Message-ID: <31828asstr$997045801@assm.asstr-mirror.org> Return-Path: <morg1058@chartervt.net> X-Original-Message-ID: <000f01c11cde$d4ecf120$337cf2d0@wards> From: "Bill Morgan" <morg1058@chartervt.net> X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2462.0000 Subject: {ASSM} NEW from Morgan: ALLISON, 4 of 4; M/F Rom Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2001 17:10:01 -0400 Path: assm.asstr-mirror.org!not-for-mail Approved: <assm@asstr-mirror.org> Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d X-Archived-At: <URL:http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2001/31828> X-Moderator-Contact: ASSTR ASSM moderation <story-ckought69@hotmail.com> X-Story-Submission: <ckought69@hotmail.com> X-Moderator-ID: newsman, gill-bates <1st attachment, "Allison 4.txt" begin> The following is a work of fiction regarding sexual relationships. If you feel that it is illegal, immoral, or otherwise improper for you to read this, then DON'T READ IT. * * * Allison Copyright Morgan, 1988, 2001. All Rights Reserved. Please note the original copyright date. This story was basically written 13 years ago. As a result, you may find references to, e.g., "antique" computers, and so forth. I'm afraid you'll just have to live with it; it's too tedious trying to keep up with the latest and greatest in technology in general and computers in particular. Incidentally, you will find occasional entries, _word_. The reason for this is that MS Word's Auto Format function puts a word preceded and followed by an underscore in italics; that's my intent. Similarly, *word* results in the word appearing in bold face. If you use Word's Auto Format, it will take care of things; if you don't, you at least know why it's there. More of my works are posted on my site <www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Morgan/www> If you like it -- or if you don't -- please let me know at morg105829@aol.com. * * * Chapter 18 When Ali returned to the suite, Bill came over to greet her. He took her in his arms to give her a welcome-home kiss that, as usual, ended up loaded with their mutual love and passion. Ali just held him tightly around his neck. He looked at her with a question in his eyes and she smiled softly. She whispered, "I need to wait for my knee joints to re-form. Whenever you do that, Bill Clifford, you know damned well my knees turn to water!" He smiled softly and kissed her again. Bill turned, still keeping his arm around Ali's waist. Then she saw a young man standing watching them. He was about five feet eleven and very slim. His build reminded Ali of Brian's as she went over to him with her hand outstretched. The young man took it, looked at her and murmured, "They're right." Then aloud he said, "Mom, I'm your son, Bill." He reached out to her and she went into his arms and kissed him. She could feel tears flowing down her cheeks. She stepped away and said, "Bill, thank you so much. But I heard you say something just before you introduced yourself. What was it you said?" The young man looked sheepish and said, "I guess I said, 'they're right', or something like that. I was referring to Jennifer and Brian. Mom, they claim you're the most beautiful woman in the world. Brian is convinced you are the incarnation of an angel, making Karen Gaudli the most beautiful woman on earth. Jennifer... well, she just worships you, Mom. She really does. Every time she mentions you, she starts to cry. There's an endless supply of stories of what you've done for her lately." He smiled and said, "I guess I'm the only Clifford you haven't fixed up with a spouse." Bill made drinks and the three chatted. Moments later Jennifer and Steve arrived. The brother and sister hugged and kissed and then Bill shook hands with Steve. Young Bill stepped back, still holding his sister's hands. "Jen, I've never seen you look better! You are exquisite. He turned to Steve and said, "I think you're a pretty lucky guy. She's one in a million!" Steve grinned at Bill and replied, "I doubt it. One in a million would mean there are about 100 or so of her in the country. I don't think there are. In fact, I'm sure there aren't nearly that many." Ali then took Jennifer aside and told her about meeting and hiring Cara Connie Foster. Jen was thrilled. Finally, she grinned and said, "Mom, I guess you just can't get away from strippers!" Hors d'oeuvres appeared and it was shaping up to be a fine dinner party. They had reserved a private dining room downstairs. After having drinks, they went down to dinner and young Bill was sitting beside Ali. He said, "Mom, I have a favor to ask. I was teasing you about fixing up Brian and Jen. All I can say is they're both so happy their feet don't even touch the ground. But all by myself I met a girl who's from a very fine family. I'm going to meet them on Thursday. Could you be my real mother that night?" Ali's face fell. She had just met Bill for the first time and he had made what would normally be a very simple request. Then she thought of her new daughter, Joan. She put out her hand and took the boy's. "Bill, any other time. Something has come up I just can't control. Could you change the date?" When he sadly shook hid head she asked sadly, "Could your father go with you alone?" Bill could see her eyes fill as she spoke and could feel her hand gripping his. He smiled and said softly, "I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to hurt you. I did, didn't I? It really hurt you deeply to say no, didn't it?" She smiled at him warmly and said, "You're going to be one hell of a doctor! You're very perceptive. Ali looked across the table at Jennifer and felt so proud. The girl looked utterly exquisite. She had her hand in Steve's and she was lost in his eyes. Ali rejoiced in her daughter's happiness. Looking over at Bill, she found his eyes had a faraway gaze. "A penny for your thoughts, Bill?" she asked. Bill gave a little start and looked at her with a smile. "I'm sorry, Mom. I was thinking of my girl. At least, I hope she's my girl. I can't wait for you to meet her. You know, in a strange way she reminds me of Jennifer. She's sweet and loving and smart -- and absolutely gorgeous." He looked at her and said, "Mom, you and Dad reminded me of us tonight." Ali looked puzzled. "Your father and I? What did we do?" "When you came home and he kissed you. I know it was supposed to be perfunctory, but it sure wasn't. I don't think you and Dad are capable of perfunctory kisses, are you? Neither are we. God, I love that woman!" Later that night Bill and Ali were resting in bed after their lovemaking. Bill had stroked her body and was still playing with her breasts. Ali had her eyes closed and was making happy noises deep in her throat. She said softly, "Bill Clifford, if you don't stop that, I'm going to want more. And I'm not sure that you're not over the hill. I don't want you to strain yourself, darling." Bill rolled over and placed one of his hands on her crotch and began to finger her. Her legs spread wide and soon he was inside her again, moving slowly. As he moved his loins against her, his fingertips were stroking her body. He loved to feel her muscles moving under her satin skin. He could feel Ali cum repeatedly until he took her to her ultimate crest. She screamed and lost consciousness. When she came to, she was lying beside him with her head on his shoulder. She blinked and smiled at him. "I take it all back. It's me that's getting old. Oh, Bill, that was so good!" "And you're so beautiful, Ali. God, I love you!" Bill turned off the light and Ali positioned his hand on her breast. She quickly told him of the events of the day with Joan and Connie. Finally, she told him of Bill's request and her response. Bill said, "I guess I can handle it myself. But Ali, he's joined the ranks of the people who love you." On Thursday morning, Ali brought her clothes for the evening in to the office with her. Then she took Joan over to Henry's. While there, she took the opportunity to take him aside and tell him about Connie and her problem. At first he was startled, but then he grinned and agreed to try another dye job. When they were finished, Joan went to her apartment to prepare for the evening while Ali went back to the office. She arrived at Joan's at five o'clock having learned that her boyfriend was due to arrive at seven. As she went towards the door of the first-floor garden apartment, she met Connie Foster just leaving. She was wearing skin-tight Levi's with a chambray shirt and her hair was still tied up on her head with a red kerchief. Connie was embarrassed to see her. "What brought you out here, Connie?" Ali asked. Connie smiled and said, "I thought I could give Sis a hand for her big night. Good luck!" The girl ran off toward the parking lot. Ali went into the apartment and found Joan sitting on a chair, still shaking her head. "What's the problem?" she asked. Joan looked up and smiled warmly at Ali. "Did you see who just left?" "Yes, Connie Foster. Why? What was she doing?" "Acting like a cleaning woman. Ali, you won't believe what that girl did! I found her here when I got back. She waited for me to leave this morning and then had the nerve to tell the super that she just missed me. He let her in and she's been cleaning up a storm ever since." She smiled and said, "Ali, will you come with me, please?" Ali followed the girl back to the bedroom. The room was stunningly decorated around a king-size bed. The drapes, curtains, and bedspread all matched and the bed was turned down on both sides. Then Joan led her into the bathroom which was spotless. There was even a tray similar to what is found in fine hotels with toilet articles laid out. They went back to the living room and Joan asked, "What do you think?" "I think your bedroom looks absolutely spectacular. But what's wrong?" she asked. "Nothing!" Joan replied with a grimace. "Except none of it was here when I left for work this morning! Mom, I've spent a little money on furniture for the living room and I guess I said something to Judy about the bedroom being decorated in early Salvation Army. I come home and find this: The bed, bureau, table, lamps, drapes, curtains, sheets, and bath linen are all brand new, delivered this morning. Connie did it all! She said I need a very firm mattress to avoid back problems from bedroom exercise! Can you believe it? And look at the rest of this place -- it's utterly spotless. And I thought I was a demon housekeeper!" Joan smiled warmly and added, "Ali, I think I love that girl." Ali had changed at the office and was wearing a beautiful dress. She realized Joan was wearing a bathrobe and asked about it. The girl smiled again and told her that Connie had insisted she take a shower so she could go over the bathroom one last time before she left. Joan just shook her head claiming the bathroom had not looked this good when the builder finished it. She was putting on her dress when the doorbell rang. Ali went to answer it and found it was Judy Jeffries and Mike Morris. Judy was wearing a very short maid's uniform that showed off her perfect legs; Mike was carrying a white jacket. Ali just looked at the two in amazement. Judy said, "Ali, you can't properly entertain when you're bouncing up and down like a jack-in-the-box. Mike is still loafing so we thought we would come over and help out." Joan had come out of the bedroom by this time and stopped, stunned. Tears started to flow and Judy ran over to her, grabbed a tissue, and started to dry her eyes. "What are you doing? Don't you know tears make your mascara run...? If you ever wore any. What's the trouble?" "Judy Jeffries, you and the rest of that gang are the trouble, damn it!" Then she smiled brilliantly and said, "But thank you so much! Come on out and I'll show you what we're serving." Ali followed them out to the small kitchen and found the food all laid out. Joan asked Judy if she could cook and the blonde stuck out her tongue and replied, "Better than you, I bet. I've been cooking for Mike longer than you've been cooking for Bill." Mike set up the bar and Joan finished getting ready. Ali had checked her watch to try to keep the girl busy so she wouldn't be sitting and just waiting for the doorbell to ring. Just then, it rang. Joan popped up, went to the door and opened it. Ali could hear the sounds of their kissing and then heard Joan introduced to his father. Ali was on her feet as they came into the room. She saw Bill Clifford standing behind his son and winking at her over his son's head. Joan brought Bill over and said, "Bill, I would like you to meet my mother. Mom, this is Bill... Oh my God!" Joan's hand went to her mouth as the Clifford name registered. She glanced at Bill senior, immediately recognized him, and turned brick red. Ali had her hand out and said, "How do you do, Bill. I'm so happy to meet you. Is this your father?" Bill, junior, recovered far faster than did Joan. He said, "Yes, he is. I would like to introduce you to my father, Bill Clifford. At home I was always called Billy to tell us apart." Ali's eyes were sparkling as were Bill's as she extended her hand. Bill took it gravely and said, "Mrs. Fredrick, it's a great pleasure to meet you. I've heard so much about your daughter from Billy. It's obvious that she gets her beauty from you." Ali said, "It's Mrs. Clifford, now. My husband died and I've remarried." She looked at Bill with her eyes dancing and said, "I'm sorry my husband couldn't make it this evening. He's a wonderful person, and I'm sure you would like him." Meanwhile, Joan was in Billy's arms. He was holding her tight. Ali noticed that he was caressing Joan's hair the way Bill always did with her. When they sat down, Billy just shook his head. The joke was over. He said, "Mom, you did it again. And so did I. All Joan could talk about was this wonderful person she worked for who was always doing nice things for people. I'm thick. I should have guessed that there aren't very many of you." Mike came and took drink orders. His eyes were twinkling but he maintained a perfectly straight face, except for winking at Ali when no one could see him. He brought the drinks and Bill offered a toast to Billy and Joan. Before they drank, Billy turned to Ali and said very formally, "Mrs. Clifford, I asked Joan to meet you and I'm delighted we did. The reason I wanted to meet you was to ask permission to court your daughter. I love her desperately and want to marry her. I believe I can support her in the style to which she is accustomed. I hope you will give your permission for me to continue to call on her." Ali looked at him gravely even though her eyes were still twinkling. "Bill, you certainly have my permission to continue to call on Joan. As for the rest, you'll have to ask her." Bill reached into his pocket and took something out. He turned to Joan and said, "Darling, will you marry me?" Tears of joy started to run down the girl's cheeks as she smiled at him brilliantly. Her smile lit up the room as she said, "Darling, of course I'll marry you. Anytime at all." He took her hand and slipped a ring on the third finger of her left hand. The diamond was huge and dazzling in its brilliance. Bill said softly, "My dad helped me pick it out. I hope you like it." Joan was speechless. She just wrapped her arms around him and hugged. Judy came out of the kitchen and when Joan came up for air, she came over to see it. "Joan, I've never seen a stone like it! It's absolutely magnificent! Oh, darling, I'm so happy for you!" Then Ali looked at it and gave Joan a kiss. Mike came in carrying a tray with glasses of champagne. He and Judy were introduced to Bill who grinned at Judy and winked at Mike. They took glasses and Mike said, "May I offer a toast to Joan and Bill? May they always be as happy as their parents!" The dinner went smoothly and beautifully. After cleaning up, Mike and Judy left quietly. Soon Ali and Bill got up to leave as well, but Bill couldn't help teasing his son. He said, "Bill, are you coming with us? I don't want to leave you stranded." Bill grinned at his father and said, "Thanks, Dad, but that's okay. I'll manage. You and Mom just go on ahead." Joan took Ali in her arms and kissed her. She said, "I can't believe it! You're really going to be my mother! Mom, I'm so happy now I can't stand it." Later, when they were in bed Bill had his hand on Ali's breast and had pulled her close. As usual, she had molded her body to his and had her head on his shoulder. Bill asked, "What do you suppose the kids are doing now?" Ali murmured sleepily, "The same thing we were just doing. And you know what? Before the night's out, they'll be doing exactly what we're doing now. Joan will be snuggling close to Bill and he'll have his hand cupping her boob. It's a bigger handful than mine, by the way. Her head will be on his shoulder and she'll just go to sleep that way." The next morning all the girls were in the conference room waiting for Joan to arrive. Judy had told the others about the huge diamond Joan had received and all the girls were waiting to see it. As they were waiting, Connie Foster stuck her head around the door. "May I come in? Even though I haven't started to work, yet?" Ali jumped up and went to her. She took the girl aside and said, "Connie, that was the nicest thing I could imagine that you did for Joan yesterday. But why did you do it?" "Because she's the only family I have. Did it look all right? Did she like it?" "Connie, it was the most beautiful bedroom I've ever seen! But did you have to turn down the covers? On both sides of the bed?" Ali asked with her eyes dancing. Connie grinned and said, "Mom, it's what I've always hoped someone would do for me." Her eyes were warm with love for Joan as she continued, "That's the most scrumptious bed I've ever seen! The sheets are so crisp and fresh! Mom, I don't think I would get out of it for a month." Just then they heard the front door open and Joan came into the conference room. She appeared to be half dead. The girls crowded around to admire her ring. Joan tried to stifle a yawn. Ali took her into her office and asked Kathy to bring in some coffee. Joan collapsed on the sofa and spread her legs wide. "My God! How do you do it? I'm utterly destroyed, Mom. But it was the most marvelous night of my life. And later, after more lovemaking than I can think about, I had my head on his shoulder and his hand cupped my boob. Then this morning, I woke up and squeezed his hand that was still over my breast. He rolled over and took me slowly and gently. It was like heaven! "But then do you know what that jerk did? He rolled over and went back to sleep! He didn't even get up to have breakfast with me. He had the nerve to say I have the most comfortable bed he's ever slept in and he didn't want to get out of it. Wait till I get my hands on Connie Foster!" Ali just laughed in delight. They decided that a June wedding would be nice. Ali learned that young Bill would be doing his internship and residence in Los Angeles. She and Bill were delighted. Later, Joan asked about a pay advance for her wedding expenses. Ali merely smiled and said they were an expense of the bride's family, not the bride. Joan just looked at Ali in utter astonishment. Then she teased the girl, "Could I interest you in a double wedding with Jennifer? She'll be getting married to Steve around that time, too.Chapter 19 It was early April and Ali was wondering how to celebrate her upcoming wedding anniversary. She had come to no decision and was just sitting in her office when the phone rang. It was Jennifer. Ali brightened when she heard her voice. She had come to love Jennifer deeply and knew the feeling was reciprocated. "Hi, Mom! How is the world's most beautiful mother today?" "Honey, I don't have the first clue. I have no idea who she is. But _I'm_ fine. How are you?" "I'm fine, Mom, but I have a problem. Steve's got a friend in town who needs a date. He tells me he's a really great guy. But the only unattached girl I know is Connie Foster. Do you think she might be interested? Mom, this is another funny one. The guy is thirty years old and is already burning up the track making money. I think he's struggling but just making the bottom of the _Forbes_ list. What do you think?" "Jen, I think it's super! Honey, it looks like I adopted another daughter. I have really come to love that girl. Did you hear what she did for Joan?" Ali proceeded to tell how Connie decorated the entire bedroom and cleaned the apartment from top to bottom. "And Jen, it was all a secret. No one knew what she was planning to do. And she has been working as a stripper to make money for school. Does that sound like anyone you know?" Ali heard the sound of a small sob from the other end of the phone. Jen's voice was cracking as she said, "Mom, with me it was sort of a joke. Deep, deep down I knew Dad would help me if I ever got in a real jam. But Connie has no backup." Her voice strengthened and she said, "Mom, I have two questions: First, do you think this guy is good enough for her? And you know I'm serious when I ask that. Second, am I right in assuming you're going to do a Jennifer on her? I do so hope you will." Ali could feel tears glistening in her eyes as she listened to her daughter. "Jen, it's only one date. That's the answer to your first question. The answer to the second is that I love my beautiful daughter very much! Honey, she is really a beautiful girl and I think it would be fun. When's the date?" "How about tomorrow night? It's a Friday and who knows what might happen. Incidentally, Mom, Steve sends his love. And he means it. He has the excellent judgment to prefer you to me. But since you're taken, he's willing to settle. Mom, I can't be happier than I am now. Now would you mind calling Connie and then letting me know what she says?" Ali asked Kathy for Connie's number and called the apartment. A sleepy voice answered the phone. "Hi, sleepyhead. It's Ali Clifford and it's almost nine o'clock. Why are you still in bed?" "Because I only finished work last night. I felt I had to give the club two weeks notice. It was over last night." Then her voice brightened. Clearly, she could wake up quickly. She said, "Hi, Mom. How are you this morning?" "Madly in love with my silver-haired daughter. Incidentally, wait until you meet your future sister-in-law, Karen Gaudli, Brian's love. Her hair is as lovely as yours -- and that's saying something. The reason for the call, though, is to find out if you have any plans for the next two days." Ali heard a low chuckle and Connie said, "You just ruined my only plan. I was going to sleep straight through until Monday morning. Since that's shot, what can I do for you?" "Could you get down here in an hour or so? I want to plot and scheme." Connie said she would come right down and hung up. Then Ali asked Kathy to get the girls together in the conference room. Walking in, all the girls looked up at her expectantly. Ali stood, looked around at them and finally said, "I agree with a comment Connie Foster made: There is real love in this organization. I just wanted you to know that I love you all very much. People tease me about being a mother to a group of beautiful girls. I don't know about the mother, but they're sure right about the beautiful. I'm really very proud of you all and what you have achieved in the last few months. "Now I have a favor to ask. You all heard what Connie did with Joan's apartment. All she said to me was that her sister needed help. Since she had never had a sister before, she felt wonderful to be able to do it. Anyway, I think we can help Connie and should. Does anyone feel like it?" The reaction from the girls was immediate and wildly enthusiastic. It was obvious that they had quickly come to love the tall green-eyed blonde, too. Ali laid out the plan. She was having a date with the most eligible young man in the country. Ali wanted to be sure she looked the part of the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the country. While they waited for Connie, Ginger and Sandy discussed outfits and colors. Ali had complete confidence in their judgment. When they went back to their offices, Ali called Henry Hall and made an appointment for later in the day. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and Connie came in wearing her skin-tight Levi's and a chambray shirt. When Ali raised an eyebrow Connie said she had been told it was the Firm's official casual uniform. Ali's eyes twinkled at Connie's reply. Kathy brought in coffee for her and winked. Connie looked her over and said, "Kathy, I don't know. You're starting to show signs of internal wear and tear. Didn't you know that men appreciate women more if the women keep their distance? I understand separate bedrooms are the way to go. Then you may invite your husband to share your bed every six months or so." Kathy pretended to think about it. Then she said brightly, "I tried that. It wasn't worth a shit! Actually, in this office we now have one shared talent: We can all do a split on the floor and have our legs out flat. That's because the only way we're really comfortable is with our thighs spread as wide apart as they can go to welcome our men inside us." She grinned and added, "But it is an interesting thought." She closed the door behind her as she left. Connie shook her head and said, "Ali, the funny thing is I know what she said is true. Never in my life have I seen a group of girls who look so fulfilled. They're so damned relaxed! You know, I'm scared about joining now." Her face had gotten very serious as she continued, "I've been reading files and now I can see why you're so damned effective. It's because the only thing you all need to prove is how much you love your men. I can see you and Sandy and Ginger just being totally honest with clients and as a result, totally convincing. My problem is I've been living like a nun." Ali explained about the phone call from Jennifer without mentioning the wealth of the young man. "Anyway, do you think you could tear yourself out of bed for a couple of hours?" She grinned and agreed immediately. Ali called Jennifer and told her, then took Connie back into the conference room. When they entered she told Connie to strip. Connie looked at her strangely, then just shrugged and removed her clothes. Although the girls had watched Connie strip before, it had really been a dance. She had an exquisite body but it was only now, as she stood like a model and they took her measurements, that they realized how exquisite she really was. When they were finished, the girls scattered and Connie put her clothes back on. She was puzzled but still didn't ask any questions. Ali took her out to lunch and then to Henry's. Again, she was greeted warmly and Henry looked Connie over carefully and then looked at Ali. He said, "Ali, where in the name of God do you find these girls? I think you've cornered the world market on beauty and brains. What's the story this time?" Ali told him that he had to dye Connie's pubic hair and do a full hair styling. "Henry, Connie is very rich. She's also a lawyer in the finest law firm in town. I want her to look very sexy and very classy. How's that?" Henry took Connie into a booth and drew the curtains. He looked at her and said, "Young lady, this is a first for me. Would you please undress?" Connie stripped off her clothes and lay down on a chair that had been extended out to permit her to recline. Henry and Ali studied the girl's hair with a magnifying glass and discussed the likely degree by which her pubic hair would be darker than the hair on her head. He whispered to Ali that Connie's body was essentially perfect. "There's not an apparent ounce of fat on her. Just beautiful skin and finely-toned muscles. This is another real pleasure." He was amused to see Connie fall immediately asleep in the chair and not move at all as he worked on her. Finally, it was finished and he touched her on the shoulder. "What do you think of it?" he asked. Connie looked down at her loins and saw her pubic hair was now a darker shade of the white-gold of the hair on her head. She looked at Henry and beamed, "It's been a long time, Henry, but I think it's perfect! I can't thank you enough. It's a pretty tacky thing to ask you to do, though. Thank you." She got dressed and he opened the curtains. Ali wandered around exchanging movie gossip with the other people while he worked on the hair on Connie's head. Finally, he drew back the curtains with a flourish and Ali came back in to look. He raised the back of the chair and turned it around. He had been completing the styling with the chair's back to the mirror to keep Connie from being able to see it until he was finished. Connie's jaw dropped. She was absolutely stunned. Her new hairdo was magnificent. She jumped out of the chair and kissed Henry solidly on the lips. Henry turned scarlet, then grinned. "May I take that to mean you think the styling is okay?" "Henry, I'm speechless. I can't possibly look like that! That girl is beautiful." Henry shook his head and put his hand out to Ali. "I don't know how you do it, but you always bring me girls with the loveliest hair its been my good fortune to see in years. All of your girls' hair is full-bodied, and naturally wavy. Incidentally, how is that little girl, Joan, doing? She is a delight." Ali grinned and said, "She's marrying my son in June. And it's at least partially your fault. She'll be back before the wedding for sure, and undoubtedly before that. I'll tell her you asked." Ali turned to Connie and smiled warmly, "Are you all set?" Connie just nodded her head and followed Ali back to the car. Ali was amused to see the girl recline her seat in Ali's convertible and go to sleep as she drove back to the office. She thought the girl was really one after her own heart. Ali had previously called Bill and told her what she was planning. He approved wholeheartedly and said he would meet them at the office later in the afternoon. When they returned to the office they went to the conference room. Connie still had no idea what to expect. What she found was a collection of magnificent outfits that she tried on and modeled. Sandy and Ginger just frowned and shook their heads. Finally Ginger said, "Sandy, it's no use. We'll just have to keep them all." Sandy looked sad -- or tried to. Her eyes were flashing with glee. "I'm afraid you're right, Ginger. One looks about as bad as the next. We'll keep them." Connie's face fell. "I think they look lovely. Who are all the clothes for, anyway?" Ali said, "It's part of your wardrobe, silly. You have a date tomorrow and your family wants to be sure you look presentable." Connie's jaw dropped. "These are for me? But that's insane! I couldn't buy one of those outfits with a year's pay. I thought you were just using me for a model." "We were," Ali replied. "I think it's only appropriate, after all, that you try on your own clothes. Actually, we did try to hire a model. It turned out there is not a model agency in town with a girl with your measurements. When I gave them yours, they just laughed. They said I didn't want a model, I wanted a slim young Venus. As far as the cost is concerned, you don't have to pay for them. They're paid for." Ali dropped her joking tone of voice and looked at the girl with her love showing in her eyes. "And Connie, they are yours. They're from people who love you. Please accept them." Connie's eyes filled. "I don't know what to say. Thank you all. They are the most beautiful things I've ever seen -- anywhere. I've never drooled over anything this nice in the finest fashion magazines." She turned to Ali and held out her arms. Ali embraced the girl and held her tight. She could hear the girl whisper, "Mom, I love you!" Ali took her arm and led her to her office where Bill Clifford was sitting in a chair waiting for them. He rose as they entered and Ali said, "Connie, I want you to meet your new father, Bill Clifford. He loves you deeply, too, and it's only fair to give him a chance to meet you." Bill smiled at the girl warmly and extended his hand. Connie ignored the hand and went into his arms. She hugged him tightly and Bill put his arms around her. Ali could hear the sound of crying as the girl just burrowed her face into Bill's shoulder. She could see the girl's shoulders shaking from her weeping. At that instant her love for Bill Clifford increased again. She could see him whispering endearments into the lonely girl's ear, as he gently stroked her hair. It was exactly what he did with her and Jennifer. Ali knew how much she loved it. Connie was reacting the same way. Finally, she pushed away looking upset. She reached into a pocket and pulled out a handkerchief that she used to try to dry the tears from Bill's jacket. He stopped her and kissed her lightly on the lips. He said, "You don't know men very wel, young lady. Nothing makes a man feel better than to have a beautiful young woman cry on his shoulder. It gives us a chance to get our arms around her and hold her tight. Connie, welcome to the Clifford family. I know your mother has given you some things. Well, I wanted to give you a welcome present, too." With that he reached behind a chair and picked up a large box which he presented to her. Connie set it on Ali's desk and opened it. She removed the cover and set it aside. Then she folded back some tissue paper revealing the contents. She gasped. Her hands came up to cover her face. "This can't be _for me?"