We had only two beds and a hide a bed couch. My parents moved my bed into the front room and the neighbors, slept in the hide a bed which was moved into my room. Their daughter slept with them most of the time, except when they wanted to make love. Well, it happened one night I was in my bed, Sandy, the daughter was doing her best to sleep in a chair in the front room. Most of the time when her parents were done with their chores, so to say, she’d go back to sleep with them. But one night they fell asleep. So she stayed curled up in the chair. Well a thunderstorm hit and Sandy woke up. Sandy was terrified because she never got over the tornado ripping her room apart. A particularly big lightning bolt woke me up, and as I lay there I heard Sandy crying. I didn’t know what to do. I spoke up and asked her if she was OK, and she stopped crying. As we were talking another bolt hit a tree across the street and you could hear the wood crack when the tree exploded. Well, that was it, Sandy jumped into my bed and grabbed me. She had a death grip on me and was crying, so I hugged her and rubbed her back trying to calm her down. Well eventually she calmed down, but about that time I discovered I was far from calm. I was wearing only a loose pair of boxer shorts and she was wearing a tee shirt of her dads because all of her clothes were ruined with the house. Sandy was two years older than me and was not a virgin. Well, when she discovered my problem, which she couldn’t have missed as we were pretty much as close together as two kids could get in the same bed, she kissed me and taught me to make love to her. Over the next week I fell in love with her, and she knew it. Over the next two months until they moved back into their house, she taught me that what I felt for her was friendship, that true love was so much more. I swore I loved her and would forever. She explained as kindly as she could that while I was a wonderful lover, that what she felt for me was friendship and that she would always value the time we spent together, but when she moved back to their house it would be over.”

I looked down from the ceiling at Karrie and saw a tear run down her cheek. I was surprised and took her hand, “Karrie, don’t cry Hun. This happened over ten years ago.”

Karrie nodded but didn’t stop, “Oh Jimmy, you were so young and she left you. So was she right?”

I sighed, “For a while after she left, I thought I was in love with her. After about a year I talked myself into thinking she was right. When I met you I realized she was wrong. I still love her, I always will. But she was also right. What I feel for you is so much more.” I reached over and put my hand behind Karrie’s head and kissed her as tenderly as I could. I was beginning to think we should go back to my apartment and test out my bed.

Karrie brushed the tears from her cheeks and looked at me, “So that’s why you were so bashful. You were afraid of being hurt again.”

I looked at the clock it was three o’clock time enough. I started up the car and drove toward my apartment. “At first you’re right. I was afraid of being hurt. But I also felt that I couldn’t ever take the chance of hurting anyone like that. Anyway, that’s the sordid story of the loss of my virginity.”

Karrie looked like she had her tears under control. She looked at me, “I think you said it was a funny story. Why did you say it was funny?”

I laughed, “Oh Karrie it was funny because I was so young and it hurt so much. I just have to laugh. From a ripe old age of twenty four, I can’t believe how naïve I was. Can’t you just picture it? A gangly brand new teenager in the throes of his first love. If it wasn’t so common place it would be hilarious.”

I laughed again, it took me about a minute to stop. “That’s just what my mom said.”

I started laughing again, “Karrie, they all knew. Her parents, my parents. Sandy didn’t try to hide it. I was totally oblivious I thought it was a secret until the day she moved back across the street.”

Karrie couldn’t help it, she laughed, “Jimmy I’m sorry. You’re joking? You didn’t realize it?”

I shook my head, “Nope, as I said I was a little naïve. In fact, you might say I was the world champion; holder of the record for the most naïve teenage boy. Karrie picture this, my bed was in the front room. You had to go through the front room to reach the kitchen, and the bathroom. We only had one in that small house. After the thunderstorm Sandy slept with me. When we went to bed, most nights we would make love. When we woke up on the weekends, we would typically make love several times. Whenever anyone would pass through the front room we’d freeze or try to be as quiet as we could. Today I realize they probably passed through many times while I was too busy to notice. In fact, many times I woke up without covers over me, sometimes Sandy was there in my arms, and my parents were in the kitchen eating breakfast. They all knew I would be absolutely devastated if I found out they knew. They protected my ignorance. In retrospect, I think they found it endlessly entertaining. I was the punch line of a lot of jokes, and the source of a lot of laughs, which the lead casing around my brain protected me from.”

I nodded, “Karrie, think about it. The smell alone had to be a dead giveaway.”

I laughed, “Picture this one. One Saturday night the power failed, and a thunderstorm moved in. Not a big one, but Sandy was a little shaky so we went to bed early. She couldn’t sleep so we made love. I dozed, thunder happens, she’d hug me, I’d wake up, we’d make love. I’ll bet we did it ten times that night and morning, I was a total wreck. Sunday morning at about ten I dragged myself into the kitchen my dad was reading the paper. My mom sees me, starts cooking waffles and hands me a cup of coffee. She has never done that before. I think I’d had about three cups of coffee in my whole life. So my dad calmly asks me if I’d slept Ok, if the thunderstorm kept me up. I stupidly answer Sandy had some problems sleeping because of the thunder, but I slept like a baby. My dad was sipping his coffee and he almost blew it out his nose. My mom grabbed his cup and glared at him and he ran out the door and started laughing his head off. It was a warm night the cold front never passed over our house, so all the activity in the front room made it smell like a brothel. My mom opened all the windows and pulled the sheets off the bed and washed them. I never noticed. When Sandy came out of the bathroom, she was limping and was sore from all the fucking. My dad had come back in at this point, and looked at Sandy and had to excuse himself again.” We had made it back to the apartment so I drove into the parking structure and got out and handed Karrie out.

We made it into the lobby and Emily was there tending the plants. Emily looked after the plants in the lobby because the super was a total botanical Cretan. He would remember to water a plant about once a year. In fact, I think Emily owned all the plants in the lobby, the original plants having died in agony long ago. We waved and said hi as we entered the elevator. Karrie swarmed me again as the door closed so we were kissing when another tenant entered the elevator. We made it to our floor and staggered out. I heard him say under his break, “Newlyweds, Ha”. Karrie giggled at that and we made it to the door.

I stopped and punched a few buttons on the door control panel, “Karrie hit the lock with your palm, it will remember so you can open the door should the need arise.” Karrie palmed the door and the control panel beeped in acknowledgement, then she palmed it again and the door snapped open and we went in.

I pulled out a chair for Karrie at the breakfast table; well everything table. My apartment had a breakfast table with three chairs, an alpine climber exercise machine, a bed and a recliner chair. The dresser, kitchen and closet were built into the walls. The bathroom was in a corner a half wall protected the bed from the shower. The toilet was in the corner of the bathroom area and the medicine cabinet and sink were next to it. All the comforts of home, with nothing to spare. I went to the reefer which is built into the kitchen, opened it pulled out some carrots, nuts, and some banana, orange, red bell pepper blend juice. I grabbed a couple of cups from the dishwasher, which was where I stored my plates, pans, and silverware. A little humus and we were all set. I poured Karrie and me a glass full of juice and sat down. “Snack time my ravishing beauty. We both had pretty good workouts today.” I picked up my glass and she did too. I tapped her glass with mine. “Here’s to us, my love. But most to you.”

Karrie smiled, “To us then.” She sipped and gave a surprised look. “Hey, this is good, what is it?”

I smiled at her, “Its fruit and vegetable juice. Secret recipe. Only need to know. Eat some carrots and nuts, try the hummus, it’s flavored with clove oil pretty tasty.” I pulled out my cell phone and held my wrist against the data port on the base and triggered the data transfer, my wrist glowed as the optical path from my implant uploaded to my phone.

I nodded and held my wrist still until the phone beeped. “Just uploading today’s workout, lunch and breakfast data to my phone Hun. My phone will upload it to my cloud and integrate it into my life log.”

Karrie nodded, “Where’d you get that Jimmy? I thought only astronauts and military people had implants like that.”

I smiled at her, “I did a job for the military and they wanted the implant for record keeping and I got them to throw it in as part of my pay. So now I don’t need to keep track of my exercise sessions, and the food I eat. I load meal data via a voice activated input into the log. It's really quite convenient.” I stood the phone in the charger and it commenced uploading.

Karrie looked interested, "So your implant keeps track of your exercise. What does it measure?"

I tapped the phone and it projected a keyboard. I logged into my cloud and brought up my life log. "As you can see, heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, blood chemistry, its pretty much a standard military setup. Here I bring up some plots. Here's today so far."

Karrie looked at the graphs and scrolled around through the day. She got a smile on her face and scrolled forward then back. "Jimmy what do you do with this data?"

"I use it to plan my meals and exercise sessions mostly." I explained. "It's also accessible on my wall, and by some of the doctors at the university. They pay me a small fee to be part of a long term study on healthy living."

I looked a question, "Sure, it's more accurate that way and the doctors want it that way."

Karrie looked at me and then the graph, "I see an open book indeed." She started to laugh.

Karrie smiled, "Jimmy, take a look at these graphs. Here at about seven you wake up, then about fifteen minutes later, a lot of activity. Here about eight again. Then again here about ten fifteen. Remember what you were doing?" She leaned back and started laughing.

I looked and then I blushed, "Oh. Do you mind? I don't know how to deactivate it."

Karrie kept laughing, "Jimmy, I don't mind. Probably only the doctors will be able to tell what you were up to anyway. You might want to think twice about cheating on me, not that I care."

I drenched a carrot in humus and started crunching. “Eat up Hun. You need to eat about half a cup of carrots, quarter cup of nuts, and drink all your juice.”

She grinned at me, “Yes mom. So taking over my diet are we?” She started eating, shortly she finished her allotment; I ate the rest. She drank her juice and I took the glasses stuffed them in the short load part of the dishwasher and trigger the wash cycle.

I pulled her to her feet and guided her over to the recliner I sat and scrunched over and sat her next to me. I started fondling her breasts and I kissed her and tasted her mouth. “Karrie with hummus. Good yum.” She turned to me and put her upper leg over me. We kissed for about a minute and she pulled back and stared into my eyes.

I smiled and shook my head slightly. “Karrie I can talk around the reason, but I’m not sure if I even know the reason. Hmm… I’m just not sure I can put it into words.”

I kissed her, while I thought about how to start to explain. As I was kissing her I forgot what I was doing and just kept kissing her. After a while she figured it out.

I felt my junior partner waking up so I figured this was going to be a hard row to hoe. “Karrie I suppose the best way to do this is to discuss the process. How did I fall in love with you and then finally start chasing you. The first brick removed from the wall was when you walked up to me. Do you remember?”

Karrie nodded, “Sure; you were sitting at a table drinking Pellegrino, all by yourself. I thought it odd that someone would come to a place like Tequila Willies to drink mineral water. Seemed like a good ice breaker so I walked up and asked you if you'd like another.”

I nodded. “That’s right well I came there with the Jays, and as was typical they left with their latest conquests.” I stopped for a second, “You know it just hit me; I’ll bet half the time it was the Jays being snapped up, rather than the other way around.”

Karrie laughed, “They claim otherwise, but I’ll bet you’re right. They’re pretty nice guys and a lot of girls at TWs go for a nice quick roll in the hay with a guy that treats them nicely. One thing about the Jays they treat a woman well, they play the part of macho man without a lot of negative baggage. But you’re getting off topic. So the cannon fodder had already cleared the deck and you, the designated driver, were left to close the place?”

