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Chapter Twenty-three

October 31, 1958

Gloria changed at the hotel into her swimsuit and jacket. She decided to wear heels this time. She picked up her bag and sunglasses in one hand, carried her straw hat in the other. She dropped her glasses in her bag, it was cloudy out, windy and it looked like rain. Sunglasses would be too much, she thought, unless she were sitting inside, strangely enough. She carried her hat in her hand; the bag hung from the same arm. She locked her door, rode the elevator down.

She never looked at the elevator operator. He was young, stood stiffly in his uniform while at the same time he noisily cracked his gum. She walked out of the elevator on to the lobby floor, left the hotel and walked toward the marina. The marina was two blocks away. The Yacht Club and its immense parking lot stood between.

Gloria had an appointment at eleven; she was hoping to do at least one before then.

Kitty and the others helped Mark prepare bags of bread pieces for the ducks. She had to put her foot down on how much to take. She could imagine fat little white pigs with wings waddling around the lake.

Kitty parked Johnny's Buick at the library. Johnny had his old car back, her Impala. Mark wanted to feed the ducks right away; Kitty made them leave their bags in the car. Mark waited impatiently as the girls, Walter and Kitty got their library cards. The librarian was a bit overwhelmed with all of them at once. When the girls and Walter had their cards, Mark showed them the library. He especially wanted them to see the lake and ducks out the window.

Kitty took her card and went to the adult section. She wanted fiction and something real, a book on gardening. It took her a while to figure out the layout, once she did she relaxed and browsed. She found three books: a book on gardening, Eminent Victorians by Strachey, and Orlando by Woolf. She read in an alcove until it was time to gather the others.

Checking out books was another challenge for the librarian. Mark helped, explained where one's name went on the card. Walter and he had books on cars. Fancy, Mary and Darlene had mystery novels: The Phantom Violin, Nancy Drew and the like. Winifred had Anne of Green Gables and was already assuming Anne Shirley's mannerisms.

Winifred and Kitty sat on a bench as the kids fed the ducks, laughed and talked. Winifred wanted to know if making love to a man was different from a hooker and john. How did you really know when it was love? Kitty shook her head, "You don't."

Kitty set Orlando aside. "When I was young, in college, I fell in love with a man. He left me when he found I was pregnant."

"Would Johnny leave?"

Kitty smiled. She kicked her feet. "I don't know. I don't think so."

"So you and he are in love."

Kitty pushed the black sand with her feet. "I love Johnny, he says he loves me. I also love Maeve and Gloria."

"Can you do that?" Winifred was so earnest.

"I think so. I'm never sure how long it will last."

Winifred was silent for a few minutes. The bread was gone and everyone was slowly walking toward them. "When Mack and I fucked, I thought he loved me and I loved him." She turned to Kitty. "I hardly think of him now."

"It's like that sometimes." Kitty paused. "Johnny?"

Winifred nodded her head slowly and she turned away.

Kitty hugged her. "I'm rooting for you."

Winifred turned sharply. "You don't care?"

"Of course I care." Kitty smiled and stood. "It's time to meet everyone for lunch."

Gloria saw the man to the door, then went to her closet to begin packing. She set her suitcase on the unmade bed and laid her dress in it, along with her swimsuit and jacket.

Gloria liked the way the room smelled after sex. She hated to do it, but to maintain the aura of exclusivity she had to wash, douche, and spray cologne on herself and the bed. She was tired of douching.

She took off her peignoir and dropped it into the case, picked up dirty clothes from the closet floor to go into a bag. She laid out her luncheon wear, a pair of jeans, shirt, earrings, no purse, that went into the suitcase.

Gloria turned and looked at herself in the mirror. It was funny. Two weeks a whore and she liked her body and the way it looked more than before, when she was a good girl. She went into the bathroom and started the water for the tub. She dropped a spoonful of bubble bath, went back into the room. She picked out a John D. MacDonald paperback from the books on the bedside table and carried it into the bathroom. She climbed into the tub and relaxed, careful not to get her hair wet, and began reading.

She had fun, one hundred seventy-five this morning. She decided she'd charge seventy dollars for an hour, thirty-five minimum for a half hour. She wasn't sure if that was a good policy, the minimum may become the usual and she'd have to work twice as hard.

She stopped worrying about it and returned to her book.

Johnny had already reserved tables for eleven so the restaurant was prepared for the crowd. Johnny sat in the bar and directed stragglers when they arrived; Maeve and Gladys were last. He stood and they walked into the dining room together, Johnny holding Maeve's hand.

Darlene, at the kids' table, stared at them, whispered to Mary beside her. Johnny held Maeve's chair and seated her, then seated Gladys. He gave a wink to Winifred, then sat next to Maeve, between Maeve and Kitty.

"Maeve and I'd like to see your set up after lunch," Johnny said to Gloria.

"I haven't checked out yet." Smiling, Gloria passed the enveloped to Kitty who handed it to Johnny.

Johnny looked inside, closed the envelope, and placed it in his jacket side pocket. He looked at Gloria and smiled. "That's good."

She nodded. "I had an enjoyable morning." She said to Gladys, "I like your new dress."

Gladys blushed, "Thank you."

"Kids doing okay?" Johnny asked Kitty. He touched her hand. "No. No under the table today."

Kitty pouted then grinned. "Later."

"Later."

"They had fun at the library. I think Fancy's cough is better."

Johnny nodded. "Do you want to pass them out, or shall I?"

Maeve stood. "I'll do it." Johnny placed the invitations in her hand.

Johnny turned to watch Maeve walk to the kids' table. She spoke a few words then handed out the addressed invitations to each recipient, saving Darlene for last. Mark jerked Winifred's sleeve. "What's it say?"

Winifred looked at Maeve, then Johnny, smiled, then read: "The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage ceremony of Maeve Denton and Johnny this Saturday, the first of November, nineteen hundred and fifty-eight, at half past six in the evening. Lakefront Park. Formal dress is not required. Reception afterward at Maeve's and Johnny's home."

"After lunch," Maeve said, "we're going to the department store for your dresses and suits."

"Will there be a wedding cake?" Mark asked.

Maeve nodded. "And you and Walter will be the ring bearers. The girls will be bridesmaids and flower girls."

Darlene looked at Johnny, then at Maeve. She started to speak, abruptly stopped. She looked back at Johnny and smiled at him. She didn't have a smile for Maeve.

Maeve sat next to Johnny and they ordered. Winifred was relaxed, Johnny knew. Her eyes weren't boring into him like Darlene's.

After lunch they went to the department store. Maeve had already selected the colors she wanted and had the dresses set aside. Kitty, Gloria and Gladys had only to pick the style and fit they wanted. It was the same for the girls. Johnny helped the boys try on suits. He thought that way he'd escape. Maeve found him and sent him upstairs. Seven women needed his advice.

He thought it took hours; it wasn't that bad except for Mary, who was utterly indecisive. Johnny gave Winifred the money she needed for gloves; she came back walking with more self-assurance. Darlene needed gloves, also. Johnny went with her to purchase them.

"So you're marrying the . . ." Darlene said.

"It's always best to think twice before speaking."

"So you're marrying one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen."

"I'm a lucky man."

"I wish you the best," Darlene said.

"Thank you. That was well-spoken."

Darlene nodded slowly. "I'm just a child to you, aren't I?"

Johnny waited for a moment. "Yesterday I told a friend I was ready to fall for you, hard. No. You're not just a child to me."

"I could . . ."

"You could, Winifred, could, Kitty could, Gloria could, it's a long list. I'm marrying Maeve."

"I could . . ."

"That doesn't mean you can't."

Darlene's face beamed at him.

"I have to wait for you to be eighteen."

"But that's so long."

"I'm not planning on going anywhere. I'm hoping you'll be around. I like you. I'd miss not having you around."

"That's forever."

"Just seems that way." Johnny pointed. "There's the counter. Maeve was your age when I was twenty-one."

Darlene walked along the counter studying gloves in the showcase. She looked sideways at him. "She and you didn't know each other then."

"Good thing." Johnny smiled.

"How about sixteen?"

"Eighteen."

"Seventeen?"

"Eighteen."

"Even if Maeve says you can?"

"Maybe, a big maybe."