_ Bill reached in, took out the mink coat, casually shook it out and then held it for Connie to try on. The girl slipped her arms into the sleeves and Bill pulled it up on her shoulders. He went around in front of her, took the lapels and pulled them together. Then he lifted the collar to frame her face. Ali gasped, "Bill, it's perfect. Would you look at the way that dark fur sets off her glorious silver-gold hair? Honey, if we took a photograph and let the furrier run it as an ad, we could have the coat for nothing. Connie, you look gorgeous! Take a look." There was a mirror behind the closet door in Ali's office. She positioned it so the girl could see herself. Connie looked in the mirror and they could see tears start to roll down her cheeks again. Bill took her back into his arms. He whispered, "Connie, it's beautiful. It was made for you. Please accept it as a small token of the love your mother and dad have for you?" Connie wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, kissed him, and said, "Thank you so much, Dad! It's utterly exquisite." * * * They agreed that Jen and Steve would bring the young man to Bill and Ali's suite, so Connie dressed in the spare bedroom. A few minutes before the others were due to arrive, she came out to the sitting room. Bill jumped to his feet while Ali just sat in her chair. Connie looked stunning and Bill was quick to say so. She looked at them and said, "Mom and Dad, I don't know what to say. I don't recognize the girl I saw in the mirror just now. She is sophisticated... even beautiful. Thank you so much." Ali winked at Bill and said to Connie, "Aren't you forgetting something? Where is your jewelry?" She turned to Bill and said, "Bill, would you please speak firmly to your daughter? She just leaves it lying around and it _is_ expensive. It's right there on the sideboard. Why don't you help her put it on?" Bill winked at Ali and opened a box. He placed a magnificent diamond necklace around the girl's neck and gave her two diamond ear studs. She put them on and turned to face them. Tears were flowing down her cheeks. "Mom, you gave me money to pay off my student loans. But in the last day you and Dad have spent far more than the entire cost of my education on things I can wear! This necklace is priceless! What if something happens to it?" Ali said, "That's very simple, dear. Your father will probably speak to you very sternly about the need to take better care of your things. He probably won't even replace it for you until Christmas, either." Ali looked at the girl thoughtfully and added, "Maybe that is rather too harsh, though, as I think about it." Suddenly the tears passed and Connie started to smile her own sunshine smile. Bill just glowed and Ali realized why it was Bill loved to see hers. She lighted up the room. Then she said, "Mom and Dad, I give up. I'll knock him dead!" Just then the doorbell rang. Bill went to open it and was immediately greeted with a warm kiss from Jennifer. She said, "Hi, Dad." Bill shook hands warmly with Steve who entered followed by another tall young man. He had the same build as Steve and was also six feet three. Steve said, "Dad -- Mr. Clifford -- I would like you to meet a good friend of mine, Chip Cartwright. Chip, this is Bill Clifford, my future father-in-law." Chip was introduced to Ali who rose and said, "Chip, it's my pleasure to introduce you to another daughter, Connie Foster." Connie had been hidden behind Jennifer and now came around with her hand outstretched. Ali's eyes twinkled and she winked at Bill as she saw Chip's jaw drop. He put out his hand and Connie gripped it firmly. She stood and looked at him with her eyes dancing. She said, "How do you do, Chip." Then she looked down at herself and then at Ali. "Mom, I am dressed aren't I? I didn't forget anything important, did I?" Ali played along and replied, "You look very nice, dear. I'm sure you're fully clothed." Connie turned back to the young man and said, "Wouldn't you feel better with your mouth closed, Chip?" The young man required a visible effort of will to regain control. His jaw closed with an almost audible snap. Finally, he said, "Connie, you are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life. Are you sure there hasn't been a mistake? Are you going out with _me? Tonight?"_ "I thought I was. That's what I got dressed up for when my sister asked me to be your date for the evening. But thank you for the compliment. By the way, where are we going?" The young people had one drink at the suite and then prepared to leave. Chip was fascinated by Connie. He rushed to hold her new coat for her. When she turned to face him his eyes widened. Then, moving almost as if he were in a trance, he took her in his arms and kissed her. Her hands went around his neck and she kissed him back. He thought that her fingers felt like feathers touching his neck. When they parted her eyes were bright and he looked like he had been hit by a truck. They left the suite and headed for the restaurant. * * * On Saturday Ali received an excited call from Jennifer. She reported that the previous evening had been a spectacular success. She said that she thought she had been good when she visited Chicago, but she wasn't in the same league with Connie. "Mom, you remember last night when Chip kissed her and then looked like he had been hit by a truck? Well, it just got worse! I'm not sure that poor guy made it through the night alive!" On Monday morning Ali arrived at the office early, expecting that Connie would appear. The girls all sat around waiting, but when she didn't appear they went to work. At eleven o'clock, Connie walked in. She came into Ali's office, apparently angry. "Where are they? I'll kill 'em!" she said. Ali looked up and said, "Who are you going to kill and why?" The two women went in to the conference room where the others had quickly gathered. Ali saw smiles on the faces of all the girls, but particularly on Joan's. Connie glared at them. "I hope you're satisfied! You had to get even, Joan Fredrick. Just because I cleaned up your apartment a little, you had to get even! "Mom, do you know what they did? They redid my entire apartment on Friday. I went in with Chip and I thought I had gone into the wrong unit! The whole apartment looked like it came out of the pages of _House Beautiful._ It is utterly exquisite." She dropped the pose, and tears started to flow down her cheeks. "What am I going to do with you all? I really can't take much more of this. You make me feel like a modern Cinderella. I really don't know what to say except thank you and I love you all very much -- far more than I can possibly say." "How was the weekend?" Joan asked. "Did Chip get to see our decorating?" Connie smiled through her tears, "He sure did. Particularly the bedroom. May I join you girls in wondering how my new mother does it? I thought I was in good condition but now I just ache. Mom, could we go to your office and sit down?" They went into Ali's office. Connie had a cup and Ali had her own as well as the coffee pot. "Tell me about it, honey. How was it?" "Mom, first, let me tell you what the girls did. I told you they redecorated. But that's not all. They completely stocked the place. Kathy even had a series of menus laid out with everything needed in place. Would you believe she even had a bottle of Dom Perignon in the back of the refrigerator... with _instructions?_ She did. Each of the girls assembled their very best recipes. There was a note from Ginger saying that the exercise I was getting burned off far more calories than most people thought. Mom, it was absolutely unbelievable!" "What did Chip think? How do you like him? What does he think of you?" The girl smiled warmly and said, "Mom, I have to level with you: Do you remember me telling you I've been living like a nun for over four years? I intentionally misled you. The fact is, Mom, I had almost no experience with men at all. Correction. I had no experience with men. My one prior experience was almost ten years ago and he was a boy." She smiled ruefully and added, "I'm sorry for lying to you. It was inexcusable." Again Ali went to the girl and sat beside her on the sofa. She reached out and took the girl in her arms and just held her. She noticed that she smelled so fresh and clean. She whispered, "Connie, you have nothing to apologize for. In the first place, it was none of my business. In the second place, you said, 'I've been as chaste as a nun for over four years.' Connie, darling, ten years is 'over four years.' What's the problem?" Connie sat back and just looked at Ali. She said, "Mom, I can't tell you how much I love you and Dad. I hope it shows. Chip says it does. He was so funny. Guess what? It turns out he's as inexperienced as I am! And he's nearly thirty years old. "When we were finally alone back at my apartment he looked at me kind of strangely and asked if Dad was _the_ William Clifford. I was my usual haughty self and said, 'I don't know about _the,_ but he is _a_ William Clifford.' He pursued it and I allowed as how Dad was somewhere in the top five on the _Forbes_ list. He just shook his head in amazement. He went on to say that every girl he ever met with any money at all was a haughty bitch. He said I'm different. That's when I kissed him. It's also when I decided to do something about our inexperience. I just unzipped my dress and let it drop to the floor. I was wearing my pumps, stockings, bikini and diamonds! Then I slid off the bikini. "Mom, he was absolutely wonderful. He pulled me down across his body and just caressed me. While he did, I started to undress him. Mom, he has the most wonderful hairy chest that feels so great when I rub my boobs against it. Anyway, then he carried me into the bedroom and took me. He was so gentle and tender -- I was nearly screaming. You've heard about the 'slam, bam, thank-you, ma'am,' approach? Chip is the total opposite. Foreplay? My God, I couldn't take it any longer -- and girls are supposed to be slower to warm up. Mom, when he finally entered me, I think my cunt could have ignited asbestos! Anyway, that's the way it went all night long." The girl looked at Ali with her eyes sparkling. "Mom, over the two days he took me all ways. Was that awful?" Ali smiled softly and replied, "Darling, your father has taken me every possible way. Some day all of us are going to have a conference to see if anyone has discovered something the rest of us haven't. As far as I know, no one has. Welcome to the club. Awful? As far as your father and I are concerned if it feels good -- or if we think it might -- we try it. Some things I'm not terribly fond of but they were all interesting. How do you feel now? And how does Chip feel?" "Mom, I jokingly complained about what the girls had done. What they really did was save our lives. The apartment is absolutely cleaned out now. I followed the instructions and everything was magnificent. I even opened the Dom Perignon late Saturday night. You know, Kathy's right. It does wash a man's cum down beautifully. And Chip says it's great after doing a girl, too." "What did Chip say about your recent occupation?" Connie smiled warmly and replied, "He didn't believe it. So I did my act for him -- I have the music tape at home -- and then took him on the living room floor. Now I guess he believes me." "What now?" Ali asked. Connie's face instantly turned serious. "Mom, I don't know. I dropped him off at his hotel on the way over here this morning. He said he wants to have dinner with you and Dad as soon as possible. He looked grim!" Now she looked worried and said, "Do you suppose I screwed it up royally? Mom, could you have dinner with us? Would you?" "Honey, could we do it this evening? Cocktails at the suite at six?" Connie instantly brightened and called Chip. She made arrangements for him to pick her up and confirmed the time. When she hung up she looked at Ali, smiled ruefully, and said, "At least it will be over in a hurry. I think I'll wear another of my new outfits. I have a sinking feeling that a number will be going back to the stores, unworn." Connie left the office and Ali went back to her work. * * * That evening almost at the stroke of six the doorbell rang. Bill opened it, shook hands with Chip and hugged Connie. While he was holding the girl in his arms, Chip went in to the sitting room to greet Ali. Connie whispered in Bill's ear, "Please hold me, Dad! I'm so scared. Chip looks like the wrath of God! I don't know what's wrong." Bill gave the girl a fond squeeze and said, "Connie, you are exquisite! You are a man's dream come true. Please don't worry about it." Then he moved back so he could look at her face. He said softly, "I'll make you a bet. Ten dollars says you will be howling with laughter when you finally find out why Chip is so serious. Do you want to lose ten dollars?" She grinned at him and replied, "Dad, I desperately want to lose _this_ ten dollars! It's a bet." She put out her hand and gripped his firmly. They went in and joined the others. Bill took drink orders and mixed the drinks at the bar. There was a platter of hors d'oeuvres on the coffee table. As he passed out the drinks, Bill noticed that Connie was right. Chip looked like the proverbial cat on a hot tin roof. He was sitting up straight on the edge of the sofa and was obviously nervous in spite of Ali's best efforts to make him feel at home. Connie was looking beautiful in a dress that matched her green eyes. She reached out her hand, took Chip's, and held it in hers. He looked at her and smiled faintly. The four exchanged pleasantries and then the conversation slowed to a halt. Chip looked from Bill to Ali and back again. As he did there was fear in his eyes and he was holding Connie's hand tightly. He said, "Mr. and Mrs. Clifford, I have something to ask you both." He sounded like he was reciting memorized lines. He continued, "I would like your permission to see your daughter, Constance. I love her desperately and hope that some day she may come to love me a little. Ultimately, she might even consent to marry me. I know I can't give her the things you can. She is a girl who has been raised with all the advantages money can buy. I'm not rich, but I hope to do better. I hope to be able to support her in her accustomed style. "Thank you for raising such a magnificent girl. I don't understand how you did what you did. Constance is... is... is just perfect. If it were a hundred years ago, she would be a queen, or at least a princess. At the same time she is so warm and loving. She's even a magnificent cook! There's only one thing I've wondered about. Why did you let her work as a stripper? Although I... I guess these days there's nothing much parents can do about it, is there?" Now that the worst of his speech was over, the young man started to relax a little. He smiled and said, "You know, maybe that's why she's so nice. She's associated with all types of people and learned to get along with them. Anyway, I love her more than life itself and hope you will allow me to continue to see her." As he finished his speech, he just looked down at the floor. Ali looked at Bill and winked the eye away from Chip's sight line. Bill returned the wink and looked at Chip. He said, "Chip, would you tell us a little about yourself. Are you sure you can support our daughter?" Bill kept a straight face in spite of looking at Connie and seeing her comically rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. He saw her lips form the words, "He has ten cents, doesn't he? I'll give him the change!" Chip relaxed a little more and moved back from the edge of the sofa. He said, "Mr. Clifford, I have a personal net worth of a little better than $250 million. I know that's not much to you, but I have been doing well with my investments. I have been operating out of a suitcase for years now, and that counts against me, I know. "I also know that Constance is very serious about her legal career. She is starting with the finest law firm in the West when she graduates in June. I understand that they are paying her very well to start. I... I... I hope she'll give thought to possibly being a mother someday. Of course, I wouldn't want it to affect her career. I know the requirements of big-time law firms: they want their associates to come early and stay late. I can accommodate that, too." He looked up and Ali almost cried as she saw the pain in the young man's eyes. "I will do whatever she wants, whenever she wants. Is that fair?" "No, it's not fair!" Connie asserted emphatically. "Dad, what do you think?" "I think that Chip has been thinking a great deal about things, darling. Chip, speaking for myself you have my permission to continue to call on my daughter. Ali, what do you think?" "Chip, I didn't think they were making men like you any more. I thought my husband, Bill, was the last production unit. You have my permission, as well. Constance, what do you think?" "I think I would like a kiss. Chip, would you kiss me? Please?" Chip's face was a kaleidoscope of emotions. He visibly relaxed. It was as if he had started to breathe again. He gently took Connie in his arms and kissed her lightly. She broke away and glared at him. "Charles Cartwright, I am not breakable! I thought you knew that already!" She went back into his arms and they could hear happy sounds coming from deep in her throat as Chip held her tightly. When they parted, Connie's breathing was ragged and her eyes were glazed. She finally recovered enough to speak and said, "Chip, you've done a lot of talking to my parents. Aren't you going to say anything to me?" "Constance, will you go out with me again? I'm available whenever you can make it." Her eyes were swimming as she said softly, "Chip, how about forever?" Suddenly, her words sank in. Chip brightened and then beamed. Ali thought he would just rise right into the air, he looked so elated. "Does that mean... you care for me? A little?" "No, it doesn't," she replied softly. "It means I worship the ground you walk on. It means I would happily be your mistress, your concubine, your whore... your anything. It means I adore you, Chip Cartwright. It means I can't live without you. It means that being the mother of your children would make me the proudest and happiest woman on the face of the earth. It means I love you very much, Chip." He took her back into his arms and they just held each other. Ali got out of her chair and went over to where Bill was sitting and sat across his lap. He kissed her and they just sat necking. When they heard sounds from the young people, they both looked up. Chip had reached into his pocket and then looked into Connie's eyes. He said, "Connie, if you're really serious, will you marry me?" Her smile was so joyful and beaming, it lighted up the room. She said, "Of course, Chip. Any time you wish." He took her left hand and slipped a ring on her third finger. It was absolutely beautiful. After she leaned back in his arms he said, "Thank you, darling. I bought this for you today in a fit of optimism, hoping against hope!" The change in the atmosphere was palpable. Chip was now relaxing, if not yet completely relaxed. They had another drink and they were taken by Fred to Maxim's where they had a reservation. As they went out to the car, Connie slipped Bill a ten-dollar bill, winked and whispered, "Thanks, Dad." During dinner Connie took the opportunity to straighten out some of Chip's ideas about her career. "Chip, I do have a career. It is with the finest law firm in the West. Of course, you may not know that my mother is the Firm's senior partner." She looked across at Ali and said, "Mom, am I going to have to work as hard as the other girls?" Ali picked up with a smile and said, "You mean in no later than ten-thirty and out no later than five? I guess so. And of course you'll have a sister-in-law to keep track of you. Chip, we have a rather odd law firm. Connie will attest that the Firm's top priority is our husbands." She turned to Bill and asked, "Honey, do you feel ignored?" Bill grinned at her and then looked at Chip. He said, "Chip, there is talk of organizing a Clifford & Jamison Husbands' Protective Association. I know Charley Conrad is trying to interest his wife, Ginger, in going into stripping, particularly now there are some openings we know about because Jennifer and Connie quit. He figures that will allow him to get some sleep at least until she gets home about three o'clock in the morning. Ken Carlson, Kathy's husband, is afraid he won't be able to stay awake during his law-school finals. Incidentally, there's a hallmark of all Clifford & Jamison girls: they can all do a full side split -- they claim they're used to having their thighs spread wide to welcome their men. And I believe it! Now, are there any other questions?" Chip smiled happily, leaned over and kissed Connie warmly. "Honey," he said, "It sounds like you're going to have to get in shape. Now I understand why you've been working as a stripper. You had to get yourself into the proper physical condition for your new job." Ali smiled at Connie with her love filling her eyes. "Darling, could I interest you in a June wedding? Jennifer and Joan are getting married then and maybe your Dad and I can get a quantity price." She looked at Chip and grinned. "For that matter, maybe you guys can negotiate a group rate on honeymoon accommodations."Chapter 20 It was the following Friday and Ali was working on her investment portfolio in her office when her phone buzzed. Kathy said, "Ali, I need to see you. May I come in?" Ali agreed instantly and Kathy came in and sat down. She said, "There's a girl outside I think you will be interested in. Her name is Dolores Martinez. She goes by Debbie. She just walked in off the street looking for a job. I tested her and her secretarial and computer skills are outstanding. I think you'll like her. Will you see her?" Ali hadn't planned on seeing anyone and was wearing her skin-tight Levi's and her chambray shirt. She started to say, of course, when she thought better of it. Instead she asked, "Kathy, where is she now and what have you told her?" "I said the partners were all out of the office. I talked to her, and Judy did as well. She's waiting in the reception area. Joan hasn't come back from lunch yet. She's eating with Bill," she said with a knowing wink. "He has to go back to Boston soon." The young woman smiled warmly at Ali and said, "I can tell you have an idea, Boss. What is it?" "Are the new desks in? The new computer hookups?" Kathy said they were. "What I would like to do is use her as a helper. We really have to get this place organized now that the workmen have left. There's plaster dust all over everything. I'll be standing by one of the new desks. Would you bring her back, please?" Kathy grinned and left the office. As she left, Ali reflected on how beautiful Kathy now looked with her beautiful slim figure and her golden Hawaiian tan. Even her brown hair now had blonde sun streaks that looked lovely. Ali went back to the new section of offices and tied up her hair in a red bandanna. Her secretary returned with a young woman trailing behind. Ali wiped her hand on her jeans and held it out to the girl. She said, "Hi! I'm Ali. I understand you're looking for a job?" The girl shyly nodded her head. She was wearing an inexpensive but well-styled business suit that Ali could see was worn but very well cared-for. The girl was small -- only about five feet three. She had a slim figure but full breasts. Her hair was dark and she had soft brown eyes. Her face was beautiful. The girl took Ali's hand in a firm grip and said hello. "I am looking for a job here. Do you need help?" "I sure do!" Ali replied. "We just got rid of the workmen and there's plaster dust all over everything. There are people who come in to clean the office but they don't do this sort of work. Would you like to help out? We'll pay you by the hour, starting now, if you're interested." The girl smiled very warmly and said she was very interested but she didn't want to ruin her good clothes. Ali checked her watch and saw it was already three o'clock. After telling the girl to wait, she went out to the reception room. When she told Judy what she was doing, the girl locked the door early. Returning to Debbie, she said, "I don't know what you think about it, but you probably noticed this is an all-girl office. You could take off your suit if you want to. It's up to you." The girl's face reddened, but then she smiled wanly. "I'm sorry, Ali. But since I don't wear a bra and I don't want to embarrass you, I think I should just leave." Ali grinned and said, "I'll make a deal with you. I'll take off my shirt, too. Then we're even. I don't wear a bra, either." She slipped off her shirt and laid it over a desk. Debbie's eyes widened as she saw Ali's body bared. She was magnificent with her deep all-over tan and high firm breasts. She removed her jacket and then took off her skirt. She looked around and Ali took them to a closet and hung them up. The girl's figure was exquisite. Her breasts were full with tiny pink nipples thrusting upward. Ali had gathered up cleaning materials and explained that the job was really messy. They had to take down all the law books, carefully brush off the plaster dust and check the bindings. Since many were leather-bound, the leather needed to be oiled, too. They began to work companionably. After a while, Ali went off and called Bill to tell him what was going on. After telling him what she wanted to try, he immediately agreed. As the women worked they chatted. Ali found the girl was intelligent, very well-read and well-informed. However, Debbie hadn't asked what the pay was and Ali hadn't mentioned it. Shortly after five, Judy, Kathy, and Joan all said good night leaving the two alone. None of them appeared to notice that Ali was stripped to the waist and Debbie was only wearing herbikini. They kept at it until nearly seven o'clock, time for Ali to try her experiment. She had already told the girl she would be back in the office at seven the following morning because the work had to be finished before Monday. Debbie said she could come in on Saturday to help. Finally, they finished for the day and Ali went into her office with Debbie following. The girl looked around in awe. She said, "This is the most magnificent office I've ever seen! Whose is it?" "It's Mrs. Clifford's, the senior partner," Ali replied. "She's getting along in years, though, so she's not in here very much. We can use her shower. She'll never know the difference and we're both covered with dust." She grinned at Debbie and said, "It's worse with you because your hair is dark. The dust really shows. Bring your clothes and let's do it." The girl was obviously embarrassed. She said, "Are you sure it's all right, Ali?" Ali shrugged and said, "I'm sure. Besides, you can always say I told you it was all right." She opened the door to the new bathroom that had just been built off her office. She chuckled to herself thinking about the consternation she caused the building people when she said she wanted four bathrooms built, one for each of the partners and another for the staff. She hadn't told Debbie of the existence of the staff shower and it was obvious no one else had, either. Ali's new bathroom was magnificent: It was fully equipped and included a full array of her soaps and shampoos. Debbie's eyes opened wide as she looked around. When Ali slipped off her jeans and bikini and turned on the shower, the girl's eyes widened at the fully-revealed beauty of Ali's body. She was astonished to see there were no bathing-suit marks at all. Ali went into the shower and luxuriated in it. She shampooed her hair, conditioned it and stepped out of the shower leaving the water stillrunning. She smiled at the girl and said, "It's all yours. Go to it." Ali picked up one of the giant fluffy bath towels stacked on the counter and started rubbing her body with it. She thought it felt heavenly. Meanwhile, Debbie had slipped off all of her clothes and went into the shower. _Another perfect figure in the Firm,_ Ali thought. She had slim hips and beautifully shaped legs. Her buns were small and tight. "Are you sure it's all right to use the shampoo?" Debbie asked skeptically. "I'm sure," Ali replied. The girl started to lather her hair and followed Ali's routine. Her hair was dark and long. As soon as it became damp, its natural wave became apparent. _Another candidate for Henry,_ Ali thought with a small smile. The girl emerged from the shower and Ali gave her a towel. It was obvious that the girl was not used to anything close to this level of luxury and enjoyed it. Ali had used the hair dryer to dry her hair and then passed it to the girl. She left the room with the towel wrapped around her and got dressed in her office. _Now we'll see if I can still act,_ she thought. Debbie came out of the bathroom looking fresh and beautiful. Shyly, she began to get dressed. When she was finished she picked up her towel and looked at Ali. "May I bring the towel home and wash it?" Ali's heart lurched as she watched this lovely girl who was obviously trying so hard. Ali took the towel with a smile and showed Debbie a laundry chute in the bathroom. As they headed for the door, Ali was going through her purse. Suddenly she screamed, "Oh, my God! I don't have any money." Then she started to cry. Dolores stopped quickly and looked at Ali as the tears started to flow down her beautiful face. She took the taller woman in her arms to try to comfort her. Ali was saying she had to have money or she would be stuck completely. The girl got her calmed down and went into her purse. She emptied her wallet and gave her all of her money -- eighteen dollars. Ali stopped crying and looked at the girl with her eyes wide. "But how will you get home? I don't even know where you live, but it can't be close. No one lives close to here." The girl just smiled at Ali warmly and said she would be all right. They went down in the elevator together and then parted. Debbie said she would see Ali the next morning at seven. After they separated Ali slipped outside by the back way so she could surreptitiously keep an eye on the girl. As she expected, Debbie walked to the next block and then put her thumb out to hitchhike. Ali grinned to herself as the car she was watching for pulled up and stopped. Debbie talked to the driver for a moment, then got in and the car drove off. That evening Ali called Ginger, Sandy and Connie and explained what was going on. All the girls agreed they would drag their abused asses out of bed in time to meet Ali at the office in the morning. The next morning Debbie was sitting on the floor in the outer hallway with her back to the door when Ali appeared at five minutes to seven. She grinned, unlocked the door, and turned on the lights. The girls went into the conference room and Ali started the coffee. Debbie's eyes widened as she saw all the food stocked in the cabinets. They went back to where they had been working and Ali slipped off her jeans, shirt, and shoes. She was only wearing her bikini. She said, "Debbie, there are two reasons: First, the air conditioning doesn't work on Saturday. Second, my body washes easier than my clothes." Debbie grinned and did the same thing. They went back to the cleaning. After thirty minutes they took a break and went to the conference room for coffee. Sandy arrived and Ali introduced Debbie to her. Sandy, too, shed her clothes, and they sat around the table drinking coffee. Soon Ginger and Connie arrived together and shed their clothes as well. Debbie noticed that nothing was said about the lack of clothing. After their breakfast, they all went to work. At noontime Ginger got dressed and went out for food. She came back with bags of hamburgers from a nearby fast-food establishment. Debbie had been astonished at both the beauty of the other girls and how naturally they moved. They all seemed completely unaware of their near-nudity. By six o'clock, they were finished -- and exhausted. The girls took turns using Ali's bathroom. When they were all finished and dressed again, they went back to the conference room and Ali brought out Cokes for everyone. She went to her purse and took out twenty dollars that she gave to Debbie. The girl gave Ali two dollars change. She wouldn't hear of taking the twenty in spite of the fact that Ali had taken every dollar she had the previous night. Ali said she would see the girl at nine o'clock Monday morning and would then pay her for the weekend's work. She asked Debbie how she got home the previous evening and the girl said she got a ride right to her front door. Then she said goodnight, leaving the other girls alone in the conference room. When she was gone Ali asked, "What do the rest of you think?" Ginger said, "Ali, she's a girl we have to have! I have never met such a selfless person in my life. I was working hard... Hell, we all were. But I'll bet she did as much work as the four of us combined!" Sandy and Connie agreed. They went down to the garage and went their separate ways. On Sunday night, Ali received the call she had been expecting. It was from the private detective Bill had hired who had given Debbie the ride home. He said, "Mrs. Clifford, this is a live one. You've heard of people working two jobs? This girl, Dolores Martinez, works at least three! And that's on top of going to school. She's about to get her bachelors in computer science from UCLA. She's enrolled in law school next fall. She lives with her mother and younger twin sisters -- they're twelve years old. Her mother has been widowed for years and Dolores is virtually the family's only support. I've been doing this work for a long time but never in my life have I found a person as clean and hardworking as this one. To know her is to love her. Mrs. Clifford, this girl is the real thing. Do you need any more?" "No, Jack. I don't. I didn't need much convincing, either. You know, on Friday night she gave me virtually every cent she had so I could get home. She hitchhiked. What more can you say? Thanks, Jack. There will be a bonus for you in your check. I appreciate the fast work and the thoroughness of your investigation." She told Bill what Jack had told her and what she planned to do. Bill pulled her closer to him in the bed and kissed her lovingly. "Darling, not only do I love you, not only do I worship the ground you walk on, but I love the way your mind works, particularly when you're doing something nice for other people. It's really fun, isn't it?" She kissed him with increasing passion until he took her again. As usual, she fell asleep feeling his hand gently cupping her breast. On Monday morning, Ali took particular care with her appearance. When she was driven downtown in the limousine, she looked exactly like what she was: one of the richest women in the world. She arrived at the office at eight. Over coffee with the girls she told them of her plan and they all agreed delightedly. By eight forty-five everyone was in her office or at her desk. At five minutes before nine, Debbie entered the office wearing the same suit she had worn on Friday. It was apparent to Judy that she had worked on it to make it look as good as it possibly could. She guessed correctly that it was the only appropriate business attire that the girl owned. When she entered, Judy looked at her with fear showing in her eyes. She said, "Debbie, I have bad news: Mrs. Clifford is in the office today. She knows you're expected and she wants to see you. Her words were, 'At once'. What happened on Friday? I have never seen Mrs. Clifford so upset. Usually she's half asleep and pretty easygoing on the few occasions she's here." Judy looked sad as she added, "I guess you had better go in. Oh! I almost forgot. She says you know where her office is!" Debbie could feel her heart sink. She had thought she was going to get a job here and she already liked the Firm very much. Idly, she wondered if she would be paid for the work she had done but decided she probably wouldn't. She walked into the inner office and knocked on Ali's door. Hearing a voice say, 'Come in', she entered. A person was sitting in the big swivel chair behind the desk with her back to the door, but with her position, coupled with the sun coming in the window she was unable to see her. In spite of the office being west-facing, a trick reflection of the sun off the mirrored surface of a building nearby was reflecting the sunlight straight into the room. She was told to close the door and sit down. She did and took a seat across from the desk. Mrs. Clifford was hidden behind the high back of the chair. Debbie sat up straight in the chair with her hands folded, just waiting. There wasn't a sound in the room other than the sound of the air flow from the air conditioning system and to Debbie, the sound of her throbbing heart. It seemed like minutes had passed when the woman finally rose from her chair and reset the window blinds to cut the glare in the room. Debbie was looking down at her hands as the woman took her seat and turned it around to face her. Debbie looked up and was shocked. _It's Ali!