I smiled, “Oh no I rarely stayed beyond the end of the Pellegrino proximate to their departure. I don’t drink much being a health nut. But as you walked up, at first I thought you looked like Sandy. That was the first brick. When you sat down your breasts bounced quite fetchingly. When I smelled your perfume it was the Indian brand you wear Patchouli I think it’s called. Very alluring. Then you smiled and asked if you could buy me a drink. Your smile was worth about one quarter of the wall. It took my breath away. It also started up my security systems because I felt attracted to you.”

Karrie smiled and then looked in my eyes. “Jimmy, the Jays said you’re un-aware of how attractive you are. Are they right?”

I smiled, “It’s kind of hard for me gage how attractive I am. I was aware that the Jays were using me, they used to kid me about it and even try to get me laid. I knew that some of the girls found me attractive. Some found me challenging. A guy they couldn’t wrap around their finger. A lot of them never realized the Jays were pretty hard to catch too, because they we so cooperative when it came to getting laid. The Jays were also extremely honest. They told the girls they were co-operating with what the girl wanted and their honor required them to help a girl in need. Of course it got them what they wanted to, and most of the girls figured it out before they left with them. Also, most girls left with them because that was exactly what they wanted. A nice guy who’d give them what they wanted and wouldn’t impose on them after.”

Karrie nodded, “Yes, I knew about the Jays from the grapevine. I never met them, but some of my friends spoke of them with a certain nostalgia. One girl said it succinctly a good fuck, a pleasant morning after, like a good wine with dinner. So you said I had activated your security system, what’s next?”

I smiled and took a quick dip and gave her a kiss. “Well, what happened next was a fluke. I let you order me another bottle of Pellegrino. Typically I would have declined and begged off saying it was time to go; you know the drill. I think your resemblance to Sandy, or maybe your perfect body wrestled my subconscious to the ground and beat it into submission. So once the bottle was ordered, I was committed to drink it with you.”

Karrie nodded, “So it’s my resemblance to Sandy that got my foot in the door. Have you ever seen her again?”

I shook my head, “No Sandy was true to her word, we only spoke a few times over the years after that. Right now I’m not so sure it was a physical resemblance because you really don’t look like the way I remember her. She was bigger than me, because I didn’t get my growth spurt until I was sixteen. Her eyes were brown, yours are blue. Her hair was red, yours is blond. It might have been something about your personality. But I don’t see how that could have played a factor as I didn’t know you. I will say I felt totally comfortable with you right off. I suppose you could say it was chemistry, or fate.”

Karrie patted me on the arm. “Let’s go with fate for now. So what happened next?”

I laughed, “Well, you got me talking and you kept me talking. I didn’t drink much of my Pellegrino. You are a great listener. We closed down the place. When the waiter came by and said last call; that was when it hit me.”

I kissed her on the forehead. “I looked at my watch and it was quarter to ten. The restaurant closed at nine and they figured all their guests would be out before then, so anyone in the bar got shoved out the door so they could close. The Jays had scored at seven thirty. So I had been talking to you for over two and a half hours. I realized that I didn’t want to stop talking to you. So I sighed and told you I wanted to go home with you. I also realized that this was it, I was committed to where ever this path led me.”

I smiled bashfully. “Karrie I knew that I was going to make the plunge, to take the chance, to risk the pain. I knew that whatever you wanted from me I was going to give it.”

I laughed and then sighed, “Karrie I don’t know if that was when I started down the slope. In thinking back on it, I think my fall started when you spoke to me. I think my sub-conscious knew right then. So you said sure come on home. So we drove to your house, and you took me into the front room. We talked a bit and you went to pee. I looked at some of the pictures you have strewn around. Thought you were married, then I saw the urn. I realized you weren’t married anymore, and then I considered that you might not be back in the market yet. You came back and I started to try to talk to you and I lost it and kissed you. God, you realize that was only sixteen hours ago?”

Karrie smiled, “Me? I knew about ten or fifteen minutes after we started talking. I figured if you didn’t ask to come home with me, then I would figure a way to trick you into taking me home. I planned to keep the pressure up and not let you run away. But you played along quite nicely. I realized if I got you it would be for keeps. I’m sorry this is going to sound a little crude, but essentially I knew if I could get you between my legs that you would be mine.”

Karrie shook her head. “No. As we talked I realized that if you made love to me, it would mean you were committed. I knew you wouldn’t do it unless you wanted the whole treatment. So I prayed to the gods and asked Roger to forgive me. Jimmy I don’t know if I believe in fate. I believe in god and a better place. When you kissed me on my couch I almost started crying I was so happy.”

I went back to fondling her breasts and kissing her. I broke the kiss. “I have to tell you, that I love you Karen, that’s a fact.” I went back to kissing and fondling her, I pushed the chair back so it was nearly flat. I turned slightly so she was lying next to me, but also slightly on top of me. I felt my erection pressed against her thigh. She spread her legs and lifted her upper leg and put it over me, which caused her dress to rise up and gather around her waist. I was pretty happy just admiring her and being near her so I didn’t escalate matters, except for the occasional ass grab.

About that time I remembered my discussion about the gym, and seeing as I was pretty happy just being with her in the chair, “Karrie can we talk about the gym some more?”

Karrie sighed and put her head down on my shoulder. “Jimmy, what’s normal? What are you trying to ask? Are you asking me if you’re normal?”

I nodded, “Maybe that’s what I’m asking. I not sure. Karrie the reaction of the people in the gym seems over the top to me. It’s like they we drunk or something, I don’t know.”

Karrie lifted up her eyes, “I can’t say, it seems to me that you put on a good show, and the people responded to that.”

Karrie smiled, “Jimmy, Marty was irritated that you created more work for her at first, but she said it at the end, you’re her prize bull. She’s serious that your little brain storm is going to be a money maker. She doubly serious that making money is pretty fun for her.”

Karrie kissed me on the cheek, “Hun, I really like the class. The dancing was really a blast. I especially like the last bit.”

Karrie nodded, “Yes. It sounded like you knew the words. But the best part was after the song.”

I kissed her briefly, “Yes, I know the words. It’s a very beautiful song. But what part after the song?”

I blushed again. “I forgot that part, I hadn’t intended the class to hear that part.”

I shook my head, “Oh no, that’s not it. I had intended it for only you to hear. It seemed to me by broadcasting it, I meant them all. The song is a love song, and I sang it to you.”

Karrie nodded, “I know. But Jimmy don’t you realize that was the perfect ending? You said I love you and you really meant it. Everyone heard it.”

I smiled, “Yes of course, but I could never do something so calculated. I said it because after the song I couldn’t say anything else, because I do love you.” I had to stare into her eye for a minute before I could remember what I was talking about. “Ah, anyway why do you think everybody reacted so positively to the class. I mean I saw guys dancing in the class that I would have been willing to bet never considered dancing in the gym; ever.”

I nodded, “Yes, after I got over the stage fright at the beginning, it was really fun. As the ladies and later the guys got into it was even more fun.”

Karrie nodded, “So maybe they caught your enthusiasm. Jimmy I think you’re over analyzing.”

I sighed and nodded, “Yes, but then in the locker room, the guys were still… high I guess from the class. Also, when they started singing Minnie the Moocher, and I could hear the girls responding to the hidey hoes; I don’t know it just seems so un-real.”

Karrie shook her head, “Jimmy you’re dancing around the real question. What’s really bothering you?”

I looked at her, “Karrie the Jays say I’m a chick magnet. I always thought they were shitting me. I’ve seen it in Aikido class too, when I helped the little ones learning to roll and fall, they all seem to perk up and try real hard when I help them. Now my first attempt at teaching something new is a wild success. Could they be right? I don’t think I like the idea that I have some kind of unusual influence over people.”

Karrie sighed, “Jimmy you are a nice guy. You’re honest, earnest, and sincere. People notice that.”

I nodded, “Still, what if the Jays are right? I’ll never know what people really think about me. What if….”

I felt like I wanted to run away, I looked away and whispered, “What if you love me because I made you love me, that…” I couldn’t go on.

Karrie put her hands on my face and turned me to look in her eyes again. “Jimmy, I love you. It doesn’t matter if you made me love you. Jimmy I like being in love with you. You are one of the most unusual men I’ve ever known. Being married to you is going to be a great adventure. Jimmy, do you love me?”

Karrie smiled, “What if I told you that I have super powers and I made you love me. Would you like me to release you, so you could stop loving me?”

I thought about it, “I… no I wouldn’t like to stop loving you. You give me so much joy I’d hate to lose that.”

I thought again, “No, I don’t think so. I might love you more, but I don’t think I’ll love you less.”

I looked at her in surprise, “No, I didn’t; the one word seems complicated enough.”

Karrie laughed, “You’re right. The words in English are Agape, Eros, Philla, and Storge. Eros is physical or sensual love. Philla is intellectual or mental love. Storge is familial love like parents of children. Agape is spiritual or selfless love. As we grow old together the balance of these loves will shift. Like right now for us there is a lot of Eros, and some Agape.” Karrie dug her knuckle in my rib and grinned at me. “As we get to know each other there will probably be Philla. When we have some kids and our family starts to grow, we will feel more Storge. Jimmy love is like that, it changes.”

I thought about it, “It’s interesting, but maybe it's a good thing we have one word. Karrie how come you know about this?”

Karrie sighed, “When I married Roger, I did it quickly not as fast as you but still pretty fast. As I got to know him; there were things that made me question whether I really loved him. When I started to try to get pregnant, Roger wouldn’t talk to me about it. He would smile and divert me, or he would ignore me. It bothered me that he reacted that way to something so important to me and to him. I don’t think Roger didn’t want to have kids, I think he just couldn’t talk about. So when I tried and tried, I finally confided in my doctor that it bothered me that he couldn’t talk about. My doctor referred me to a counselor. She explained this thing to me about the Greek words.”

Karrie sighed, “I decided that I did love him. It is, as you say, a good thing we have one word." Karrie shifted so she could face me better. "Jimmy, it’s like this there are words, and then there is being. What I felt for Roger and still feel for Roger is something I label with the word love. It’s like Jack said I was his master, his equal, and his slave. There were things about Roger that I really didn’t like, but I accepted him because I knew in my heart that he was doing the best he could for me. I felt I owed him my best because he gave me his best. But it went further than that. I gave him my love without condition, not expecting any compensation. I didn’t sell my love to him for his love, he got it for free. This is Agape I think. When I look at you I feel all of it mixed together, you are a real hunk you know, and my body aches for you. But more than that, I feel that I want to protect you and just be with you. When you hurt, I hurt. When you talk you surprise me. I can’t believe what a nice caring man you are. Roger was like that, but you have more of it. Jimmy this might seem a little cruel to you, but in the end, I don’t really care if you love me, because I love you and you don’t have any say in the matter. I’m happy that you love me. Do you understand? Even if by some magical means you somehow made me love you, it doesn’t matter. As you keep saying, I say to you, I love you and that’s a fact.”

I looked at her and felt like I was going to pop the joy was so great. I leaned in close to her and brushed my lips over hers, and then I whispered, “I do love you.” I stared into her eyes and with the small part of my brain that could still reason I thought, this must be Agape. I ran my hand over her breast the thin material accentuating her loveliness. I felt the ache she mentioned. This is must be Eros. I lowered my hand to her tummy and thought of the life we had started together, what it would be like to hold our baby in my arms. This must be Storge. Through it all, I realized that she was right that as we learned about each other there would be Philla. I felt lucky to love such a wise lovely woman. I thought about her statement that she didn’t care if I loved her, I understood she was right. It was enough to love her more is nice, but it is enough. “Karrie I understand, you’re right, it is enough to just love you, the rest is gravy.”