Darlene made a quick spin on her toes. "That's only two years."

"You'll be fifteen."

"If Maeve knows we love each other, she'll let us, I know she will." Darlene pointed. "I want those."

"Just like Winifred's?"

"Of course. You don't know little girls well at all, do you?" Darlene grinned at him. "We made a bet. She thinks she's going to get you first. I know I will."

Johnny rolled his eyes. He wished Maeve were here.

Gloria opened the door to her room and let Johnny and Maeve in. "This is it."

Maeve walked to the window, looked out onto the bay, walked into the bathroom, then back into the room. She sat in the bed and looked through Gloria's suitcase. She looked up. "Swimsuit?"

Gloria walked to the suitcase. "I'll model it for you." She took off her shirt and jeans and slipped into the suit. She put on the jacket, but left it unbuttoned. She stepped into her sandals, picked up her straw bag, and hung it from her arm. She took out her sunglasses, held them loosely in her hand while searching in the bag. She gave a quarter turn, then another turn, until she was facing them.

"I wear the suit along the bay, to the marina, sometimes when I shop."

Maeve nodded. "You have other costumes?"

"You saw the top and pants last night. I have a straw hat for shade in the sun and it gives me something to twirl around." She walked across the room, reached for a book, holding the earpiece of the sunglasses in her mouth. "Motion attracts attention."

Maeve smiled at Johnny's face. "You're charging?"

"Seventy. I did a half hour for thirty-five this morning."

"Keep it at seventy." Maeve looked at Johnny. "What do you like about this hotel?"

Johnny shrugged his shoulders.

Gloria smiled. "I looked at several. I chose this one because of its location close to the Club and because I could go in and out without being easily seen by the desk."

"How about the elevator boy?"

"He hasn't said anything."

"Next week he will. You'll have to tip him well."

Gloria nodded. "I will."

"Two and half days you did?"

"Two ten, three fifty, one seventy-five."

"Seven hundred thirty-five dollars," Johnny said. "How much is the room?"

"Twenty dollars a day, plus I had to buy my clothes."

Maeve looked at Johnny. "See if we can get the room monthly?"

"I'll talk to the manager."

"Make it two rooms," Maeve said. "Just one person but they can switch back and forth." She smiled at Gloria. "This was extremely well done." She said to Johnny. "The manager will have to know. He doesn't like it, some other hotel nearby will."

Gloria sat on the bed. "I like it here."

"I do, too," Maeve said. She stood and walked to the bedstand and went through the books. She picked up one and showed it to Gloria. "This any good?"

"Not as good as the John D. MacDonald. He's a local writer."

Maeve picked up the mystery, opened it and began to read. "He is, isn't he?" She closed the book, put it on the pile. "I need to get going, you need your rest." Maeve paused. "Johnny won't see me until the ceremony." Johnny started to object. "It's bad luck, dear," she said to him, holding him off. "I'm expecting Gloria, Gladys, yes, Gladys, dear, and Kitty to keep you out of my hair." She grinned. "The boys are coming by tonight to keep me from being lonely. We might go out."

Maeve kissed Johnny. "I'd talk to the manager soon. You have nowhere to sleep tonight, dear." She and Gloria hugged and kissed; then Maeve left.

Johnny looked at Gloria who was setting the jacket in the suitcase and placing the suitcase on the floor. He looked at his watch. "I'd better be going. I have an appointment."

Gloria tossed her swimsuit across the room. She lay on the bed, on her side; her head propped up by her elbow. "Can't put it off?"

Johnny shook his head. He gave a weak smile. "And I need to see the manager."

Gloria traced a pattern on the spread with her finger. She raised one knee, bringing that foot close to her other knee. She said to him, "Later, then?"

Johnny bent and kissed her. "About five. Then dinner."

Gloria gave a nod, lay on her back, spread her legs and lay her hand on her pussy. "I'll be okay."

Johnny sat on the bed, kissed her. "I'll be back with bells on." He stood. "Did you know that thirteen-year-old jailbait, Darlene, told me I was dead meat?"

Gloria grinned. "Good for her. When?"

"Two years."

She laughed. "I'd be surprised if it takes that long, Johnny."

Johnny stood at the room door. "Now, you're scaring me, too."

"Oh, don't worry. I was only joking. I'm going to nap; take the key, let yourself in."

Johnny left.

Gloria got her book off the bedstand and found her page. Actually, she was betting on Winifred being first.

Johnny paid for the room for two more days, made an appointment to speak with the manager, then walked to the Impala.

It was a short drive to The Pelican. Johnny parked beside Steve's car. Steve's coffee cup was half empty and his pie was uneaten. He was immersed in Johnny's Journal.

"Hi, Johnny," Steve said. "Mil said I could read this while I waited. What were those two companies?"

Johnny sat. "IBM and Xerox. I don't know their stock codes. I'll have the same, Mil."

Steve set the paper down. "I had a chance to check out some of the girls' story. Stories." He smiled.

"Thanks, Mil." Johnny sipped his coffee. "What's the age for statutory rape here?"

"Sixteen."

Johnny nodded. "Their folks?"

"There is a family with that name in Prichard. That's as far as we went. Your people do better with work like that."

Johnny nodded.

"Their ages are now: Darlene, thirteen; Fancy, twelve; Mary, fifteen; Winifred, sixteen."

"Steamshovel?" Johnny took a bite of pie. He said with his mouth full. "Good pie."

"May not exist."

Johnny nodded and swallowed. "Mack said Steamshovel brought the girls down along the coast, then mentioned Atlanta and said he was dead."

"Mack kill him?"

"I thought you said he may not exist?"

"Just wondered."

"That was kind of the feeling I got."

"Mack?"

"Not very impressive, but good looking. I could see him being their pimp."

"Lover." Steve shook his head.

"Both." Johnny held a fork full of pie before him. "So the legal age is sixteen on."

Steve nodded.

"Need parents' consent?"

"To marry, sixteen. Unless you get her pregnant, Johnny."

Johnny waved his hand as he swallowed.

"Then it can be younger without consent," Steve said.

Johnny choked. He held his hand up.

Steve watched him. "Okay?"

Johnny nodded. He sipped his coffee. "Okay." Johnny reached into his pocket and drew out an invitation. He checked the name, then handed it to Steve. "Before I forget."

Steve opened the envelope, read the invitation. "Congratulations, Johnny."

"She's twenty-one, Steve." Johnny smiled.

"Does she know about . . ." Steve waved the invitation envelope.

"She's one of my girls, Steve."

Steve blushed; he started to speak, couldn't.

"She'll remain one of my girls as long as she wants. She can quit anytime." Johnny sipped his coffee. "I found out after she'd worked for me, after I found out she'd been a," Johnny mouthed, "whore, since Mary's age; I found out her family is wealthy." Johnny set down his cup. "Texas oil."

"She . . ."

"She has no idea how many men. Tens of thousands. That doesn't bother you, does it? Probably over a hundred this week alone."

Steve sat back in his seat and shook his head.

"She's an extraordinary woman. Beautiful like one in a billion, Steve. Smart. Witty. Cultured. Likes to shop in Paris. I'm lucky she loves me as much as I love her." Johnny ate a piece of pie. "The girls?"

Steve shook his head. "Everything changes each time, except for their names."

"And what they were doing." Johnny smiled. "Think of it as a child labor problem. Forget the morality."

Steve shook his head.

"Cherry."

"They still say Philadelphia. They still say twenty-years-old."

"Like Darlene's eighteen. How old do you think she is, Steve?"

"Too young."

"I think she's as old as us, Steve." Johnny tapped his head. "Up here."

"She's a child."

"A child's body doing adult things, thinking adult thoughts." Johnny put his coffee cup down. "I wonder what made her that way. She's different from the others."

Johnny checked his watch. "I have another appointment." He looked at Steve. "Winifred's sweet, isn't she?"

Steve stared at Johnny.

"She's legal, Steve. She's a good person who has been through some hard times."

Steve shook his head. "I can't."

"You'll be at the wedding, won't you? Maeve wants to meet you."

"Maeve?"

"Her real name is Mildred, but she's called herself Maeve so long, I figure it's legal."

"Johnny, I'll try, I can't guarantee it."