_ She looked at her and started to cry. Ali quickly went around the desk to the young girl, helped her to her feet and guided her to the sofa where they both sat down. Ali took the girl's hands in hers and smiled. Debbie looked at Ali and her jaw dropped. The woman facing her was dressed in an impeccable silk suit that was obviously custom-tailored for her and wearing a double strand of glistening pearls around her neck. Debbie just shook her head in disbelief and said softly, "You're _Ali!"_ Ali smiled warmly while she continued to hold the girl's hands. "That's right. I'm Allison McGrath Clifford, but everyone here calls me Ali. It's really the only name I answer to. Debbie, I want to apologize for deceiving you. And I particularly want to apologize for tormenting you this morning. It was a very cruel thing to do to a wonderful person. By the way, do you have that money I gave you on Saturday?" Debbie looked bewildered but opened her purse, took out eighteen dollars, and gave it to Ali. She reached into her purse, took out some bills, and gave them to Debbie along with her original eighteen dollars. The stack seemed thick and Debbie glanced down at them. Then she did a double-take. The first bill she saw was one thousand dollars. She flipped the pile and found they all were. Debbie's eyes were now as big as saucers. "I can't accept this, Mrs. Clifford. I really can't." "Yes, you can, Debbie. Don't you remember the Biblical lesson, 'bread cast upon the waters shall be returned a thousandfold'? Well, it just was." Ali saw the faintest smile appear on Debbie's face. The girl said, "I also seem to recall hearing something from a dusty urchin about the 'senior partner getting along in years -- we don't see her very much'. Ali, I only hope I get along in years the way you do." Ali reddened and then smiled her sunshine smile. She said, "Debbie, it's true. I am the senior partner. I am also the oldest person in the firm by a good bit. And I am getting along in years. Although, to be honest, the only way you don't get along in years is to die." Debbie started to loosen up. Now she smiled a real smile and said, "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Your body is magnificent. It is absolutely breathtaking! Ali, you really work at it, don't you? Why?" "I feel I have to, Debbie. I owe it to my husband to be as perfect in his eyes as I possibly can be. You see, he saved my life. My body is my wedding present to him. I guess it's like polishing the silver. I'm just trying to take care of the wedding present," she said with a grin. "Now, young lady, let's talk about you. In spite of the dirty trick I pulled on you, do you still want to work here?" "Oh yes, Mrs. Clifford. I certainly do!" Ali went to her desk and buzzed for Kathy. She asked her to bring the Firm training aid into the office. A few moments later Kathy handed her the bull whip and withdrew again. Ali glared at Debbie and said, "Debbie, this is the Firm's training aid. It is used on employees who are slow learners. A slow learner is one who calls me Mrs. Clifford, or Ginger, Mrs. Conrad." Ali grinned and said, "Incidentally, I was really nasty on Saturday. The girls you met are the Firm professionals. Ginger is Virginia Jamison Conrad, my partner. Sandy is Sandra Harris, soon to be Sandra Harris Benson, the firm's litigation partner. Connie is Constance Foster who is graduating from USC law school this June and joining us as an associate. It looks like she'll be Constance Foster Cartwright by the time she joins us, though. Then there's Judy Jeffries who you met. She's about to become Judy Jeffries Morris. I don't think you met Joan Fredrick. She's marrying my son this June so she'll be Joan Fredrick Clifford. Poor Kathy, of course, doesn't count. She was married when she joined us. Anyway, are you sure you want to join us?" The girl nodded her head eagerly. "Dolores Martinez, you're in for it. Let's go. We have things to do." The girl looked puzzled but followed Ali as she left the office and went down to her car. The girl luxuriated in the leather seats and seemed to enjoy the wind blowing her hair as they drove to the studio and Henry Hall's salon. Henry greeted her and looked at Debbie after Ali introduced them. "At last!" he exclaimed, "A girl with magnificent dark hair." He gathered a hank in his fingers and manipulated it. Then he looked at Debbie carefully and said, "Debbie, Ali and the other girls are big on short hair. I don't think yours should be, and I'm not at all sure you would want it to be. How long would you like it?" They agreed on a length just longer than shoulder length. He went to work. While he worked, a manicurist came in and started working on her nails. When he finished Debbie looked at herself in the mirror and covered her face with her hands. She took her hands down and said in a tone of wonderment, "Mr. Hall, what did you do? I can't look that pretty!" "You can, you should, and you do!" he said emphatically. "I'm only using what God gave you -- and he gave you a great deal!" Debbie kissed him warmly on the cheek and Ali gave him a check and a kiss. They spent the rest of the morning shopping and finally returned to the office at noon. Debbie was in a daze. Ali shooed her into her office to change into one of her new outfits and said she would meet her in the conference room. A few minutes later Debbie walked into the room. She stood just inside the door looking embarrassed. The other girls rose from their chairs and applauded while Debbie turned red and then smiled shyly. Ali said, "Girls, please welcome our newest employee and one of the most unselfish people alive, Dolores Martinez. Incidentally, I think the Firm's standard of beauty is now going up a bit higher." She asked Debbie to take a seat while one after the other the girls came up to welcome her. Judy left the room and returned a few moments later. Waiters followed her and proceeded to serve a catered lunch at the conference table. When they finished lunch, Ali asked Debbie to join her again in her office. They went in and Ali opened the window blinds. It was another gloriously clear day in Los Angeles and Debbie marveled at the view. Ali asked the girl to sit on the sofa and she joined her. She smiled warmly and said, "Debbie, you've agreed to join us but you haven't asked what you will be doing or what we're going to pay you. Aren't you even interested?" The girl looked worried. She shook her head and said, "The answer to the first question is anything you ask of me. As for the second, you've already paid me at least a year in advance." Tears started to form in the girl's eyes. She said softly, "When I said anything, I was serious. I have done almost everything except..." Her head was up straight and she looked directly into Ali's eyes. "Mrs. Clifford... I'm sorry -- Ali -- I am not a nice girl. I have worked absolutely naked -- and still do. All I wear are a pair of high heels and a velvet band around my neck. I pick up tips from the customers with my cunt. I am utterly shameless." Ali put out her hand, took the girl's and held it. She said softly, "Shamelessly supporting a widowed mother and younger twin sisters. Shamelessly holding down _three_ jobs while going to school and getting honors grades in computer science. Shamelessly giving a total stranger every cent you had so the stranger could _ride_ home. The fact that you had to walk never entered your mind." Tears started to flow from Ali's eyes as she continued, "Debbie, I can't tell you how ashamed I am. I tricked you, abused you, and mentally tortured you. Can you ever forgive me?" The girl looked genuinely surprised. The tears had disappeared and she looked puzzled. "I don't understand. You've been so nice to me! I feel like you really want me here." Ali just smiled warmly and shook her head slowly. "Okay, Debbie, I give up. I propose to pay you $60,000 per year. In addition, of course, the Firm will pay the cost of your education through Law School. Oh, and by the way, I haven't paid you for the weekend." She gave the girl a check and her eyes widened again. "What is this!? It says $7,500!" "Debbie, I thought I told you everyone in working on Saturday was a Firm professional. You don't think we would pick up a pencil -- let alone get our hands dirty -- for less than five-hundred dollars an hour, do you? I mean... we _do_ have certain standards to maintain," Ali replied with a big grin. "There's one more thing: you'll know it sooner or later and I guess it ought to be sooner. I'm one of the richest women in the world. I'm not terribly proud of it, but it's a fact. One year ago I was starving to death. I respect someone who has to struggle to succeed. Debbie, Joan's an orphan and so is Connie. I am, too. We all had to struggle. But what we did pales into insignificance compared to you. You did it all and supported your mother and sisters besides. Oh, I nearly forgot. You'll find all of your loans have been paid off. I hope you don't mind?" Debbie sat slowly shaking her head while tears poured from her eyes. "Ali, you can't be doing this! No one does things like this. Particularly not for a Chicana!" "Debbie, let me tell you what I see. I see a lovely girl who has had troubles all her life. A girl who's father died when she was very young. That's enough trouble. My parents died a few years ago, leaving me alone. I had enough troubles and was terribly lonely. You aren't lonely, dear, but you undertook to support, not only yourself, but your mother and twin sisters as well. And you've done it! Debbie, are you still a virgin?" The girl's head jerked up at the totally unexpected question. She replied softly, "Yes, I am." "I thought so," Ali said softly. "You may work stark naked but you never sold your body. You had a lot of offers, didn't you? And probably for a lot of money." Debbie started to cry and Ali took her in her arms. She listened to the girl cry like her heart would break while she could feel her body shaking. She looked up finally and said, "Ali, you can't know what it's like! I was offered a lot of money to live with a man. It was enough to take care of my mother and sisters and pay for their education. I never told them. I just said no. I couldn't bring myself to do that. Was I being selfish? Was I just thinking of myself?" Ali smiled at the girl warmly, shook her head slowly, and said, "I thought I had it bad. Debbie, I almost starved to death because I wouldn't sell my body, either. But I never tortured myself thinking that I should take the money to support others. I want to tell you what one of my partners said on Saturday night: She said that in spite of the fact that all four of us were working pretty hard, you were doing more than the four of us combined. She was serious and I think she was right. She said we have to get you in the Firm. Debbie, those are my instructions from my partners. We must have you working here... at any cost. Perhaps $60,000 isn't enough. Is that the problem?" Debbie had been watching Ali's face closely as she spoke. When she finished the girl beamed. _Again,_ Ali thought, _it's like the sun coming out. Her smile is dazzling._ "Ali, it's at least double what I'm worth." She reached into her purse and pulled out the $18,000 and tried to give it back to Ali. "This joke has gone far enough. I'll accept your job offer with the greatest thanks, but that's enough... Actually, it's much too much. Please?" Ali just shook her head firmly. "If you give it back, Debbie, all I'm going to do is give it to your younger sisters. At twelve years of age, they could get awfully sick. It will buy an awful lot of candy..." "Ali Clifford, you wouldn't dare!" Debbie said, genuinely shocked. There was a wry grin on Ali's face as she said, "Are you sure? If you give the money back, you'll see if I dare! Remember me? The girl who cleans shelves while she's naked to the waist? The girl who would strip and spread her legs on the conference room table to welcome her husband if she thought he wanted her, right in front of the whole staff? Are you sure I wouldn't dare?" The girl looked into Ali's eyes and finally put the check back in her purse. She shook her head and said with a warm smile, "You are really nasty, Ali Clifford. You would abuse little children and let them make themselves sick just to make a point!" She put her arms out and wrapped them around Ali. She whispered, "Thank you so much, Ali." Then she looked up, still with a little smile on her face. "But what about the clothes you bought? What about the hairdresser? Do you deduct payments from my paycheck?" Ali shook her head and replied, "I'll tell you the same thing I told Connie Foster. Joan Fredrick is the outstanding computer systems person in the legal profession. But she _hates_ payroll deductions with a passion." Ali looked sad as she continued, "Debbie, I would love to help you out, but we need Joan too much. Besides, she's about to become my daughter-in-law and I would hate to antagonize her. I'm afraid it's a write-off. "A write-off?" "Sure. They're paid for. I hope you like them and will wear them. And I apologize for doing it so fast. I hope you _do_ like them and will wear them." Debbie shook her head resignedly just as Ali's phone buzzed. It was Judy announcing that Ali's guests had arrived. Ali asked Judy to escort them back as Debbie got up to leave. Ali motioned the girl back to the sofa as there was a knock on the door. Judy ushered in three people, Debbie's mother, Juanita, and her two sisters, Carmelita and Consuela. Debbie's jaw dropped as her two younger sisters came over to kiss her. They were beautiful young girls just verging on puberty. Juanita Martinez was a very pretty woman who looked like she had recently been ill. Ali recalled some mention in the detective's report about an illness or operation. Ali rose from her chair and went around the desk to greet her. "Mrs. Martinez, I'm Ali Clifford. Welcome to Clifford & Jamison! I was delighted to learn that your daughter, Debbie, will be coming to work here very soon. I can't tell you how happy we are to have her." Debbie had quickly kissed her sisters and jumped to her feet. She started speaking to her mother in rapid-fire Spanish. Ali's Spanish was good, but she couldn't keep up with Debbie's speed. It was obvious that she was telling her mother what Ali had done and was doing for her and trying to enlist her aid in speaking to Ali. Ali interrupted and offered Juanita the most comfortable chair in the office. The woman sat down gratefully. She continued to converse with her daughter. Ali was amused when Debbie's jaw dropped upon learning that Fred had picked up the family in the limousine to bring them downtown. The twins' eyes were still as big as saucers as they tried to interject to tell their sister about their wonderful trip. Meanwhile Ali had buzzed Joan who came in to take the two girls outside to show them some computer games they could play. When the girls had left, Ali, Debbie and her mother continued the conversation. In spite of Debbie's pleading, her mother just listened impassively. Finally, with all of her arguments used up, Mrs. Martinez turned to Ali and said, "Dolores tells me that you are hiring her for your office and have already paid her a great deal of money. Is this true, Mrs. Clifford?" Ali replied, "I suppose it is. On the other hand in the last few days I have learned a great deal about your daughter. Frankly, I am astounded at what she has done and continues to do. I have a good deal of money, Mrs. Martinez, and nothing gives my husband or me greater pleasure than to be able to help someone like your daughter who is overcoming overwhelming odds to make a life for herself and for her family. Please, Mrs. Martinez, I'm begging you! Ask Debbie to accept our offer and keep the money." The older woman merely smiled but then came over to where Ali was sitting and kissed her softly. Then Ali heard the woman speak softly in Spanish, make the sign of the cross, and kiss her again. Ali was taken aback but returned the kiss and then looked at Debbie. The girl said softly, "My mother has given you the family blessing. She believes you are a saint." With tears beginning to roll down her cheeks Debbie added, "And Ali, she's right. You are." The day ended with a celebration at a Mexican restaurant where Debbie worked. While there, Ali and Bill were introduced to a very handsome young man, Pedro Garcia, who Debbie said was completing law school at UCLA. Bill agreed that they were a very handsome couple. As they completed a magnificent Mexican banquet, the leader of the small band came up to Dolores and spoke to her softly. While Debbie was shaking her head in negation, Ali had overheard the man asking Debbie please to dance. With a warm smile Ali said, "Debbie, please? Bill and I would love to see you dance. Please?" With a look of resignation Debbie rose from her chair and motioned Pedro to join her. They nodded to the band leader and stood facing each other as the band began to play a flamenco. The couple listened for a few moments and then their feet began to move. Ali's eyes widened in amazement. Not only was the music far better than she ever expected, but the flamenco was one that would have done the very best proud. Ali and Bill watched as the couple moved around in the classic motions. Finally, it ended. As the music stopped the young couple, standing motionless, moved their heads slightly so that their lips met in a tender kiss. Ali and Bill applauded wildly.Chapter 21 When Ali awakened on the morning of her wedding anniversary, she did so with a start. She realized why an instant later: Bill was not beside her in the bed. Since she always knew when he was taking a trip, she was worried because he hadn't said anything to her. Jumping out of bed, she called the front desk and was told that Mr. Clifford had left the hotel early that morning and seemed to be in fine spirits. _Whatever it is,_ she thought, _I guess he's all right._ Still bemused by this strange turn of events she called room service, ordered breakfast, and then took a shower. As she was finishing her breakfast, the doorbell rang. When she opened the door she found Henry Hall, accompanied by a manicurist, waiting patiently with his hairdressing kit. _Things are really strange today,_ she thought. In spite of her questioning, Henry was very vague when she asked him why he had come. He just looked at her and commented, "It's about time. With all the time you spend in the sun, Ali, we have to stay on top of your hair to keep it from drying out, and you haven't had a manicure in months." There were more surprises. After washing her hair and conditioning it, Henry insisted that she sit with her back to the mirror while he worked on its styling while the girl worked on her nails. In spite of all of her experience with him, it seemed that Henry was taking far more than the usual care with the job. When he finally finished, he waved off any payment and just let himself out. Only then did Ali get the chance to see herself in the mirror. The hairdo was the most spectacular one she had ever had. She couldn't understand what Hall could have been thinking of because it certainly wasn't one that the senior partner of a law firm would ever chose. Similarly, her nails were much brighter than they usually were. Another oddity was that she was not even asked about the color -- the girl seemed to know exactly what to use without even asking. While still puzzling over the beauty treatment, the doorbell rang again. This time it was Barbara Jamison. Barbara kissed her quickly, then hung a long garment bag in the closet. Turning to Ali she held her by the arms, then just shook her head and asked, "Ali, how do you do it? Every time I see you, you appear to be a couple of years younger than you were the time before. Do they serve you drinks these days without asking for ID?" Then she became very businesslike and said, "Now get moving! We don't have all day. At this rate, you're going to be late." "Late for what?" Ali asked, now completely baffled. "For your wedding, silly," Barbara replied matter-of-factly. "Now move your tight little ass." "My what!?" she exclaimed. "Your tight little ass," Barbara repeated. Now Ali was feeling frustrated. She exclaimed, "Barbara, what is going on? Did you say something about a wedding?" "Of course, dear. Yours. Now let's go." Ali was dumbstruck. "Mine? But I'm already married!" she wailed, absolutely baffled by the turn of events. Barbara looked at her as if she were a mother trying to explain a simple concept to a kindergarten child. "Darling, today is your anniversary. Bill thought this would be a nice way to celebrate the occasion. When he raised the subject, we all agreed so that's what we're going to do. Besides, the girls are getting married in just a few weeks so we thought we might have a dress rehearsal." Glaring at Ali, she exclaimed, "Now get dressed!" "But what about me?" Ali protested. "No one asked me about a wedding." "You don't count, dear. After all, Bill was correct when he pointed out that you are his employee -- at least for one more day. Now move it!" As she finished, she was taking the garment bag out of the closet. Unzipping it, Ali saw the most magnificent wedding gown she had ever seen. Now moving almost in a daze, Barbara slipped it over her head and zipped it up. Since it had been made by one of the finest costume designers in Hollywood who knew Ali very well, it fit perfectly. It was only then that Ali realized that Barbara was also dressed beautifully, as well. When she asked, Barbara replied that, after all, she should be dressed since she was the mother of the bride. "Darling, remember: I'm already rehearsed in the part." After touching up Ali's hairdo with a comb, Barbara reached into a small bag she was carrying and took out the pearls that Bill had given Ali on their wedding day a year earlier and fastened them around her neck. Then she asked Ali to remove her gold wedding band. When she did, Barbara slid a massive diamond solitaire engagement ring on her third finger and grinned. "It would look a little tacky for you to already be wearing a wedding band to your wedding." Then she looked into Ali's eyes and Ali could see enormous warmth as she added, "Darling, would you do Bill a great favor? Could you have your wedding band enlarged so that he could wear it? He really wants to." Ali just shook her head in bewilderment and gave the ring to her friend. Now fully dressed, Barbara stood back and softly whistled. "Ali, last year I thought Ginger was the most beautiful bride the good Lord had ever created. Maybe she was. But now... Ali, you are utterly exquisite. Please look at yourself." When Ali looked in the mirror she was reminded of Bill's favorite description of her: a vision in shades of gold. She was gold and white with the only color being the brilliant blue of her eyes and the red of her lips. Barbara helped her with the train of her gown and led the way to the elevator. Fred Clark was standing proudly holding the limousine door open waiting for them. Seeing him, Ali stopped and tears came to her eyes. "Fred, thank you so much. We met for the first time a year ago when you drove Bill and me to City Hall to be married. I am so pleased that you're going to be driving again! You were certainly good luck the last time." With that she kissed him softly full on the lips. The man turned a bright red and said softly, "Mrs. Clifford -- Ali -- no woman has ever looked so beautiful." He had recovered from the kiss and added, "But it's not what's on the outside, although God knows, that's exquisite. Ali, you are really so beautiful because of what's on the inside. Your goodness just shines through. Ma'am, please believe me when I say nothing could possibly give me greater pleasure." With that he kissed her on the cheek, closed the door and ran around to the driver's door. When they pulled up at the door of the church, Bob Jamison was waiting for them, dressed in a morning suit. Barbara grinned at Ali and said, "This is Bob's big day. You know that he is a hero at Boeing because he's a friend of Ali McGrath's? Wait till you see the reaction when he shows them pictures of him escorting you down the aisle as the father of the bride. Just look at him!" It was obvious that it was one of Bob's proudest moments. In the vestibule of the church, Ali received another shock. The entire wedding party was there waiting for her. She was utterly stunned. Barbara quickly filled her in on the wedding participants. "Honey, Ginger is your matron of honor. The bridesmaids are your daughters, Jennifer, Joan and Connie, along with Sandy and Karen Gaudli. Karen insists that she's your younger sister in spite of the fact that she will be your daughter-in-law. The ushers are Charley, Brian, Chip and Jack. Of course Billy is his father's best man. Oh, yes. We even have a surprise. The wedding was in a small chapel that was covered with flowers. Peeking around the corner, Ali thought she had never seen a church look more beautiful. She jumped back from the archway with a start as the organ began to play the Wedding March. _It's so trite,_ she thought, _but, oh God, I love it so!_ Charley and Brian carefully laid a white runner down the aisle and then the ushers walked slowly down the aisle. They were followed by Karen, then Connie, Joan, and Jennifer. Before Ginger moved, Debbie's twin sisters, Carmelita and Consuela, appeared carrying beautiful bouquets of flowers. They rushed up to Ali, gave her warm kisses and then proudly walked slowly down the aisle together. Ginger gave Ali a quick wink and then followed. When Bob touched her elbow she was startled. Suddenly it registered. This was her wedding! She was the bride. Looking at Bob she saw the look of intense pride and joy in his eyes as he extended his arm, then slowly walked beside her down the aisle. It vaguely registered that all of her friends were present and on their feet as they moved. Finally they reached the altar and she found Bill waiting for her. Looking at him she realized that he really did look much younger than he had one year earlier on the day they first met. He extended his hand and she took it in her own, seeing the intense love for her in his eyes. Hand in hand they approached the priest who was waiting for them. The wedding was a full nuptial mass. Finally, the priest said, "Do you, Allison, take this man, William, as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold; to love and to cherish, till death do you part?" "I do!" she exclaimed, startled by the power of her voice. "Oh, God! I do!" The priest repeated the words for Bill and then asked for the rings. Bill produced a platinum and diamond wedding band and Barbara produced a gold band for Ali to give to him. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she heard Bill say, "Ali, with this ring I thee wed." Finally it was over. The priest said to Bill, "You may kiss your bride." Bill took her in his arms and kissed her. Again, there was the wonderful electricity flowing between them. In spite of all the guests watching, she put her arms around his neck to hold him and to keep from falling as her knees turned to water. Then the strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding March rang out and Bill joyfully led her down the aisle with the guests whispering their good wishes as they rushed by. They ran down the steps to the car where Fred was waiting, holding the door. When the car pulled away from the curb, Bill took Ali in his arms and kissed her. As he pulled her close he heard the wonderful happy sounds from deep in her body. Finally, she pulled away and looked at him with love in her eyes. "Bill, why? Why did you do this? We are already married." Then she smiled warmly and added, "Of course, I absolutely adore it, but still, why?" "Because of something you said a year ago, my darling," he replied. "It was one year ago today that you said, 'I'm actually your wife -- in the eyes of the State of California, if not necessarily in the eyes of God.' Darling, I wanted you to be my wife in everyone's eyes -- most particularly in the eyes of God. Do you mind? Then there are some other reasons which I'll tell you about at the reception." It came as no surprise to Ali when Fred pulled up at the side entrance to their hotel. She was surprised to see two detail police officers keeping the crowd of curious onlookers at bay. Bill ushered her up to their floor where suites had been connected to form a large area in the same fashion that had been done at the graduation celebration a year earlier. During the wedding Ali had been dimly aware of a photographer in the background. Now it registered that it was the hallmark of a top photographer -- he got the pictures without his subjects being aware of his presence. When the wedding party was all present he quickly took them aside and shot a series of the wedding party. To her relief, the entire process took only a few minutes. When the group broke up, Bill took two champagne glasses from a waiter's tray and gave one to Ali. Raising his glass he said, "To Allison McGrath Clifford. The most beautiful bride and the most perfect wife the good Lord ever created. Ali, this toast is offered with all the love I possess. It's all for you, my darling." He sipped his champagne and then leaned towards her. She raised her head and her lips touched his in the most tender yet electrifying kiss she had ever had, and this in spite of the fact that only their lips were touching. When she reluctantly moved away from him, Bill was shocked to see tears at the corners of her eyes. "What's wrong, honey? What did I do." With her gorgeous blue eyes as wide as saucers, she looked at him and there was even a hitch in her voice as she whispered, "Darling, tonight... Will you try to be gentle? I... I'm so scared!" Initially, Bill recoiled in shock and then realized her eyes were now dancing with glee and she was sticking the tip of her pink tongue out at him. She went into his arms, hugged him tight, and whispered, "But, darling, I'm just practicing. I am an actress, after all. As a matter of fact, I just paid my dues again to Screen Actors Guild." Bill just hugged her tightly. Gently pulling away, with the playacting over, she murmured, "My darling and my love! No one can love a person more than I love you, Bill Clifford. Is there anything I can do to be better for you, my darling?" "You can't improve on perfection, Ali," he whispered. "And that's what you are." He seated her at the head of the table and food immediately appeared. Suddenly, Ali realized that she was starving. As they started to eat, she looked at Bill and said, "Darling, this has been a wonderful surprise, but why did you do it?" "You'll learn soon enough. I'll answer the question after lunch but before we cut the cake." Taking advantage of the time, Ali looked around the room, realizing as she did that all of her closest friends were present. She took Bill's hand and squeezed it, then went back to her food. When the dishes were cleared, Bill rose, went to the waiting microphone, and tapped on his glass for attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! I know that normally at weddings the best man toasts the bridal couple and the maitre d'hotel sort of runs things. But since this is not your ordinary wedding, we're not going to observe the usual protocol, either." Turning to Ali he continued, "Darling, when I first had this idea and mentioned it to your friends they thought it was terrific. But a strange thing happened: It turns out that there are some things people want to tell you. However, they'll have to wait their turn. "First, Darling, you asked why the ceremony. The fact is, I tricked you. You see, today is the end of your initial one-year contract with me. The thought of you walking out was too frightening even to think about. The reason is, of course, that I can't live without you, Ali. I really can't. Darling, if anything should ever happen to you I will die. That is a statement of fact as true as the fact that the sun rises in the east each day. Of course, I think you care for me as well. So anyway, today I signed you to a lifetime contract. Darling, thank you for marrying me. Last year in a courtroom I learned how much you care for me when you testified that you loved me more than life itself. That reminds me... You see, I'm taking my text today from the words Jennifer said the first day she saw you. She said that you were a dumb, cheap, gold-digging whore. Now let's look at those words one at a time. "First, dumb. Well, in recognition of degrees from Kansas and UCLA, coupled with a Phi Beta Kappa key and a couple of number-one class rankings, the Superior Court of the State of California has taken judicial notice of the fact that you ain't dumb. I guess that takes care of that. Next, cheap. In context, it was intended to mean gaudy, garish, obvious. Since you only wear Levi's and chambray shirts, they aren't gaudy or garish. On the other hand, they are inexpensive. Maybe that's what she meant." Bill looked for Jennifer, found her, and asked, "Jen, is that what you meant? Inexpensive?" Jennifer vigorously nodded her golden head. "Well," he continued, "That's that. But it takes me to the next point: gold-digging. "Ali, you are now managing all of the family's money. Of course, on average you've only been managing about half of it for a year, so I guess that explains your mediocre performance." Looking around the room, Bill grinned and continued, "Mediocre? If Ali were a reporting institutional money manager she would be at the top of the performance list in a class by herself. You see she increased the principal by 50 percent -- over one billion dollars. How inexpensive can one woman be? I ask you? "But let's think a little more about the word, 'gold-digging.' Good grief! Of course! Ali does dig gold -- or money, anyway, which is almost as good. Then she piles it up in large neat stacks in our bank." Bill looked at Jennifer and said, "Jen, you're absolutely right. Ali is a gold-digger, and a damn good one, too!" The guests exploded with laughter while Ali was rapidly nodding her head with a big grin on her face. "But this brings us to the last point: whore. I was going to dismiss it out of hand, but then I thought more about it." Turning to his bride he asked with enormous love in his voice, "Ali, are you my whore?" Ali looked up at him with her incredible love shining in her eyes as she said, "Bill, I am your whore, your mistress, your slave, your