Karrie smiled brightly at me, “Jimmy, we are soul mates you and I. Now one more thing. Suppose you do have this power, this ability to be attractive, to make people love. This is not a bad thing. There is enough cruelty and pain in the world, if you can pass out a little joy, make people happy, then why not do it? You said you were worried about if it was real or not. What is real? I think what you were trying to say is ‘if not for your supposed power, would things be different?’ Jimmy to my mind those are just words. There was a great man a doctor turned mystic who said ‘Be Here Now’. George Harrison wrote a song by that title. Here I’ll repeat the words to you, I’ll say them slowly because they're a little choppy.” Karrie closed her eyes.

"Be Here Now"

Remember, Now, Be Here Now
As it's not like it was before.

The past, was, Be Here Now
As it's not like it was before-it was.

Why try to live a life,
that isn't real,
no how

A mind, that wants to wander,
'round a corner,
is an un-wise mind.

Now, Is, Be Here Now
and it's not what it was before.

Remember, Now, Be Here Now
as it's not like it was before, it was.

Karrie sighed hugged me. “Jimmy, God has granted me healing powers, and as god’s agent, I hereby heal you of all extraordinary powers, henceforth you are just Jimmy, the man I love fabulously.” She kissed me.

I put my hand between her legs and grinned. "I think junior would like to be here now."

Karrie reached down, shifted her panties, went to work on my belt, unbuttoned my fly and then grabbed junior and guided him home. I turned in the chair and Karrie got on top of me and put her palms on my pecks and leaned forward. As she shifted I felt her soft silkiness engulf me. She bottomed out and ground her pelvis against me; I could feel the hard marble of her cervix bump against me. She rose up and plunged back down and I felt it again. She arched her back, which stuck her tits out so I reached up with both hands to grab them. She leaned forward, pressing them hard into my hands and then started rocking her pelvis and banging up and down. I felt her tense, she gave a breathy sighing moan, shook and pressed down hard against me. I felt her relax so I lowered her down to me and hugged her. She was breathing hard and I felt my love swell as she pulsed around junior. I sat up and she started rocking her pelvis again. Her movements made it difficult, but I managed to rotate in the chair and stand up. I hugged her tightly to me and she lifted her legs and wrapped them around me as I carried her over to the bed and sat down. I fell back and she followed so I rolled her on her back and then tried to push up, but my knees missed the edge of the bed so I slid down and popped out of her.

I nibbled from her belly button up to her cleavage through the material of her dress, "Be back just want a quick taste." I slipped my knees down to the floor, pulled her to the edge of the bed, pulled down her panties, threw them on the table, and took a taste of her nectar. She tasted different without my cream; better. I lift my head, "Karrie without cream is very good too."

I dove in and started licking and sucking. Karrie arched her back and slammed her hands down on the edge of the bed gripping it tightly. I stopped and she started to relax so I started again. Karrie growled and then grabbed my hair and pulled. I ran my tongue over her clit and she tensed all over. "Jimmy... !" She relaxed and I looked up at her blissed out expression. I stood up and slipped my arm behind her knees, put my hand under her shoulders, picked her up and laid her down in the bed, and then laid down next to her. Her eyes were closed so I kissed them. She looked at me and I smiled, "How's outer space beautiful?"

She grinned at me and grabbed junior and stroked him. "My docking port is ready, why don't you and junior mate up with me? We can explore outer space together."

I shifted a bit on the bed and raised her leg. "Just let me get the guide rail in position, if you could give junior a heads up we'll see about this docking maneuver."

Karrie laughed, "I'll give you a heads up alright." She pulled on me. "You are cleared to dock. Push on."

I pushed until I touched her. "Ma’am? It looks awful tight in there, are you sure my docking equipment will fit? Its dark, too, and damn it looks wet. I think I need to study the situation some more."

Karrie grabbed junior, "Oh no you don't. You just crank up those thrusters and slide on home sailor."

I pushed in all the way on one go. "Nope, doesn't feel quite docked we'll have to try again ma’am."

Karrie arched her back slightly, "You just keep on trying until you get it right sailor."

I started moving with a running commentary, "Let's try this way... nope still not in position. How about a short pull and push this way... no still a no go mission control. Mission control this looks like it's going to take a bit of time. How you doing ma’am? Sorry junior just can't find the groove ma’am."

Karrie laughed out of breath, "Junior just needs some practice sailor." Karrie grabbed my arms and gasped, "Jimmy!"

I felt her clamp down on me making it harder to move, "Red alert, docking clamps engaged. Engineering give me emergency thrusters." I started banging deep and fast.

Karrie took a deep breath and clamped down even harder, pushed down with her feet lifting me, her fingernails dug into my forearms. "Oh god emergency thrusters, yes!" She relaxed and then clamped down again, shaking her head side to side.

I felt my groin tighten, "Intruder alert, prepare for boarders, intruder alert!" I pushed in as far as I could and felt her cervix as junior pulsed. "Cargo bay has been breached, sorry, ma’am I can't stop them, here they come." I felt my load rushing, "Oh god Karrie I can't hold it." I collapsed on top of her and she wrapped her arms and legs around me.

I could feel her pulsing around me as I shot my loads into her. She tensed and then relaxed and sighed. I tried to roll off of her, but she grabbed me tighter.

Karrie kissed my neck, "You stay right where you are; sailor. I need to make sure I get all those intruders. Never know what kind of mischief they'll get into if they escape."

I relaxed. Her body fit me perfectly I felt like I was in heaven. "Outer space feels a lot like heaven ma’am."

Karrie relaxed and we both started laughing. We couldn't laugh for long because we were so out of breath. We lay there for a bit until we could breathe again. I kissed her neck, "Karrie where there is you, there is heaven." I kept kissing her I was too weak to raise up and kiss her mouth. I was still inside her and not completely soft, so I moved a bit feeling her luxurious softness. She rocked her pelvis in response.

I took a glance at the clock, six PM, time to get ready for the party. “Earth to outer space, time to prep for dinner. Ma’am, if you’ll release your docking clamps we can de-orbit and prep for dinner.” Karrie laughed and let me go, so I rolled off and held her down, “One moment ma’am, I need to check for escaping intruders.” I slid down and began cleaning up the mess I made. Karrie spent the time messing up my hair, “All clear ma’am, you can begin your deorbit.” I stood up and helped her stand, her dress fell back into position not a wrinkle showing, miracle modern fabric. I pulled off my shirt and look at my pants, they were a disaster. I pulled off my pants and boxers and threw them at the washer.

Karrie shucked off her dress and pulled off her bra and panties. “Shower time Jimmy.” She opened her duffel and pulled out a towel and started wrapping up her hair.

I looked at her and considered, “Hun I think you better shower first. If we make it a joint effort we won’t get out of here for another hour. We’ll be late for the party.” I went over to the bathroom nook and pulled out the shower curtain, turn on the water and adjusted the temperature.

Karrie finished her hair and bent over her duffel and pulled out another towel and threw it to me. “Get ready Jeeves, be with you in a moment.” She stepped into the nook bent over and wiggled her ass at me and then stepped into the shower.

The shower curtain was translucent and the sight of her washing off was mind boggling. I grabbed my phone and snapped a picture. She finished up, turned off the water and stepped out. She smiled at me, shook her tits at me, and then walked over to me zigzagging and swinging her butt. She stood in front of me dripping on the carpet. I stood the looking at her, holding the towel, but not making the connection.

I did a double take as I remembered I had the towel, and started drying her off, she laughed. “I can see this isn’t going to work.” She took the towel from me pushed me toward the shower. “Shower Jimmy.” She dried off and then uncoiled her hair. She got a comb out of her duffel and went to work on her hair.

I went into the shower and turned on the water without thinking and froze my ass off. “Oh, that’s cold.” I yelled and then soaped down and rinsed off quickly. I came out and Karrie threw the towels at me. She had put her dress back on and was sitting on a kitchen chair putting on her sandals. I looked at her and could see her nipples through the sheer dress, and then looked at the table where her bra and panties were. I smiled, “Feel a draft Hun?” I asked while I dried off my hair.

She smiled at me and lifted up the hem of her dress, she grabbed her bra and panties and threw them at me, “Smell.” She commanded.

I didn’t have to get them too close to my face, “Oh, I said. Karrie did anyone ever tell you that you are an evil woman? I won’t be able to see straight all through dinner knowing you’re dressed like that!” I threw them back at her.

She pulled the hem of her dress back down and crossed her legs. It didn’t help. She grinned at me. “Jimmy your just going to have to live with it Hun.” She stood up and went over to her duffel and bent double giving me a great view, as she put her underwear into the duffel. She went over to my closet and started fishing through my shirts and found a t shirt which had on it:

I looked at it and blushed, “The Jays took me to a t shirt shop. It was a place that would put sayings on the t shirt for you while you wait. They thought I needed some more trendy clothes.”

I went to the dresser and pulled out clean boxers and a pair of black shorts. Karrie threw the t shirt at me so I slipped it on. “Well the books they had with pithy sayings didn’t turn me on, so I made that one up.”

I shook my head, “Sort of but, Haikus are fun. You’re a poet too my love.” I sat down and put on my shoes and picked up my keys and phone.

I stood up and went over to her and took her in my arms and kissed her. “You are a poet of form and motion, Karrie, my beautiful wife. Did I tell you? I love you. No question about it!”

Karrie cooperated with the kiss and then sighed, “Jimmy you say the nicest things.”

She pushed me back and took my hand and pulled me to the door, “We better get moving bub, or we’ll not be moving anywhere any time soon.”

Jamey looked at Marty as Karrie and Jimmy blew out of the office. “Marty, do you think Jimmy has powers?”

Marty shook her head, “Jamey I’m just a country girl. Jimmy has something I don’t know what, go ahead and call it powers if you like. I don’t know how he does it, but he does it. Listen, why don’t you give Gail a call dude, or maybe speak to Kathy, I’m going to need your help here. Jimmy has given us a great opportunity and it’s up to us to turn it into cash. Now will you get out of here and let us work?”

Jamey left the office and made it down to the locker room. He watched Jimmy get mobbed and shook his head and changed into his street clothes. He passed by Jimmy on the way out and gave him a high five. “You OK dude?” Jimmy looked kind of phased.

I looked at him and replied, “No dude, but I’ll work it out with Karrie. You got your orders man get to it.”

Jamey nodded, “OK man, give me a whistle if you need a shoulder dude.” Jamey made it out to the entry and pulled out his phone and the napkin from his pocket. He took a picture of the napkin and tossed it in the trash and then make a new entry in his contacts for Gail. He punched up her contact.

Jamey smiled, “This is meat head aka Jamey, we met at lunch. Can you make it to dinner with me at seven, Jimmy the big dude at our table is having an anniversary party. I know this is kind of short notice and you don’t know me from Satan, but I promise scouts honor to treat you right.” Jimmy waited, there was no response for several seconds, “Gail are you there?”

Gail thought briefly about Robert and the thought fuck it and laughed, “Sure why not. I’m off work at three give me a lift and you got a date.”