Johnny stood. "Try. Kitty and Gloria will be there along with the girls and Mark."

Johnny let himself into Gloria's room, closed the door quietly behind him. He undressed and slipped into bed beside her. He lay thinking. When his watch said six, he kissed her.

"Evening."

"You did come back." Gloria hugged him. "I wasn't so sure with all your talk about Darlene."

"You don't want to scare me now, do you?"

Gloria touched his erect cock. "Guess I don't." She slipped under the covers.

"Gloria?" Johnny said.

"Um," she said, her mouth around his cock.

"You're not too sore, are you?"

"Um um," she said.

"If you're not, why don't you get on top. I'm pooped."

Gloria poked her head out of the sheet. "Sure?"

"Sure. Turn around so I can study your tattoo."

Gloria swung her leg over Johnny's head, sat on his stomach. She did things with his cock with her hands; he felt like all of him was right there, in his cock; the feeling was so intense. She raised her butt, settled her pussy on his cock, and then leaned forward. She didn't bounce on him. He could feel her breasts rub his legs and her pussy move around him like her hands had a moment ago. He touched her ass with his fingers, used his thumbs to trace the ships' names on her left cheek. He gripped her waist and held her as he arched his back. Once. Twice, the third time he came. He fell back onto the bed.

Several minutes later he asked, "How do you do that?"

She looked over her should at him and grinned. "Do what?"

"You must feel something, too."

Gloria nodded her head and smiled. "My turn now." She sat upright and he could see her arms move in front of her. A finger rubbed in her pussy alongside his cock; he could feel that. She moved her head so her hair brushed her back. She moved her pelvis forward, raised a bit off him, not so far that he'd fall out, she held him, and rocked.

Johnny shut his eyes and listened to her moan. Her knees pressed against his legs, he could feel her work her pussy. He opened his eyes as she stiffened, gave a soft cry and fell forward to lean on her hands.

In a moment he felt her pussy squeezing his cock so that he grew in her. She moved her pelvis this time as she rolled around him and squeezed. Johnny could hear their breathing in syncopation. It took longer; he came a second time. Gloria trembled, fell forward and gasped. She turned around looked at him. "I think seventy is worth it, don't you?"

Johnny called Kitty's from the restaurant after Gloria left for the Port. He could hear the doorbell ring and squealing voices as Mark went to get her.

Kitty picked up the telephone. "Johnny, it's bedlam around here." She laughed. "Come on over."

"What's happening?"

Kitty laughed. "It's Halloween. My, you are an adult, aren't you? Come on over and hand out candy. Mark and I are going out now."

"I'm coming."

"You should see the kids. Love you." She hung up.

"Love you." He put the handpiece into the cradle. He left the restaurant and drove to Kitty's. When he reached the residential areas of town he could see groups of children and their parents strolling along the sidewalks. He parked at Kitty's, waited at the front door with a bunny rabbit, a pirate and a witch. He grinned at Kitty when she opened the door, grinned again when the children yelled, "Trick or Treat." They waited until she'd dropped candies in their bags and then scurried off.

"Come on in." Kitty opened the door wide for him.

"You're still here?"

"I've been waiting for you, silly. There are the treats; we'll be back sometime. Gladys and the rest have been out for a while; they may get back sooner." She grinned at him. "Mark."

Mark ran into the foyer. "Can we go, mom?"

"We can go." Kitty opened the door.

"Bye, Johnny." Mark waved. He looked cute in white pants and shirt with a corncob pipe.

"Popeye. Right?"

Kitty waved at him. Mark was already on the sidewalk waiting for her.

Johnny saw them before they saw him. Winifred was a gypsy with a black scarf around her head. Fancy was a fairy with cardboard wings and a wand. Mary was dressed as a cheerleader with pompoms. Darlene walked up to him and asked. "Can you guess what I am?"

Johnny stood back. She swayed her hips at him. He shook his head.

"I'm a harlot, Johnny. God, I'd think you'd know."

Gladys smiled at him, "She's a frontierswoman. She's holding her bonnet behind her back."

Darlene swayed her hips as she walked past. "Harlot." Her eyes never left his.

"Walter's with Kitty, they'll be back soon." Gladys touched his arm. "You didn't ask what I was."

Johnny shook his head.

Gladys shut the door behind her. "I'm your night's solace, Johnny." She kissed him on the cheek and walked past.

The doorbell rang; there was a chorus of, "Trick or treat." Johnny opened the door, smiled, said how wonderful everyone looked and handed out treats.

The night slowly became peaceful. Kitty, Walter and Mark came back. Walter was a hobo with a burnt cork beard. Kitty grinned at Johnny, kissed him, and whispered something in his ear that he didn't catch. She walked past, following the boys.

Winifred stood beside him with a glass of wine.

"Thanks, Winifred. That was thoughtful." And much needed, he thought. He wondered if Kitty kept anything harder.

Winifred stared at him.

Johnny took a sip of wine. "This is perfect. Thank you."

"You don't need your jacket, do you?"

Johnny set the glass down. "I don't." He was sweating.

She began to unbutton it for him.

"I can do that."

Winifred pressed her hands on his chest. He lifted them away, noticing how small her wrists were. He took off his coat, laid it over his arm. She took it and waited, watching his face. Johnny untied his tie; she took it from his hand.

"Thank you, Winifred."

She smiled, her whole face glowed; she left the room, came back in a moment and waited. Darlene appeared at her side, bumped Winifred with her hip and smiled at him.

Johnny picked up his glass of wine, took a drink, then walked past, trying not to brush against them. "You'll watch the door, won't you?"

Johnny found a chair in the living room. He settled into his seat. The floor was littered with paper bags and piles of candy. Trades were taking place. Mary was eating all the loose M&Ms in her bag, one after the other. Johnny glanced at Gladys. She was smiling while watching her son. Kitty watched Mark.

Johnny stood, finished his wine, set the glass on the coffee table. "Kitty, Gladys, can I see you for a minute in the kitchen?" He left and waited.

Johnny said to them as they entered, "I'm going back to the hotel. Kitty, did you want to pay a visit?"

Kitty nodded, grinning at him.

Johnny rolled his eyes. "And you, Gladys?"

Gladys gave a quick nod.

"Want to spend the night?"

"I have to be back to help Maeve in the morning."

Johnny nodded. He reached for his jacket pocket, realized Winifred had put his jacket somewhere. "I need a pencil and pad."

Kitty opened a drawer, handed them to him. "Johnny, you're shaking."

He nodded as he wrote. "Darlene and Winifred." He looked up at her. She was grinning at him. He handed her a slip of paper, another to Gladys. "My hotel and room number. Two blocks from the marina on First. Gladys can take a taxi, then take a taxi to my house tomorrow morning." Johnny took out his billfold and handed some bills to her. "Thank you both."

"Gloria and I have the day shift tomorrow. We'll surprise you." Kitty gave an impish smile.

"Michael will have to hold me up during the ceremony."

"Maybe with a two by four down each pants leg." Kitty said to Gladys, "Goodness, Johnny is a lot of fun. Neither of you will get much sleep tonight."

"I'm looking forward to it, Kitty." Gladys took Johnny's hand. "Your hand is cold. Should I bring anything?"

Johnny shook his head. "I need my jacket."

"Not Winifred or Darlene or both?"

Kitty giggled.

"Would one of you ask Winifred?"

Gladys said, "I'll get it." She looked over her shoulder at him. "She's just a little girl, she doesn't scare you, does she?"

Johnny just stared at her.

Kitty hugged him. "I'll be at the hotel in just a little bit." She nuzzled his shoulder. "I'm going to have to watch the girl's technique."

"It's not funny."

Kitty laughed. "You're a grown man. They're just children."

"It's not funny. Thanks, Gladys." He smiled at her.

Gladys leaned to him and kissed him. "I'm looking forward to tonight."

"Why don't you take her to the beach?" Kitty said.

"That would be nice," Gladys said.

"Or there is Joe's Tavern." Kitty grinned.

"That would be nice, too."

Johnny buttoned his jacket. "We'll do something special together, Gladys."

Kitty hugged Johnny and whispered in his ear, "She knows all about you, Johnny. Your friends, the parties, everything." She kissed Johnny.

Johnny kissed Gladys. "I'm going to let myself out the back."