concubine... Darling, I am anything I think you might like me to be. But yes, darling, I am your whore... And very proud of it, too." Bill just shook his head and said, "Well, Jen, I guess three out of four isn't so bad, so I guess I should apologize for some of the things I said to you last year. Now that I think about it, it's obvious that it was all a semantic misunderstanding." Then he looked around the room and said quietly, "I used to say that what I love so much about Ali is her smile. She has a smile that is so brilliant it can light up the entire Los Angeles Basin -- and that's on a smoggy day. I wondered about it but never came up with a plausible explanation for its brilliance until Barbara Jamison told me earlier what our chauffeur, Fred Clark, said to Ali this morning. "He said, 'Mrs. Clifford, it's not what's on the outside, although God knows, that's exquisite. But Ali, you are really so beautiful because of what's on the inside: your goodness just shines through.' You know, he has that exactly right. Now I understand the brilliance of her smile. It's like opening the door of a blast furnace and seeing the fire inside. When Ali smiles, it's opening the door to what's inside and letting her goodness shine out. "Ladies and gentlemen, before some of you start to get even, I would like to offer a toast. To Allison McGrath Clifford: the finest person God ever created; the person who has honored me above all others by allowing me to be her husband. Darling, I love you with my whole heart and soul." With that he raised his glass along with the guests who were all on their feet with their glasses raised. When the toast was completed and the guests were again seated, Bill said, "Well, so much for the good part. Now we get to the rest. Your law partner, Virginia Jamison Conrad, has a few words to say. Ginger?" Ginger Conrad smoothly rose to her feet from her seat next to Bill's. As she did, Ali noticed how beautiful her partner looked. Apparently Henry Hall had worked with all of the girls in the wedding party and had outdone himself. Ginger's hair was shorter than usual but now showed an incredible variation in its basic auburn coloring ranging from red to brown to blonde. Ali was almost certain that Henry had trimmed the last of Ginger's dyed hair; now the color was almost certainly all her own. Standing behind the microphone, Ginger just looked around at the seated guests. Then she said, "This is actually a rather different wedding reception. The plan initially called for the usual, with the customary tributes to the bride and groom. As we made plans, though, more and more gripes emerged so we kind of converted it into a roast." Turning to her closest friend she said, "Ali, would you please stand, put your foot up on the chair and pull up your skirt?" Ali didn't know what Ginger was thinking about but she did as she was asked. As she pulled the white skirt up it exposed her leg encased in a white stocking and finally revealed the blue garter high on her thigh. At the sight of her beautiful leg they heard soft wolf whistles from some of the guests. Ali just looked at Ginger quizzically as the girl ran her finger up the inside of Ali's thigh. Then Ginger said, "Thanks, Ali. You see, we're serving roast leg of Ali as the main course today. And it's a hell of a leg, isn't it?" This time the guests cheered their agreement. "Before I get to my complaints I suppose it's only fair to give credit where it's due, even if there isn't a hell of credit to give. First, Ali, let's go back about a year to the day we first met. I was warm and happy then, living in my little brown shell. We talked and then you ruined my life. I recall telling you that I loved Charley Conrad. What did you do? Did you ask me why? Did you ask me how I could possibly be so certain of my love for him? Did you point out how warm and comfy my life was with no outside distractions? Did you? Hell, no! "Did you point out that if I just let things ride, by now I would be a second-year associate at the second-best law firm in the city? I would be getting a big raise -- possibly as much as $5,000. Of course not! Ali, you were mean! That's the only word for it: mean. "Look at me today. My grungy brown dyed hair would be 'in' today. What do I have to live with? This!" she exclaimed as she ran her hand over her head with its autumn fire coloring. "Then there are my eyes. Ali, you never asked, but you caused me to throw away literally weeks of work when you made me get rid of those colored contacts. You can't believe how hard it was to find that particularly hideous shade of brown. Now what am I stuck with? These!" she said, pointing to her brilliant emerald green eyes. "I mean, really! How common! How ordinary! And besides, green is never the 'in' color for eyes." She pretended to glare at Ali who was grinning up at her, and continued, "Look at yourself, Allison Clifford! You have the nerve to grin at me. Clearly, you're not taking this thing seriously. But there's so much more! "I vividly remember telling you that the problem with men was that they only wanted to use us as receptacles for their sexual fluids. Well, damn it, Ali, you never told me that sometimes they run out! And conditioning: Last year I was in great shape. I would work out regularly and I really felt great. Then I met Charley." Looking down at Ali and pretending to glare at her she said, "Do you realize it's only been in the last six weeks that I have been able to get my thighs back together again? It's true. But did you care? Hell, no! You just laughed at me. "There's more. My honeymoon, for example. I thought Charley and I had a marvelous time. I really did. Then I saw you and Bill returning from your honeymoon and I realized the truth: I had been miserable. I must have been. Looking at you and then looking again at the pictures from my honeymoon, I realized that I must have been miserable. And that's your fault, too. This brings me to the present. What do I have compared to what I would have had if you had left me alone? The comparison is awful. Instead of being a struggling second-year associate at one of the best law firms in California, I'm a name partner in the _best_ law firm in the state. "Instead of sleeping comfortably in my own nice bed, I have to mold my body to Charley's and use his shoulder as a pillow while he cups my tit with his large hand. I use the words, 'have to,' advisedly. Now I can't sleep any other way. Can I wake up and just take a quick shower? Hell, no! I can't even get out of bed until Charley has taken me to heaven. "Do I enjoy our life together. Aside from being unable to live without him, I'm not sure. How can I be sure when I end up unconscious after he makes love to me -- and it's every time, now. Do you want more? You don't take my problems seriously. Have you done _anything_ to help me get a job as a stripper? Charley really does need to get more sleep. How about working as a call girl? He needs some help, claiming he was trapped by a nympho. All you ever do is laugh." Ginger paused and looked around the room. "I ask you folks, what do you all think? All I got out of meeting Ali Clifford is a husband who loves me and who I adore, a partnership, association with the nicest, funniest, most beautiful group of women in the world, and the friendship of the most perfect woman God ever created, Allison McGrath Clifford! That's all." With that she turned to Ali who had risen to her feet and took her into her arms. She kissed Ali full on the lips and then held her tightly whispering, "Ali, I love you. You have made me, made my life, and given me more happiness than I thought even existed in this world. Ali, you're just plain great!" There were tears streaming from Ginger's eyes as she went back to her seat while Bill replaced her at the microphone. "Thank you, Ginger," he said. "Although she's my wife and I love her dearly, those points needed t be made. I certainly agree that Ali turned your life upside down. I know how much happier you would be if you were still in your little brown shell. Now we'll hear from Ali's other partner, Sandra Harris." Sandy got up from the table where she was sitting with Jack Benson, Judy Jeffries, Mike Morris, and Kathy and Ken Carlson, and came up to the microphone. Like Ginger, she began by pretending to glare down at Ali who just grinned up at her and winked. "That does it, Allison Clifford. I just get no respect. I'm trying to be serious -- this is for your own good, you know -- but what do you do? You just grin. "Now let's take it from the top. First of all, thank you, Bill, for using my correct name, Sandra. Ali won't even allow me to use it in the office. There, I'm Sandy and that's all there is to it." Looking around at the guests she continued, "You heard from Virginia Conrad how Ali pulled her out of her shell. Well, I wasn't in a shell. I was on the street having been fired from another firm. But there's so much more. "Ali may have repaired Ginger, but she created me. You see, I really should have been destroyed at birth as one of God's occasional mistakes. By the time I was grown I was abrasive, cruel, ugly, hypocritical... But you get the idea. Ginger hired me while Ali was on her honeymoon and was prepared to fire me. Would Ali go along? Don't be silly! Of course not. She made me see that I was human... at least slightly. "You see, I had had one human experience in my life to that point. It happened when Jack Benson made love to me when I was in law school. Thinking about it now, I can't figure out why he ever asked me out." She stopped and looked around the room, pretending to be pondering the question. Suddenly, she brightened and continued, "He's blind! That's it! That explains everything. Well, anyway... You see, after that one human experience I did what any dues-paying member of NOW would do: I refused ever to speak to him again. So when I learn from Ali that my reaction to Jack was normal, I was utterly destroyed. You see, I had already booted away any chance I would ever have for happiness. "Does this discourage Ali? I should be so lucky. Oh, no! She and her henchman, Ginger, go to work. Believe it or not they _find_ Jack Benson. How, I have no idea. I've always been afraid to ask. In finding Jack, of course, they utterly destroyed the real me. "What do I have to show for the last year? Nothing to speak of. I have Jack Benson, of course. At least, I hope I have him. I won't rest easy until I have him hog-tied at the altar. But you see, I was a bitch. However, at least I could put my thighs together. Ginger said she was only able to get hers together within the last few weeks. I still can't. "My life? Last year I ate out or ate gourmet chili fresh from the can while I read law books. Now? I dash home to clean -- last year I didn't know what the word meant -- and prepare dinner. With a lot of coaching from Kathy Carlson, I'm now a decent cook. Women are supposed to eat like birds, right? I eat like a horse. When I complain, all Ali does is laugh. I used to curl up at night with an exciting law book. Now? Now I can only sit on Jack's lap with his hand on my tit. I don't even care what's on television because I just sleep until he's ready to take me to bed. And take me, and take me, and take me... But you get the idea. "Happy? How can I be? I cry almost every day now. Why? Because, although Jack says I'm beautiful, I spend every day with Ali and Ginger. But then we already agreed that Jack was blind, didn't we? Do you want to know how to really feel ugly? Spend your time side-by-side with the gold and auburn twins. And Ali doesn't even care! She laughs at me. I try, God knows. My hips are slim, my waist is slender, and my tits are full and firm. But my color? Sort of brown. Yuck! Jack likes me but he's only a man. What can he know? "The worst? What's really new since last year? It's the misery I endure when Jack has to go out of town. I know some women toss and turn in bed. Me? Don't be silly! I'm above all that. I just watch the movies on cable that run all night, while mostly I whimper and cry. Sometimes I even fall asleep in the chair around three or four. The problem? When Jack comes home I'm so tired I can hardly stay awake when he's taking me for the fourth or fifth time. Once, he was pretty tired, too, so we fell asleep with him inside me." She smiled warmly as she thought about the incident. "I remember it so well. Even though I was nearly asleep, I could feel him inside. I would squeeze him with my muscles and he would get larger as we both went back to sleep. It didn't end until we were both awake at about eight the next morning when he put me out of my misery by causing me to pass out. "Professionally? From being on the street, I'm now the litigation partner of the finest law firm in the West. But that doesn't make up for what's happened to me." Turning to Ali, she said, "And it's all your fault. Everything I have or ever hope to have, you gave me -- most particularly including perhaps the only man alive who's blind enough to think I'm beautiful. Ali, you can have anything I have, any time you want it, including my life. Darling, I love you." With that Ali rose from her chair and Sandy held her tight whispering, "Oh, God, Ali! I do love you so much." "Sandra Harris -- see, I can, too, say it -- you are a wonderful person and my life-saver," Ali whispered. "Darling, you know you saved my life -- literally -- in my stupid divorce action. I will never forget how you were sacrificing your life to try to save me from myself, so I will never believe that bullshit you've been trying to sell! Sandy, I love you!" With that she hugged the tall brunette who then backed away and gave her the warmest kiss possible, then hugged her tightly again with tears streaming down her cheeks. Finally, Sandy wiped her eyes, winked at Bill and returned to her table where Jack took her in his arms and whispered, "Blind? Lady, you are _really_ full of shit! Wait till I get you home tonight!" Sandy licked her lips lasciviously, kissed him softly and whispered, "Promises, promises!" Meanwhile, Bill was again behind the microphone and said, "The next speaker is my daughter, Jennifer. Of course, after my discovery of a few minutes ago, I can't for the life of me think of what she could want to say. But anyway... Jen?" Jennifer Clifford rose from her place further down the head table and came to the microphone. Like Ali, Jen was a vision in shades of gold, although her hair color was slightly darker. Her dress was light blue complimenting her brilliant blue eyes. After looking around the room with a small smile, she said, "First, before I get to my problems with Ali, I must correct the record." She looked at her father and said, "Dad, with respect to that... that exercise in exoneration a few minutes ago, it was complete bullshit! I was maligning Mom, and we all know it. What I was really trying to do was to commit a double murder: you and Mother, although I didn't realize it at the time. "Next, a comment on that blather you just heard from Sandy Harris. If I remember correctly, she said something to the effect that she was a bitch and should have been destroyed at birth. Well, if it had happened I'm sure my parents would both now be dead, Sandy, because you were the one who saved them." Looking out at the crowd, tears were flowing down her cheeks as she continued, "Dickens said it best in _A Tale of Two Cities:_ 'Greater love hath no man than he who lays down his life for his friend.' That day in court last fall, Sandy laid down her professional life to save my parents. The next day, when Ali came into the office, Sandy gave her a letter of resignation from the Firm. In addition, she was resigning from the California Bar and was turning herself in to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution." Jen again looked around the room and the guests could see tears streaming down the girl's beautiful face, yet she had made no move to wipe them away. Then she continued, "Did you hear that garbage Sandy was trying to sell us? How she was utterly worthless and the only thing that saved her was Jack Benson's blindness?" Now looking directly at Sandy with her eyes sparking with blue fire she said, "Lady, you're so full of shit, it's ridiculous! You have the same kind of beauty as Ali, coming from the same source: the incredible goodness inside you. All I can say, lady, is you sure did a hell of a good job of keeping it a secret, particularly from yourself." Then her voice dropped and she lifted her glass saying, "I hope you all will join me in a toast to Sandra Harris. Had it not been for what she did last year, there could have been no wedding today. The principals would both be dead and buried. Sandy, I want to thank you with my whole heart and soul. You are one of the finest women alive!" Sandy was blushing beet red and trying to hide in Jack Benson's shoulder. He would have none of it, though, as he gently moved her back into her own chair so he could stand and raise his glass with the rest of the guests. As they drank the toast Ali rose to her feet along with Bill and went to the microphone. When the room became quiet again, Ali said, "Jen, I don't know what else you have to say, but with respect to what you said about Sandy, all Bill and I can say is, Amen. Sandy, she is absolutely right. You did save our lives, and damn it, girl, you know it!" As she sat down again, there was tremendous applause for Sandy. Then Jennifer returned to the microphone. "So much for that," she said. "Now we get to my problems. You see, it really started with Sandy. After the divorce action was thrown out of court, I spent time at USC and UCLA asking people about Ali McGrath. I soon learned how wrong I had been and also how close I had come to destroying my parents. For that I needed to be punished, but I knew Dad would never do it. All he did was cut me off financially, but that was a benefit. "The first step in my punishment was to humiliate myself in front of Ali. I was going to grovel and she was going to clobber me, throw me out, or with any luck, do something much worse. So I lurked in the lobby here at the hotel and finally saw my chance. Dad was leaving the hotel by himself so I snuck up to their floor -- this floor, as a matter of fact -- and rang the doorbell of their suite. Ali opened it. After telling her what I had been doing and what I had learned, I fell to my knees in front of her. I wanted her to slap me across the face, beat me... do something to punish me for what I had done. Of course, I was crying like my heart would break and couldn't see a thing. At the same time, I doubt if I would have even felt it if she had slapped mesilly. "Did she?" Jen asked rhetorically, looking around the room. "Ali? Of course not. She takes me under the arms, lifts me up and cradles me in her arms. Then she helps me to the sofa and caresses my hair while I cry my eyes out, whispering things like 'Don't cry, darling,' 'It will be all right,' and finally, she even says she loves me." Jen glared around the room. "Can you believe it? I try to kill her and she loves me? I desperately want to be punished but all she can do is hug me and caress me? That's Ali. She really knows how to hurt a girl. Incidentally, having Ali Clifford hold you and comfort you is in a class by itself. I can still feel her stroking my hair. My mother did it when I was about eight years old, only Ali does it so much better. "Well, that didn't work. But I had to be made to suffer. I really did. How else could I cope with my guilt? Well, awhile later I had another idea. You see by then I was an exotic dancer. For those who aren't familiar with the vocabulary, a stripper takes off her clothes while an exotic starts off naked and stays that way. Anyway, the manager wanted me to do something I couldn't possibly do. The thought of doing it turned my stomach. Then I thought, 'Aha! I'll ask Ali and then she'll throw me out.' So I did. You see, the manager wanted my mound to be bare; I had to remove all of my pubic hair." Looking around the room, Jen was glaring as she continued, "Can you imagine anything more disgusting than being asked to remove a girl's pubic hair? I ask you? Can you? I certainly can't and I was sure that the idea would turn Ali's stomach. So I asked her. All she did was insist that as the price for her service I had to allow Dad and her to see me perform. She comes over and does it. I won't go into details except to say it's an extremely painful process. Ali just does it, being as gentle as anyone possibly could be. Then when she finishes, she helps me to the bathroom -- I couldn't even walk because my loins hurt so badly -- bathes me, then helps me to bed where she puts a painkilling ointment all over my mound. Then she pulls the covers up and tucks me in. At that point I just collapsed. So much for my second effort. "Then, another opportunity presented itself just a couple of days later. I had met Steve Chapman at school but never even told him my name. I guess I fell in love with the big lug the first time I saw him and, in fact, I thought of him each time I did my act on stage. However, we never even had a date. On the night my mom and dad came to see me, Steve was there, too." Jen stopped and looked around as an idea occurred to her. Continuing, "You know something? I just realized that Mom arranged my first date with Steve. _She_ invited him to join us for supper that night. "Since the object of this exercise was to destroy myself -- to achieve the misery I so richly deserved -- the evening went pretty well. You see, I figured that the way to be really hurt would be to find out how really wonderful Steve was so it would hurt even more when I lost him. He came to my apartment -- Mom's apartment, actually; she even provided me with a place to live -- and he made love to me. It was everything I ever thought it might be and so much more besides. My plan was working perfectly! After thirty-six hours of heaven in his arms, on Monday morning I threw him out of the apartment, screaming that I never wanted to see him again. Then, of course, I totally came apart. Having succeeded in destroying my life, I was even more miserable than I thought I ever could be. But then I screwed up, bigtime. "What did I do? For some reason I felt I had to see my mother. Somehow I got to the hotel that morning, although honestly, in view of my condition I'll be damned if I could ever figure out just how I did it. At any rate, I appeared at her door. She took me into her arms and I totally disintegrated. Again she sat with me, stroked me, and somehow managed to calm me down. Then she took me into the bedroom, stripped me and put me to bed with the warmest, most loving kiss a girl ever had. I was asleep in an instant. "Then what? Then Ali gets even... again. When I awaken, it's late afternoon and Ali asks me if I would like something to eat. By this time I was starving to death and could have eaten a horse, hooves and all. She smiled and said there was a room-service cart ready for me, and a waiter wheeled it into my room. Except it wasn't a waiter, it was Steve. Since I had screwed up all the courage I possessed to kick him out that morning, there was nothing left. He took me on my bed. And took me, and took me... Finally, we both collapsed. "When I awakened, I went out to the sitting room and found Ali just sitting there. Of course, she had arranged the whole thing while I was sleeping. In this episode, my 'punishment' consisted of the most glorious lovemaking a human ever experienced. In short, another great idea shot to hell." Jen smiled wryly and looked around the room again. "But never let it be said Jennifer Clifford isn't creative. Another idea came to me when I learned that Steve is the son of Dave and Judy Chapman of Chicago. Judy is a society leader, and the answer was obvious. "First, I got Steve to promise that we would not marry if his parents objected." Looking around the room again, she asked, "Can you possibly imagine in your wildest dreams, a staid, rich, conservative Midwestern couple allowing their only child to marry a girl who degrades herself at least twice a day? A girl who, while on her knees, spreads her legs as wide as possible and bends over backwards so the customers can all get a good look at her cunt? Can you?" Jen shook her head and answered her own question: "I couldn't, either. "However, one other thing happened the next morning which has come back to haunt me: Mom made me promise to apologize to Dad and to accept a little money from them from time to time. But back to the story. You see, I had it all set: the Chapmans would forbid Steve to marry me -- as they certainly should have, I might add. Then I would remain his mistress and continue to degrade myself nightly on stage. Once again, though, I underrated the cunning of Ali Clifford. Working through her minions in that den of iniquity, Clifford & Jamison, she recruits her staff to put together a wardrobe for me in only one day. The result: I looked like I just stepped out of the pages of _Vogue_ when we get off the plane in Chicago... although its things aren't nearly as nice as mine. But there's more, you see. After producing the wardrobe, Mom then presented me with a watch like the one she wears. It is engraved, 'Jen -- With all my love, Mom.' It cracked me up. I was so overwhelmed, I completely forgot my plan. The result? I'm afraid the Chapmans like me." She looked at a table where Dave and Judy Chapman were sitting with a question in her eyes. Judy Chapman stood up and said, "No Jennifer, Dave and I do not like you." She turned to the guests and said, "As you may have guessed, I'm Judy and this is my husband, Dave Chapman." Turning back towards Jennifer, she said, "We love you, darling, as the daughter we could never have. Adore you is closer, perhaps. I'm sorry, Jen, we do not merely like you. The word, like, just isn't even close." Judy winked, blew Jen a kiss and then sat down again. Jennifer just shook her head sadly and said, "See what I mean? That's Ali. But back to my story. It turns out, you see, that while I was trying to figure out a way of punishing myself, Ali was way ahead of me. Remember when I mentioned having to agree to take a few bucks off their hands from time to time? Well, you see I'm not an historian, but a political scientist. The reason for the focus on political science is that history has dates, and dates are numbers, and I don't know from numbers." Jen paused and looked up, then shook her head. "That's not completely true. I can handle numbers all the way up to ten, and I'm really pretty good with numbers less than five. But anyway... "You see, about every week or so these days, I'll swing by a cash machine to get some money. What do I find? Usually I find that Mom dumped another five or ten _million_ dollars into my account. Can you imagine the agony I go through month after month futilely trying to balance my checkbook? Can you? I doubt it. You see, she's even more devious, though. This is her way of ensuring that I marry Steve. He's a business major and he can handle big numbers. Since I'm stuck with the numbers, I guess I'll have to marry him." Then she looked down at Ali and offered her hand with a plea in her eyes. Ali rose from her chair and stood beside her as Jen continued, "There's one more thing, and it brings me back to where this story began. You see, the reason I wanted to break up the marriage was that in some way I saw Ali as a threat to the relationship I had with my father. As a matter of fact, it really wasn't much of one, but anyway... As usual, I could not have been more wrong. Ali, a threat to our relationship? "Today, I am closer to my father than I have ever been in my life. That's Ali. More than that, though, is the relationship I have with my mother. You see, I adore Ali Clifford, my mother. I ask you? Everyone has heard of the birds and the bees and how to tell their children about sex? Most people just hope the kids figure it out or find out on the street the way they did. My mom? Don't be silly. She gives me illustrated lectures in how to make love to a man. No wonder she is the best-loved woman alive! "Everything she has ever told me -- and I won't shock you any more than I already have by telling you precisely what some of her tips are -- she has 'field tested' with Dad. And she has only told me a small fraction of what she knows and does. She's afraid it will be a shock to my tender ears. Now you're getting a clue as to why my dad looks like he's only about thirty years old. Ali keeps him young. "Allison Clifford is my mother, you see. If she had nurtured me in her womb and nursed me at her breast, there's no possible way Mom could love me more than she does. Fred certainly got it right. Her goodness just spills out all over the people who are close to her. My mommy really loves me!" Turning to Ali, she took her in her arms and began to cry. It was exactly as she had described it. Ali held her tightly and gently stroked her hair. When her sobbing slowed, she could hear Ali murmuring in her ear, "My darling daughter, please don't cry. I love you so very much!" Then Jen pulled away and in spite of the tears still flowing there was a wonderful happy smile on her face as she said, "She _does_ love me! So I guess I'll just have to live with an unbalanced checkbook." Bill was by her side and took his daughter in his arms and gave her a warm kiss as well. Then with a wave, Jennifer went back to her seat.Chapter 22 As he stood at the microphone, Bill Clifford just slowly shook his head. "I apologize, folks, but for some reason the girls just are not following the script. However, I think you'll agree that we have heard some interesting stories from some very lovely young women. Now I would like to introduce Karen Gaudli. Karen is Swiss and is engaged to marry my son, Brian." As he was talking, Karen was making her way to the microphone. He turned it over to her, but before he could take his seat, Karen took him in her arms and gave him a wonderfully loving kiss full on the lips. Bill just grinned at her, winked at Ali and then sat down. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," Karen began. "Please bear with me because this is the first time I have ever had to give a speech in English. Please try to forgive the language gaffes I'm sure to make." She smiled warmly at the crowd which responded by giving her a welcoming round of applause. The girl continued, "I first met Ali Clifford at Christmas-time in my home country, Switzerland. It seems that Ali is a friend of my father's from way back. When she invited me to join the Cliffords skiing in Zermatt, he gave his permission. The last thing he told me before he left me at the airport was to be nice to the Clifford's son, Brian. "The Swiss raise dutiful daughters, after all, so about ten days or so later I welcomed Brian between my thighs. Some time later I found out from my father, in no uncertain terms, that he never expected me to be _that_ nice. It seems that, even for the Swiss, hospitality does have limits. That was a digression, however. The next day Brian talks to his parents and tells them we had slept together. Ali's first question was to ask if I had enjoyed it. Since Brian had no idea, she asked me." The beautiful silver-blonde girl looked around the room and then continued. "Can you imagine being interviewed about your lovemaking by your boyfriend's mother? I was. It should have been embarrassing, I suppose, but it wasn't. Thinking about it often, I finally came up with what may be the answer. First, there was Ali's own behavior. The first thing she did when we went up to her suite was to strip off her clothes so I could see her nude body. It was utterly overwhelming, but more than that, she could not possibly be Brian's mother with a body like that, so I concluded that she was my older sister -- very slightly older, at that. "I confessed that my first experience with Brian was -- to put it mildly -- unsatisfying. What is Ali's reaction? She blows her stack, claiming that, from any son of Bill Clifford's, such behavior was utterly inexcusable. Then she starts to instruct me on how to behave with men. I forgot exactly what she told me that day, but I do remember one thing vividly: I must have been blushing a bright red for two solid hours, anyway. No one could possibly tell me the things Ali did. Not only did Ali tell me, though, she gave me the most detailed instructions on how to carry them out. Frankly, I blush just thinking about it again." Karen was right. She was blushing beet red, just remembering, and this was in spite of a golden tan she had picked up on Maui just a week earlier. "It seems that Ali later spoke to Bill, who, in turn, spoke to Brian. The result? It was the difference between heaven and hell. In fact, Brian and I agreed that the first experience was useful to us both as a baseline from which to measure. From incompetent he became expert." Karen grinned and said, "There's one tip Ali gave me that I'll pass on to you. A man's cum washes down beautifully with Dom Perignon. My sister not only told me how, she even supplied the champagne. "At any rate, the weeks that followed were joyous. My big thrill was edging Ali in a slalom race." Then the girl's face fell as she continued, "When I told my father I had beaten her, he said it was only because she had let me. I was crushed. Then I asked how he could possibly know. His reply? "Before I give it, though, I should give you some background on my father. Although now a senior executive of Swiss Bank Corporation, earlier in his life he was one of the country's finest skiers. After all, the popular ski events such as the slalom, the giant slalom and the downhill are collectively called Alpine events. Since most of the Alps are in Switzerland, it is only fair that the Swiss produce fine skiers... and we do. At any rate, my father medaled in the Olympic Giant Slalom and later was signed to appear in a motion picture with... Ali McGrath! But back to my story. I asked how he knew she allowed me to win. He replied that he could still beat me, in spite of my being on the junior national team, but Ali regularly beat him. He admitted that he could occasionally beat her in his event, the GS, but never in the slalom. He said she was just too good and too quick." Looking at Bill, Karen said, "Dad, I learned that on that day one year ago when you and my sister first met, you asked her if she could ski. The answer, dear father, is _hell, yes!