Jamey grinned, “No way, yes? I’ll be there you won’t regret this I promise. I’ll let you get back to it, I’ll ring you when I’m there. Bye beautiful.” Jamey punched off and thought, “I need wheels now. Jimmy’s going to be busy with Karrie so what to do?” Jamey paced a bit, “Got it Antonio.” Jamey punch up his phone, “Hey Tony, got a date. What do you got?”

Antonio answered, “Jamey long time no hear dude. You want BMW again? What’s your pleasure?”

Jamey dithered, “Tony she’s hot dude, and I’m feeling risky BMW seems to staid man.”

Jamey sighed, “Don’t know, maybe. Hey dude, I got news, about Jimmy and Jack.”

Antonio replied, “What’s up with them, you Jays stick together like ticks on a dog.”

Antonio gasped, “You’re shitting me dude. Jimmy? He’s the ice man. I mean I figured you and Jack would meet your match one day, but Jimmy? Do I know the lucky ladies?”

Jamey spun around and made it toward the door, “You know Marty, I don’t think you met Karrie she’s a sleeper got in before I knew it.”

Antonio stopped for a second, “Jamey you said some pretty unbelievable things in the past but Marty and Jack? Does he wear a collar man?”

Jamey laughed, “Believe it or not dude they’re in love. It’s kind of disgusting actually.”

Antonio smiled at his phone, “Happens dude. Got to meet this Karrie must be a real number to get the ice man. Anyway, back to business. I think Porsche Cayman GTS, red or black, three days?”

Jamey nodded, “Hey Tony hold on I’ll call Jack he’s going to need some wheels maybe.” Jamey punched up Jack and merged him, “Hey Jack I got Tony here, need wheels dude?”

Marty spoke into the phone, “Hey, how’s my favorite grease ball? Haven’t seen you at the gym lately getting fat are we?”

Tony laughed, “Things are good here. Bernie’s got another on the way, Petie keeps us up nights with teeth other than that business is good. Listen, Marty congrats and all that. I’ll bring Bernie tomorrow she’ll want to give you a hug. Marty, I just want to say force be with you, welcome to the great adventure.”

Marty laughed, “Tony, you need to keep your mitts off her, dude, give her a rest.”

Tony smiled into the phone, “Marty you know Bernie, I didn’t get much say in the matter.”

Marty nodded, “Hey Tony, Jimmy’s having an anniversary party can you get a sitter? It’s at seven at Aloma’s.”

Tony nodded, “Marty, we’ll put in a showing, but we can’t stay. We’ve got to pick up Bernie’s mom at the airport, she’s coming by to help, apparently I’m not qualified. Bernie’s due in about a week, so being just a lowly male; the distaff branch is taking over. You know how it is.”

Marty laughed, “Hey, see you at seven.” Marty handed the phone back to Jack.

Jack spoke into the phone, “Hey Tony, bring the small one, I’m sure Karrie will swoon over him. Do Bernie and you some good to gloat man. Signing off dude, Jamey, see you at seven.” Jack disconnected.

Tony laughed, “Getting serious are you? Okay, you got it Jamey, for you I’ll cut you a deal man just five hundred.”

Tony smiled at his phone, “Jamey you’re the only Jay left, you ought to join the great adventure man you don’t know what you’re missing.”

Tony laughed, “See you at seven dude, the car will be there in fifteen, man.” Tony disconnected.

Jamey wandered back into the gym and sat down across from the locker rooms. A couple of women came out of the locker room. One looked at him, “Hey, it’s the sound dude. You a roadie or was that a local performance?”

A tall man came out of the men’s locker room and walked up to the tall woman, “Hey Jamey, meet my other half Lydia, and her friend Pam. Hey Pam where’s Paul?”

Pam looked around, “He’s tracking down the kids. Jamey is it? Nice to meet you. Kudos the class was a blast.” Another guy walked up herding a group of children in swim suits. “See you next week Jamey.” The parents herded the kids out the door.

Jamey sat thinking about the class and heard a couple of hard braking squeals and looked out the door. Two Porsches had pulled up one black hard top and a red convertible. A guy in a suit exited the hard top and came into the gym, he spied Jimmy and walked over. “Jimmy? Sign here. Give us a call and we’ll pick her up. Anything else?” The guy handed him the keys.

Jamey checked the time, about time to pick up Gail. He picked up his duffel and made it out to the car, jumped in and blew down the road. Made it to the restaurant and parked out front in the crippled spot. He walked over to the door and Gail came out carrying a green sweater looking good in her tight shorts and a too small T shirt.

Jamey perked up, “Looking good Gail.” He escorted her over to the passenger side open it up and handed her in. Jamey got in on the driver side. “Wither away my femme fatale?”

Gail smiled at him, “Nice wheels Mr. Meathead sir. To my apartment, I need to change.”

Jamey nodded, “Okay, let me key in the address here.” Jamey accessed the navigation system. Gail gave the address, and Jimmy punched it in and press NAV start and they were off.

Jimmy smiled at her as he drove, “It’s a rental. I don’t like owning a car too much effort so I rent when I need one. Most times I bum a ride from Jimmy, take UTRAN, or cabs.”

Jimmy nodded, “Yep, Cayman GT. You seemed like a Porsche rather than the more staid BMW which is my usual fare. Did I get it right?”

Jimmy smiled at her, “Gail one thing you should know about me is I speak my mind, and I always speak the truth. You’re just going to have to tolerate the complements around me because you’re pretty amazingly beautiful.”

Gail smiled and dimpled at him, “Jamey, where are we headed with this date? Are you a wolf?”

Jimmy looked at her and then pulled over the car, turned it off and reached out and took her hand. “Pardon the touch Gail but hear me true. What I’m going to say is going to sound goofy, romantic, over the top, but that’s what I am. I asked you out and you said yes. What that means to me is I have a chance now to prove I’m worthy of the yes you gave. So by my honor as your knight I’m going to do my best to give you the best time I can give. If all you want conversation, you got it. If you want something more you got it. I’m going to give you a lot of compliments because you are pretty amazing. I want to get to know you better because I think I’d like that and I’m hoping you’ll like it. You won’t have to fight me off so be calm be happy, have a good time and we’ll see where it goes, OK?”

Gail nodded and then leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “OK Jamey, and thanks for the explanation.”

Jamey got a big grin and looked at her, “Well I be! She kissed me. Not fifteen minutes into the date and she kissed me. This is going to be a blast.” Jamey started up the car and returned to driving to her apartment.

They made it to her apartment. Gail turned to him. “Jamey there is a complication. First know I would love to go out with you, but upstairs in my X boyfriend. This is his apartment, but I pay for it because he’s a drunk and a deadbeat. I’m through and I’m leaving him, so I’m going up to get my things and that’s going to be that.”

Jamey nodded, “OK, I can live with that. Should I come up with you? Is he physical he won’t hit you or something?”

Gail sighed, “He hasn’t been physical so far, but this is going to be hard on him. I don’t want a fight and your being there might push him too far.”

Jamey looked at her, “OK, but I won’t let you go alone. I have an idea, I’ll be your driver and bodyguard. If he asks you, tell him that.” Jamey parked the car and they got out went into the high rise up to the apartment.

Gail palmed the door, “Jamey, he may be out or asleep.” The door opened and Gail pointed at the door on the left, “My room.” She pointed right, “His room. Don’t let him into my room while I’m doing this.”

Gail went into her room and opened the closet, pulled out a good size suitcase, threw some clothes from the closet into it, open the dresser threw some more clothes in the suitcase, and then opened the desk and emptied all the drawers and the files into the suitcase. She sat on the suitcase and got it to latch and moved to the door from her room.

Jamey stood in the middle of the common room, eyeing the right hand door. It popped open and a somewhat overweight man in boxers and a t shirt was there.

Robert looked into Gail’s room and saw her packing, “Gail, who is this guy? What are you doing?”

Gail didn’t slow her packing she just spoke up. “Robert, he’s the driver as he said. What am I doing? I’m leaving that’s what.”

Robert made a move toward Gail’s door, and Jamey blocked him. “Get out of my way.”

Jamey looked at him, “Sorry sir, she told me no one enters her room, sir. That’s how it’s going to be.”

Robert lunged at him and Jimmy spun him around and pushed him to the floor. Jamey spoke up, “Sir, please don’t do that again. I don’t want to hurt you. I advise you to consider I’m very well trained as a bodyguard and driver, and you will not touch her or impede her in any way.”

Robert looked at Jamey and then started yelling, “Gail, what kind of shit are you pulling?”

Gail made it into the front room with the suitcase. Jimmy took charge of it and stood between her and Robert. Gail turned to him, “Robert this is goodbye, I warned you. Don’t call me. Don’t try to see me. If you bother me, I’ll get an injunction, is that clear?”

Robert made a move to go around Jamey, Jamey tripped him and he fell flat. Robert slid his hand under the sofa and came up with a baseball bat.

Robert swung the bat and Jamey caught the end in his hand. He jerked it out of Robert’s hands and grabbed it and broke it in half and dropped the pieces. Jamey reached into his pocket and pulled out five hundred dollars and dropped the bills near the bat. “That should cover the cost of a new bat, sir. You should take her advice, sir, it would be much easier for you. I hope you have a nice life, sir.”

Jamey followed Gail to the elevator and after the door closed, Jamey put down the suitcase and took Gail into his arms, she was crying. “I’m sorry it happened that way. Go ahead and cry honey, I won’t think less of you.” The elevator made it to the ground floor and Jamey escorted her to the car and put her suitcase in the trunk. He got in and Gail was still crying and he started the car and drove out to the beach. He led her up to a cliff and sat down on the grass facing the sea, holding Gail’s hand. She was still crying so he sat waiting to give her time. As the sun set, Jamey sighed, and Gail still looked stressed but had stopped crying. Jamey lifted her hand and kissed it.

Jamey smiled softly at her, “Gail, I know you’re hurting but I’d like to say a few things to you. Maybe it will help, maybe it won’t, but I can’t just let it lay. Can I do that?”

Jamey nodded and looked out at the sunset. “Once upon a time a baby boy was born, and his proud parents named him Robert. They were so happy for their new baby and wished only the best for him. Robert grew up, and he had so much promise. He could be anything he wanted. He met a girl named Gail and they fell in love. For a while everything was good and love grew. But then somehow Robert lost his song, he began to drink, and lose control of his life. It wasn’t Gail’s fault. It was a sad thing to lose your song, the joy of being alive and in love but it happened. So Gail tried to help to restore his song, but she couldn’t do it. Nobody could do it because in the end the only one that could do it was Robert. Gail finally realized that her song was in jeopardy and that continuing to be with Robert was going to ruin her life. So Gail made a hard choice she decided to leave him. She still loves him and she remembers the Robert she fell in love with but that man is gone. Gail it’s alright to love him. I love him and feel nothing but sadness over the thing he has become. He is wasting the gift of life. There is so much about life to love and people to love and care for. Be strong Gail and sing your song with all your heart.”

Jamey looked at Gail and there were tears running down his face. Gail raised her hand and touched his tears, and she turned and they watched the sun set. Gail cried quietly and the moon came up. Jamey sighed. “Gail look at that moon, isn’t it the greatest?”

Gail laughed and felt her tears stop, “Jamey, you are a very wise and gentle man, thank you.” She kissed his cheek.

Jamey looked at her and grinned, “Will you look at that, she kissed me again. She is so beautiful.” Jamey squeezed her shoulders. “Gail no pressure do you want to go to the party? We can sit here and watch the stars if you like.”