"Good luck, Johnny," Kitty said. "I'd check behind the seat. After all, it's Halloween."

Maeve smiled as she looked at their faces. She could still do that to them. She set her glass of wine carefully on the table, opened her clutch and checked her lipstick in her compact mirror. It was nice to see the reflections of admiring men at neighboring tables. She shut her compact, slipped it into her clutch, and set her clutch to the left of her plate. She turned back to them. "As I was saying. I'm your whore tonight. I want each of you to think of ways I can make money for you." She sipped her wine, watching them. "Think of it as a bonus for all your efforts on our behalf. You know how hard it is for Johnny to part with his money. This way is much, much easier, don't you think?" She set her glass down and gave them a smile that caused poor Alex and Charles to blush.

Maeve waited. Kitty had told her about what happened last Tuesday night. Those boys had reasons to blush.

"Shall I tip the waiter for you as starters?" Maeve turned in her seat, looked back at them. "Or, would you rather sell me to that table of four men behind us?" Maeve touched her glass stem. "Three rules. My dress remains intact. I don't want it ruined or torn. I'm a bit tender after the past two nights." She smiled "Thank you, Alex and Charles, I needed that. And three. Each one of you, not just one or two, proposes a task." Maeve finished her wine. "Shall we go?"

Michael motioned to the waiter. He grinned at her. "The waiter was a good idea, Maeve."

Alex and Charles stared at her.

Maeve nodded, "I thought so."

"But that table of men is a better idea." He talked in a low voice to the waiter, then turned to her. "Go powder your cute nose, let those men get a close look at you. The waiter is waiting," he grinned, "for you and your tip." He stood. "I need to use the little boys' room." He watched Maeve walk away from them. "God, she's beautiful," he said to Alex and Charles. "One. Two. Three. Four. Okay, they've seen her." He walked to the other table and chatted for a moment then walked to the restroom.

Kitty stood and looked out the hotel window. She was naked, standing on her toes so she could see the street below. Johnny admired the lines of her body, her hands on the sill, arms straight on either side of her. Beautiful ass, legs and back. Nice hips, narrower than Maeve's. She didn't look like a boy standing there with her mussed short hair, straight shoulders.

She turned her head and smiled at him. "I like the view." She spun and walked to the bathroom. Johnny heard the bath run. "Gloria has bubble bath and everything." Johnny saw her face poke out the doorway. "You're joining me, aren't you?"

Johnny stood, picked up his glass of scotch from the dresser and followed her. Kitty stood with her foot on the toilet lid, knee bent, rubbing her hands on her leg. She looked at him and grinned. "I feel like I'm in a magazine advertisement."

Johnny set his scotch on the sink, tested the water, and turned off the cold tap.

Kitty hugged him; her fingers traced the ribs on his bare back. "When was the last time I had a bath with a man? Tell me."

Johnny kissed her ear. "I don't know."

"I don't either." Kitty pushed away from him, she touched his cock. "Your intellectual fellow is napping."

"He's been doing a lot of thinking."

"Cogitating, Johnny. Not just thinking." She leaned her back against the tile wall, legs spread slightly. "Turn off the water, Johnny."

Johnny turned off the water, stood.

"Johnny, you know how to please a woman. God knows you do. I'm going to teach you a trick; it's my wedding present for Maeve," she grinned. "And you." She beckoned him with her fingers.

He obeyed.

"You need to be on your knees, Johnny." She waited. "Okay. Now watch." Kitty used the fingers of one hand to spread her pussy lips. She pointed to a knot of flesh with her forefinger of her other hand. "See that?"

Johnny said, "Yes."

"Most men never look very closely, but this is important, Johnny. Now watch." Kitty used her finger to stroke the knot, not too quickly, not at all slowly. "Touch my inner thigh."

Johnny touched her thigh. He could feel the muscle bands and a slight vibration. He watched her finger.

"Johnny, it takes a while. I'm not going to go off just like that, but I can tell you this is feeling exceptionally good."

Johnny watched her hands. It seemed that her pelvis rocked toward him, that she was arching her back. She thumped against the wall, was still.

"It's too sensitive now, for me at least. Let's wait a minute. Okay. Now lick me on that spot, lick me like your tongue was my finger."

Johnny leaned to her, crept closer and licked her.

"Too hard. I like it softer, Johnny. That's better." Kitty held his head, her fingers in his hair. "Constant, Johnny. Better. Softer. Yes, like that. Don't stop." Kitty's fingers tousled his hair. "Like that Johnny. That's fantastic, Johnny."

Johnny felt her move slightly under his tongue.

"Not too hard, Johnny. It takes practice. You're doing great, Johnny."

Johnny could feel her tip into him, tip away, he felt her shudder.

"Don't stop, Johnny. Don't ever stop."

Johnny felt her push into his tongue, she gasped, and then she thumped back and forth, into him, into the wall. Her fingers held his head, then both hands held his head.

"Don't stop, Johnny."

He tried to keep on the spot she wanted, but she was moving about. She thrashed, gave a cry, his face was pulled into her pussy. She let go of his head, fell back to the wall.

"Stop, Johnny." She paused. Half a minute went by. "Okay, Johnny, do it again."

Johnny licked her; she came a third time a minute later.

"Johnny, I need to rest." She touched the rim of his ear, withdrew her hand.

Kitty slid down the wall, draped herself over him. She panted for a moment, then laughed. "You remember poor Gloria and all those men she sucked?"

Johnny nodded.

She moved away and sat on the toilet seat. "For the next week I want you to give each of us girls — no Johnny — just Maeve, Gloria, Gladys and me, that, at least once a day each." She held her chin in her hands, her elbows on her knees. "You do that, learn from each of us, and . . . Johnny," she said. "We'd do whatever you wanted." She grinned. "I know, we already do. We'd beg you to let us do whatever you wanted." She stood and got in the bath. "Still warm. Join me?"

Johnny stood, got in the tub facing her.

"Johnny, you keep on getting girls you'll need this; your little fellow, the cogitator, has limits." She kissed him. "I'm going soon. Gladys is looking forward to this night with you."

Alex, Charles and Michael sat in Michael's car parked next to Maeve's Thunderbird. The motel cabin was lit; two other cars were parked next to theirs.

"Want another beer?" Michael asked.

Alex and Charles shook their heads.

"Well, I've made my two hundred. When they're done, I was going to go in and say goodnight to Maeve. I need to head home. If Michael Junior weren't grinning all the time and saying thanks, dad, Alice would have tossed me out on my butt this week." He sipped his beer. "You boys know what you're going to do, yet?"

Alex looked at Charles, shook his head. Charles nodded.

Michael gave a nod. "Good. I still can't believe it, that first night with Maeve and the month following. Maeve, then Kitty, then Gloria and he has more I'm not supposed to talk about, the lucky bastard." Michael shook his head. "More!" Michael turned to Alex and shook his head. "More." He finished his beer. "You'll see them tomorrow. I'd sure like to know what cereal he eats in the morning. Sure you guys don't want another beer?"

"I've changed my mind," Alex said.

Michael opened two beers with his pocketknife, handed a bottle to Alex. "Charles?"

Charles shook his head.

Johnny got off his bed at the soft knock at his door. He opened it, Gladys waited, dressed as she'd been when he first saw her.

"Twenty dollars, mister, before I walk through that door."

Johnny took out his billfold, handed her two tens.

She pushed past him into the room. "You know twenty doesn't buy all night, don't you?" She leaned against the dresser.

"How much?"

"You tell me." She stood erect, unbuttoned her blouse, and tossed it onto the bed. She unfastened her bra, tossed it by her blouse. "You can put it in my purse." She unfastened her skirt, dropped it to the floor, and kicked it to her blouse. "That doesn't buy any fancy stuff. It certainly doesn't buy fucking my ass."

"How much?"

"You tell me." She stepped out of her shoes, walked to the bed, picked up Johnny's scotch. "In the purse there, that's right." She took a drink, put the glass down. She climbed onto the bed. "Kitty said you had something to show me." She laughed. "I've already seen that, you fool, lots of times. Something new" She held her arms across her breasts.

Johnny got onto the bed, crawled to her and tried to kiss her.

"I don't like to smooch."