_ "But what am I doing up here? What is the problem? Well, the problem emerged when I came back to the States with Brian and enrolled in college with him. Being foreign and trying to fit in, I joined a lot of organizations, including -- to my subsequent dismay -- some feminist ones. At any rate, I learned that Brian and I were doing things all wrong. The correct way is for the woman to spread her legs and let the man play. If the girl really likes the guy, she is supposed to make a sincere effort to stay awake while he's in her. Brian and I talked about it, but we couldn't make it happen. You see, when he's in me, I'm like a repeating cannon. Then I usually pass out when he cums from a sensory overload." Turning to Ali, Karen asked sweetly, "Sister, why can't I just be a depository for a man's sexual fluids like all the other girls? Why did you ruin my life this way?" Ali vainly tried to bury her grin in a sad expression, but was successful in only sadly shaking her head. Then Karen turned back, looking puzzled. "Ali, there's one more thing, though. I told the women at the NOW meeting that I am kept in orgasm for more than five minutes at a time. Fortunately, I never mentioned Brian's name. I guess my comprehension of English is still weak, though, because when they finally believed me, the meeting suddenly broke up." The girl pretended to look bewildered as she said, "Why do you suppose that happened? Why were they all yelling, 'Where _is_ he?' Does anyone have an idea what they meant?" Then she grinned and turned on Ali. "These are my problems, and they are all your fault. First, based on what they tell me, I must be doing many things wrong. Since you taught me, the problem must be in your instruction. The second problem is more serious, though. You see, I did it again. Ali, I'm grinning more and more these days, and you know that a grin is very un-Swiss. We are known around the world as a serious and sober people. Ali, how can I stop grinning?" The girl's beautiful face turned serious as she said, "Now, though, I get to the real problem I have with you, Allison Clifford. First, as I'm sure you and your guests know, most of the favorite fairy tales are European in origin. Now I ask you, who is the most common villain in fairy tales? The wicked stepmother. Here in the United States, who is the most common villain? The mother-in-law." Karen's face fell as she asked, "What are we to do? You are Brian's stepmother and will soon be my mother-in-law." Then she smiled and said, "However, we have a plan -- or more accurately, Brian has a plan which I endorse. It came into existence as a result of something he said to his father. He said that you troubled him for a while because he knew I was the most beautiful girl in the world, but that being so, what about you, Ali? The answer was quick in coming and Brian is very happy with it. You see, Ali, he considers me to be the most beautiful woman in the world, while you, being an angel, are not in the competition. In support of his concept of your ethereal nature, he offers as proof the fact that you appear today to be at least ten years younger than in the motion pictures you made over ten years ago. What other possible explanation could there be but the supernatural one? "As further proof -- he points out that the camera can lie and you could have been made up to look older in your movies -- he cites his father. While he has only known you for only a short time, he certainly knows his father. The proof is the fact that his father has lost at least ten years in age within the last year, and, Ali, at least five years in just the six months since I first met him. The explanation? You are using your supernatural powers on your mate and consort. What fun would it be to remain everlastingly young while your lover ages? Ali, you did that too, didn't you? "But back to the basic problem: stepmother and mother-in-law. The solution is simple: Brian refuses to accept you as his stepmother. You are his mother -- period! Pointing out that no woman could be as kind and loving as you, he cites it as evidence that you are, in fact, his mother. This leaves me. This, too, has a simple answer -- one that has been staring me in the face from almost the first day we met. Ali, you are my sister, not my mother-in-law. After all, no girl ever confides in her mother the way I do in you. No mother ever gives her daughter detailed instructions in how to be good to a man in bed. You do." While she was finishing her speech, Brian had quietly come over to join her at the microphone. Turning to her fiance, she said, "Darling, should we ask her?" He nodded with a smile and asked, "Allison McGrath Clifford, will you be my mother? Please?" Ali jumped from her chair into Brian's waiting arms with tears in her eyes, "Oh, my darling son, yes! Oh God, yes! Brian, nothing could make me happier or more proud than to have you think of me as your mother! Nothing!" Brian then stepped back and gripped his father's hand. Bill Clifford then wrapped his son in his arms and whispered, "Brian, you have given us the perfect wedding gift. I can't thank you enough. I love you, son." Meanwhile, Karen was continuing. "Allison McGrath Clifford, will you be my sister? The sister I never had? The sister in whom I can confide all my hopes and dreams? Ali, there's one more thing. We know you have given us the basic course in adult lovemaking. Please, after we're married and you're satisfied that we're okay on the basics, will you give us the advanced course? Please? Ali, will you be my sister?" Karen repeated. Ali took the girl in her arms and each could feel the other's tears on her cheek. "Oh God, Karen, of course. Nothing would thrill me more!" Then she stepped back and looked at the younger girl with a gleam in her eye and asked, "Does this give me the right to harass my little sister?" "Of course it does, sister," Karen replied. "But remember, nearly as famous as nasty mothers-in-law here in the States are brat younger sisters." With a big grin she added, "Sister Ali, I can hardly wait!" With that she took Ali back into her arms and just hugged her. While this was going on the guests had come to their feet and were cheering wildly. When the two young people were on their way back to their seats, Bill went back to the microphone. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "That girl is showing real promise in learning English. I want to thank you all for not laughing at her. She is really trying." With that he rolled his eyes while the guests laughed. Then he said, "The next introduction creates a little problem. You see, the speaker is Joan Frederick." Looking at Ali he asked, "Honey, is Joan our daughter or our daughter-in-law-to-be?" Ali looked up and grinned, "The answer is both, darling. I guess right now she is Joan Frederick Clifford. When she marries Billy she will be Joan Frederick Clifford Clifford. Isn't that deliciously incestuous?" Bill turned back to the mike and said, "I guess it's my pleasure to introduce my daughter, Joan Frederick Clifford. Joan?" Joan gave Bill, Jr., a quick kiss and came over to the mike, then lowered it to suit her. Looking pensive she said, almost to herself, "Gee! I've always wanted a hyphenated name. I wonder how Joan Frederick-Clifford-Clifford would go over?" Then she just shook her head in dismay, looked around at the guests and said, "Good afternoon. I'm not going to bore you with my life story like a sister I could name. With luck, I'm not going to flood out the joint with tears, either. You see, I'm not sad. I'm mad! "I want to tell you how Ali Clifford screwed up my life. It's a short story, really. You see, I only graduated from Cal Tech in January. While at Tech, my life was organized and ordered. I worked, slept a little and ate even less. Spend time worrying how to spend a weekend? No way! I worked. Worry about what to eat? No way! I went with whatever filled me the fastest for the least money. You have all heard of misers sitting and counting their money? That was never one of my problems. I sat and counted payment coupons. You see, the total of my student loans rivaled the national debt. As a matter of fact, because many were government-guaranteed, I was probably a major part of the national debt. "The first sign of trouble came last Christmas. Mom had just passed out Christmas bonuses and mine was equal to a year's gross pay. This, in spite of the fact that the company had only been in business for six months. In other words, my bonus was 200 percent of my base pay. I went in to see her because I hadn't gotten a pay raise. Mom thought I was coming in to resign. She couldn't understand how a computer scientist could possibly stay in a little law firm. I told her that I had the best and most intellectually challenging job in computers: trying to make the machines serve people who weren't computer techies. She apologized and doubled my pay on the spot. Clearly, there was trouble already. I think I even bought a six-pack of beer on my way home that night -- and it was a good brand, too. A Frederick first! "The real trouble, though, came in the early spring. You see, my only entertainment was going around to financial institutions to make payments on my student loans. Then one day disaster struck! I went in to make my regular payment and the teller just looked at me. 'Do you want to open a savings account, or something?' she asked. 'Don't be ridiculous! Save what? I'm making my regular payment as I'm sure you know. You have only seen me every month for years now -- and you'll probably be retired before I make the last one.' Then it happened," Joan said in an ominous tone of voice. "She said, 'Your young friend came in the other day and paid it off. Don't you remember?' "'Young friend? What young friend?' I asked. Now she positively glowed as she replied, 'You know! The golden blonde with the blue eyes and knockout figure? She seems to be almost as old as you...' 'She was wearing Levi's and a work shirt, wasn't she?' I asked. 'Of course,' the teller replied. Ali strikes again! In a near-panic I raced from bank to bank, hoping to minimize the damage." Joan shook her head sadly and said, "It was too late. I knew it would be, but I was just hoping against hope. I found my way home in a daze. Going to my desk, I took out piles of now-useless payment books -- now worth their weight as scrap paper. What was I going to do?" Tears were beginning to roll down her cheeks as she continued her sad tale. "Somehow, after tossing and turning for hours, I managed to fall asleep. I survived the next day, and the next, but finally the day I dreaded arrived: payday! I got my check, put it in the bank, and froze. What could I do? What would I do with the money? Then the troubles really began. First of all, I had time on my hands -- going from bank to bank making payments had occupied all my free time. What was I to do? I looked in the Yellow Pages for Debtors Anonymous and called them. When I explained my problem, do you know what they did?" she demanded. "They laughed! In fact, they howled with laughter. Then they told me in no uncertain terms that they worked with problems arising from owing money, not from problems of having too much. "Was it over? Far from it! Mom took me to Boston -- after the Firm paid for a totally new wardrobe. Even our sourpuss partners, Ginger and Sandy, astounded me by presenting me with a brand-new fur coat. Needless to say it was the first fur coat of any kind I had ever owned in my life, let alone a new one." Joan looked around the ceiling as if gathering her thoughts. Then she blurted, "That's it! I got it! No wonder I fell head over heels in love with Bill! He caught me at my weakest possible moment: For the first time in my life I had money in the bank, no bills to pay, and faced with a choice of beers. And I didn't even have to buy the cheapest. Is it over? Not hardly. Back here in LA I learn that Bill is coming out to see me _and to meet my parents!_ But I don't have any. I've been an orphan living alone for years and years. We are all sitting in the conference room and I tell the girls my problem: I need someone to play the role of my mother. I am stunned when Ali volunteers. I'll never forget what happened next. I said, 'But Ali, you can't possibly want to play the part of my mother!' Her reply? 'Joan, I don't want to _play_ your mother, I want to _be_ your mother!' And now she is! Now tears were flowing from the lovely girl's eyes as she remembered, "She took me in her arms and hugged me. God! It had been so long! She hugged me tight, kissed my cheeks, my ears, and just gently stroked my hair, all the while murmuring endearments. I cried! Oh, God, did I cry! It was a wonderful sensation that I had thought I had lost forever many years ago. But with Ali, it was back, better than it had ever been." Looking up at the guests she said, "You realize, I'm sure, that none of this ever would have happened if Ali had minded her own business." She looked down at Ali who was avoiding her eyes. "Mom, look at me, please?" Ali looked up and Joan said to her, "Mom, all I have and all I will ever have I owe to you. There are no words to express my love for you. Mom? Will you give me a kiss, even if it is your wedding day?" Ali leaped to her feet and folded the girl into her arms. As she did, she could feel Joan's tears on her cheek, rapidly mixing with her own. "My darling daughter, I love you so much! And soon you will be marrying my son who I also love. I can't tell you how happy you have made your father and me. Will you give me a kiss?" Joan's beautiful lips mashed against Ali's as she hugged her new mother tightly. When they finally separated, Bill said softly, "Daughter, what about me? Do you have a kiss to spare for your dad?" With a squeal, Joan dove into his arms and buried her face in his chest. Muffled by the material of his suit, he could hear her say, "Oh, Daddy, I love you so much!" Bill watched the girl fondly as she moved back to her place beside his son and felt a wonderful warm sensation as he saw her give Billy the most tender kiss. Turning back to the guests he said, "My little list says that the next speaker is Constance Foster Clifford." He looked up from the rostrum, pretending to be puzzled. "I can't imagine what she has to gripe about. She hasn't even started work yet. But what the hell: here's Connie. We'll hear what she has to say." Connie meant to give Bill a quick kiss before she began her speech, but it didn't work out that way. When she kissed him, she could feel his arms go around her and hug her tightly, then feel his hand gently caressing her hair. "Oh, Daddy," she exclaimed in a whisper, "that feels so wonderful and I love you so much! In your arms I feel so warm and safe and... and loved." Easing out of his arms, she stood before the microphone and took a deep breath, then took a napkin to wipe the tears from her eyes. After looking around the room she said, "That was simple. You see, my dad just demonstrated what the trouble is. I was going to give him a nice affectionate daughterly kiss. Is that what happened? With Cliffords? You've got to be nuts! He holds me tight, kisses me softly, caresses my hair, whispers how much he loves me... In short, he turned me from a career woman into a glob of warm mush. I begin to cry as I feel so wonderfully warm and snug and safe. My daddy will protect me." Tears started to flow again as she said in a husky whisper, "God! It's been so long..." With an effort of will she regained her composure and began again. "I had no direct contact with Clifford & Jamison until about two months ago. Of course, as a law student I had heard a great deal about them. This fact alone is highly significant when you remember that the firm is not even one year old yet. Moreover, you have heard the line, 'Known by the friends you keep?' I think you can also add the reciprocal, 'Known by the enemies you make.' Well, I first learned about the firm by hearing it badmouthed by all the radical feminists on campus. This struck me as odd because I did know it was an all-women Firm -- possibly the only one of its kind in the state. Why, I wondered, would feminists be giving them such a hard time? "Well, I started to do some research. What I found out was quite interesting. It seems that over and over again the same thing happened. The radicals would go after a large corporation for sex discrimination. The first thing they would do would be to locate some disaffected women -- usually professionals -- to front for them. I guess it really got kind of funny, because time after time, the same thing would happen: First, if the company had an ounce of corporate brains they retained Clifford & Jamison -- and if they didn't, they were beyond help, anyway. Ginger, Sandy, or Ali would meet with the plaintiffs and just listen to them. After making sympathetic noises for a while, the plaintiffs would sort of stop and ask how Ginger, for example, could possibly look so beautiful and... and self-assured. "Poor Ginger would apologize for allowing her attention to drift and mention that she was thinking about what to serve Charley for dinner, or what to be wearing when he got home. Once, I heard, Sandy told the girl that she was taking physical inventory. The girl asked what that meant and Sandy replied that her cunt was so sore she couldn't touch it, her asshole was stretched to about three times its normal size, and she could still feel Jack's magnificent sex at the bottom of her throat but it left her throat so sore she couldn't even eat. That being the case, she was trying to figure out which of her bodily openings was -- comparatively speaking -- in the best shape to take him that night. The girl was stunned. Then Sandy explained that before the night was over she would probably take him everywhere, anyway. She explained that once they began to make love, her passion would overwhelm her pain and it wouldn't matter. It was only a question of where to start. "The poor girl would then ask more questions which our girls just answered as honestly as they possibly could from their own experience. A short time later the complaint would be withdrawn." She looked around the room with a warm grin and continued, "You know what one of the funniest things in the Firm is? It's a file -- actually, it's almost a whole filing cabinet now -- of communications from former plaintiffs. Most particularly, it includes at least a dozen wedding invitations, and letters asking for personal advice ranging from sex to menu planning. All the letters are carefully answered, by the way. "Anyway, I decided I had to talk to Clifford & Jamison, in spite of who I was. You see, I was supporting myself as a stripper while I was going to school. In fact, I only quit a couple of weeks ago. However, I had been able to maintain my secret through three years of law school and my senior year in college, so I thought there was a good chance that I could keep it up for a couple of more weeks. Then I met Sandy and then Ginger. They lived up to their advance billing in spades. But there was so much more. I have never in my life encountered the atmosphere that exists in the Firm. I have been inside a number of them, and the dominant sensation is one of fear. In Ali's firm, I came to realize, it's love. "The interviews went well, and I was scheduled to meet the senior partner, Ali Clifford. I was scared and then I really blew it. You see, I forgot that she was an actress. The first thing she asked me was why I was scared. At that point I lost it completely and stumbled toward the door with tears blinding my eyes. Did I make it to the door? Of course not. I found myself in Ali's arms. You've all heard about Ali's ability to give comfort, so I won't bore you with it again. When I blurted out that I was a stripper, Ali's reaction was comparable to me having said that blue is my favorite color. She just asked where I worked, then said it was where her daughter, Jen, had been working. "Well, one thing led to another and I was offered a job. But I don't want you to think it was all roses. For example, did she pay off _my_ student loans the way she did Joan's? Hell, no! She just gives me a check, the size of which would have put a dent in the national debt, and tells me to pay off my own damned loans. Later, I learned that what Joan said earlier was accurate. She had borrowed from so many banks, including some of the most obscure ones, that it had taken days for Ali to find them all. Moreover, I believe Joan when she told us that going around to the banks took up all of her free time each month. But back to my job offer. Was that the end? Of course not. I'm also given a gigantic check to buy a wardrobe to use for work. "Then the trouble _really_ began! Just because I got a couple of small things for Joan's apartment..." Sitting farther down the table, Joan interjected in a voice loud enough to be heard around the room, "A whole brand new bedroom, furniture and all! Foster, can you honestly call that 'a couple of small things' with a straight face?" Connie just grinned and repeated, "...A couple of small things. Why? Because it was a big night for Joan. Her boyfriend was bringing his father over for dinner to meet her mother. I just helped a little. Could she let it go at that? Not Joan Clifford! "A short time later Jennifer fixed me up with a blind date. By this time I had been adopted by Bill and Ali Clifford as their daughter. What do they do? They buy me a wardrobe that probably cost more than my entire higher education, and do it -- like they did for eJennifer and Joan earlier -- in only one day. I can remember my dad wrapping me in a gorgeous mink coat and just hugging me tightly." She looked around the room and the people could see the tears in her eyes. "As much as I love the coat, it is nothing compared to being in Daddy's arms. It just feels so wonderful. "Anyway, that night I met Chip Cartwright. When we go back to my apartment, what do I find? Well, first of all, I was certain I had entered the wrong unit -- it looked like a photo set for _House Beautiful._ What happened? Joan Clifford just had to get even! She and the rest of the gang redecorated the entire apartment -- totally! They even completely stocked the kitchen and provided recipes. And coaching! "Well, you wonder, what is this girl bitching about? I'll tell you. What am I going to do now?" she wailed. "I thought about my career to this point and wonder what to do. I think I may have an answer, but I want your opinion before I move ahead. First, why did I go to law school, I wondered. The answer is simple: to get a good job. What for? To make a lot of money. Again, what for? To live comfortably... "What's 'a lot of money?' Six figures is very comfortable, and seven figures is wealthy. But what do I do? You see, Chip's net worth is in _nine_ digits! I won't talk about my parents, though. There's no description for a net worth in ten digits, rapidly approaching eleven. Well, back to my problem. I concluded there is no way I could possibly make as much money as Chip Cartwright. Furthermore, what could we possibly do with it if I could? If you have an answer to that one, I certainly don't. If I can't make money, what can I do?" With a brilliant smile now lighting her face, she said, "I'll make babies! _That's_ something I can do, and it's something that Chip can't possibly even compete in. I checked with my gynecologist and she says I was made to carry babies." Tears were in her eyes as she continued, "That's really what it's all about, isn't it? Chip puts his magnificent sex into my body and floods me with his fluids. Nine months later a baby appears. I'm proud of my breasts -- they are high and firm with neat little nipples. Now I think of the feeling of an infant suckling at that breast, enlarged with warm, wonderful milk to nourish it." Tears were flowing in a stream now. "When I think about it, I feel wonderful inside. Just think! A piece of my love, Chip, and our love for each other just begins to grow insideme." Turning to Chip she said, "There's one problem, darling. I am going to give you back the gorgeous engagement ring you gave me. You see, I trapped you in the most unfair manner possible. I just explained how the whole damned firm ganged up on you. Besides, if I don't, I'll have my hunting license revoked. You see, what I did meets any reasonable test of outrageously unsportsmanlike conduct." With that she slipped the ring off her finger and went towards him. Before she had taken two steps, Chip was on his feet and holding her in his arms. He hugged her tightly and felt her tears on his cheek. After kissing her with all the passion he could muster and feeling the wonderful electricity flow between them, he said, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, "Who the hell cares? Look, lady, you will have no use for that hunting license, ever again. You have me, and you're stuck with me!" Looking out at the guests with his arm around her waist, Chip said, "I have never been so thrilled in my life! Connie says she wants to carry my children. And you know what? I believe her." Turning back to her he said, "My darling, thank you for giving me the best reason possible for marrying you. I adore you!" The two merged into a passionate embrace. When they separated, Chip still had his arm around her waist as Connie said to Ali, "Mom, just think! I haven't even started work yet!" Ali and Bill took the young couple in their arms and congratulated them again. Then Ali looked out over the room and said, "Connie, thank you. I have never been more moved by a statement in my life. Darling daughter, you and Chip certainly do have your priorities straight.Chapter 23 Bill returned to the microphone and was about to call on his son, Bill, for a final toast when Ken Carlson rose from his seat. He said, "Mr. Clifford, we've heard a number of stories this afternoon that were pretty good. However, this was billed earlier as a gripe session. Sir, you haven't heard yet from the people who _really_ have something to gripe about: the men. With your permission, sir, I would like to say a few words." Bill grinned, thinking about all the jokes regarding the Clifford & Jamison's Husbands' Protective Association, many of which he had originated himself. "Come ahead, Ken. I think you may really be on to something." Ken came up to the podium carrying a chair with Kathy following behind him. When Bill asked about Kathy's presence, Ken replied with a grin, "Sir, this afternoon my wife is going to serve as a sort of teaching aid -- although she doesn't yet know how." He placed the chair for Kathy and gave her a warm kiss. Then he went to the microphone and waited for the conversational buzz to die down. The women were particularly interested because while they each knew pretty well what the other women were going to say, Ken's presence was a complete mystery. Ken Carlson, Kathy's husband was a very good-looking young man standing six feet three with a very powerful build. All Bill knew was that he was finishing that spring at UCLA Law School and they were now working out together. Ken began, "Good afternoon. I would like to tell you folks a short story about a family: the Carlson family. "You see, Kathy and I are different. I realized today that a year ago, none of the couples here were together. Everything you heard so far today has happened since Bill and Ali Clifford were married one year ago. Or almost everything. You see, Kathy and I were already married when the events you have already heard about began to unfold. "I served as an infantry officer in the Army. When I completed my service, I was engaged to marry Kathy Hughes. We were engaged through my first awful year of law school and married the following summer. We are both from small towns in northern California and were new to Los Angeles. Our honeymoon was very nice and we came here to our little apartment to live. Our life together was idyllic -- or at least it was American standard. "After the first rush of passion on our honeymoon, we settled into the standard fare. Every Saturday night after putting her hair up in rollers and putting on her face cream, Kathy would climb into bed, pull the hem of her nightgown up towards her waist and spread her legs. Of course, we had the TV next to the bed so Kathy could watch it while I entertained myself between her thighs." As he said it, he could hear Kathy, sitting behind him, trying to muffle her giggles. Without even looking, he knew that her head was bobbing up and down in agreement. "Kathy was really great, though. When I finished, she tried not to make a face but would wait for the next commercial break to go into the bathroom and douche herself. She was really passionate, though. We heard of some wives who could read a book while their husbands were playing, but with Kathy's passion running so high, it was all she could do to follow the jokes on _Saturday Night Live._ Ken stopped as the audience cracked up with laughter. "What's so funny?" he inquired, appearing to be puzzled. "Isn't that the way all American married couples behave? Anyway, our sex life was pretty good. For example, if I squeezed one of her buns, she didn't even slap my face very hard. If I tried to feel her tit, she was relatively gentle when she poked her elbow in my stomach. Of course, it was a little hard to reach her tit, protected as it was by the armor of the serviceable bra she always wore." Kathy's giggles had now turned into full-bore laughter. Turning to her he asked, "What's so funny? It's true isn't it?" Tears of laughter were running down her face but she was able to say, "Absolutely, darling. Everything you have said has been the God's honest truth." Rising to her feet so the people could see her, she said, "Except for one thing. I was slapping you and poking you as hard as I could. It was just that I wasn't very strong in those days." Kathy looked gorgeous in a green strapless cocktail dress held up only by her proud young breasts. She had a golden tan and there were beautiful blonde sun streaks through her lovely brown hair. Her figure was slender and perfect. She sat down again but continued to giggle, remembering. "Oh," Ken exclaimed, "I nearly forgot. In those days Kath had a classic female figure. You know, with lots of nice padding on her hips and upper thighs, and a nice soft ass that provided lots of cushioning. And tits? Hers were like warm white marshmallows, but not quite that firm. In those days she had a lovely milky complexion... You know, sort of like nice white library paste?" This time Kathy's burst of laughter stopped him. Turning, he saw his wife doubled up in the chair with laughter while still trying to nod her head in agreement. Ken shook his head, feigning puzzlement, and continued, "Our life together? Wonderful. Keep in mind I was in school. When I came home there were no distractions. I was served a gourmet meal from some can or other -- on weekends we sometimes went hog wild with TV dinners -- and then I got to my studying. Nothing interfered. Sometimes I would start to feel sort of amorous, but that feeling was easily handled. Unless it was Saturday, Kathy inevitably had a headache. But as I said, there was a lot of romance in our life together: Kathy kissed me goodnight almost every day. "This continued until about this time last year. We were starting to have money problems. Since we were operating on my savings, student loans and military educational benefits, money was pretty tight. Unfortunately, a gap was starting to open up between income and outgo, and it looked like it would only get worse. You see, Kathy wasn't working then. She had a full day keeping up with the soap operas..." After looking around the room, Ken demanded, "Why do you look so skeptical? Do you realize how complex some of those plots are? Do you honestly believe that you can follow their ins and outs without careful attention to the stories each day?" With a quick grin he continued, "But I digress. At any rate, Kathy had worked as a legal secretary back home, and learned of a new law firm here in LA that was hiring. She went downtown and when she got home, she was pretty excited. It looked like she was going to get the job, but that wasn't what she wanted to talk about. All she could talk about was the most beautiful green-eyed, auburn-haired girl who was one of the name partners. "Life continued along at the Carlson manse without many changes. Now, of course, meals were more abbreviated because Kathy had to work. What it came down to was I had a choice of cans -- pick one. But that was fine because I had a lot of time to get my work done. A few weeks later, though, things started to change, although I didn't notice it right away. First, she came home bubbling one night. It turned out that the senior partner, Mrs. Clifford, had appeared that day. All Kathy could talk about was the golden vision with eyes as blue as the Pacific. I didn't know what to make of it," Ken said looking around the room puzzled. "My wife almost sounded like she was becoming a lesbian or something. That night I noticed the first change. Kathy pulled the shoulder strap of her nightgown down at least two inches and looked at herself in the mirror. I was almost certain she was admiring her pale complexion, but there seemed to be more to it. Hell," he said abruptly, "I couldn't figure it out." Ken paused and looked around the room and there was a look of foreboding on his features as he continued, "Then things started to change. The most remarkable thing I noticed was coming home one night and finding Kathy at the sink -- peeling a carrot! All by herself, too. I didn't think she knew what a carrot looked like, except for a picture on the can." Again, there was an explosion of laughter from Kathy sitting behind him. "Awhile later, things really began to get out of hand. One night I came up behind her, again at the sink, and tried to grab a feel of her tit. The first shock came when I reached into her blouse and touched -- a bare tit! There was no bra!" Ken looked around the room conveying his sense of surprise. "But that wasn't the end. I guess I was so stunned at feeling her warm tit, I was almost completely unaware of what happened next. Do you know what she did? Did she clobber me like any good girl would? Hell, no! She just turned her head and raised her lips for a kiss, while she just leaned back against me. I didn't know what to do, so I kissed her. Then she just murmured, 'Thank you, darling. Did you like it? Is it firm enough for you?' Can you believe it? "The next time, I was behind her and was going to squeeze her bun. I reached under her skirt and was shocked. She wasn't wearing her girdle! There was no armor left. But it immediately got much worse. She put her hands on the edge of the sink for support, then pulled up her skirt in the back and whispered, 'Darling, why don't you just pull down my bikini and take me like this?' I was so stunned, I did. I lifted her spread legs and entered her from the rear while she kept peeling the carrot. When I came in her she dropped the carrot and the peeler and screamed with the ecstasy of her own cuming. "Now things started going down hill at a hell of a rate. For some reason, her headaches went away. She would even allow me to make love to her _during the week!"