Gail looked at her watch, it was six thirty. “You want to be with your friends on this special day don’t you?” Gail started to get up and Jimmy held her down with his arm around her shoulder.

He smiled at her, “Gail, nothing can separate me from my friends. I am with them here, even though they are far away. This day is special because I’m with you. All days are special because life is like that. Gail you have given me a great gift. You have shown me a part of your heart and it is beautiful. I have gained something else but I’m not sure if I should burden you with that today.”

Gail looked at him and smiled, “Jamey, you are transparent. Okay, I’ll bite. I promise not to be burdened.”

Jamey looked at her bashfully, “Gail, I love you. Now don’t feel obligated or frightened by this. I know it’s kind of sudden. I just think you should know. I don’t expect anything from you. It’s enough for me right now to just love you. You don’t need to say anything. OK?”

Jamey shook his head, “It’s a goal, but it’s not a place. Do you know what I mean? There’s a Stephen Stills song that comes to mind I’ll sing it to you.”

"Love The One You're With"

If you're down and confused
and you don't remember who you're talking to
Concentration slips away
because your baby is so far away

Well there's a rose in a fisted glove
and the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love honey
Love the one you’re with
Love the one you’re with
Love the one you’re with
Love the one you’re with.

Don't be angry - don't be sad
don’t sit crying over good times you've had
There's a girl right next to you
and she's just waiting for something to do

And there's a rose in a fisted glove
and the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love honey
Love the one you’re with
Love the one you’re with
Love the one you’re with
Love the one you’re with.

Turn your heartache right into joy
Cause she's a girl and you're a boy
Get it together come on make it nice
You ain't gonna need any more advice

Jamey smiled, “I used to think this was my motto. My love was so far away because I’d never found her. Now it’s a bit off target for me because I am with the one I love.” Jamey stood up and helped Gail up.

Gail sighed, “Jamey you have a wonderful voice.” Gail looked at her clothes, “Jamey I need to change; these are my working girl clothes.”

Jamey had walked her back to the car, he opened the trunk and took out her suitcase. “Gail get what you need. We’ll open the door facing the ocean and you can change. I’ll stand with my back to you shielding you from view, well that work for you?”

Gail nodded, “OK, but I need a bathroom, I need to wash my face and fix my makeup.”

Jamey looked introspective, “I think I have an angle there too. We make it to Aloma’s and you go to the ladies room, and I’ll run interference with the party. You take care of your business and then I can introduce you to the party with all systems on green. Works?”

Gail grinned at him, “Works. Let’s operate.” She went to the suitcase and pulled out a dress. “Okay, my knight, let’s do the deed, and no peeking.” She stood in the v of the door and Jamey stood next to her. She grabbed his waist and turned him around. “Ok, this is the part where you close your eyes you promise not to peek until I give you permission.” Gail took off her blouse and shorts and slipped the dress over her head, squirmed around and pulled it into place.

Gail picked up her blouse and shorts, “OK, my Knight I release you, peeking is permitted now.”

Jamey turned around and look her over. He leaned forward and looked into her cleavage, “Hum, no evidence of a bra, no panty line, worse than naked. Very kissable. Permission to kiss the princess?”

Jamey took her in his arms, leaned down and kissed her. He made a production out of it and he made it last. When he finally broke the kiss, he held her and looked in her eyes for several seconds and then grinned. “Yes, I’d say things are definitely trending up here. Each kiss is better than the last. We are headed in the right direction, no doubt about it.”

Jamey smiled, “Why the right direction that’s what. I can’t say where we’re headed it’s just headed the right way.” Jamey took her hand and guided her back to the passenger side of the car, “Be seated my princess.” He went back to the suitcase, dropped her shorts and blouse in, closed it up and put it back in the trunk. He sat down in the driver seat and heaved a big sigh. “Well princess, it is party time, let’s make the scene.” He started up the car and blew down the road to Aloma’s.

They pulled up in front of the restaurant to the valet parking. Jamey jumped out and dashed around to the passenger side and had to stop one of the valets from opening the door, “Sorry man, that’s my duty.” Jamey said. The valet stepped back one of the others whispered to him, “Hey, I told you man the lady has to open the door before you help.” Jamey opened the door and helped Gail out of the low slung German machine. The valet handed him a ticket, Jimmy fished out his wallet, put it in and handed the valet that tried to open the door at ten. “It’s the thought that counts dude, park her well if you please.” Jamey gave him a big grin. The valet bowed, “With respects sir, and lady, we always do.”

Jamey slipped his arm through Gail’s and they turned to walk into the restaurant. The whispering valet spoke again, “This job is going to kill me for sure. Did you see that dude?” The other valet whispered back, “Watch your lip dude, I’ll bet they heard that.”

Jamey looked into Gail’s eyes and grinned and kissed her on the cheek, “Told so you beautiful.” Jamey let her arm go and opened the door, “Ladies room is to the right next to the bar, meet you at the table ask the hostess for the Jays anniversary party. See you in ten.”

Gail smiled at him, “Might take more than ten my knight, but you got a date.” Gail stepped in did a fast reconnoiter and followed the signs.

Jamey was partially paralyzed and stood holding the door which another couple took advantage of, the woman smiled at him. Jamey grinned and thought, “Things are definitely trending up here.” Jamey made it to the hostess, “Jay’s anniversary; most esteemed and beautiful hostess person.”

The hostess beamed a smile at him, “They’re over to the left in the large room sir.”

Jamey smiled, “This humble knight thanks you for your most clear directions and would be further indebted to your loveliness if you would guide my princess as adroitly when she returns from the powder room, forsooth. She’s wearing a sinful yellow dress.”

The hostess smiled brighter, “We get a lot of those type of dresses here. I spotted her before you came in you have a deal sir.”

Jamey hesitated, “Beauty must be served, would it offend you if this humble knight tipped you for services rendered and offered?” He offered a fiver diffidently.

The hostess took the offering, “I accept your humble offering, but advise you to keep your flirting to a minimum me thinks your princess will rip you a new asshole if she catches you.”

Jamey grinned, “Thank you for your advice. I will endeavor to not be caught.”

Kathy nodded, “Hun, Jamey is one of the nicest boys, I have ever been out with. He is also absolutely honest and dependable. If he compliments you it's because he means it. If you ever have a chance to go out with him hear me twice, you go.”

The assistant laughed, “I’ll consult with my husband about that. He really got to you.”

Kathy laughed, “Honey, it’s kind of hard to explain but no. If I thought I had a chance with him I’d probably be jealous. I’m just grateful that I had a chance to know him. I hope I find someone like him. You count your blessing you’re already married.”

Kathy shook her head, “No Hun. I hurt me. He gave me what I wanted and I didn’t consider the consequences. Back to work no use thinking about what would never have been.” She smiled at the next patron.

Jamey made it to the table, “Ho Jays; Marty, Karrie. Pleasant surprise Stevie and Emily. Did Tony make his appearance yet? That car he got me outstanding.”

Jamey sat, “She’s in the powder room ‘refreshing the system’ as she put it. Some sort of satanic ritual women used to tighten their toils on their hapless victims. In this case me, I think. I presume you and Jack are properly insulated?”

I reached my hand under the table and squeezed Karrie’s, “The night is yet young, dude.”

Jamey grinned, “Yes far be it from us lowly males to fathom the wiles of the female. We just have to perform our function and hope we survive.”

I leaned over to Karrie and whispered in her ear, “Hun, go check on Gail, I think Jamey is blasted into outer space.” Karrie stood up and went off to find the powder room.

Jamey followed her with his eyes, “You see? Probably going to talk strategy. I’m doomed I think.”

Jamey slapped his forehead, “Sorry, it slipped my mind. This humble knight asks for mercy most merciful succubus. Or is that incubus? I can’t keep those straight.”

Marty snorted, “I can offer this inducement; I’ll pay her by the class. I’ll offer more painful inducements your way if you don’t watch your lip.”

Jamey grinned at Marty, “I don’t think it’s seemly to offer my intended money, my lady.”

Jamey looked at me and then registered surprise also, “My intended? Yes, I did say that, didn’t I. You know I think I mean it. Listen this humble knight ask of you all a great boon, do not let on I said that. There are complicating circumstances that need resolution before I broach the subject.”

Marty looked around, “Jamey there are always complications when you are involved.”

Jamey nodded sagely, “Yes, that is true. I beg you please accede to my request.”

Karrie made it into the ladies room and found Gail sitting on the rest couch most fine restrooms have for women. Karrie sat down next to her. “Gail, glad you could come.” Karrie studied her face and saw the effects of her tears from earlier. She put her hand on Gail’s, “Are you OK Hun?”

Gail looked at her, “I think he said your name is Karrie, your Jimmy’s wife.”

Gail nodded and then felt the rush of emotion and started to cry again. “Sorry, it’s been a bumpy ride.”

Karrie hugged her, “I know. This is Jimmy and my anniversary, we’ve been married twenty hours, I’ve known him for twenty three hours. Do you want to talk about it? Can I help?” Karrie let her go and looked at her.

Gail sobbed, “Sorry give me a second.” She took a deep breath and then smiled diffidently. “I just broke up with my boyfriend, Jamey helped me pack. It got violent, but Jamey protected me and didn’t hurt my boyfriend, well only his pride but not physically.”

Karrie face looked sympathetic, “It’s always hard; my condolences on your loss.”

Gail nodded, “Thank you, you’re nice. Well Jamey took me to the beach and we watched the sun set. He did his best to comfort me, just like you.”

Gail turned to her and grabbed both of her hands, “Karrie, I’m hopelessly and madly in love with him. This has never happened to me this fast. I scared that I’m on a rebound or that he doesn’t feel the same. My feelings are a total jumble. I want to run, but I have no place to run to.”

Karrie chuckled, “I understand. Gail you don’t have to run. Take your time and work it out Jamey will protect you, believe me I know.”

Gail looked at her, “You think I can trust him? I’ve been pulling it through, first date and all but I’m not sure I can control myself.”

Karrie laughed and smiled it took her a moment to get herself under control. “Honey, I have to tell you the Jays are the best of the male gender. I could go on for an hour, but suffice it to say when my chance came with Jimmy I jumped in with both feet. You can trust Jamey. He will get you through this.”

Gail blushed, “I thought that too. He sang me a song, and he told me he loved me.”

Karrie grinned, squealed, and then hugged her. “I knew it! He looked so happy I knew it.”

Gail looked at her, “He’s telling me the truth? I feel in my heart that he’s an honorable man, but my head says look out. My last boyfriend turned out to be a sponge and a drunk.”

Karrie broke the hug and looked at her, “Gail how long have you been waiting to break up with your ex?”

Gail sighed, “It’s been a year, for the last few months, I realized he wasn’t going to change. When Jamey asked me for my number and I saw how happy you all looked, I made the choice.”

Gail looked at her, “Yes, I still love what he was, what we had. But that man is gone.”

Karrie sighed, “I think you have the hardest part. My husband of five years died.”

Gail sighed, “He told me a story about Robert’s life and how he gave up his song. He said that Robert was wasting his gift of life. Karrie he cried for him. He doesn’t even know him.”

Karrie looked at her in amazement, “Gail he’s so young to have come so far. It’s taken me thirty two years to realize what the Jays seem to know by instinct. They never cease to amaze me. Gail, what was the song he sang?”