Johnny kissed her breast, kissed her stomach; he crawled over her, slipped further down.

"Hey," Gladys said. "You ain't no pervert, are you?"

Johnny parted her pussy lips. He shook his head.

"That's good."

Johnny licked her pussy. Gladys squirmed under him. "Don't I taste funny?"

Johnny smiled at her. "You taste fine to me."

"You sure you aren't a pervert?"

Johnny returned to licking her.

She took longer than Kitty and he wasn't sure in the end if she wasn't pretending just to get him to stop. They lay together, arm in arm, Johnny could feel her rapid pulse under his check. She touched his head. "Kitty said you should take me to the beach. She says you know the spot," Gladys said. "Gloria said she had clothes here I should be able to wear. That old stuff, I'm burning it." Gladys got off the bed, went to the closet. She looked at the dress, found the suitcase, set it on the bed by Johnny's leg. She examined the clothes in the dirty clothes bag. She held up the shower cap and grinned at Johnny.

Gladys chose the swimsuit. She put on the bottom piece, slipped on the jacket and buttoned just the top button. She went over to her heels and slipped them on. She went into the bathroom, came back with two towels.

Johnny stood up, put on his jacket without the tie and walked to her.

Gladys held out her arms, pulled him to her and kissed him. She took his hand, led him to the door. "I need to tell you some stuff, Johnny. We'll go to the beach. You can decide then if you want to bring me back here or drop me off at Kitty's. Either way is okay."

Johnny gave her hand a squeeze and opened the door for her. "If I bring you back, I'll want you to give the elevator boy a tip."

"Johnny, my purse is in the room."

"You'll figure out a way." He pushed the down button at the elevator. "Let your jacket fall open. You show me."

Gladys gave him a shy smile. "The girls warned me about you. If I come back with you, I'll give him a tip we'll both remember." She walked into the elevator, crossed Johnny and stood next to the elevator boy.

"Lobby," Johnny said.

Maeve sat in the car and waited. Charles had driven her to this house, parked the car on the street. Alex sat in back; he was snoring softly. Maeve leaned against the door, felt the cool metal of the door handle against her naked side.

Charles walked from the house into the yard with two men. Charles got in the driver's seat; the two men got into the back, waking Alex. Charles started the car and one of the men gave him directions.

Charles drove quietly through town, then parked next to a generator shop. The two men got out; one opened the shop door, the other followed him in. The lights went on. Charles waited for a moment, then asked, "Want to come in, too, Alex?"

"No, I'll take a snooze."

"Okay. Maeve." Charles got out, closed his door, and held hers open for her. He closed the car door and walked across the crushed shell following Maeve. She could feel his eyes on her; she wore just heels and a pair of panties. He opened the door for her, followed her in.

"They're calling some of their friends."

"Why not at their house?"

"They work all day and talk about stuff. Like having a woman here. They talk about what they'd do to her. How they'd do it. They're customers of mine. We never talk much about it, but you can tell." Charles pointed to the calendars on the wall beyond the counter. "Working on car generators and alternators all day gets boring."

Maeve leaned against the counter. "What are they doing?"

"They have to get stuff ready. They're paying thirty dollars each for," Charles check his watch, "now till eleven-thirty. Smitty is calling friends; they're thirty each, too. Zeke is setting up the props."

Maeve nodded, drew figures with her fingers on the dust. "What kind of props?"

"What they want is a woman who is in a closet who sucks or fucks any cock stuck through a hole in the bathroom wall. They want a woman who's there all day long. Any time they want to, they walk over, whip it out and she's on it. They want her there for them; they want her there for their customers. They want her there eight hours a day, five days a week."

Maeve grinned. "Sounds boring."

"It's boring work." He waved his hand back and forth. "Not intellectually stimulating work like those fellows at the motel cabin do."

"Touché, Charles." She stood. "They didn't get a good look at me in the car, did they?"

Charles shook his head and smiled. "Looks aren't very important."

"Maybe I should go back and help them expand their horizons."

"You do that. I'll watch the door."

"What if a cop checks?"

"Working late on a rush job. He wants to see, it's okay with me."

Maeve walked around the counter, pushed down her panties, stepped out of them and laid them on the counter. "I'm overdressed."

Charles watched the panties. They were pink, frilly. When they were done moving and when noise had resumed in the back, he picked them up and stuffed them into his pocket. There was a knock at the door. Three of them. He took their money; they walked around the counter.

Charles smiled to himself. Maeve was good at being stimulating.

Kitty talked to the kids while they ate ice cream in the dining room. Everybody was excited about the wedding, some happy or thrilled excited, Darlene looked like she was angry excited and Winifred looked like she was torn between the romanticism of the event and her romantic feelings for the groom.

Walter's schedule hung on the refrigerator door. "We go to the beach." She thought that was a good idea. She hoped soon, before it got too cold, they could take an excursion, rent a boat, and go out to the old fort. She'd only been once, years ago when Mark was a baby. A caller, an older businessman, took her. The beaches were miles long, private, no one else was there. Once he got what he wanted, that was the last she saw of him.

Kitty took Darlene to her bedroom. Winifred would keep an eye on the others. Halloween excitement. She didn't think Winifred would have any difficulty.

"Okay, Darlene. You have a problem?"

Darlene shook her head and sat on the bed. "No, mam."

Kitty sat next to her. "When you're polite, I become suspicious."

Darlene grinned. "Okay then. I can't believe he's marrying that pig bitch." Darlene settled on the bed, lay her hands in her lap.

Kitty grinned. "So you're jealous."

"What does she have, I don't have?" She twisted her shoulders. "He's too chicken to try me out. I'm better than her."

"You are?"

Darlene nodded. "Better than her by a mile."

"Maybe Johnny isn't marrying Maeve only because she's a great screw."

"Says who?"

"I say. I've," Kitty grinned, "tried her out and she's great in bed, on the floor, in the shower. Do you want me to go on? Besides that she's incredibly smart, she's witty, she's a good friend, someone I can trust to say the same things behind my back as she says to my face." Kitty stood. "Those things are important, especially the last."

Darlene looked up at her. "What's it like to do it with a woman?"

"For me as good, sometimes better, as with a man." Kitty stood. "I'm not going to show you."

Darlene kicked the bed.

Kitty held the door open. "You'll live. Darlene, don't trust things that come too easy. Don't work too hard for something that isn't worth it."

Darlene kicked the bed, looked at Kitty and grinned. "So you're chicken to try me out, too."

"Honey, being with you is like hugging a bundle of barbed wire. If you were less pointed and sharp, and a little older, I might consider it. Come on out."

Darlene gave the bed a kick and stood. As she walked past, Kitty put her hand on Darlene's shoulder. "Honey, you're my favorite bundle of barbed wire, but those points hurt both of us." Kitty hugged her; Darlene pulled away and led them to the dining room.

Gloria picked up her dress and wiped herself with it, then put it on. This ship hadn't been as fun as the others. Dour captain, close-mouthed men. She buttoned the top half partway up, adjusted the collar and swept her hair back over her head. She looked a mess, she knew she did.

She followed the sailor to the gangplank, left the ship unescorted. She walked to her car and sat in the driver's seat, leaving the door open.

She listened to the night sounds around her. Water, metal chaffing, horns in the distance. She looked at her watch, eleven twenty. She was supposed to be at the other ship at midnight. She lay her head against the seat, shut her eyes and slept.

Her dreams were murky. She looked down a row of metal lockers. She opened the first one, saw a man inside. She climbed into the locker. When they were done she backed out of the locker and shut the door. She opened the next locker. Another man waited. She went inside and they did something. When she was done, she left him, closed the locker and opened the next on to the left. She did this over and over in the dream. She wasn't sure if it was sex they did, she assumed it was but the dream wasn't clear. Inside the lockers she dreamed colors, an amber color on a shoulder, a neck, men's shoulders and necks. Shadows and amber. A hand and wrist, a stomach like Johnny's, with muscles defined. Ribs, leg and knee. A nose and eye, dark eyebrow, the skin colored by amber light. Each time she left a locker, she looked down the row. They went forever into darkness.

"It's midnight, miss."

Gloria opened her eyes. She turned and saw a form leaning against the car. Gray suit, pale gray, it could be any light color in this light.