_ Looking around the room, Ken now had a sorrowful look on his face. He said, "I don't want to bore you with the details. Let me just fill you in on a couple of events and then come forward to the present. First, in late fall last year, Kathy came home in a state of shock. You see, she was earning $25,000 a year, and we were both delighted. First, she came home with a check for $5,000 -- it was some type of bonus. That came after I told Kathy how much I loved her and how much our life together had changed." Ken grimaced and added, "I should have kept my big mouth shut! "There were other changes. I was reminded by Karen Gaudli earlier." Turning to Bill, Ken said, "Just a comment on Karen's competence in English. Mostly, she gets it right, but I miss the 'like... you know' that American kids use to salt their speech. Bill, you'll have to tell her that one cannot have real American speech without dropping the word 'like' at random at least three times in each sentence." There was a pause as the guests again broke up with laughter. Then he continued, "As I was saying, she reminded me. It came shortly after the bonus. When I came home and looked in the refrigerator, I see a bottle of Dom Perignon. I ask Kathy, but she was uncharacteristically vague. Later, I found out." Ken rolled his eyes and repeated, "Did I ever find out! "We were in bed, and Kathy was nude -- the nightgowns had disappeared. I was reading when suddenly I feel this wonderful sensation in my groin. I look down and Kathy is just kneeling beside me, fondling my sex. The next thing I know she is between my legs, working on me with her mouth. When I cum, she's swallowing as fast as she can. I was utterly stunned. The first time I mentioned that possibility to her, she slapped me so hard it loosened two teeth, so -- being a fast learner -- I gave up on the idea. But she had done it on her own! It wasn't over, though. She hops out of bed and goes out to the kitchen, without even a bathrobe, by the way -- another first. She comes padding back with the champagne, pops the cork, and pours two glasses. She sips hers, smiles and licks her lips. You know what she says?" he asked, looking around the room. "She said, 'Darling, Ali is right. You are delicious washed down with DomPerignon!'" At this point Ken blushed and edded, "She got back into bed, looked at me, and spread her legs. One of her fingers was playing with her slit. There was a visible wanting in her eyes, so I went between her legs and went down on her." Looking around the room again he grinned and added, "For those of you who may not know it, a woman's love juices are marvelous washed down with champagne, too. "Then in December, Kathy came home so excited, she couldn't even speak. All she could do was show me a check, payable to her, for $35,000. She could only mumble something about a bonus. The next thing was the Christmas party. It was my first opportunity to meet these paragons up close. I was introduced to Ali Clifford and my jaw dropped. If I remember correctly, I was utterly incoherent. All I could do was to ask her who she wanted us to kill." Ken stopped speaking and again looked around. "Want to know something? If Ali had given me a name, I probably would have. "Let me jump ahead to the present so you can see the problem in perspective. First, Kathy's appearance. Now she is slim and golden with wonderful firm tits. The funny thing is, I don't think she actually lost any weight. She just... rearranged... the pounds a bit. Our sex life? The woman is utterly insatiable! But it is so much worse. She is diabolical! Honest, she is. "Remember me talking about our gourmet cuisine from a can? I haven't seen a can in months. Kathy is a gourmet chef, and that's part of the diabolical plot. Now, if you'll excuse the bluntness, my balls are drained absolutely dry. I hide out at the law library to keep away from her constant physical attacks on my body. The devilishness? I get hungry. Then I'm starving. Now we even have the money to afford to eat out, so I could pick up a wonderful Big Mac at McDonald's." Ken looked crushed as he wailed, "But I can't! I really can't. I think of Kathy's food, my mouth begins to water, and I go home to the torture that I know will come. When I reach the apartment door, my knees weaken. I know the tortures in store for me, _but I go in anyway!_ She is that diabolical -- she makes me assist in my own physical destruction. "When I unlock the door, the worst is over, you see, because now things are out of my hands. It starts the same way every night: Kathy is at the door and melts me with a kiss." Looking sad, he said, "Let me digress for a moment. As some of you may know, the Eskimos have over thirty different words for snow. The words describe in some detail exactly what the snow is like. With Kathy, a full dictionary could be written with names assigned to her kisses. Each is different, but all melt me -- I inevitably end up as a glob of warm mush. "So the suspense begins at the door: What is tonight's kiss going to be like? Related to that is a broader question: What's in store for me tonight? "What do I mean by that? Well, for example, one night Kathy was wearing a fitted top that accented her gorgeous chest, along with her gold necklace, gold earrings, and full makeup. (That was a change, too, because now she never wears any makeup.) The only thing was, she was wearing nothing below the waist except for black heels." Ken appeared to remember something and snapped his fingers, "Oh! I almost forgot! She had carefully rouged her nether lips to highlight her cunt. Another night she was wearing a floor-length black skirt -- and nothing else. Later in the evening, I found out that what had appeared to be a normal skirt, wasn't. It turned out that it was fabricated with four panels, each only attached to the waist band, but not attached to each other. The panels were attached to overlap one another. It appeared to be an intact skirt until Kathy moved her leg. She took my hand and showed me where the openings were. But most often, she's nude" Looking around the room he asked, "Why are you all laughing? Have you ever tried to eat a gourmet meal while staring at the most beautiful pair of tits with the cutest little nipples God ever created? "Food? My God, the food! The finest foods, wines, cheeses, desserts... night after night after night. When we finish, she raises her arms and I'm expected to carry her to bed. Needless to say, Kathy no longer _has_ a nightgown... Or a bra... Or a slip... About all she has are a few fine clothes and a collection of Levi's which fit her like a second skin along with a bunch of washed-out chambray shirts. These she wears almost every day." He just shook his head, remembering, then continued. "Now the moment of truth arrives: we're in bed, and my agony begins in earnest. She does the same thing every night: after undressing me, she kneels between my legs and worships my sex. She focuses on my balls, weighing them and gently kneading them between her fingers as she tries to figure how many episodes I will be able to make that night before I'm drained dry again. "I want to mention something else about the food. If it's thought to be an aphrodisiac, Kathy serves it. More to the point, my balls are larger than they've ever been. I guess when they're being used to the limit of capacity day after day after day, it will happen. Anyway, then Kathy figures out how she is going to empty me. Creative? Oh, God! Again, she uses her body to make me want to destroy myself. She's insidious! "Oh, I nearly forgot! I said that each night begins with a kiss? Well, every night ends the same way: My balls are drained completely dry and they ache! Kathy knows it, too, so she will tenderly kiss my prick and lick my balls in appreciation. Of course, this follows my eating out her glorious cunt." He looked around at the guests and said, "She insists. First, I need the good protein and second, look at the money she's saving by not having to buy douche products." Anyway, then she'll kiss my lips, put her head on my right shoulder, place my right hand on her tit, mold her body to mine and go to sleep. As I'm collapsing in exhaustion, I feel this magnificent body molding itself to mine. "The mornings are the same, as well. If I awaken first, I lightly squeeze her tit. If she does, she squeezes my hand." Ken grinned and shook his head, adding, "Now we're playing a little game: To see how little pressure awakens the other. You would be amazed at how little it is now. Anyway, I roll between her widespread thighs and enter her. How I'm able to get up, I don't know, but I immediately drain any semen I may have accumulated overnight into her loins. Then, while I'm showering and shaving, Kathy is preparing an incredible breakfast which is on the table waiting for me when I come out. Of course, if it's a working day, she's impatient to get to work herself to see her buddies." Ken looked around at the crowd and shook his head in dismay. "You hear me, but you don't really understand, do you? Earlier, I described Kathy's appearance at the time of our marriage. I won't attempt to describe her appearance now." Turning to Kathy he said, "Darling, please take off all of your clothes." Kathy merely winked, then stepped out of her shoes, and unzipped her dress in the back, allowing it to fall to the floor. She slid her stockings down her legs and then slipped off her bikini. Coming around from behind the rostrum she stood with her head up straight and one leg slightly in front of the other. Turning to Ken with her eyes shining as brilliantly as diamonds she asked softly, "Darling, do you approve?" He put his arms around her, pulled her close, and softly kissed her. As he did, he could feel her chafing her nipples on the material of his jacket. Meanwhile, the guests had gasped and were gaping in amazement. This beautiful young woman's body was now revealed to be feminine perfection. Her breasts were thrusting upward proudly with no need for any support. Her stomach was flat, and there were a series of magnificent curves flowing from her slim waist to her slender hips, and down her gorgeous legs. Her buns were small and very firm. Ken eased away from her, swallowed hard, and asked, "Honey, will you just walk down to the end of the head table and then come back?" She did as he asked, and then looked up at him quizzically. Ken looked around at the guests and said, "Perhaps I owe you an apology, and I guess I owe my wife one. What are we doing with a nude woman at a wedding reception -- particularly when she's not even the bride?" He grinned and answered his own question. "Well, first of all, this isn't really an ordinary wedding reception as I'm sure you've all figured out already. But beyond that, I realized there was no bachelor party last night -- primarily because Bill Clifford wasn't a bachelor. Nevertheless, bachelor parties are famous -- in cartoons, at least -- for having a nude girl appear out of a cake. We don't have the fake cake, but we do have my wife, Kathy. "The real reason, though, is what I alluded to earlier: she's my necessary teaching aid. Remember how I described her breasts when we were first married? Like marshmallows, but not nearly that firm? Now look." Reaching out his hand towards her, he took Kathy's and drew her backward towards himself. With her standing in front of him, he put his arms around her and then cupped her breasts in his large hands. Kathy just leaned back against him, then closed her eyes to savor the feeling. "First, the size. You may have noticed that I have large hands with long fingers. Notwithstanding, I can't get fully around her tits. Consistency? Firm yet yielding to the touch. Sensitive? You can see her nipples are turgid and, in fact, starting to throb in their erection." He lightly stroked her nipples with his finger tips and Kathy let out an involuntary scream of ecstasy. "Sensitivity? Well, you saw her reaction to a very light touch. "Hair?" Now he lightly stroked her head, following the natural waves in her hair. "I married a brunette. Now, I'm not sure what I have." Ken looked around the room and finally picked out Henry Hall sitting at a table in the corner. "Here today, as I was almost certain he would be, is Henry Hall. For those of you -- including myself, until a few months ago -- who know nothing of the film business, Henry has so many Academy Awards for hair styling I think he's stopped counting. In fact, rumor has it that he uses at least one of his Oscars as a doorstop. All Henry does is the hair styling for the most important films -- and the personal styling for Clifford & Jamison. Incidentally, I learned that the hair stylist on a film seldom actually works on hair. That's left to his minions. With the firm, though, all of Henry's work is his own." Looking at Henry, Ken asked, "Henry, how would you describe Kathy's hair?" Hall rose from his chair, still shaking his head following Ken's description of him. He said, "Ken, her hair has wave, body, and the most fascinating natural color streaks from the sun I have ever seen. Working on Kathy is always a challenge for two reasons: First, I have to figure out how best to show off her coloring, but second, because her coloring is different every time I see her, I have to figure out a different way each time. Then, of course, there's the standard Clifford & Jamison problem..." "Standard problem?" Ken asked. "What, exactly, is that?" Henry was grinning broadly as he replied, "It's two problems, really, although they are closely related. First, I always have to allay their fears with respect to the primary question: 'Will my man like me that way?'" He shook his head and continued, "Ken, I could shave Kathy's head bald in two seconds flat if I could convince her that you would like it. You are absolutely the only one that counts." Henry grinned broadly and said, "And you know something else? I may try it sometime because it sure as hell would solve the second problem: The hairdo must hold together without pins or clips. It cannot possibly require anything to be done to it before she goes to bed -- other than brushing it, perhaps -- and it must be able to survive overnight with her head on your shoulder. This is not unique to Kathy, I hasten to add. As I said before, it's the standard Clifford & Jamison problem and applies to all of the other girls, too." Now Henry addressed himself to all the guests rather than focusing on Ken. He said, "It was embarrassing to hear Ken's introduction this afternoon. Yet -- with no modesty at all -- it is accurate. Why do I do it, you might wonder. The answer is very simple. First, I love these girls. I really do. It began with Ali and just grew. I don't know how she does it, but Ali Clifford has cornered the market on beautiful brainy women. More accurately, though, they are women who are comfortable with themselves and madly in love with their men. Moreover, without a single exception, they have magnificent hair that is a joy to work with. "The highest praise I can receive is to hear Kathy, for example, squeal with delight and exclaim, 'Oh, Henry, Ken will adore it!' Finally, though, there is the technical challenge. It's really quite easy to get a film star ready to go in front of a camera. If necessary, I can almost glue every damned hair in place. With these girls, there is no compromise with their most important requirement: to be beautiful for their men when they're together in bed. Now _that's_ a tough assignment! But I love it and love them." With a smile, he concluded, "Does that answer your question, Ken?" Ken lightly stroked his wife's beautiful hair as she leaned back against him making warm noises deep in her body. Henry had sat down, but then stood up again. "Ken," he asked, "Could you do me a favor?" Ken was puzzled but instantly agreed. "A few minutes ago I said Kathy would want me to shave her head if she was persuaded you would like her that way. Well, it started me thinking. Would you please pull Kathy's hair back around her ears and close against her skull?" Again, Ken did it, relishing the feeling of her lustrous hair in his hands. As he did it, he realized that Kathy was totally unaware of her nudity. Meanwhile, Henry looked closely at the effect and then exclaimed, "That's it! That's what we're going to have to do." Ken released her hair and Kathy turned her head to look up at him. Both were baffled at whatever it was Henry was talking about. "Kathy," Henry explained, "you have the daintiest, most beautiful ears I have ever seen on a human head. I'll let you in on a secret. Why do you think most hairdos cover the ears? The answer is obvious, really. For the large majority of people, it is the single least-attractive feature of the human head. Yours, Kathy, are exquisite. Moreover, you are intensely feminine in appearance. What I asked Ken to do was let me see what you would look like with your hair cut short on the sides, coming together in a duck-tail at the back. It's basically a man's hair style, but no one would ever mistake you for a man! Kathy," he said with a grin, "that's the perfect easy-care hairdo for you." Kathy promised to think about it, but she was not convinced. Then she turned to Ken, kissed him softly, and asked, "Is show-and-tell over for today, darling?" "Not yet... but almost. Golly, Kathy, I had to bring you all the way to school and everything... You ought to be good for a little more," he replied with a grin and a wink. He turned her so she was still facing the people and said, "One more thing: her complexion. Kathy, simply stated, is one of Ali's golden girls. I guess you noticed -- they're all here today, so it's easy enough to check -- all of Ali's girls come in one color: gold. There are shades, of course, and some variation in hair color, but the bodies are a single color: gold." He ran his fingers lightly over her loins, up her belly, and lightly caressed her breasts as he continued, "The skin is like satin -- smooth, luscious and utterly flawless. Running my fingers over her body as I just did produces a glorious sensation. To the touch, it feels like a satin surface. But there's so much more. You see, the skin is a smooth surface covering finely toned muscles that respond to the touch. Kathy is as lithe, flexible, and limber as a cat. In fact, that's what the group reminds me of: a grou of golden panthers -- and I don't even know if there is such an animal. They move with the same smoothness and muscular grace -- and they're at least as deadly! "Two final points: First, you could see her dancer's grace as she walked across the room earlier. But second, did you see her blush? If you thought it might have been hidden by her golden tan, it wasn't. There are two reasons for this, in turn. First, it was me who asked her to take off her clothes and I was right here. Another hallmark of Ali's girls: if they are physically capable of doing what a loved one asks, they will -- immediately, no questions asked. The second reason?" Ken grinned broadly and answered his own question, "Modesty is not this group's strongest suit. In fact, and in spite of the massive collective brains and education they have, I'm really not sure they even know what the word means." Turning Kathy to face him, he gently lifted her chin and kissed her softly. Instantly he felt the jolt of electricity as their lips touched. Realizing how attuned Kathy was to his wants, her hands were at her sides and the only points of contact were his finger under her chin and their lips. Nonetheless, Kathy's tongue darted into his mouth to meet his. The kiss was broken as he gently released her chin. "Darling, thank you. You can get dressed now." "Ken," she said, "There's something I want to do first. It's for my own protection as you will see. Darling, I need to work on you a bit." Turning to the guests Kathy said, "You've been listening to my husband bleeding all over the floor for hours. I think I deserve some reply time." As she was talking, she helped Ken off with his suit jacket, carefully untied his tie, and was unbuttoning his shirt. "You see," she continued, "I have been accused of brutality: torturing this poor unfortunate for months. For my own protection I think it's important that you see some things for yourself." As she finished speaking, she had unbuttoned his shirt cuffs and removed his shirt, leaving him bare to the waist. Ken was deeply tanned with a broad heavily-muscled upper body and powerful arms and shoulders. Stepping aside and using her finger as a pointer, she continued her lecture. "Standing here is this poor brutalized man. Look at all this yummy muscle mass!" Turning to the guests she exclaimed, "Girls, you can't believe what it feels like to lie on his body and feel those beautiful muscles tighten around you, crushing your tits on his chest. It's heavenly!" Then she ran her fingers lightly over his chest and upper arms, chafed her nipples against his chest while making happy sounds deep in her body. Then she seemed to remember where she was. She just shrugged and then stood with her arm next to his. "I think he implied I beat him up. How could I possibly? His arm would make at least four of mine. Look!" Then she licked her lips and added, "Isn't he luscious? And he's all mine!" Moving over to his left side, she pointed to a dimpled mark in his left shoulder. "Ken tried to sound like he was hiding in the closet during his Army service. Well, he should have hidden a little deeper in his foxhole. As an Army Ranger, Ken was leading his men on patrol when they were jumped from ambush. Rallying his troops, he drove off the enemy, killing a dozen or so by himself when he came to the relief of his trapped point element." Looking into Ken's eyes she asked, "Darling, do a small knee bend, please. You know what I want to do." Ken did, lowering his torso to the level of her breasts. Her nipple was still erect as she fitted it into the depression in his shoulder. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and melted him with a kiss. Turning back to the guests she said, "Ken has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Valor), the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart for his service to our country that he had defended so well. I happen to adore my certified hero, but so much for the weak little man being abused by the domineering female!" Still talking, she held Ken's shirt for him, and then proceeded to dress him again. The guests howled with laughter when, in the process of tucking in his shirt tails, she reached down inside his trousers and managed to squeeze his balls. Then there were more chuckles as she stuck out her tongue appearing to concentrate on retying his tie. Finally she helped him on with his coat and ostentatiously smoothed it out. Finally, standing on tiptoe, she kissed him softly and said with a wink at the guests, "There! Isn't he cute?" Turning back to Ken, she asked, "Darling, can I get dressed now? Is show-and-tell finally over?" He grinned and nodded. The guests were amazed at what happened next. Kathy quickly rolled her stockings up on her legs, slipped into her bikini and then her dress, zipped it up and stepped back into her shoes, all in less than ten seconds. "That's another trademark of Ali's girls, by the way," Ken commented. "They can be in or out of their clothes completely in less than fifteen seconds. Where in hell is all the body armor women used to wear?" He grinned at the guests, but then his expression changed. "I asked Kathy to undress, not to embarrass her, but to save a lot of words. How do you describe physical perfection in words? I don't know, but they say one picture is worth a thousand words. If that is so, what is one live woman worth, do you suppose? "But back to my problems." Turning to Ali he demanded, "Allison Clifford, when is my wife going to be able to take some vacation? She told me -- as usual, in a state of shock -- that she now gets four weeks vacation. But we can't take any." Ali was looking baffled as Ken turned back to the guests. "This brings me to one of the other insidious features of Clifford & Jamison." He shook his head and looked sorrowful as he said, "You have all heard of the Soviet's Gulag where they send political prisoners? Well, Ali doesn't have a Gulag so she uses Kapalua on Maui. You all heard me ask when Kathy could take some vacation? Please don't get the wrong idea -- she does have a little time off. You see, Clifford and Jamison believes in long weekends rather than vacations. A long weekend? Would you believe from Wednesday night to the following Thursday morning? Honest, it's true. "I've heard of major defense contractors based in, say, Boston, who do a lot of business in Washington booking a block of seats down on Monday and back on Friday. The company pays for them whether they are used or not. Ali? I swear she block-books on the Wednesday night flight to Maui. How does it work? Well, I'm really not sure. I'm pretty sure, though, that if the Army had the intelligence network in place that Ali does, my troops would have never been jumped by surprise the way we were." He shook his head in feigned disbelief and said, "I'll give you an illustration. A couple of weeks ago, a Friday class was canceled, there was just a paper due the following Tuesday that was already done -- in short, a light week. About two o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Sandy appears at Kathy's desk and announces that she looks tired and needs a little time off. As she says it she drops two round-trip tickets to Maui on her desk -- first class, of course. It works the same way, every time. It seems whenever I have a little free time, Ali learns of it and Kathy and I are shipped out. "That evening, Judy Jeffries and Mike Morris were on the same flight and the limo at the airport was meeting us both. Do you know how much money we spent for the entire week? I snuck into the newsstand at the airport and spent a whole quarter on a pack of gum. Ali paid for everything else. At any rate, what do we do at this sunshine torture chamber? It's terrible! It really is. After our morning lovemaking -- at six o'clock, for God's sake -- we're on the tennis court. "Actually, this last trip was easy because Judy and Mike were there, so we played doubles. Normally we would be alone, playing singles, and Kathy runs me ragged all over the damned court. This is followed by breakfast and then eighteen holes of golf. We eat lunch, then go out to the nude beach. You should see Kathy and Judy together. Aside from the difference in hair color, they could be twins. Like all of Ali's girls, it's as if they were born in the water. They move with the grace and power of dolphins. Mike and I vainly try to keep up. Christ! It's like a tugboat trying to keep up with a speedboat. "You know what's the worst, though?" Ken asked rhetorically. "It's what happens on the beach. We're all naked, of course, and here are the two girls basting us with suntan lotion and talking about us as if we're their next meal. How would you like to have your wife handling your sex organs while her girl friend manipulates her man's, while we're lying next to one another? While they're doing it, of course, they're comparing our relative merits. All they can talk about is our comparative ability to give them pleasure. They run their fingers over our bodies like we're meat." Ken appeared to sigh, remembering. Then he added, "I nearly forgot: there is, of course, lovemaking on the beach. There's no way the girls could make it to dinner any other way. "Anyway, then there is a brief respite -- just enough time to shower and change -- and then drinks, dinner, and back to bed." Ken tried to look sad as he looked around the room. Then he added, "Keep in mind, this goes on day after day after day. There's no letup!" "There's one thing more before I conclude this story. I realized something about the men of Clifford & Jamison recently. Mostly, they're pilots. Mike, of course, is a Marine. The common denominator? A combat life expectancy measured in seconds. I guess we're basically self-destructive -- and in these women we have the instruments of our own destruction!" Ken looked around plaintively and asked, "But what about me? I'm not a hero type. I'm just a poor grunt." Before he could continue, Kathy, again sitting behind him said loudly, "Army Ranger, turkey, and don't you forget it!" Rising to her feet so she could be seen, she added, "Folks, please don't buy into the 'poor little me' bit Ken is trying to sell you. I mentioned a Silver Star he won? That was awarded as the result of another Ranger patrol for about a dozen of the enemy that Ken killed with his bare hands!" She daintily stuck out her tongue at him and added, "He can manage to take care of himself." "Ignoring the interruption..." Ken turned and stuck out his tongue at Kathy, grinned, and turned back towards the guests, continuing, "I realized you have to be in pretty fair physical shape to keep up with these women. Anyway, the result was that I started working out. At first, I was by myself. Then Mike joined me. He was followed, in order, by Charley, Bill, Jack, Chip, and Billy. Even Brian, although he doesn't even live out here, was asking his brother about a place to work out. You heard about the Clifford & Jamison Husbands' Protective Association? Well, there really is one. But honestly, it doesn't really function very well." Ken shook his head in apparent dismay, then continued. "You see, we'll be sitting around in the men's grill after a workout. The last time, we even organized a poker game. Boy! Did we feel proud asserting our independence! Then someone wrecked it -- I don't know who." He looked around, shaking his head. "Damn it! It was probably me! I might have said, 'I wonder what Kathy's cooking for dinner tonight?' Please keep in mind that we had been sharing tales of our physical abuse for hours. We worked on our muscles because there was nothing we could do for the pain in our balls -- we were _all_ drained dry. "Anyway, what followed was reminiscent of one of those World War II RAF movies. You know the ones? The pilots are in the lounge relaxing, when the word comes down to scramble? Chairs and tables are knocked down in the rush to get through the door?" Ken now looked depressed. "That was us. Can you imagine? The pigs in a rush to get to the slaughterhouse? What's wrong with us, anyway? "There's one thing I forgot: Saturdays. Neither Kathy nor I have to work, so that's the day we can get things done around the apartment. Or it would be, I guess, if we could ever get out of bed. What usually happens? I'll tell you. It starts off a little differently from the other mornings: instead of me entertaining her, Kathy usually lies on top of me with her chin resting on her hands. I'm running my fingers lightly over her satin-smooth skin, and she's making wonderful noises deep in her body -- sort of like a panther's purr. "I remember one day when we were fairly new to all of this sex stuff. I commented on how beautifully firm her small buns were. She slid off me and just lay face-down on the bed while I stroked them. It felt wonderful." Ken looked around in apparent amazement and asked, "You know what happened then? Suddenly, with a lascivious grin on her face, Kath pulls her knees up under her body causing her lovely ass to be up in the air and says, 'If you like it so much back there, why don't you put something in the little hole?' "I almost fell off the bed when she added, 'Darling, I know it's something you've wanted to try for ages. It's still virgin for you.' I'll never forget the look of love on her face when she said that. Anyway, I usually spend a lot of Saturday just caressing Kathy's magnificent body and listening to her purr." Looking around the room, Ken shook his head and asked, "Wasn't there a movie one time entitled _Fatal Attraction?"