Gail took her hand. “He said it didn’t apply to him because he was with the one he loved. He said I should sing my song with all my heart.”

Karrie grinned, “Gail I can’t tell you how to live, but hear me don’t let him go. Also, be warned it will be a wild ride, but worth the price of admission.”

Karrie grabbed her hair brush, “Here I’ll do your hair for you.” She brushed it out and fluffed it up. “Gail you have beautiful hair. You about ready? Let’s go dazzle them with charm.”

Gail finished up and packed her tools and then made it to the door of the rest room. Gail put her hand on Karrie’s arm. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

Jamey smiled, “You know I have a proposal to place before the Jays. May I have the table?”

I looked around and then nodded. At the same time Karrie and Gail walked up. All the Jays stood, while the ladies were seated. Marty grinned at me. We sat back down. “Jamey you have the table.”

Jamey took Gail’s hand under the table. “I propose a change in the titles and offices, for the company J, J and J engineering, insanity, and exercise. I propose that the officer, which was formally called CEO, be referred to as Queen or King as gender dictates. Further that married officers and their spouses be referred to as Duke and or Duchess, and unmarried officers being referred to as Knights and said girlfriends if any be referred to a Princess. I further suggest as a humble Knight of the company that the Queen’s complement be referred to as King, and that they work out any dominance issues between not meaning any heresiarchy.”

At this point Marty was laughing, but Jack and I took him deadly serious, as we know him so well we knew he really meant it. I looked at Jack and he nodded, “Jack is in agreement, as am I. Kerrie, what say you?”

Karrie grinned at me, “Duchess Karrie, I like it. Princess is good too. I agree.”

I looked at Marty, she was still laughing and Jack pressed her arm looked at her. Marty calmed down some, “OK, I get it. Accent on the insanity part of the corporate charter here, I agree, so the vote being unanimous it is so ordered. I’ll update the corporate documents.”

Jamey nodded, “One other small detail, I will thus have the title of Sir Jamey, Knight of mechanical engineering, Jack will be HRH King, Jack, King of electrical engineering, and Jimmy will be Duke of theory. Marty will be HRH Queen of the company, Karrie will be the Duchess of chemistry. Gail if she is agreeable will be a princess of the company.”

Gail looked around not knowing what to make of all this. Karrie spoke up, “Gail I warned you in the ladies room, this is how it is.”

Gail grinned. “I see. Well, my Knight what are the requirements, privileges, and responsibilities of the office of a princess of the company.”

Jamey looked at her and kissed her, “Simple, to be my steady girl and accept my love, these are the requirements. The privileges are similar, my love and my care for you. The responsibilities I have already delineated, those being to sing your song with all your heart.”

Jamey looked at her, “I have that in stock also. I don’t want to pressure you, but it would please me if you’d accept it. I will also be happy as your knight, my princess, with the proviso that I will do my utmost to convince you of my worthiness of promotion.”

Gail sighed and closed her eyes, “Give me a minute my knight, I don’t want to cry again.”

Jamey put his hand on her face, “My princess has the right to cry or not as she wills. We will be respectfully quiet and I await your decision.”

Gail smiled, “I think for now you will be my knight. I look forward to your arguments for promotion.”

Jamey grinned, “Hot damn this is going to be a blast. Eat my dust competition.”

The waiter walked up and said, “Ready to order folks? Drinks? Appetizers? Do you want to hear the specials? How may I serve you?” As he finished Antonio and Bernice walked up. Tony was carrying an occupied baby carrier, and a diaper bag. Bernie, walking the highly pregnant walk, carrying her purse. The waiter smiled, “Ah yes the unexpected guests. This is a requirement in a gathering of this size.” He started moving chairs getting ready to slide over another table.

At the same time the Jays all stood up and Jamey moved his chair back, “Bernie sit take a load off.” Jack took the diaper bag while Tony put the carrier on the table. Gail and Karrie stood up and went to look at the baby, while Bernie sat and smiled at Jamey. “Thank you, dear.”

Jimmy and the waiter finished arranging the table. The waiter stood back, “Well, if I may, I’ll go fetch drinks while you all get organized. What is your pleasure? Ladies first, please.” We all ordered.

Tony sat in Gail’s chair next to Bernie, “We can’t stay long, we got to pick up Bernie’s mom at the airport.”

I looked at the girls poking at the baby carrier, “Tony, man, do the demo, dude, before the girls poke holes in the poor boy.”

Tony jumped up, “Sorry man, he’s been kind of a pest recently may the ladies can calm him down a bit.” Tony went over to the carrier and popped the restraints and carefully extracted Petie from the carrier. As he lifted him out Petie put his hands out to Gail. Tony laughed, “That’s right Petie, ladies. You know nice soft tities my man.” Gail accepted him, cradled him on her arm and he started bubbling and trying to grab Gail’s blouse.

Tony looked at her, “Hey, it’s the truth Bernie and you know it. When I hold him, he squirms and fidgets looking for the nice soft titties. He gets down right angry sometimes when he can’t find them. He knows where the good stuff is; don’t you Petie my man.” Tony did a double take, “Hold on Gail let me give you a bottle.” Tony fished in the diaper bag and pulled out a bottle. “Here, take this before, since he figures out you’re not his mommy.”

Gail positioned the bottle and Petie grabbed it with both hands and started sucking. She smiled at him and looked up. “He’s really got a grip on that bottle, don’t you?” Gail bent down and nuzzled him.

Tony smiled and said with a heavy Vinnie Barbarino slur, “Hey, I’m not only some dumb spic that sells cars, I got a brain you know. I read men’s health. Oxytocin has saved little Petie’s life on many occasions. I’d have tossed him out the window a long time ago. It's good stuff, let me tell you.”

Bernie shook her head, “Tony you stop that. He’s just too adorable isn’t he Gail.”

Tony sat down and stroked Bernie tummy. “You just wait until the new one pops out Bernie, you’re going to be so wired you’ll even think I’m cute again.”

Bernie, put her hand over his. “Now Tony, you know I still think you’re cute.”

Tony looked up and grinned, “Hey, maybe I still have it, who can say? Jays what do you think?”

I looked at Jack, Jack looked at Jamey, Jamey looked at me and mouthed one, two, three, “Not” we all said it together.

Tony nodded, “You see Bernie. You’re just scrambled in the head just like me. Hey, Gail, give him to Karrie, let her have a hit.”

Gail handed Petie to Karrie and she smiled at him and held him close. Tony looked at her, and whispered, “Jays now check it out. Her face’s is going to relax. She’ll start making odd sounds. Speaking baby talk.”

Karrie nuzzled him, “Isn’t your daddy a piece of work, sweet ums? He’s just pulling your little leg isn’t he, you little darling?”

Tony nodded, “See, what’d I tell you. Works on guys too. What do you think Steve, am I right?”

Steve laughed, “Tony you are right on. Emily was hell in the delivery room, but when they handed Stevie small to her, she calmed right down. Worked on me too, just like you said.”

Tony smiled, “Yes, ma’am. Anyway, she has spoken. So what’s the occasion?”

I spoke up, “Well, it’s kind of a quadruple anniversary. Karrie and I have been married twenty one and a half hours, Jack and Marty about eight hours, and Steve and Emily three years. It’s also Gail first experience with our crazy group.”

Tony smiled at Gail, “Gail, get a firm grip on your senses, reality is in short supply around the Jays.”

The waiter showed up with the drinks and managed to deliver the right ones for everyone. “Would you all be ordering now, or shall I come back in a bit?”

Tony stood up, “If you will, my man, we’ll do the toast and then you can take the orders, you may remain if it suits you.”

Tony raised his glass, “Alright, as this is putatively an anniversary gathering, two loves, marriages, babies, anniversaries, and oxytocins may they never be in short supply.” We all laughed and clinked our glasses.

The waiter laughed, “Interesting rendering. Would you all like to order?” We ordered, Tony and Bernie abstained.

Tony nodded, “Sure, Jimmy. One to a person with as many friends as we have to burn.” Gail blushed at that. Tony looked at Jack and Marty, “So Marty, what do you think? Babies, Oxytocins? I’m curious, when will I get to meet a baby that can bench press four times his body weight?”

Marty laughed, “Tony, I think you need to go into detox. You’re clearly in over your head.”

Tony nodded, “So no comment? Ah well. Mark my words, it’s going to be, I have spoken.”

Jack looked worried and looked at Marty, “Tony we got to work on being two before we’re many.”

Tony looked over at Karrie and me, “I see by your visage that you’ve already crossed the Rubicon so I won’t preach to the choir.” Tony looked at Gail and Jamey, “Well, one more piece of sage advice and Bernie and I need to blow and pick up her mom. Gail, Jamey get married first, have babies second. Don’t blow it like Karrie and Jimmy.” Gail blushed.

I smiled at Tony, “Tony it’s going to be alright man. Bernie’s done it before, her mom will help, try to relax my man; you’re going to give yourself a heart attack.”

Tony dropped into the chair and sighed, “This is the worst part you know. The first part is very good, the buildup is outstanding, she’s never been more beautiful, the delivery is not too good, the last part is outstanding, but the waiting is going to kill me.”

Bernie smiled at him and stroked his face, “He’s a little hyper; I guess you noticed. Tony, Jimmy’s right Hun, soon well be on the last part my love.”

Tony jumped up, “Well, time marches on, thank god for that. Karrie if you will stuff Petie back in the box.” Tony went over to the baby carrier, helped strap him in, he picked up the baby carrier and the diaper bag. Jamey slid back, Bernie’s chair. While Jack offered her an arm to help her stand up.

Bernie smiled, “Such gallantry.” She took hold of his arm and stood up even though it was clear it wasn’t really need. Bernie grinned at them, “Really, it looks a lot worse than it is. I hardly notice, except when I turn corners.”

Tony picked up the carrier and the diaper bag in one hand, and offered his arm to Bernie, “Sometimes I wish I had another arm but hey it works for now. Hard to say what I’ll do when there’s two. We’ll catch you later.” Tony and Bernie walked out to the car.

We all sat back down and sipped our drinks. I looked at Karrie and grinned and shook my head, “There by the grace of god go I.”

Emily smiled, “It’s not as bad as it sounds, Tony’s just a hot blooded Italian he’s always a bit over the edge.”

Karrie nodded, “Emmy, how bad is it really. I can understand the man’s part somewhat, but what about the woman?”

Emily laughed, “All in all it’s not bad, there are a few things, that you probably wouldn’t choose to experience, but there is so much good, that you don’t really remember the bad. It’s probably as the wild man said, a bit of this and that in the brain so the race goes on. It’s a little frightening when labor starts because it happens to you, it’s not something you do. I’m sure my next one will be easier because I know what to expect. How does it feel? Well, you know the first part, the second part for me was the hormone shift, nausea. Its not continuous, and it’s rarely bad, but there are a few bits that, well sea sickness, or maybe a drug reaction is similar. After you get used to that there’s a time when you don’t feel much of anything. When the growth starts, that’s when you begin to realize that there something happening. This part is not unpleasant until the baby gets pretty large. Then some of the physical parts start to happen, your skin stretches, you have trouble peeing. You also start to feel your baby move, this is surprising at first, but I found it very enjoyable usually. You realize you have a life inside you. When you get close to labor, that’s when the mood swings happen. For me, I’d get excited, or do crazy things, crave silly food, argue irrationally with Steve. About a day before labor, I had this nest building thing; folding laundry, cleaning clothes, washing dishes. I became focused on how my body felt. Fortunately, my labor started on a weekend in the morning so Steve got me to the hospital delivery room with time to spare. The next parts were frightening because of the intensity and because it controls you. There is pain and you can’t make it stop. Steve was there and I knew he was more frightened than I. I don’t remember it too well, except I knew I was a little crazy. When finally the delivery was over and the placenta was out, I was sleepy, a held my baby and I felt wonderful, hurt but wonderful. When Steve held him, he had the most unusual expression, which I remember like it was yesterday.”