"Thank you."

Gloria checked her bag.

"Smoke?"

"No, thank you." She heard a match strike, smelled tobacco. She heard a faint click when the stick hit the pavement. She watched the form walk away, pale suit, dark hair. Gloria stood, closed her door. She walked to the berth further down the pier where her ship lay anchored.

Maeve sucked cock. She'd told them she would screw them all, but now she wanted to suck cock. She knelt in the little room; they'd left the door open for her since she said she didn't like small places. Actually, she wanted them to be able to see her. She was too busy to look and see if anyone peeked in.

Someone had brought beer. Someone, Smitty or Zeke, had cut a hole in the wall. It was too small, they had to make it bigger, with men standing around cracking jokes and drinking beer. Since they were drinking beer, they were pissing. The men stood in the small bathroom, sometimes back to back, one filling her mouth with come, the other the bowl with piss.

It was quick. They were so excited it didn't take much to bring them off first time. And they were jokers. Someone pushed the neck of a beer bottle in the hole. She sucked at it, then said, "Oh baby, give me some of your sweet stuff. Oh baby, you are the best of all." Which got them laughing nervously. When they removed the bottle, she said, "Oh baby, I want you in my pussy so bad. Won't you come back? I want you in my pussy so bad." She stood, turned around and aimed her pussy at the hole. It wasn't a bottle that filled her. She was bent over, hands on knees and able to see them now, the two watching her at the doorway.

"You boys had any yet?"

One nodded, the other shook his head.

"Well, come on in. I can do two at once."

After the one in her pussy was done, she pushed on the one in her mouth slowly, backing him out of the room. It was time to do other things.

Gladys talked as Johnny drove. She stayed on her side of the car, gripping the door handle. Her jacket was fully unbuttoned. Johnny only looked at her at stoplights. He showed he was listening by nodding, asking questions, or by being quiet.

Some of the story she told wasn't easy to take. Her dad taking off, her mom leaving her with her grandparents. Her granddad screwing her. Her grandmother never saying anything even though she must have known. She told about running away. Being caught and taken back. Finally at twelve she ran away for good. Her town was on a river; there were floodwalls and she stayed in the woods near one. Men knew she was there. If she did things for them she was able to survive on her own. When she was fourteen she lived a little better, at fifteen she had Walter, no place to keep him. She tried; it was hard to find a man who wanted a whore with a kid. Who wanted a whore and a kid for keeping and caring for? She wanted a home, not much. Two rooms, a place to eat, a place to sleep. A place to raise her son. She was passed from man to man, traveled east; all the money she made went somewhere else. His clothes, his booze, presents for his women. She was his moneymaker. Her son was the key to keeping her going.

"Gladys, why are you telling me all this?"

"So you'll know."

Johnny nodded. "We're at the beach." Johnny got out of the car; she had her door open before he got to it.

"I can open my own doors, Johnny."

"Just trying to be polite, Gladys." Johnny opened the trunk and took out the old army blanket. "There's wine here, shaken."

"I'm not drinking, Johnny. You can go ahead. It won't bother me."

Johnny picked up the bottle and cup. "Would you be able to shut the trunk for me?" Johnny led the way. "Kitty brought me out here. It was shortly after I met Maeve. I was having a hard time accepting the role thrust on me." Johnny looked back at Gladys. "Keeps on being thrust on me. Kitty used this place for her interviews to become one of my girls. Here okay?"

"Beautiful," Gladys said.

"It is. I had a hard time telling her I wasn't a pimp. I'd just sold, rented is a better word, Maeve to two friends you'll meet tomorrow. She was already giving me money, but I thought it was a joke."

Gladys, then Johnny sat on the blanket.

"You ever beat your women?"

"Gladys, when I saw those bruises on Darlene it sent shivers down my spine and made my angry. But yes, Maeve once since she was holding back on me. Afterwards we made love and talked into the night." Johnny glanced at Gladys. "Everything she told me was a lie." He laughed. "It was five strokes on the ass with a bamboo rod. This week Maeve wanted me to do it again. She asked for twenty. I didn't say no."

Gladys nodded. "Okay." She smiled at Johnny. "Go ahead and pour your wine. I'll take a sip from your cup."

Johnny held the cup to her. She took a drink, handed it back. "The girls said the same thing." She leaned back on her arm; the jacket fell open so her breasts were exposed. "What do you expect me to do?"

"What do you want to do?"

"I asked you first." She watched him closely.

"You want to do office work, five thousand a year plus five percent of the gross? The five-percent comes out of my half, not the girls'. I'm hoping to do more, be better organized. I don't like bookkeeping but books have to be kept. You would have to deal with, what's the word . . ."

"Johns."

"That will work, but only on the phone, maybe face to face, but no whoring. That's why you get the five percent."

Gladys nodded. "If I want to do more?"

"Whoring?"

"Maybe."

"You get half. Figure two days a week gets you ten thousand a year. You could do just two days a week if you wanted. Gloria has certain likes, her nautical adventures. She'll make about two hundred dollars tonight, for her three days this week she made over three hundred dollars."

"That's her half?"

Johnny nodded.

"That's more than ten thousand a year."

"It is. With Walter you might want to spend evenings and weekends at home. Maybe you want to do other things while he's at school. Garden club."

"Garden club, that's a laugh."

"I meant it as a joke. Gloria teaches the kids."

"She's good. Okay. What's the work entail?"

"At the hotel, seventy dollars each, three to five a day. For the nautical adventure, four hundred about twenty-five men."

"Your rates are screwy."

"Gloria demands her nautical adventures." Johnny leaned back. "We usually have a party on the weekend. Maeve, Kitty and Gloria, say about fifty or sixty men, six hours, ten dollars each."

Gladys nodded. "What if I don't like parties?"

"You don't have to do them." Johnny looked at the water. "What do you like to do, honestly?"

Gladys laughed. "I don't know. Being a streetwalker was shit. A call girl was better; at least I was warm and dry. Parties, fraternities, that shit wasn't any fun."

"Fraternities?"

"They have some new guys come in, initiated? You're a college boy, you know. Anyway, they make fun of them while they fuck the whore. Fun for everyone."

"So what do you like?"

Gladys sat up. "God knows. Kitty goes on and on what it's like with you. What it's like with Maeve. What it's like at the parties, with Gloria, everyone. She has a great time." She laid her jacket on the blanket. She lifted her rear, pushed her swimsuit bottom to her feet, and kicked it off. "Well, not always a great time. Duds every now and again. All my life has been duds."

"Even earlier tonight?"

"So you noticed. Am I fired?" She lay on her back.

"If you get rockets red glare, you'll stay a whore, if not, work the office?"

"Couldn't put it any better."

Johnny kissed her. "I like you, Gladys."

She grinned at him. "I'm willing to go a little out on a limb and maybe like you a little bit."

"I'm going to get towels, be right back." Johnny stood. "Have you been with a woman?"

Gladys shook her head.

"I might ask you to."

"And do that stuff?"

"It's fun, Gladys. I enjoyed it."

She shook her head. "Can't imagine that."

"Would you if I asked you to?"

"Kitty or Gloria, yes. I don't think they'd go bulldyke on me."

"Think about it. I'll be back."

Johnny returned with the towels, set them on the blanket and undressed. "Kitty told you interviews were a lengthy process?"

"Involved was what she said."

"Give us some time for the rockets. You'll meet some friends of mine tomorrow. If not me, maybe one of them."

"Passed around like a dirty picture at the fraternities."

"Passed around like a beautiful woman who doesn't mind being shared."

"Okay. Shoot, I'm a whore."

Gloria liked this ship. It wasn't painted dull gray inside; the men had a sense of humor. She had a string of them, quick, one after the other, then the pace slowed and everyone was relaxed.

Most wanted to fuck, to luxuriate in her body, to feel her skin, her shape, breasts, sides, legs and face. They buried themselves in her, fucked slowly, held her afterwards. Some wanted to talk, visit. They seemed to enjoy looking at her naked body spread out before them as they talked about places they'd been, family back home, about being on a ship far from land in a storm. About how scared they'd been and how they laughed afterwards because they lived.