_Chapter 24 Ken glanced at his watch and realized how long he had been talking. He shook his head and said, "Now I want to end this monologue. But before I do I want to tell you how I got my brand-new position with one of the top law firms in LosAngeles." Ken smiled and shook his head, saying, "Ali does enter into this story. You see, I didn't do too well in my first year of law school, and didn't really hit my stride until the second semester of my second year. The result is that I may not make the top 10 percent which seems to be the cut with respect to the recruiting of the top firms." He grinned and added, "Of course, with Kathy's help, I'm sure to make it, but it's the firms' performance expectation that determines their hiring patterns. "Anyway, I interviewed this one firm awhile ago. I was late. It was the second round of interviewing, although it was the first round for me. It seemed they were having a firm outing that Saturday and were inviting all of the firm candidates still in contention. Even though I certainly wasn't in, I wasn't out, either, so I was invited. It was one of those 'bring date... or wife, if you have to' sort of things. When we arrived, Kathy stood them on their collective ears! First, there's her natural beauty and grace. I think it's even more effective, though, because she's totally unaware of her effect on other people. She just focuses on me. "Anyway, to start, there was a mixed doubles tennis tournament -- we won -- followed by a mixed scrambles golf match. We won that, too. At the barbecue that followed, we were talking to some other people and a girl asked Kathy what she did. She said she worked at a law firm downtown. The girl looked at her and saw her beauty, her golden tan, and her dancer's movements. Then she asked in a hushed tone of voice, 'Clifford & Jamison?' Kathy nodded, and it was all over. The net of it was that every female in the Firm present -- including at least two partners -- mobbed her. They wanted to know how they could possibly join." Ken shook his head in exasperation. "I forgot something. I forgot how I happened to be talking to the firm in the first place. Well, since Kathy is a secretary and the Firm has great computers, she's been typing my papers for me. At least I thought she was typing them. In fact, it seems she was writing them, but I didn't even know it. When I had a paper to do, I would painfully write it out in longhand. Then we would drive downtown, Kathy would open the office, sit at her computer and type. I _thought_ she was typing my draft. It turns out that she has been totally rewriting it -- on the fly." He looked around the room and said, "I'll bet you can all remember sweating bullets, spending weeks sweating a term paper? I sure did. Can you imagine this woman writing a law school paper in the same time it would have taken her to just type mine? Can you?" Ken shook his head sadly and continued, "I don't know how long this has been going on, but I learned about it for the first time in a class one day. "The professor departed from his usual notes to read a student's paper. Mine! It cited a series of court cases culminating in a Supreme Court decision handed down only two months earlier. The paper showed the development of judicial thinking and indicated the probable future impact in the law and on business decision-making. It had to do with takings." Ken stopped and looked around, shook his head and continued, "There was only one small problem. Not only did I not write it, I was totally unaware of _any_ of the cases cited. At any rate, it seems the professor was a good friend of the managing partner of the law firm, Kevin Collins, and he raved to him about me and my paper. Well, Collins called his personnel people and they asked me to come in and talk. Personnel people don't like anything out of sequence, and I certainly was. The result was they didn't like me, but, because of the sponsorship of the managing partner, they didn't know what to do about me, either." Ken shook his head and added, "I asked Kathy about it when I got home. I accused her of changing my paper. Do you know what she said? She said, 'Of course I changed it, darling. That's what I do for a living. Surely, you don't think that Clifford & Jamison would mail out the babblings of our partners? I'm paid to put them into English. And if their citations are wrong or there are more recent ones, I change them.' She looked at me with her eyes wide and added, 'Darling, that's my job.' Then she smiled sweetly and added, 'Ginger's really great with clients, Sandy is incredibly persuasive with juries, and Ali... is just Ali. You really don't expect them to be able to write coherently, too, do you?' I also found out something else: It seems that in addition to being the only secretary serving four professionals, in her spare time my wife is the Firm's research department. She makes it her business to keep up on the latest decisions at both the state and federal levels." Ken shook his head and added, "How does she do it? I don't have a clue, but somehow, apparently, she does." When he mentioned "babblings," Ali started to laugh. Looking around the room, she saw that her partners were laughing, too. When Ken mentioned research, Ali perked up. She held up six figures and looked meaningfully, first at Ginger, then at Sandy. Both emphatically nodded. Taking advantage of the pause in Ken's speech, Ali said, "Katherine Hughes Carlson!" Kathy heard her name called and jerked up with a start. Ken was dumbstruck by the peremptory sound in Ali's words. Ali said, "Kathy, there has been a special meeting of the Clifford & Jamison Compensation Committee. You are receiving a raise of $5,000 per month, retroactive to January 1. Since today is a Firm holiday -- apparently -- we won't be able to give you the check for your back pay until tomorrow." Turning to Ken, Ali gave him a sunshine smile and said, "Ken, I apologize for the interruption. This has been very interesting. Please continue." Ken just shook his head and said, "Ali, I think I just heard you give my wife a $60,000-a-year raise. Did I?" Ali just grinned and nodded. "Why?" he asked. "But Ken, it's so simple," Ali replied. "There's not a law firm around that can run a full-bore research operation for less than $180,000 a year. Since we're basically pretty cheap, we thought that giving Kathy about one-third of what she's worth would be about right. What's your problem?" she asked with her eyeswide. Ken just shook his head sorrowfully and commented, "See what I mean? What chance do we have?" Again he shook his head and said, "Well, back to the story. Actually, we're now very close to the present -- this only happened last week. You see, on the Monday following the picnic I got a call from the law firm's personnel office. They wanted me to come in to see Kevin Collins, the managing partner, on Thursday. So I put on my good suit and drive in, dropping Kathy off at her office on the way. "When I'm ushered into his office, I'm amazed at the greeting -- it was like I was a long-lost brother or something. It seems that all he could talk about was my paper -- fortunately, Kathy had explained its content in terms that even I could understand; and what he heard about Kathy at the picnic. Well, I'm sort of basking in his compliments when he suddenly drops a bomb. I may have even jerked up straight in my chair when I heard him, I really don't remember. You see, it was one o'clock and we had just returned from a sandwich lunch when he unloads. He snaps his fingers and said, 'Damn! I almost forgot. My wife, Lillian, heard about you and Kathy and wants to meet you both. We have reservations for dinner at the club on top of this building for six. Kathy can join us, can't she?' "I wanted to die! Here it is, one o'clock, and we have a dinner date at six. At the same time, the other thing I remembered vividly was what Kathy wore to work: her Levi's and a work shirt." Ken swallowed hard, remembering. "But then I thought of the bright side," he continued with a grin. "When I told Kathy, she would take off my head, permanently putting me out of my misery. So with that cheerful thought, I call her from Collins' office. When I tell her, what do you suppose she does? Does she scream? Threaten divorce? Threaten to kill me? Not Kathy. I almost fell over when all she says is, 'Six o'clock, dear? In the lobby of their building?' I confirm it to her. "Because of my feeling of terror, the rest of the afternoon is a complete blank. I don't have the first clue today what I did, who I saw, or what I might have said. All I could think of was Kathy arriving in her blue jeans. A little before six, Lillian Collins arrives and I am introduced. My heart drops through the floor. You see, it was even worse than I feared: Lillian is one of those women you see every day on the society pages: perfectly coifed, dressed in the latest fashion, and expensively jeweled. Poor Kathy in her Levi's was going to die of embarrassment. "Then we go down to the lobby and walk towards the sidewalk." Ken looked around and said, "Remember all those old prison movies? The condemned man's last walk to the electric chair or gas chamber? Now I know exactly how they feel. Anyway, as we reached the door -- the whole front of the building is glass -- I see a very familiar-looking grey limousine pull up. Fred Clark jumps out and hurries around to the passenger side to open the door. Who steps out, looking like she is stepping from the pages of _Vogue_ -- to overuse a phrase? Kathy. "I see her squeeze Fred's hand, and I'll bet ten dollars he winked at her with his eye that was away from the building. Kathy walks in wearing a mink stole, a suit in brown that complemented her hair and eyes that cost more than a year's pay, worn with a white silk blouse and magnificent gold jewelry. She greets me with a melting kiss and then I introduce the Collins. Kevin's jaw had dropped; only Lillian had the aplomb to greet Kathy warmly." He interrupted his narrative to interject, "I found out later that Lil is the daughter of the founding partner of the firm; most of the money in the firm is hers and she has the last word on all key decisions. "There's something else I should tell you all at this point. You may remember that, at the beginning of this talk, I said that Kathy and I were from small towns in northern California. Well, that is certainly true. They are _very_ small towns. We met in college. We went to the same state university which, until just a few years ago, was a cow college. The most polite thing I could say about our social graces is that they are nonexistent -- or so I thought. Suffice it to say that in terms of our social experience, the biggest event we ever attended was last year's Clifford & Jamison Christmas party. In that connection we were both scared stiff and only went because all the people were close friends and Kathy finally convinced me they would forgive any social gaffes we might have made. "What happened that day? Well, in view of all the stories you heard today, I'm sure you know the answer. After hanging up the phone from my call Kathy tells Ali, and Ali mobilizes the troops. Comparatively speaking -- compared to some of the other stories you heard today -- this one was simple. It was only one outfit, after all. The fur stole -- with Kathy's own monogram, of course; the jewelry? Just nick-knacks, with one exception: There was a ladies Rolex from Ali, of course, engraved 'To the most wonderful secretary in the world, with all my love, Ali.' Kathy was crying tears of joy when she showed me the engraving later that night. "At any rate, we go up to the club, and to make a long story short, Kathy is the smash hit of the evening. She was utterly captivating, and just exuded beauty and charm. Lillian adored her, and it was all Kevin could do to keep his jaw from hanging open. What does Kathy do? All she does is create opportunities to tell them what a wonderful lawyer I am. Incidentally, I nearly forgot: her hairdo was one of Henry's classics, appropriate to the occasion of impressing a future boss. Things are going great and it's late in the evening when Kathy says something that causes me to almost fall off my chair. What does she say? She asks the Collins if they are free Saturday evening because she would love to have them over for dinner! Before anyone else can say a word, Lillian says they have a symphony box for Saturday night, but she would give away the tickets because they so wanted to come. "The next day -- Friday -- I'm so scared, I can't see straight. Kathy? I've never seen her more relaxed. You should know that Kathy and I have never entertained _anyone_ at our apartment, except maybe for some friends for pizza and beer. Her gourmet cooking had been for me alone. Anyway, on Saturday morning after our good-morning lovemaking, she informs me that the girls had organized a golf match with Mike, Bill, Charley and me. To make it even plainer, she told me to get the hell out of the apartment because she was going to be busy. My only instruction? To be home at five-thirty, showered. The Collins were due at six. "When I get home and open the door, I almost closed it again. Somehow, you see, I had entered the wrong apartment." Ken shook his head sadly and said, "I hadn't. The apartment had been completely refurnished. It looked like a feature story in _Apartment Living._ But you heard those stories before from Joan and Connie. When I go in, I find Kathy looking like a dream in a hostess gown -- I find out later, of course, that it was absolutely all she was wearing. Everything is laid out and the table is beautifully set with dinnerware we didn't have. Anyway, I go into the bedroom to change. Since everything in it was brand new, I almost wasn't ready because of all the time it took to find my clothes. Then promptly at six the Collins appear. I really don't know how Kathy did it. You see, she handled all the cooking and serving herself. But in spite of that, it seemed she was always just sitting, chatting in the living room and nursing a glass of dry sherry. Lillian Collins was so excited, she couldn't see straight. The hors d'oeuvres, for example, were tiny works of art that tasted divine. "Finally, we are called to the dining room. Kathy begins with pate de foie gras with truffles, served with a vintage Chablis. Then she serves tournedos Rossini, souffle potatoes -- you know, those little french fries that look like little balloons? This is accompanied by a vintage Bordeaux that probably costs a year's pay. She follows it with a salad, and then crepes Suzette for dessert. Is it over? Don't be silly. She follows that with fresh fruit and assorted cheeses. This is followed by coffee. By now, it's nearly ten o'clock -- we had been at the table for almost three hours. Then she brings out a bottle of cognac I had heard about but never seen, Remy Martin's Louis XIII, pours more coffee and disappears again. When she returns, she is lighting a Corona corona for Kevin. She gives it to him with a smile that melts him to his chair. Then she repeats it with me. Finally, she lights a thin light panatella for Lillian, and then one for herself. "I'll never forget the look on Lillian Collins' face! She just held the cigar in her fingers and looked at it. Then she sees Kathy take a puff on hers, so she tries hers, too. She loved it! When everyone was finished, Kathy shooed Kevin and me out to the living room with our cognac and a couple of more cigars. "While we're sitting there feeling so expansive we could conquer the world, I start to worry. You see, I could hear the two women in the kitchen. Of course I couldn't hear any words, but I certainly heard some very sexy-sounding giggles from Lillian. When it was time to leave, my fears were confirmed. Lil and Kathy were acting very conspiratorial and I saw the characteristic shape of a Dom Perignon bottle in a paper bag Lillian was carrying in her hand. Incidentally, when I closed the door after the Collins left, I turn and find Kathy has unzipped her hostess gown all the way. She's just standing there with her hands on her hips with the gown framing her magnificent nude body! "Was that the end of the night for me? I should be so lucky! I move towards Kathy and all she does is take off my coat and tie, unbutton my shirt and sit me in a brand-new easy chair. Then she brings a small bench into the living room and puts on a tape. What is she doing? What the hell would you think she would be doing? She was replicating Jennifer's exotic routine for me. I have never seen a woman move the way Kathy did that night!" Turning to Jennifer, Ken asked, "By the way, how did your act end? You told us earlier that a part of it had you kneeling on the stage with your knees spread wide, and then bending over backward so the audience could see your gaping cunt. Unfortunately, that's as far as Kathy got." Ken frowned and added, "I guess it's more accurate to say that it was as much as I could take! When she spread her knees, I could see how wet she was with her wanting, so I took her on the floor the way she was." Ken sighed and smiled happily, remembering. "Sunday was a delight. I spent it in our brand-new bed on our crisp, new sheets, while the most beautiful, most loving female creature God ever created alternately runs her fingers over my body with a touch of feathers, or kisses me all over with her wonderful soft lips!" Ken shook his head, murmured, "Wow!" and continued, "At any rate, I left it with Kevin that I was supposed to come in again on Monday morning because he had a very light schedule that day. When I enter his office and see him, I'm shocked. Here is the managing partner of one of the biggest law firms in town with an incredible shit-eating grin on his face. When we shake hands, I could almost swear I heard him murmur, 'God! Lil gives great head!'" The guests howled with laughter as Ken just shook his head. "I thought I had been imagining things when the phone rang. Kevin lighted up like a Christmas tree, hung up, and virtually threw me out of the office. Of course, it wasn't before he offered me a position at $100,000 a year. He was in such a hurry, you know what he did? He said, 'Ken, I was going to work out the details with you -- bonus, vacation, profit-sharing, that sort of stuff. Hell, you know what you want. Why don't you just fill in the blanks and drop it off back here at the office.' As he was hustling me out the door, there's Lillian waiting outside the door... with another bottle of Dom Perignon!" Ken just shook his head in apparent puzzlement, but then brightened. "You know, I think I've solved some puzzles today. For example, how does any work ever get done at Clifford & Jamison? The answer is clear: somehow they accomplish more in ten minutes than other firms do in ten days. It frees up their time for more important things... Like working out... Like enticing their men. "You know, I mentioned the costumes Kathy wore? Where do you suppose they all came from? They're from that... that... space... they call a conference room. The girls are all near physical duplicates -- there's a small variation in height but not enough to matter. So they just swap these things around." Ken looked around the room and said, "There you have it. Or most of it. There's one more point I need to make, though. You've heard me bleating about how beat up and run down I am? Well, to settle it once and for all, I made an appointment to see my doctor last week. Kathy insisted on coming along. I should tell you that my doctor is a high-school classmate, and he's known Kathy for a long time. "Anyway, I'm shown into his office. Does Kathy sit in the waiting room? Hell, no!" He looked around at the ceiling and than appeared to get an idea. "Now I know!" he exclaimed. "Have you ever seen a cat with a mouse? It just watches the mouse, occasionally licking its lips. It may let the mouse move around, but won't let it out of its sight. That's Kathy! She's the panther and I'm her next meal. "Anyway, I undress and Dan -- the doctor -- goes over me. He runs every kind of test there is in the book. All he does is shake his head, and I'm starting to worry. Maybe it's even worse than I thought? He finishes with me and asks Kathy if he could give her a physical, too. I thought it was a great idea to see her poked and prodded, so she gets undressed. You've already seen how fast a process that is with Kathy. Anyway, she's standing nude and Dan's eyes almost bug out. He whistles! Can you believe it? A doctor? He does. Then he goes over her the way he did me. When he's finished we both get dressed and go out to the waiting room to wait for some of the tests to be run. Awhile later, he calls us into his office and closes the door. We sit down and his first words to me are, 'Ken, what, in the name of God, have you been doing to yourself?' I was scared, but then it came to me. I was going to be freed! He was going to tell Kathy to knock off the rich foods, stop killing me with sex -- in short, he was going to tell her to give me a break." He looked around and said brightly, "You know, a permanent heart condition would have been a small price to pay." Then his face fell. "Is that what he said? Hell, no! Dan goes on to say, 'Whatever you're doing, don't change a single thing!' He goes on to say that my bad cholesterol level is through the floor and the good cholesterol is through the ceiling. My heart was in great shape and he even noted that my biceps measurements were larger by three inches, I had four more inches on my chest, and two fewer on my waist. There was no trace of the chronic stiffness in my shoulder from the bullet wound -- it used to bother me. The only thing left is the little puckered hole that Kathy loves to put her nipple in, but nothing else. He said I was in great shape for a 21-year-old! My heart fell to my feet! There was Kathy looking smug, like the cat that swallowed the canary. "Then he turns to Kathy and says that if I'm in the shape of a 21-year-old, she's in perfect condition for an 18-year-old! Then he shakes his head and said, 'You two are textbook cases! Don't you dare change the least little thing in your life style. I'm sure you're staying away from fats and red meat, eating lots of natural foods plain... You have to be! No one could possibly be in your physical condition any other way.' "Then he leans back and just shakes his head. He said, 'Ken, I've been talking to you as a doctor. Now I would like to talk to you as an old friend. First, you heard me whistle when Kathy stripped. Buddy, you have to be married to the most perfectly put-together female it's ever been my good fortune to see.'" Ken looked around the room and asked, "Would you believe it? Kathy didn't even have the modesty to blush?" Then he continued his narrative. "Dan went on to say, 'There's more, though. First, I took some pelvic measurements on Kathy. In spite of her slim hips, she has a large pelvic opening. What this means is that she can deliver children easily. When I couple this with the incredible love you two have for each other... My God, with you both naked, it's obvious why you don't feel chilled! The looks of love between you people would melt an iceberg. Anyway,' he continued, 'I guess what I'm trying to say is that your children will be truly remarkable. Their parents are incredible physical specimens who live in an aura of love.' He just shook his head and said, 'It's just a thought.' Then Kathy just about melts the poor guy with one of her kisses." Ken shook his head sorrowfully. "Where does that leave me?" he asked rhetorically. "In the worst position of my life. Now, if I complain all Kathy does is grin and parrot, 'Don't change a single thing!' There's nothing I can say. "Two final points: First, student loans. Do you remember those classic Bugs Bunny cartoons where Elmer Fudd would be admiring his carrot patch? He would turn his back and all of a sudden carrots would start disappearing down into the ground? Well, you know what? It seems that something similar is happening to my student loans. Every time I turn around, there are fewer of them!" Turning to Ali, Ken glared and demanded, "Allison McGrath Clifford, what do you have to say for yourself?" Ali looked like a small child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Gracefully standing up, she hung her head like the small child. "Gosh, Ken," she said with tears starting to come to her eyes, "it's not my fault! It's... It's become a habit. You know, like smoking? It started with Joan." Now her eyes became larger and had a manic gleam as she went around the table and out onto the floor. "How was I to know... I didn't mean to ruin her life... To destroy any chance she would ever have for happiness... How could I have known that it was her life's work?" She was crying now, and her tears gave way to a series of frenzied high-pitched screams. She tore at her hair and her chest was heaving so much her breasts threatened to pop out from the top of her gown. She seemed to regain a little control and continued. Although she was sounding reasonable, there was still a manic edge to her voice. The woman was on the verge of a breakdown. "With Connie, it was different. I made her destroy herself. She was in my arms crying like her heart would break, but I was relentless! In spite of what it did to her, I made her pay off her own loans." Again the wild light appeared in her eyes as she said, "Do you know what I did, Ken? Do you? _Do you?"_ she screamed with overtones of insanity. Now she looked cunning as she said, "I followed her! I was hiding as the poor girl abased herself before my very eyes. She could scarcely hold a pen, her hand was shaking so badly, but she managed to pay off the loan." With menace in her voice, and a diabolically mirthless laugh, she said, "She knew what I would have done to her! Oh, I was so hoping she would weaken..." Then she turned to look at him and sounded like an insane woman trying to rationally explain her irrational actions. "With you, Ken, it was different. I didn't do them all... How was I to know that you would miss one or two." Again her voice rose to a scream as she continued, "But that's the trouble, you see. I can't stop at one or two... I must keep going..." She pulled herself together and again tried to rationalize her behavior. Ali now raised her head, looked at him defiantly, and said "Besides, it's not that bad. I mean, it doesn't pollute the air, or hurt the ozone layer or anything like that. Why should you mind?" Suddenly, she let out another maniacal scream and began to cry uncontrollably. "I can't control myself... I keep doing it, in spite of the pain I cause others." Again, her eyes widened and the insane gleam reappeared. Pulling at her hair, she screamed, "I can't help myself! I think of those luscious payment books, those tender coupons, those voluptuous personal notes... I lose control!" With another scream, her eyes darted around the room as she said, "Oh, God! Won't somebody help me? You must! Otherwise, I'll do it again, and again, and again..." With a scream, Ali crumpled into a ball on the floor. Her screams dissolved into tears as she cried like her heart would break. She was holding her head in her arms and her shoulders were shaking with her anguish. Finally, she just collapsed in a heap. Meanwhile, Ken Carlson had been striving to remain impassive in the presence of one of the finest acting performances he had ever seen. When Ali's body stopped shaking, he quietly asked, "Are you through, yet?" Ali bounced to her feet, ran her fingers through her hair, incredibly restoring her hairdo with just that single pass. She gave him a big grin while the guests were on their feet applauding wildly. Then she asked, "How was it?" With his face still impassive, he said, "The subject was student loans. Remember?" Ali appeared to get angry. "Carlson, what is wrong with you? I give an Academy-Award performance, and you're still stuck on that loan thing! My God, don't you even recognize talent when you see it?" Then Ali's eyes started to widen and the manic gleam reappeared. "You're just like those damned producers! They wouldn't recognize my acting ability, either." Ali was so wrought up, she strode out to the middle of the dance floor. Her gestures were on the verge of wildness, but her voice was still in control. "They would only let me play Ali McGrath parts. Would you believe it? That's honestly what they were called. I was the studio's resident goodie-two-shoes." Again her voice rose in pitch and took on a manic edge, "I had talent. But would they let me use it? Hell, no! I desperately wanted to play a real sex scene; they would only allow me to show my tits in a long shot. Of course they are small, but they're cute, and... and... I know damned well the cameraman could make them appear a lot bigger with the right lens." Her voice was still rising as she screamed, "Would they let me have sex with my co-star? Really do it, for the European version? Hell, no!" Then in an instant, Ali's voice was back to normal as she added, "As a matter of fact, if I'm thinking of the right film, he didn't like girls. But hell, I could have gone down on him, or something." Then her voice was instantly back in its manic mode and she was back in her role, "I even offered to bed the producer! Do you know what he did?" she screamed. "He asked for references! Honest, he did! He wasn't going to waste his time in bed with a cheap actress who might not be able to perform for him!" Suddenly her face crumpled and she started to sag to the floor, "I didn't have any!" Now the tears began as she sobbed, "I could have been a star! Oh, God, I could have been a star..." This time the people were on their feet applauding and cheering Ali's performance. Again she bounced to her feet, blew kisses to the guests and returned to her seat. When she did, Ken, with his face still impassive, said, "The subject was loans, Ali." "Kenneth Carlson, you're mean! You're just plain mean!" Then Ali suddenly sat down again, put her head on her arms and started to bawl. Ken just grinned and started to applaud. Turning to the guests he asked, "Let's hear it for a great actress! Just think, she wasn't even rehearsed." Ali raised her head from the table, grinned at him and winked. Turning back to the mike Ken said, "When I was talking about the dinners we had with the Collins, I mentioned that we hadn't had anyone over to dinner, and I was afraid of Kathy's response. Why is that? Because we have become so completely self-contained as a little family." Tears began to flow from his eyes as he continued, "What is Kathy to me? She is my whore, my buddy, my confidante, my playmate. If I need an opponent, she competes. If I need a partner, she supports. She is my life! What can I do? I said that my first year and a half in law school was disastrous. It's improved a great deal since. Why? Because when I come home depressed and down in the dumps, she picks me up." Now he smiled and shook his head saying, "Listening to the bullshit I've been slinging -- being beat up and abused -- even I can't believe it. Did you see Kathy get mad? Hell, no! When I asked her to take off her clothes in public, did she even flinch, let alone refuse? Hell, no. You've heard about her myriad variety of kisses. There's so much more! You see, she knows in an instant how I'm feeling within a split second of my entering our home. Once, I came in feeling lower than a snake's belly. What did she do? She plumped up the cushions on my favorite chair, loosened my tie and sat me down. In an instant she went to the kitchen and returned with a beautiful martini and a plate of luscious appetizers. Then she strips off her clothes and just kneels on the floor beside me and begins to lightly caress my chest murmuring, 'Darling, I love you so much!' Almost in no time my troubles disappeared. Kathy knew this, too, and then climbed on my lap and just cuddled." Ken looked out at the people and said, "I'm really glad, now, that you all know what Kathy really looks like. Can you imagine how a guy feels with this magnificent woman cuddled naked on his lap while she runs her fingers over his shoulders and chest, just crooning endearments? Can you imagine what it's like to have her look at me with a great wanting in her eyes and then brighten like the sun when I just lean over to kiss her? Can you!? God, I adore this woman! Damn it! She is _my wife!_ That says it all." Again ignoring everyone else, Kathy jumped from her chair and came into his arms. Their kiss was loaded with their love for each other. When she broke the kiss, she buried her head in his shoulder and whispered, "Kenneth Carlson, I adore you!" With that she returned to her seat, but first stopped beside Ginger Conrad. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a ten-dollar bill and gave it to Ginger. Ken had no idea what that was about.Chapter 25 When Kathy was back at her seat, Ken shook his head to clear it. Then he said, "I've done a lot of talking today, speaking on behalf of the men. However, I'm only one guy. I would like to see what they have to say for themselves." Looking at Charley Conrad, he said, "Following this afternoon's batting order, Charley, why don't you start?" Charley just stood up and stood behind Ginger, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Ken, first I want to thank you for your comments and Kathy for providing the living illustration. There was one point you made I would like to elaborate on. You told how, at the picnic, all eyes were on Kathy while her eyes were on you. I know precisely what you mean, of course, but I think some of the guests might get the wrong impression. You see, Kathy isn't hanging on Ken like a clinging vine... "Hell, let me just talk about Ginger. She and Kath are as alike peas in a pod, anyway." He looked around the room and his eyes seemed to be pleading for understanding. "These girls are as far from clinging vines as it's possible to be. They are almost like hunting consorts... Free spirited, athletic..." Charley was searching for the right words. "I know! Look at the way they stand and walk. Their heads are up high, their backs are straight and their tits are thrusting out proudly, unencumbered by bras. You're right, Ken, and your metaphor is apt: They are golden panthers. That's really the way they move, with the same feline grace. "I go into a room and I feel ten feet tall with Ginger by my side. Why? Because all eyes are on her, and her eyes are on me. She neither knows nor cares that she is the object of everyone's attention, any more than Kathy cared about revealing her gorgeous body to the guests. Why do I feel ten feet tall? Because Ginger Conrad is my wife and she loves me..." With that Ginger jumped to her feet and into Charley's arms. Even though her face was buried in his shoulder, everyone could hear her, "Oh God, Charley, I adore you..." When she raised her head, everyone could see the electricity flow between them in an incredibly passionate kiss. "Thanks, Charley," Ken said. "Jack Benson, what do you think?" Rising to his feet, Jack said, "Amen! That's what I think. I would like to add two points, though. First, Ken, you referred to that den of iniquity known as the conference room. But I'll bet even you don't know everything that goes on there. For example, did you know that Kathy runs regular cooking classes? She does. It's the way Sandy learned to cook and why she is now so great. In honesty, though, she's not yet in Kathy's class, but she's trying. The second point is your characterization of Kathy as your everything. I sure know what that means! You see, Sandy has been taking courses and reading everything she can get her hands on regarding aviation. She doesn't know I know, but I found out from her instructor that she's taking flying lessons. "Now why is a brilliant trial lawyer wasting her time like this? Because for Sandy, it's not a waste of time -- it's vital! Why? Because she knows that aviation is an important part of my life and she's determined to learn more about it. Why? Well," Jack grinned, "I know you can identify with this: Every night after marvelous lovemaking, Sandy puts her head on my shoulder, molds her body to mine, and just snuggles. It's the time when we talk about things while we're waiting for sleep. If she can possibly help it, there will be nothing of importance to me that she can't talk about and help me think through." Then he turned to where Jennifer was sitting and said, "Jen, I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for what you said about Sandy today. You got it exactly right! She _is_ exactly like Ali. Like Ali, her beauty results from her goodness shining through. And you're right about another thing, too. She _has_ done a hell of a job of keeping it a secret from herself." He reached out his hands to Sandy as he said, "God, I love this woman!" Sandy leaped from her chair into his arms and melted him with a kiss. When she eased away he pinched one of her tight little buns and whispered, "I haven't forgotten that 'blind' crack, woman! Wait until I get you home!" Sandy gave him a salacious grin and shivered with anticipation. Now Ken turned to Steve Chapman and said, "Steve, Jennifer isn't really a member of this zoo, but would you like to say something anyway?" "As a matter of fact, yes," Steve replied, standing up and moving behind Jennifer. Like Charley Conrad, he gently massaged Jen's neck, hearing soft moans of pleasure as he did. "First, I want to thank all the girls who put together the wardrobe Jen had when we went back to Chicago. After that promise she extorted from me, that was the only one of her schemes that could possibly have worked. "Next, though," Steve continued, "I want to underscore some of the things you've been hearing today. For example, Ken, one evening Jen came back to the apartment in a state of shock. You see, that day she had been at the office and walked into the conference room. So far, there's nothing new. She found your wife, Kathy, and Judy Jeffries on the floor, nude -- still nothing new. She saw what they were doing and almost became ill. Kathy was on her back with her legs spread almost straight out to both sides, opening her cunt as much as possible. Judy was on her knees, between her legs using a magnifying glass and tweezers to pull out Kathy's stray pubic hairs. Jen knows, first hand, how sensitive that area is, and how incredibly painful hair removal can be. Nevertheless, Judy was working to produce a hairless pussy, and