The waiter brought the food so there was a brief break in the conversation. Then Steve picked up the narration while he ate his dinner.

Steve spoke up, “The man’s part is different.” He took Emily’s hand. “As Tony said, the first part is good, and then there’s the second part, which is good but for the first time frightening. This creature that you love is changing and you begin to realize that it’s going to happen, she’s going to have a baby. The build up is slow but relentless. Tony’s right, she gets more beautiful and it hurts when you think about all the things she has to go through and you can’t help her, it’s very frustrating in a way. This time also drives home the difference between you and her. As she changes you start to understand that this creature that you love is not like you. Sure, you know she’s different because her parts and shape are different, but this is an order of magnitude difference. Her breasts get bigger, she inflates, it's like she glows, radiates health, I don’t know it’s amazing. Your love gets stronger, she becomes part of you in a more intense way. My body started to feel different. The doctor said it was all part of it, the man’s brain is affected by his wife’s pregnancy. Then labor happens, and while I can only imagine what it’s like for the woman, for me it was intense and frightening. Her personality changes the closer she comes to labor. When it starts you feel so helpless. You can’t help her beyond being there and holding her hand. This is the bad part Tony spoke of. There is pain too and it’s like a knife in your heart. Happily, that part for us was relatively short, also I think it’s like Emmy says, your brain erases it to some extent. After the labor, when all the messy parts are over and you hold your baby; that is outstanding I can’t even begin to describe how it feels. When finally you are together again, and your baby is with you and her I…” Steve looked at Emily and kissed her. Steve shook his head, “Sorry I think I’ll just stop talking now.”

I was holding Karrie hand while I was listening and realized I was holding my breath, I sighed and look around, Gail and Jamey were looking at each other, and Jack was kissing Marty. I leaned down and touched my forehead to Karrie’s and gave her and Eskimo kiss.

I started eating and thinking about what they both said. I looked at Karrie and she smiled at me and nodded toward Steve. “Steve, Emily, thanks for telling us that. A better anniversary gift I could not imagine.” I looked at Jack and Marty and they nodded their agreement.

As we finished up our meal I realized that the party was over, we all had a lot to think about and frankly, I was getting pretty horny after the baby demo, and the excellent sharing of Steve and Emily. So I looked around the table and said, “Folks, I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling pretty frisky and I think Kerrie and I need to go home and have a detailed review of the meaning of life. Steve and Emmy thanks for the pep talk. I hope our experience is as good.”

Jamey grinned at me, “Jimmy, you be sure to do what I do, repeatedly now, you know you got to keep up your end of our motto, insanity is our trademark, because we are the JAYS!”

I grinned back at him, “Jamey you know I got a lot of catching up to do, I’m sure Karrie will give me all the moral support, instruction and advice I’ve been needing.”

Karrie was giggling at his point, “Yes Sir Knight, I’m definitely going to do-DAT. Many times; as little Jimmy is very backward, and lacking in training in the finer points you know.”

I stood up and Karrie got up and slipped her arm through mine. I went over to the reception area and found our waiter and paid him off, and we split out the door.

Jamey stood up while Steve and Emily still a little high from the conversation were getting organized to leave. He went over to Emily, “Emmy I was wondering if you could give me a quick reading? Eh… I don’t know how to ask this, if Gail and I do what I’m thinking we probably will do is there going to be anything, shall we say long term associated with it?” Emmy grinned at him, “Jamey if you do-DAT, as you were saying, it will definitely do-DAT, you get me?”

Jamey blushed and nodded, “Thanks, I don’t know if we’re going to end up there, but it’s always good to know what the consequences might or might not be. Well, if you’ll excuse me, I think me and Gail need to have a bit of a heart to heart or something. Steve well, thanks for sharing with us, you two are the greatest.” Jamey went over to Gail. “Well, Gail, let’s go for a ride, you OK Hum?”

Jamey offered her his arm and then made it out the door to the Valet parking. He handed his ticket to the valet. He already had his car already staged. The Valet opened the door and Jamey handed Gail in the car and slipped the Valet a twenty. That got him a big smile, then Jamey ran around to the other side and the other Valet opened the door for him, he jumped in and started up the car and drove off toward his apartment.

Jamey looked over at Gail, “My princess, your knight, would discuss your plans for the evening. All kidding aside Gail, I got room for you in my digs, if you need a place to stay. You haven’t had time to make alternate arrangements I think. No pressure Hun, our date can continue with the same guidelines I outlined at the start, whatever you want. If you need time alone, I’ll understand and I can provide you a place to crash, and give you space no problem. Free room and board for as long as you want to grace me with your beautiful presence. I have to think your feelings are a little frazzled after everything that has happened today. As a knight in your service I promise to protect your honor and your person with my life, my princess.”

Gail looked at him and leaned back in her seat and whispered, “You’re serious about this knight and princess thing aren’t you?”

Jamey nodded, “Gail, Jimmy taught me this thing and I’ll teach it to you. It is this, I promise, by the love I hold dear to you, to speak the truth to you. You have but to command it, my princess, and if it is in my power to do it, it will be done. You are my princess until you say differently.”

Gail sighed, “Jamey I agreed to be your steady girlfriend, and I have accepted the title of princess, I accept your service to me, and I honor your pledge to protect me. It's true, I haven’t made any arrangements. I thought I’d have you take me to a hotel, but I really can’t afford one for long on my waitress pay. Robert was a sponge and I’ve supported him for over a year. I…” Gail stopped and started to cry.

Jamey looked at her and pulled the car over and turned it off. “Gail, I know this is hard for you. I’m asking you, no I’m begging you let me help, let me take care of you. When you’re stronger you can change our arrangement, but right now I’m hopelessly in love with you. Please don’t shut me out. I don’t expect anything in return, just let me be near you and love you, please. Don’t think about the money, I have enough that supporting you will not be a burden. You don’t have to decide tonight. I’ll put you up in my apartment. Please Gail I know I can’t force you to be happy, and I think you have plenty of cause to cry, but if my love has any power over you please don’t cry.” Jamey reached his hand out to her diffidently palm up.

Gail reached out and took his hand and sobbed and kept crying. “Jamey I hurt.”

"Take A Giant Step"

Though you've played at love and lost
And sorrow's turned your heart to frost
I will melt your heart again.
Remember the feeling as a child
When you woke up and morning smiled
It's time you felt like you did then.
There's just no percentage in remembering the past
It's time you learned to live again, at last.

Come with me, leave yesterday behind
And take a giant step outside your mind.

You stare at me in disbelief
You say for you there's no relieve
But I swear I'll prove you wrong.
Don't stay in your lonely room
Just staring back in silent gloom.
That's not where you belong
Come with me, I'll take you where the taste of life is green
And everyday holds wonders to be seen.

Come with me, leave yesterday behind
And take a giant step outside your mind.

Jamey looked at her he had tears running down his face just as she did. Gail was still crying and Jamey leaned over to try to hug her, but the car made it difficult. He laughed through his tears, “May be I should have got the BMW after all.”

Gail laughed through her tears, “Oh, Jamey, you have such a beautiful voice, maybe you should take me home with you and sing to me some more.”

Jamey started up the car and began driving to his apartment. He smiled diffidently at Gail. “Honey, I think you need a good dose of the Taj.”

"Cake Walk Into Town"

I had the blues, so bad one time
It put my face in a permanent frown
Now, I'm feelin' so much better
I could cakewalk in the town

I woke up this mornin' feelin' so good
You know, I lay back down again
Throw your big leg over me mama
I might not feel this good again

My baby, oh, my baby
I love the way she walk
When the girl gets sleepy
I love the way she baby talk

My work don't got scarce, honey
Oh it work it don’t got hard
I spend my whole day stealin' chickens
Mama from the rich folks yard

I got the blues so bad one time
It put my face in a permanent frown
You know, I'm feelin' so much better
I could cakewalk into town

I want to go on a picnic
In the country mama oh, and stay all day
I don't care but don't do nothing
Just while my time away

I got the blues, so bad one time
It put my face in a permanent frown
You know, I'm feelin' so much better
I could cakewalk into town

Jamey smiled, “Taj Mahal, he’s my idol. He was born with the name Henry Saint Clair Fredericks. He is classified as a blues musician, but to my mind, he is something more.”

"Fishin' Blues"

I betcha' goin' fishin' all o' the time
Baby goin' fishin' too
Bet your life, your sweet wife
Is gonna catch more fish than you

Many fish bites if you got good bait
Here's a little tip that I would like to relate
Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a goin' fishin', yes I'm goin' fishin'
And my baby goin' fishin' too

I went on down to my favorite fishin' hole
Baby got me a pole an' line
Throw’d my pole on in
Caught a nine poun' catfish
Now you know I brought him home for supper time

Provin' many fish bites if you got good bait
Here's a little tip that I would like to relate
Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a goin' fishin', yes I'm goin' fishin'
And my baby goin' fishin' too

Baby brother 'bout to run me up outta my mind
Sayin', "Can I go fishin' with you?"
I took him on down to the fishin' hole
Now what do you think that he did do?
Pulled a great big fish
Out’d the bottom of the pond
Now He laughed and jumped cause he was real gone

Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a goin' fishin', yes I'm goin' fishin'
And baby goin' fishin' too

Put him in the pot, baby put him in the pan
Honey cook him till he nice an' brown
Make a batch o' buttermilk, whole cakes mama
Chew them things and chomp em on down

Singin' many fish bites if you got good bait
Well here's a little tip that I would like to relate
many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a goin' fishin', yes I'm goin' fishin'
and my baby gone fishin' too

I betcha' goin' fishin' all o' the time
Baby goin' fishin' too
Bet your life, your sweet wife
She gonna catch more fish than you

Many fish bites if you got good bait
Here's a little tip that I would like to relate
Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a goin' fishin', Mama’s goin' fishin'
And my baby goin' fishin' too

Jamey smiled at her wickedly, “Baby you gonna catch my biggest fish wit’ your mighty fine bait.”

"Six Days On The Road"

I pulled out of Pittsburgh an I rolling down the eastern seaboard
I've got my diesel wound up and she's running like she never did before
There's a speed zone ahead, all right, I don't see a cop in sight
Six days upon the road and I gotta see my baby tonight

I got ten forward gears and a sweet Georgia overdrive
I'm taking little white pills and my eyes are open wide
I just passed a Jimmy in white, I've been passing everything in sight
Six days upon the road and I gotta see my baby tonight

It seems like a month since I kissed my baby bye bye
I got a lot of woman but I'm not like some of the guys
Got my air horns running clear
Baby you oughta watch the way I shift my gears
Six days upon the road and I gotta see my baby tonight

ICC is checking on down the line
Honey you know I'm a little overweight and my log books way behind
But nothing bothers a soul at night, I can dodge them scales all right
Six days upon the road and I gotta see my baby tonight

My rigs a little old but it don't mean she's slow
There's a good flame coming from her smokestack and the smoke's black as coal
My home town coming in sight, if you think I'm happy baby baby baby your right
Six days upon the road and I gotta see my baby tonight

Jamey grinned at her, and pulled up into the parking structure. “I told you the Taj is good for what ails you. Come on Babe, let’s go she how my sweet Georgia overdrive is doing.” Jamey bailed out of the car and ran around to Gail’s side, “Alley-oop Gail, this German rocket is a bit low.” He handed her up, and then went to the back and got her suitcase. They made it to his door and went inside.