One had unusual tattoos on his body. He told her what they were and what they meant. He showed her the tattoos of a rooster on one foot and a pig on the other. He'd never drown, he said, with those. They were a sailor's charm. He was the one who wanted to fuck her ass. She told him no. He smiled, "All right, I'll tell the others." He fucked her pussy; he wanted her on her stomach, her legs together. He licked her neck as he screwed her, held her hair away from him, held a fist full, his other hand bracing his body. He licked her neck, the backs of her ears as he bounced on her butt.

He did tell the others, there was never any problem, or hadn't been so far, except for the motel owner.

Maeve lay resting on the cement floor. She saw the legs and shoes of men around her, heard them talking. Someone farted which got them laughing. She said, "That wasn't me," which got them laughing harder.

She wondered where her shoes were. She counted legs, rolled over, counted more. Nine pairs. She was tired. They walked away talking, leaving one set of legs. Charles knelt. "They want to know if you can stay."

Maeve sat up. "If I wasn't getting married tomorrow, I would love to stay." She wiped her chest, looked at her hand. "Was Alex in here?"

"For a bit, he's back in the car."

Maeve smeared the come on her breasts. "I sure hope this stuff is good for my skin."

"I'd say it was fantastic."

"You would. Help me stand." Maeve leaned on the counter. "This was more fun than I expected." She brushed her hair out of her face. "Shoot, now it's in my hair, too. Won't matter, will it, since Alex is next."

Charles shook his head.

"Who owns this place?"

"Zeke and Smitty are partners."

"Send them over." Maeve stood. Her pussy was sore, her ass was getting there, she felt wonderful.

Charles brought Zeke, a tall thin man, and Smitty, shorter, older with a mustache, to her.

"There was a beer bottle earlier. Where is it, or one like it?"

Zeke and Charles gave her nervous looks while Smitty walked off. He came back with an empty bottle.

"Okay, you two help me onto the counter."

They lifted Maeve so she sat on the counter. She moved backwards, raised her legs, though she kept them spread. "The bottle." She held out her hand.

Smitty wiped the bottle on his shirt and handed it to her.

Maeve grinned. "Remember this when you get bored here." Maeve slipped the neck of the bottle into her pussy. "Go ahead. Screw me with it." Maeve leaned back, let her head fall back.

Charles said, "Go ahead."

Zeke took the bottle and moved it in and out of her.

"Faster," Maeve said.

He moved it faster in and out.

"That's it." She paused. "Who is that?"

"Zeke, miss."

"All right, Smitty. You tell me what you boys will do to me if I spend some time here. Go ahead. Tell me."

Smitty coughed. "Mam. We'd . . ." He looked at Charles and Zeke.

"Smitty is better at doing than talking," Charles said.

"He did just fine earlier. All right, you tell me."

"They want you . . ."

"Don't stop, Zeke. Faster."

"They want you to come in the back, not say a word to anyone. You'll check to see what they're doing, but you won't speak. You'll undress. Your blouse, your bra, your skirt, your slip, your panties and stockings will go in a pile under that workbench over there. You'll walk back to the closet. The door will be open for you. You'll go in and wait. Zeke will tell Smitty he needs to take a leak. He goes in the bathroom and unzips his pants, he sticks his cock through the hole and you'll suck it until he comes. You'll swallow all of it, then speak for the first time. You'll tell him you want more."

The other men joined them, watching.

Charles continued, "Smitty will do the same thing later. All day you'll suck their cocks and tell them you want more. If a friend comes in, they'll take him to the closet and show you to them. You'll tell them how much you love to be fucked. How you want them inside you. You'll walk on your hands and knees around the shop. If someone wants to, they'll stop you and you'll take it either in your mouth or pussy . . ."

"Ass, too," Maeve said. "I want you to fuck my ass, also. Stand me up against this counter and fuck my ass. If a customer comes in, he can fuck my ass, too. Zeke, don't stop. They can draw cards to see who takes me home that night. If they're married, they can leave me in their car and come out to fuck me. They can take out the trash and fuck me, they can take out the dog and fuck me, they can hear a suspicious sound and fuck me, they can have problems sleeping and fuck me, they can get up early to mow the lawn and fuck me, they can walk the dog and fuck me and bring me back and I'll go to the closet and suck come all day."

Maeve raised her head. "Each of you, all day long, anywhere in the shop, in the alley if you want, in the parking lot if you want. I'll suck your cocks, I'll beg you to fuck my pussy and my ass. I'll do two at once, do three at once. Zeke, that was great. You can stop." Maeve grinned at Charles. "This was great. If I'd know about you guys a couple of days ago, all of your fantasies would have come true, all day long. After your were closed you could have taken me to a bar and have me fuck for beers. Help me off the counter."

When she stood on the floor she said, "Give me your card. Maybe one day, all your fantasies will come true."

Maeve looked around. "Anyone see my panties?"

No one said yes.

"Oh well. Time to go. Thanks." Charles and she walked to the door. "My shoes."

Smitty found her heels, brought them to her.

"And the card. Don't forget the card." She smiled. "I wasn't kidding. Two nights ago that guy out there sleeping in the car had me fuck a room full of men at a gas station for a few gallons of gas for his Rambler. Thanks." She took the card. She grabbed Zeke and pulled him close to her and kissed him. She whispered, "Those buckles and zippers hurt. Drop your pants next time."

Gladys rode Johnny in the water. Her hands rested lightly on his shoulders; her face was turned to the side. She felt nice to Johnny. Each pussy was different; each person was different. She and he acted as if it were their first time together. They explored each other's bodies, then made love slowly.

Johnny never got over how it felt in water; how much more he could feel. He held Gladys' waist, touched her skin, ribs, raised his right hand and felt her breast. He kissed her ear.

When he came, he let her keep on going although it hurt slightly. She rode him until he was soft and fell free. He held her to him, turned her face and kissed her. She was crying.

"No rockets?"

She shook her head.

"Give it time. Was it okay?"

She nodded slowly. She pulled him close to her. Johnny held her as he stood, then carried her to the blanket.

"Now it's my turn. All I'll taste is my come and the sea." Johnny kissed her, licked the salt on her body down to her pussy and tried again to do the things Kitty showed him.

After a moment, he said, "Everyone is different. Tell me if it feels good or doesn't. Tell me how you want me to do it." Johnny gave a soft lick. "Hold onto my head if you want." He licked her softly.

"Harder."

He licked harder. He could feel her grow taut under him. He licked and licked and licked. Her hands held his head, stroked his ears.

Johnny slipped his finger into her pussy as he licked. She tensed, arched her back, she relaxed. He licked until she stopped him.

She said, "No rockets, but you lit a fuse."

"Too chilly to screw?"

"Johnny, you can fuck my ass if you want." She grinned as they kissed. "I won't complain if you don't."

Johnny entered her pussy and they fucked for a long time. At one point her hands fell away from him and she lay limp under him, then she grabbed him, pulled his ass into her.

They lay together afterwards; until they were chilled. They pulled the blanket around them and talked, arm in arm.

Gloria knelt before the sailors. She'd told them she wanted to suck them, that she wanted them to come into her mouth. She held the ass of this one, pulled him into her. She felt his hairs tickle her mouth, his balls lightly bounce against her chin as she sucked him. She'd be done soon; just a few more and she'd leave. She swallowed his come as he shot it into her mouth; her tongue explored his cock. There was more for some than others. She held him to her, she kissed his belly and he walked away, small steps since his pants were around his ankles.

She had two more ships' names to add to her ass. The next one was in her mouth, eager. She let him fuck in and out. He held her head lightly. She'd visit Stoney again, this time without the kids. He came quick, wanted to pull out, she held him, swallowing, just a little on her lips.

Maeve and Alex sat in his car after Charles dropped them off. She lay against him, her head on his shoulder, her hand in his lap. He started the engine, drove without saying a word. They passed a string of bars, turned off into a residential area. She felt though his pants fabric his cock harden. Maeve wondered where they were going. Alex hadn't picked up his camera, but then he hadn't had it the other night.

Alex parked in front of a lit house. He gave her a hug then left her in the car. He was gone for several minutes. Maeve tried not to think about her wedding, about everything she had to do. She thought instead of her and Johnny's honeymoon. She sighed. If things got too rough, too much of anything she wouldn't be in any shape for Johnny. They'd have to bring Gloria along. Maeve, for the first time, thought about Gloria's nautical adventure tonight. She hoped Gloria was getting fucked silly. She saw a dark shape on the porch, a match flare, then three jack-o-lanterns being lit.