removing any hair that wasn't a part of her dense little bush above her slit. "By the way, Ken, I saw something this morning I have never even heard of before: Kathy must have the world's only pubic hair with sun streaks in it. She is incredibly beautiful. But anyway, Jen reported that tears were pouring from Kathy's eyes from the agonizing pain, but she wasn't making a sound nor would she let Judy stop to let her rest. When the girls finished working on each other and put some pain-deadening ointment on their vaginal lips, they asked Jen to strip so they could get a close look at her bare mound. Incidentally, the only thing they could talk about was whether you and Mike would like them that way. "The last point I want to make regards Jen's behavior. You see, she's taking Kathy's cooking class; Judy is coaching her in swimming, Sandy works out on weights with her and gives her tips on technique, while Joan works on her posture and bearing." Steve shook his head in disbelief and added, "You see, I thought Jen was perfect, but the girls look at her only as interesting raw material with a lot of room for improvement." Steve looked baffled as he finished by saying, "Ken, what are we going to do with these girls?" Ken just shook his head and replied, "Steve, I'm damned if I know. But it's fun, isn't it?" Meanwhile, Jennifer had stood up and gone into Steve's arms. He was melting her with a kiss. Turning to Brian Clifford, Ken said, "Brian, your fiancee helped us a lot earlier in the afternoon. Do you have anything you would care to say?" "Yes, sir, I do," Brian replied. He, too, stood behind his girl and put his hands on her shoulders. Karen writhed in pleasure as he worked on the muscles in her neck and shoulders. "Thank you, Mr. Carlson, for giving me a chance to speak." When Brian referred to "Mr. Carlson" the guests began to howl with laughter, while Brian appeared to be puzzled. When the laughter died down, he continued, "Why are you all laughing? My mom always taught me to be polite to old people." Ken could no longer contain himself and began to howl with laughter, while Brian pretended to be increasingly puzzled. When order was restored, Brian shrugged and said with a grin, "I guess I'm my mother's son. She's a great actress, too." While the people were laughing at the latest quip, Ali jumped from her chair, ran to Brian and kissed him solidly on the lips. Then she glared at Ken and said, "At least my son appreciates my acting ability!" She daintily stuck out her tongue and sat down again. Brian said, "Thanks, Ken. Can I start again? I have two comments to make: First, about the girls. Karen and I have only been out here for a few days on our spring break. I can second what Steve Chapman said, though. The girls have taken Karen under their wing, too. Here I thought I had feminine perfection, but now Karen comes back to the hotel in tears! She's convinced that she's hopeless! We were thinking about various possibilities for things to do this summer, but now there's nothing more to talk about. Karen is coming out here as soon as she can to continue her training. You know what she said? She said, 'Brian, I have to! It's the only chance I have to be an even marginally acceptable wife for you.'" Brian shook his head and said, "These women settle for nothing less than perfection!" Then he looked at Ali and shook his head. "Ken, you told us what Kathy said about the firm: Ginger is great with clients, Sandy is great with juries and Ali... is Ali. What does that really mean? I certainly don't know for sure, but I can mention a few things. First, there is her goodness: Fred sure had that one right. It just shines through in her smile. But there's so much more. There's her love for my father. There's her selflessness. There's her sense of humor and her teasing. Most of all, though, I think it's a standard she sets, along with the encouragement she provides. She's just constantly encouraging the girls to do better. Since 'doing better' directly translates into more pleasure for themselves, it becomes mutually reinforcing. What does she do? She sets a standard for the other girls to strive for, and provides encouragement for them to reach it." Brian shrugged and added, "Ken, I'm just a kid, but isn't that what leadership is all about? Isn't that what Kathy really meant? Ali provides the leadership for the Firm." When Brian sat down, Ken said, "Brian, I think you are absolutely right. That sure, as hell, is leadership! Then he turned to Mike Morris and said, "Mike, you and I are in similar positions. As far as I know, Ali never concentrated on Judy, either. Do you have anything you would like to say?" Mike got to his feet and stood behind Judy's chair. When he did, she reached up and just gripped his hand tightly. He said, "Thanks, Ken. As a matter of fact, I do. First, Carlson, would you please stop your bleating about Maui? Look, you and I were in the same boat. You were Army Rangers and I was Marine Airborne Assault. Let's face it, no one cares about us -- we're the cannon fodder. We don't have the glamour of the fly-boys, for instance. But let's be realistic. Think of the jungles with the snakes and bugs, loaded with guys out to kill you. Hell, you've taken Ranger patrols deep behind enemy lines." Mike shook his head and continued. "Now, I'll admit that's not nearly as tough as Maui, but past some point does it really matter? By the way, you mentioned swimming. I didn't know what that was. I thought the only thing beaches were for was to storm across under heavy enemy fire. No one ever told me they were used for swimming!" At that, the guests exploded with laughter. Ken took the opportunity to interject, "Okay, Mike, I'll admit I overlooked the jungle combat. But hell," he added plaintively, "in the jungle the enemy doesn't get in bed with you!" Mike broke up with laughter at Ken's crack. He shook his head and said, "There's one more thing, Captain Carlson." With that Mike stiffened to attention, faced Ken and gave him a meticulous salute. Ken was shocked, but from force of habit, he as meticulously returned it. Mike relaxed and resumed his position behind Judy. Again, she held his hand. "By way of explanation, folks, that was a most meager tribute to a real hero. You see, I've known Ken Carlson for six months now and we've gotten to be good friends. I realize that I could know him for thirty years and never hear of his medals. You see, Kathy mentioned the DSC -- the Distinguished Service Cross. That is the award for heroism that ranks right below the Medal of Honor. It is awarded for conspicuous gallantry in action with the enemy while acting with complete disregard for one's own life and safety. That's what Ken Carlson did for his country, and I think it deserves some applause." Everyone rose to his feet and applauded wildly. Meantime, Ken was blushing red as a beet. Then Kathy took him in her arms and burned him with another kiss, then said, "Darling, it's about time more people knew of my hero!" When the people were again seated, Mike continued. "I would also like to tell you how I wooed and won the hand of Miss Jeffries here. It was an impressive campaign. You see, I was stationed down at Camp Pendleton with my Ranger battalion. Mike looked around and then shook his head in dismay. "You know, I think the reason we are such tigers against the enemy is because we're such wimps with women. But what the hell, there's always girl-watching, right? They can't shoot you for that. "Anyway, there's a nice motel near the base with a great lounge and a good band playing weekends. My buddies and I used to go over, have a few beers, watch the girls and eat our hearts out. _Talk_ to one? You've got to be kidding! "One Friday night late last fall, I'm standing at the bar. Then this golden apparition starts making her way through the crowd in my direction, refusing overtures from I can't tell you how many guys along the way. She comes right up to me, smiles this incredible smile and says, 'My name is Judy. Will you dance with me?' I'm a tough Marine, so I didn't even collapse on the floor -- but I was much too scared to run. I don't think I even had the ability to say yes. Anyway, she leads me out on the floor and comes into my arms. Even though I can't dance, somehow this apparition was making me do it. She was like a feather on her feet and a dream in my arms. When the music stopped, she lifts her chin and asks, 'Please kiss me, Mike?' I do, and it's all over. My God! My ears are ringing with bells, and there's a charge of electricity that must have been 100,000 volts! When we separate, she looks at me with the most incredible expression of love on her face and asks, 'Mike, do you need to pick up anything at the BOQ?' I'm stunned. I don't know what to say. "Judy just said sweetly, 'I didn't think they allowed women in the BOQ. And besides, the beds are narrow. I have a wonderful bed here at the hotel, and there's room service...' Anyway, we go up to her room and she takes off her clothes. It was exactly like what you saw Kathy do today. She even stood there the same way, with her head up straight and her golden body fully revealed. She had a tremulous smile on her face while she just stood there. I held out my arms and with a little yelp, she dove into my lap." Mike shook his head while he remembered the scene. "It was only eight o'clock. We didn't leave the room until Sunday evening. My life was saved by room service. In the course of our love making, I learned a lot about Ali's golden girls. For example, the tremulous smile: She didn't think she was nearly good enough for me, because she had so far to go to look the way she felt she should. Can you believe it? But, she went on to say, she was a one-man woman and when she saw me, she thought I was the guy. She told me she screwed up every ounce of courage she possessed to come over and introduce herself. She claimed her knees were knocking with fear, and she wasn't sure she would even be able to talk. Then, after the dance, when I kissed her she was sure, so that was that." Looking around the room, Mike said, "I hope you appreciated the tactical beauty of my campaign to win Judy? I'm sure Ken and the other military guys here all do. How did I conduct it? I raised both hands and surrendered!" When the laughter died down, Mike continued, "A few minutes ago Steve told us what Jen had seen in the conference room, with Kathy and Judy plucking each other's pubic hair. I remember that day very well. You see, that night we were both naked in bed and I touched her crotch. She screamed with pain and then launched herself at me, wrapped her arms around my neck and cried like her heart would break. I was scared! I didn't know what I had done to her. Then, I hear what she is saying while she's crying her eyes out. "She says, 'Mike, I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!' I cradled her in my arms, stroked her hair, kissed her and finally got her quieted down. Finally I ask her, 'Forgive you for what? What did you do?' Her reply? 'For screaming, Mike. It didn't really hurt that much...' Then she told me what she and Kathy had been doing and insisted that I look at her carefully to see if I liked it. What did I see? Golden skin with a wonderfully neat thick patch of pubic hair that's been bleached nearly white by the sun, above her lovely pink vaginal lips. Finally I assured her that it looked lovely. "But there's a lesson here for the men -- an incredibly humbling one. You see, the labia are incredibly sensitive, so the pain was excruciating. For what? To possibly make herself a tiny bit more attractive to me. The amount of pain she suffered to give me a tiny bit of pleasure is irrelevant." There were tears in his eyes as he added, "That's true of all of Ali's girls, too. "This brings me to another point Ken made: the Association and our workouts. Ken's really full of shit, you know. Yes, we work out, but it's not to get away from the girls, but it's certainly because of them. Why? Because of things like the pubic hair episode. Ali's girls are always working on themselves like a jeweler polishing another facet on a diamond. We can't see the difference, but they claim to be able to. The object? To be as perfect in our eyes as they possibly can be." Mike looked around the room and shook his head. "I can't tell you what a humbling thought that is. So we feel we have to work out, too. Incidentally, Marine officers' uniforms are very tightly tailored. The standard practice is when you go off active duty, the uniform needs to be re-tailored to accommodate smaller shoulders and a larger waist. Well, I just had my uniform refitted because I'm still in the reserves. It was refitted for larger shoulders and a smaller waist. We will never be in their class in a million years, of course, but we have to work to keep from falling too far behind. And you know what? You've heard it before, but I'll say it again. They do it for their men. We're the only people who count." Turning to Ali, Mike said, "Ali, in spite of what Carlson says, I think you're a great actress. I mean it, too. I'm not teasing. Your performance this afternoon was truly spectacular. You know, living at the BOQ, every once in a while at any time of the day or night, there would be a shout, 'She's on!' Guys would run down the halls beating on doors and getting the other guys up. We would get up in the middle of the night to watch an Ali McGrath movie. You know, I think your producers had it right. Although you have incredible acting ability, they knew that the sure-fire formula was to let Ali play Ali! Imagine, whether you did your own stunts in the film or not, it's now clear that you could have done them better than whoever they used. Ali, you are just great and I wanted you to know that the US Marines love you!" Ali jumped out of her chair and, with her bridal gown streaming behind her, ran around to where Mike was standing. She threw herself into his arms and kissed him solidly. Then she said, with tears streaming from her eyes, "Thank you so much, Mike. It's been such a very long time!" Mike just shook his head and said, "Ali, I'll just underscore what others have already said: You're younger today than when you made those films -- and far more beautiful!" Ali just shook her head and returned to her seat. Mike returned to his position behind Judy, "To finish, I would like to go back to the Maui experience Ken mentioned." He looked at Ken and asked, "Ken, do you remember checking in at the hotel on Wednesday night?" Ken shook his head and looked puzzled. Mike continued, "I sure do! There were a lot of people in the lobby when we checked in. All the eyes were on these magnificent golden girls who had just walked in the door. Did the girls notice? Hell, no! They were focused on us. God, I felt like a million dollars. Eat your hearts out guys! She's mine." Judy jumped from her chair into his arms. After burning him with a kiss she said, "Thank you, darling! At least you got that one thing right." Ken looked around the room and picked out Bill, Junior. He asked, "Bill, is there anything you would like to say to your mother, father, and their guests?" "Thank you, Ken, and the answer is yes." Bill said, standing behind Joan. Then with a grin he added, "And thank you for acting as master of ceremonies. I think we've learned a lot about my mother and her effect on a number of wonderful people. However, I want to talk about the effect she has had on me. "First, I am now here in LA finishing my last six weeks before I go back to Boston to receive my degree. Then it's going to be back here for graduate training. Anyway, the rotation I am in is Emergency Medicine. We try to put back the pieces after the accidents and injuries. It was an easy sell because there is a truly outstanding program run out at the hospital here. "We've heard a great deal about the beauty these girls share, but there is another element that has been touched on that I want to feature: their incredible sensitivity. Last week there was a major accident and the victims were brought to our hospital. I was treating one guy -- we were all pitching in because there were so many -- when he died under my hands. I was late getting back to the apartment that night and was feeling so bad I was seriously thinking of giving up medicine. I open the door and Joan is standing there. She just takes one look, leads me to my favorite chair, and sits me down. Then she disappears for a moment and comes back with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Putting the drinks on the table, she unties my tie, unbuttons my shirt and pulls it off. Then she strips in an instant -- we've already seen how fast they are -- and climbs on my lap. Joan just rubbed her magnificent body over mine while she's kissing me and running her fingers all over me. While this is going on, she's whispering, 'Darling, you did the best you could! They were really messed up -- it was impossible to save them all. Please relax, darling. I love you so much.' Then she started working on my neck with her fingers while she's kissing me and warming my body with her own. I guess I must have fallen asleep. The next thing I know I feel her glorious lips on mine and open my eyes. She has covered me with a blanket to keep me warm while she prepares a gourmet feast which we eat while I am staring at her gorgeous tits across the table. Do you know what? I felt like a million bucks -- half a million, anyway. She made all the pain go away." He took Joan's hand in his and she rose from her chair into his arms. The two young people just merged in an electrifying kiss. When Bill released her, he kept his arm around her and said, "There's one thing that's really been bothering me, though. I know what Mom does in a lot of these situations, but how in hell does she teach mental telepathy?" "Thank you very much, Bill," Ken replied. "As far as I'm concerned, I don't have the first clue, but the girls sure are telepathic, aren't they? I have one idea, though. Maybe it's because Kathy concentrates so much on me, and the other girls on their respective guys, that they get inside our heads. They know what we're thinking while we're thinking it. But you're the doctor. What do you think?" Bill grinned, looked thoughtful for a moment, nodded his head and said, "Makes sense to me!" Finally Ken turned to Chip Cartwright. "Chip, we heard from your bride-to-be. Is there anything you want to add?" Like the others, Chip rose and stood behind Connie's chair and said, "As a matter of fact, yes. First, this has been the most thrilling day of my life! You see, I was all set emotionally to be a career bachelor. Why? Because I became convinced that God had stopped making the kind of girl I was looking for. You see, I wanted a girl who was smart and educated, but at the same time a girl who could love me. I had come to the conclusion that the qualifications I was looking for were mutually exclusive. The bright, well-educated ones I met were universally greedy and self-centered. Because I have a little money, I guess I wasted a lot of time with a lot of women finding out the same thing over and over. "Then I met Constance. I utterly adored the girl and proposed marriage after knowing her for less than twenty-four hours. Why? Because I had been around the track often enough to know that there couldn't possibly be another one like her, and I wasn't going to let her get away." Then with a wonderfully warm smile, Chip continued, "That brings us to today. What did I learn? My God! I was utterly stunned and overjoyed. You see, what I really wanted was a wife who wanted to raise a family, but, in view of the other problems I thought that was utterly out of the question." He took Connie by the hand and took her into his arms as he continued, "Darling, I have never heard anything so beautiful in my life as your description of conception, pregnancy and birth. My darling, I can't wait to see your magnificent tits fill with luscious milk to feed our child!" With a warm smile he asked, "Do you suppose there might be enough for my coffee, too?" Connie kissed him warmly and just hugged him tight. Then with her eyes bright she replied, "It will be taking the food from our baby's mouth, but for my husband: anything!" The two sat down to the applause of the guests. Ken looked around and said, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly learned a lot today. But folks, what is the message in all of this? It's simple, really. Remember all the other stories you heard today. In each case Ali focused her attention on a girl, and you heard what happened. With us, it's not true. Ali never focused on Kathy. Kathy just soaked it up through osmosis or something. You see, this woman, Allison McGrath Clifford, has so much goodness that it's in the air the girls breathe in that office. You heard Mike Morris tell what happens because Judy breathes it, too." With that, Ken turned to Ali and asked, "Allison Clifford, I have two requests. First, may Kathy and I name our first girl, Allison, after you? And second, Ali, will you give me a kiss? Please?" Jumping to her feet, Ali ran to his arms. "Ken, nothing would thrill me more! I'm honored. I really am. But why? Why me?" With that Ali lifted her head and Ken kissed her full on the mouth. When they parted he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "Because we love you, Ali. Because you were Kathy's inspiration... You didn't show her how to do things, but she learned what to do." Ken turned to Kathy who was standing by his side. When he released Ali, Kathy took her in her arms with tears flowing down her cheeks and said, "Ali, I couldn't thank you enough in a million years! You made everything happen that you heard Ken talk about... All of it! You showed me the heaven that could exist in a man's arms. I had the man, but was ruining everything until I met you. Darling Ali, I love you!" In the meantime, Ken extended his hand to Bill Clifford, and said, "Bill, I won't say I envy you -- I have Kathy who is my dream. I will say, though, that you are a very lucky man to have the love of the world's most extraordinary woman, Allison McGrath Clifford. And Bill? It couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Congratulations!" Bill gave Ken a hug, then took Kathy in his arms and kissed her. He whispered, "Kathy, you really have a wonderful guy! And you're such a handsome couple... You know, there's that trite phrase, 'made for each other?' Honey, with you and Ken it's not trite, it's the truth." Finally, Kathy came into Ken's arms. As she did, she reflected on how natural it felt. It was where she belonged and where she always wanted to be. Then she tilted her head to look up at Ken as his lips came down on hers. Their kiss embodied all of their massive love for each other as their bodies molded together. When they parted, he looked into her eyes and asked, "Darling, what did you think of the day?" "All I can think of is what Connie said... about making babies? Darling, could we? Could I just pitch my pills?" Then, with her eyes gleaming, she added, "Just think, Ken, except for going down on you, I'll have to live without you inside of me for the last few weeks. And, darling, you know that, try as I might, I can't drain you with my mouth. It could even give you a couple of weeks of that rest you've been begging for all day. Interested?" Ken pulled her close and whispered, "Darling Kathy, I love you so much..."Chapter 26 When Kathy and Ken rejoined their table, there were congratulations extended all around. Sandy pretended to pout when Jack Benson shook Ken's hand heartily saying, "Ken, that was great! You said what had to be said." Then his face fell as he added with a wink, "It doesn't change anything of course, but it did need to be said." Mike Morris also congratulated him while Judy Jeffries pretended to glare. When Mike sat down, Judy said, "Kenneth Carlson, that's the last time I defend you to Kathy. The next time we're on the beach in Maui and Kathy says you're getting a little scrawny downstairs, I'll agree with her! You have one hell of a nerve!" Like Kathy, when Judy had started at the Firm she had been distinctly plump and soft, but with a vivid smile. The smile was still there, but she was now as firm, muscular, and lithe as everyone else. It was now time for Billy Clifford to offer the best man's toast. He rose, went to the microphone, and tapped on a glass for attention. The guests were all still talking about Ken's speech and the men's comments, but they quickly quieted down. Billy lifted his glass and said, "Would you all please rise and join me in a toast to the bride and groom?" In moments, everyone was standing. Ken noticed that Kathy backed into him so that her body was in contact with his. "Dad," Billy began, "One year ago today, you met a woman you had come to know from her films. As a tax deal, you married her. It was undoubtedly the smartest move you ever made! "Allison McGrath Clifford... Mom! I can't tell you the impact you have had in only twelve months on all the people in this room. We have heard some very remarkable people talk about you today. The most memorable points to me? Fred Clark: 'It's just your goodness shining through!' Mom, he's right, you know. Then Karen: 'She's not a woman, she's an angel. And she is keeping her consort young!' "Ladies and gentlemen, may I offer a toast: To Allison McGrath Clifford and William Harrison Clifford: two of the finest people God has ever put on this earth, merged together to become an incredible force for goodness! Mom and Dad, may you continue to enjoy all of God's blessings for the rest of very long lives!" With murmurs of 'Amen,' the toast was drunk. When the guests were again seated, Billy again tapped on his glass. When he had the room's attention, he said, "There is one additional comment I would like to make. It doesn't fit into a toast, so I'm doing it this way. It plays off points made by Karen Gaudli and by Ken Carlson: the aging process. As I'm sure you all know, I am an almost-physician. As a joke, a couple of weeks ago I gave my parents physical exams. Dad thought it was for the upcoming wedding today. Ali didn't have a clue what it was for, but you heard it said today: A friend never needs a reason for Ali; if its possible for her to do, she'll do it. To digress for a moment, there is another comment that's appropriate here. You see, in her scale of priorities, at the top, in a class by himself, is my father. Following him are the members of her family, followed by her friends, like Kathy and Ken Carlson. Ali herself isn't even on the list... Nowhere. She just doesn't count. "You know something else? That's an attitude that spreads to all of Ali's girls. You heard it over and over today, and saw it demonstrated by Kathy Carlson. Ken asked her to strip, so she did. You know what? If she were outside on the street in the middle of rush hour and he asked her, she would have done the same thing. That's Ali, too. "But back to the physical. I was just having fun, but I was going to really give them both a workout. I ran them through every test medical science has yet conceived. The results? Let me make it short. I ran the results of the tests through age-rated tables. Know what happened? For Dad, his physical performance is in the top 1 percent... for thirty-two-year-olds, and in the top 5 percent for twenty-six-year-olds. Ali? You can't find her numbers at all until you get to age twenty-three, and she's in the top 5 percent for... an eighteen-year-old girl! Can you believe it? Honest, it's true. "Mom, I'm sorry, but Karen Gaudli is right: you are an angel and you are keeping your consort young." Then, with a big grin he asked, "Mom, promise to take care of Joan and me when we're old and gray?" The whole room cracked up with laughter. They were about to move to the cutting of the cake when Ali stood up. "Bill, since it's my wedding and all I have been getting is alternatively a ration of you-know-what, intermixed with gallons of tears, may I please say something?" Billy was startled, but quickly recovered. "Well, Mom, it's irregular... But what the hell, this has been a very irregular wedding reception, anyway!" He grinned and said, "Talk away!" Ali didn't go to the microphone but just stood at her place. She looked around the room and tears came to her eyes. This time, the guests were certain they were real; this was no act. "One year ago today I came to this hotel. I guess it was a year and a few hours ago. I was coming to try out for a part. You see, there was a testimonial earlier to Sandy Harris for saving my life -- and she sure as hell did. However, had things worked out differently, there would have been no life to _be_ saved. You see, when I came to the hotel that morning, I was dying." She stopped as she heard the gasps from the guests. "I'm not exaggerating. You see, I was literally starving to death that morning. In fact, I guess I spent all the time between meeting Bill Clifford for the first time and then marrying him, eating. He saved my life, and gave me the part. It was the most challenging role I have ever played. I'll say something to you now that I have never said to a living soul: I almost gave up. You see, after we were married, beginning the first night, we slept together -- but we didn't have sex. A little earlier in one of my little acts, I was joking about it. Believe me when I tell you that a year ago it was no joke. What did I do? I did everything I could conceive of to make myself attractive enough to Bill Clifford so he would take me. I almost gave up. Then, following Ginger's wedding, we went out to Maui and Bill took me! It was like nothing I had ever even dreamed! I was in heaven. Right there I resolved to make myself as attractive to him as I possibly could be so he wouldn't lose interest. It was purely self-preservation, you see. "Later, in the event described so poignantly by Jennifer and others, I came to realize that Bill Clifford really loves me! I am honored above all women as the recipient of his love. I am humbled." Ali paused and looked around the room, then shook her head and said, "Fred Clark was both too kind and inaccurate in what he said. You see, it's not my goodness you see. It's me trying to reflect the goodness that is Bill Clifford, the most wonderful man God has ever created. Since then, I have worked with the girls to try to get them to understand what a marvelous thing married love can be. "I was both flattered and humbled by many of the things said today. I want to single out only one additional person: Kathy Carlson. I have never been so flattered in my life as when I heard it said that she was just trying to emulate me. She is truly a paragon. Brilliant: Do you realize she would be one of the top lawyers in the state if there weren't for the dumb rule that you can't take the bar exam without having gone to law school? It's true. Beautiful: You all saw that for yourselves. Passionate: Discount what Ken was trying to sell about 75 percent, but that's still one hell of a lot." Turning to Kathy she said, "Darling, all I can possibly say to you is thank you for being who you are and for all that you have done for me and for the Firm." Then Ali lifted her head and raised her champagne glass and said, "Now please join me in a toast to the man who literally saved my life and then gave me a level of happiness beyond even the fairy tales. To the finest husband in all the world, William Harrison Clifford!" There were cheers from the guests, and Ali gulped her drink, just having enough time to drop her glass before Bill swept her off her feet. "My darling," he whispered, "Ali, you are the love of my life... That's wrong! Ali, you are my life!" * * * The final element of the reception, following the cutting of the cake, was the bride throwing her bouquet to the women and her garter to the men. As the time approached, Barbara whispered in her ear and Ali nodded and began to giggle. When it was time for the bouquet, Ali stood with a bouquet in her hand and shook her head sadly. "Girls, I have bad news for you. You see, the girl who catches the bouquet is supposed to be the first one to marry. This creates a couple of problems. First, Bill and I -- strictly in the interests of economy, of course -- are planning a multiple wedding, so no one would be first. Second, we were quite taken with Ken's metaphor of golden panthers. I really think he's pretty accurate. Since the last thing we want is a major-league cat fight, we had to do something else." Turning her head she called, "Carmelita, Consuela?" The two girls looked both beautiful and proud as they came into the room, each carrying a flower basket with duplicate bridal bouquets. Debbie was so proud of her young sisters as they visited each of the girls in turn. The girl would make a deep curtsy and then proudly present a bridal bouquet. The recipients were Sandy, Jennifer, Joan, Connie, and Judy. When Consuela presented the last bouquet in her basket to Judy Jeffries, Judy took the girl in her arms and gave her a big kiss. The young girl blushed with embarrassment, but then asked, "Miss Jeffries, may I kiss you again? Please? Your lips are so sweet, and they are so luscious. May I have another?" "My God, yes!" Judy exclaimed, taking the girl back in her arms and kissing her softly full on the lips. When the girl withdrew with stars in her eyes, Judy pretended to glare at Mike and said, "None of your shit, Michael Morris! I am now certified as having very kissable lips." Mike just winked and asked, "May I try, too?" Judy just melted into his arms. The process was then repeated with the garter. Again the girls presented duplicate garters to the men. When they finished their young heads were spinning from the kisses the men had given them in return. * * * That night Ali and Bill were in their bed. They were planning to leave for Maui the next day. It was very similar to the first night they had spent together a year earlier, except Bill came out from the bathroom nude. At the side of the bed he just stood and looked down at Ali. She licked her lips hungrily and whispered, "Darling, I think they may be right. You look much younger than you did last year." Then her face fell and her lower lip began to tremble. Tears appeared at the corners of her eyes as she whispered, "Bill... Bill... Could you try... Could you..." Then with tears beginning to flow she said tremulously, "Please be gentle..." Bill pantomimed a silent-films villain, pretending to curl his nonexistent mustache, and said, "No! Little girl, the time has come to make you a woman!" Ali threw back the covers, revealing her golden nude body to welcome Bill, but still maintained her role. In spite of her lascivious grin, she softly cried in a little-girl voice, "But sir! My virtue...!" *The End* * * * Comments and constructive criticism are sincerely welcome. Let me hear from you. morg105829@aol.com _Allison_ Copyright 1988, 2001 by Morgan. <morg105829@aol.com> All rights reserved. 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