Jamey pushed open the left hand door, “Here you can have this bed.” The room was done up in pastel pinks, and white with a closet and a dresser.”

Gail sat next to him and he smiled diffidently at her, “Gail, I’ll… try to tell you, I’ve never talked to anyone about this so…”

Jamey sighed, “My mama died of a rare form of breast cancer, it was genetic. Women with the gene are a hundred times more susceptible to breast cancer. It took her three years to die. I…” Jamey stopped.

Jamey shook his head, “No, I need to tell someone. She was in a lot of pain at the end and my parents sent us, my sister and me, to live with my daddy’s parents, my mother’s parents were already dead. When I left my daddy was a strong, healthy man, when I came back a year later he was a broken thin man. He lived another year and then he died too. So my sister and I went back to live with my grandparents. When I entered college, my grandpa died, he was ninety two. My sister took care of my grandma while I went through college. When I graduated my grandma came to my graduation, she was so proud of me…”

Gail put her arms around him and hugged him. Jamey started to talk into her shoulder. “She died two months later from a stroke. She didn’t suffer. She died in her sleep. So my sister came to live with me.”

Jamey sobbed, “No, I have to tell you. My sister didn’t tell me that she had the same cancer that killed mama. I came home from a business trip and I noticed she was looking thin, and I asked her what was wrong. She wouldn’t tell me. I put up with that for a few weeks, and…”

Jamey trembled, “Give me a minute.” He hugged Gail. “Well, finally I told her we were going to the emergency to find out what was wrong. She refused to go. She told me there was nothing they could do. She told me that she was going to die, very soon. I asked her if it was mama’s cancer. She said it was. She made me promise to not let her death destroy me like daddy.

We sat and cried for an hour. Then she asked me to make love to her, she said she didn’t want to die without having experienced what it was like to make love. We spent the next two days making love, and crying.

She had pain killers that kept most of the pain at bay. When she needed a large dose, she lost feeling in a large part of her body. So we stopped making love and I watched her die.

We sang every blues song I knew, for a month. At the end she couldn’t sing, the painkillers were very powerful, but I think she was in a lot of pain. She died in my arms, she barely weighed fifty pounds. It was a relief that her suffering was over.”

Jamey trembled, and hugged Gail hard then he pushed back from Gail. “I cried for two days, but then I began to realize something, when my sister was alive, she lived her life with all her heart. It was like her flame burned brighter because she knew her life would be shorter. I think before mama died, they determined that she was likely going to die the same way, I think my dad knew that and whenever he looked at her it was like a knife twisting in his heart.

But what I remember is what she was like before the disease took her. I count myself lucky to have known her. She lived more in the twenty years she had then most people live their whole life. That was when I decided to try to live my life like her, to burn brightly. To love and give as much as I could.”

Jamey took Gail in his arms and kissed her, “After that each time I went on a date I did my best to make them happy, to love them. But there was always something missing. A spark of love like I felt in my sister and what I feel with you. I took the motto of the song, to love the one I was with, because my love was so far away. Now I have met you and I feel like I’ve come home, I feel the spark again in me and I see it in you. It is that spark that binds me to you.”

Jimmy looked at her in surprise, and rolled onto his back on the bed and yelled, “Susanna she said YES!” Jimmy grabbed her and kissed her and then smiles flooded from his face, “This is the best date ever. It started out slow hit some bumpy patches, but what a finish!”

Jamey nodded, “Yes. She is alive in my memory.” He pulled Gail on top of him and hugged her tight and kissed her and then rolled her to the side and began stroking her breasts and kissing her neck. She sat up and pulled off her dress and tossed it aside, and Jamey began stroking her breasts and licking her nipples. Gail pulled his shirt free of his pants and Jamey pulled it over his head tossed it aside and went back to kissing her. Jamey slipped his fingers inside her and stroked her and kissed her. She groaned and then went to work on his belt buckle. Jamey kicked off his shoes, she unzipped his pants, Jamey raised up his butt pushed them down, sat and raised his legs, pulled them off and tossed them aside. He quickly repeated the maneuver with his boxers, and went back to kissing her. He put his fingers back inside her and began stroking her driving her to orgasm. Gail shook and then tensed and grabbed Jamey’s penis, stroked it, but then let go and began massaging her breasts and squirming under Jamey’s ministrations. She grabbed him, shook and arched her back and tensed. She moaned and tensed again, struggled in Jamey’s arms, as he stroked her. She fell back and relaxed and Jamey kissed her and went back to sucking her breasts while she caught her breath.

Jamey stopped and licked her neck and then spoke, “Gail I spoke to Emily she told me if I make love to you we will make a baby. I really want to make love to you, but maybe I should use protection. I don’t want you to…”

Jamey looked at her in surprise, “More than anything. But I think you should be in control, it’s your body, mine is involved, but yours is committed.”

Gail laughed, “Like the bacon and eggs joke, the chicken are involved, the pig is committed.”

Jamey smiled and shook his head, “Emily can tell when a woman is fertile and she said if I do it, it will happen. She has some kind of psychic power or something. She’s never wrong about this.”

Gail snuggled up to him, “Jamey did you see Steve’s face when he talked about his experience?”

Gail kissed him, “Jamey, I want to see your face when you hold our baby. I want to give you that.”

Jamey laid down next to her and started stroking her. Every once in a while he would kiss her. This went on for a while. He started to broaden his caresses every once in a while passing over he labia. Every once in a while Gail would press herself against him and they would kiss for a minute.

Jamey snorted and laughed, “Actually I’m awed by what I see. You are so beautiful.”

Gail smiled, “Well, I was kind of expecting a bit more action, me being a hot fertile female and you being a horny potent male after all.”

Jamey nodded, “Yes but if I do that it will be done. I was kind of hoping to take all night, maybe all of tomorrow who knows.”

Jamey rolled on top of her, “Good plan, let’s go.” He kissed her and then lifted up. Gail guided him home. Jamey pushed slowly into her, and then took a couple of quick thrusts, and then lowered himself down on top of her, began kissing her and giving her energetic thrusts. Gail lifted her legs and slipped her arms under his and stroked his sides. Jamey pushed up from her and began to bang hard and fast, bouncing Gail’s breasts. Gail was staring at his face and every once in a while arching her back, closing her eyes and then shaking her head. Gail started rocking her pelvis and grabbed his arms. Jamey collapsed on top of her. “Gail hold still, here it comes honey.” Jamey pushed into her a far as he could and then tensed. Gail hugged him tight with her arms and her legs. Jamey gasped, tensed and contracting his butt as he shot deep into her. He did it again. He took a deep breath, “Oh Gail, again!” He tensed rocking his pelvis pushing her up. He gasped again and the relaxed all over, tensing his butt periodically as he squeezed out a few last shots. Jamey lifted up onto his forearms and started kissing her. He rolled off of her and pull her into his arms so he was laying behind her. He started to sing to her quietly.

"Lovin In My Baby's Eyes"

Look here baby now you know
I can be the one to be your man
Baby now you know I'd do
Anything in the world for you

To have lovin' from my baby's eyes
Oh, lovin' from my baby's eyes
See that lovin' in my baby's eyes
Lovin' from my baby's eyes

Look here baby now you know darn well
Love you better than another man could tell
Love you baby now you know I'd do
Anything in the world for you

To have lovin' from my baby's eyes
Oh, see the lovin' in my baby's eyes
See the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Lovin' from my baby's eyes

Late at night when I take my rest
Oh, I hold your pictures to my breast
Love you baby now you know I'd do
Anything in the world for you

To have lovin' from my baby's eyes
To see the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Have lovin' from my baby's eyes
Lovin' from my baby's eyes

Love you baby, love you baby
Mama now you know I do
Love you baby, love you baby
Do anything for you

I said, "Late at night when I take my rest
Oh, I hold your pictures to my breast
Love you Mama now you know I'd do
Anything in the world for you"

To have lovin' from my baby's eyes
Oh, lovin' from my baby's eyes
Give me that lovin in my baby's eyes
Lovin' from my baby's eyes

Give me that magic in my baby's eyes
Oh, lovin' in my baby's eyes
Give me lovin' from my baby's eyes
Lovin' from my baby's eyes

Jamey kissed her on the neck and laid his head next to hers. He sighed and whispered, “I hope the lovin’ in my baby’s eyes, turns into the lovin’ in my baby’s eyes, my love.”

Gail grinned at him, “Jamey, you are a piece of work you know that. I suppose that was the Taj again?”

"Mercedes Benz"

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?
I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?

Everybody!

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends,
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

That's it!

Jamey grinned, “Well you know it’s hard to be nuttin. Well there’s always the old staple.”

"Plastic Jesus"

I don't care if it rains of freezes
'Long as I got my Plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car.

Through my trials and tribulations
And my travels through the nations
With my Plastic Jesus I'll go far.

Plastic Jesus! Plastic Jesus,
Riding on the dashboard of my car

I'm afraid He'll have to go.
His magnets ruin my radio
And if I have a wreck He'll leave a scar.

Riding down a thoroughfare
With His nose up in the air,
A wreck may be ahead, but He don't mind.

O trouble coming He don't see,
He just keeps His eye on me
And any other thing that lies behind.

Plastic Jesus! Plastic Jesus,
Riding on the dashboard of my car...

Though the sunshine on His back
Makes Him peel, chip and crack,
A little patching keeps Him up to par.

When pedestrians try to cross
I let them know whose boss
I never blow my horn or give them warnin’

I Ride through the town
Try’n to run them down
Seldom do the live to see the mornin’

O plastic Jesus! Plastic Jesus,
Riding on the dashboard of my car...

I'm afraid He'll have to go.
Well his magnets ruin my radio
And if I have a wreck He'll leave a scar.

O plastic Jesus! Plastic Jesus,
Riding on the dashboard of my car...

Though the sunshine on His back
Makes Him peel, chip and crack,
A little patching keeps Him up to par.

O plastic Jesus! Plastic Jesus,
Riding on the dashboard of my car...

Jamey grinned at her, “I think it was written by a high school student in 1957, I don’t remember his name Ed somebody. It’s been changing and growing ever since. Kind of like a folk song cancer.”

Jamey looked at her in surprise, “Nobody ever asked me that. I really don’t know they just come to me when the right thing happens.”

Jamey shook his head, “No it doesn’t work that way. In a sense they are all my favorites. Something happens, and then the song happens.”

Jamey smiled and grinned, “They’re all love songs, because I love songs. Get it?”

"The First Time I Saw Your Face"

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the endless skies, my love
To the dark and the endless skies

And the first time ever I kissed your lips
I felt the earth move in my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
That was there at my command, my love

And the first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time, my love
And it would last till the end of time, my love

The first time ever I saw your face
Your face
Your face
Your face

Jamey touched her face on the last few lines and whispered them. The he smiled bashfully.

Jamey nodded but couldn’t speak. He pulled her tight into his arms and stroked her face until they fell asleep.

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