She didn't know whether to laugh or to feel creepy. The form walked to her car door and opened it.

"Okay," Alex said. "We're ready."

Maeve stood in the damp grass, naked and barefoot, her heels left in the car. She followed Alex across the yard, to the door. Alex stopped her. "This won't be as much as Charles' or Michael's."

Maeve nodded. She'd fucked for free in the past. She grinned. Happily for free. Alex led her through the door, through the dimly lit living room, into a dark hall, into a lit bedroom.

Bright curtains with large brightly colored geometric shapes covered the windows. Photographs, mostly black and white though some were of color, covered the walls. Maeve saw that some were of her, Kitty and Gloria, clothed, nice shots she never knew Alex had taken. They looked almost like models the way the light had fallen. A stack of books, another of National Geographics, leaned against a wall.

She looked again at the man in the bed.

"Maeve, this is Greg. Greg, this is the woman I've told you about."

Maeve smiled, sat on the bed.

"Your mom gone?" Alex asked.

"She's left." Greg grinned at Alex.

Alex walked closer to the bed. "You have to pay me now," he said softly.

Greg pulled his hand out from under the sheet, handed the money to Alex.

Alex counted it. "Three dollars all you have?" He looked at Maeve.

"What do I need money for?" Greg said. "I couldn't exactly ask my mom, could I?" He looked at Maeve. "Sorry if it's not enough."

Maeve stood. "It's enough."

Alex looked at her. "Need any help?"

Maeve shook her head, smiled. "No, we can manage just fine."

Alex left the room.

Gloria sat in her car as the gray suit approached. She smiled at him. "I can drive tonight, but maybe you should follow me home to be sure."

He touched his fingers to his head and saluted, walked back to his car. Gloria pulled out of her parking place, drove alongside. "I'm going to Johnny's," she said out of the passenger window.

He followed her, parked on the street while she parked in the drive. She got out of her car, walked to his car.

"Maybe you should be sure I make it to bed safely."

He nodded, got out of the car, quietly shut the door. He followed her onto the porch.

"Can you spend the night?"

"I have to report in."

"Then you can spend the night?"

"A pleasure, mam."

"Gloria." She unlocked the door and turned on the light.

"Jerry."

"I'll take you to the phone, Jerry." She turned on lights as she walked. She pointed to the telephone in the kitchen. "Before you call, do you want me as I am, or shall we shower first?"

"Both, mam."

"Gloria."

"Just as you are, Gloria." He picked up the telephone.

"I'll get the bed ready. I'll be back in a minute." She went to get the garage ready. She took off her dress, hung it over a chair by the fridge. When she came back she asked, "Beer?"

"Thanks, Gloria."

"You're not going to say anything?" She took two beers out, shut the door, found the opener in the drawer.

"Mam, Gloria. There are a thousand things to say, I don't know which to say first."

"How about, whoooeeee."

"On the tip of my tongue." He took the beer.

"It's this way." Gloria turned the lights out as she led him to the garage. She shut the door to the garage behind her.

She watched him as he noticed the photos on the wall. "Jerry, if you undress first, before you go look at the photos, it would be better."

He turned to her.

"I only say that because of the effect they have on some men." She winked at him.

Alex came back into the room as Maeve and Greg talked. "We should go, I need to get you to bed."

"We're busy, Alex. Come back in thirty minutes."

Alex left them.

"She left you when you got back?"

"She wanted a man, not this."

"One of my girlfriends lost a husband in Korea, maybe you and she should meet." She hugged him. "We'd better be quick if you are going to get your three dollars worth." She grinned. "Don't try to tell me you don't want to or can't."

"On top?"

Maeve moved across him. She took his cock and placed it in her pussy. She raised herself onto her arms and looked down at him. She kissed him, then began to slowly fuck him, moving more quickly, then shifted her arms to behind her and leaned back. On her knees she fucked him furiously, shut her eyes, moaned as she felt him in her, moving, swelling.

He gave a soft cry; she moved slowly and stopped. She changed position, leaned forward so her breasts lay on his chest and they kissed.

"Next time you have your three dollars, tell Alex. Either Gloria, she's the one in that picture there," she pointed it out to him, "or I will come over to take it off you. That's if you want us to."

She hugged him. "I have to get going. Ever have a woman clean your cock? No."

Maeve slid down and took his cock in her mouth, watching him while she did it. "Yum," she said. She stood and watched him push himself up against the headboard. She walked to him, leaned and kissed him. "Thanks, Greg. You've been the best by far tonight."

He smiled at her. "You, too."

When Maeve and Alex were outside, walking to his car, she asked him, "What would it cost to get him in a wheelchair and out of the house?"

Alex shook his head.

"Find out. If he wants to, he can help take care of some kids you'll meet tomorrow."

Maeve waited in the car. When Alex was seated next to her, "Where's his father?"

"Killed in France in forty-four."

Maeve nodded. "I saw framed medals on the wall." She was silent as he started the car and drove. "You're taking me to your house. You have pictures to show me. Syrup to pour over me."

"I'm not sure I have enough."

"If not, you'll think of something. Cripes, you can shoot all over me all you like and sprinkle coconut on it."

"I don't have any coconut."

"Do you have a pet dog by chance, a cute male Scottie?"

Alex shook his head and glanced at her. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering. Thanks, Alex."

He nodded.

"I mean it. I expect you to fill every hole, cover every inch of me. Take pictures. You can piss on me if you want."

He slowed and looked at her.

"See, I knew you'd think of something."

Kitty woke. She looked at the clock by her bed. The glowing dial showed a little after five. She heard it again. She got out of bed carefully, walked softly through the dark house toward the noise. She turned on the light and found Darlene twisting the knob on the door. Darlene gave the door a kick and turned toward Kitty.

"It's locked," Kitty said. "Come on back to bed."

Darlene brushed past her, said something Kitty couldn't hear. Kitty picked up the pillowcase. It felt like it had clothes in it. She followed Darlene, held her before Darlene could go into the girls' room. "You're sleeping with me. Come on."

Kitty guided Darlene before her; once they were in she shut the door and turned on the light. "Your clothes — off."

Kitty sat on the bed and watched Darlene undress. Darlene was tall for her age, her skin was pale, not healthy pale. Monday, Kitty would take her to the doctor. Darlene was thin, with young woman hips and small breasts. She didn't have pubic hair, not because she'd shaved. The bruises on her face were bad enough, to see her body covered with bruises was sickening. Poor dear, Kitty thought.

"Okay. Sit here." Kitty smiled as Darlene sat heavily on the bed. "We're sleeping together. Naked flesh touching naked flesh. I'm okay with that. You'll learn to live with it. I'm not going to do anything with you," Darlene kicked the bed with her heel, "not to you or with you unless you start it, and you know how to start it. It won't be an accident, will it? If you start it, we go all the way. When I have sex with a man, I often could care less if I see him again. Not always, there's Johnny and a few others. If I make love to a woman I hold on to her. If we make love, I will never let you go. Understand? Okay. Under the covers."

Kitty stood. "This is just like being in the garage with Gloria and the whip. Choose wisely, dear." Kitty climbed into the bed beside Darlene. She turned out the light.

Gladys held Johnny close to her. The light coming through the hotel window was different from the light on the beach a few hours before. She couldn't tell if he was awake or not. She couldn't tell if she trusted him or not.

"Goodnight, Johnny," she said in her mind. She shut her eyes.

Go to the next chapter of Comes the Bride.
Chapter Eighteen | Chapter Nineteen | Chapter Twenty | Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two | Chapter Twenty-three | Chapter Twenty-four | Chapter Twenty-five
The Schedule

The first part of Switch: a novel is Switch.
The second part of Switch: a novel is The Babysitter.
The third part of Switch: a novel is Comes the Bride.
The fourth part of Switch: a novel is The Revolver.

Disclaimer: Some of the things the characters do in this story are seen as offensive or frightening (even terrifying) by some if not most people. Please don't surprise anyone. Always ask first. Have an agreed upon safe word even if you don't do BDSM.

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