Chapter 87: Carole Landry, 28, Confession Time...

After Richie left, Naomi said, “Explain.” Trying to sound stern, but giggling.

“Necking with Richie? There’s a method to my madness.” She poured some tequila into their limeade and added more ice.

“Explain.”

“Remember how we were talking about how Miss Kitty’s shook things up here in town. Along with Contrary Mary’s?”

Naomi nodded, “Sure — strippers and blowjobs and moms and teachers and grannies. And now the young stuff. So what’s that have to do with you and Richie?”

“A lot. Kate Broussard — with Marie and Eulalie Guidry behind her — has been like a ... oh, I don’t know ... like a sex pioneer. Always testing, always pushing.”

“Okay.”

“Well, the way she explained it to me — and I just sort of understand it — is that she has her eye on the next new thing. She used the word ‘respect’. Or, ‘respectability’.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Hon, what did we see down in the bayous?”

“Mothers fucking their sons — that’s why we went. Oh! Now Kate wants to bring that into town, right?”

“Right. But she doesn’t want to just tell the Dirty Dozen or the Calendar Girls to do it. They would, but so what — everyone knows they’ll do anything.”

Naomi nodded her understanding, “And that’s where respectability comes in. I get it — if one of her whores fucks her son — I mean it’s still shocking, but nothing like if an ordinary girl does it.”

Naomi suddenly turned to Carole, “Wait! Is Kate expecting you to fuck Richie?” More curiosity than condemnation.

“Oh she’d love that. But I told her I doubt that I’d ever work up my nerve, so she’s still hoping, but not really counting on it.”

“So what is she counting on?”

“She knows that I’m just a regular mom — divorced. A part-time bookkeeper. And I’m not a stripper. She says the town sees me as just nice old Carole Landry.”

“But.”

“That’s why she hired me for that Saturday morning gig — just regular ole Carole.”

“Oh, I get it. A regular mom, but with a stud for a son. All of which fits right in with her motherfucker plan.”

“Exactly. Now — the kiss. See, when a dancer finishes her set, she takes her time and mingles with the boys.”

Naomi nodded, “That’s Randy’s favorite part.”

“Well, when it’s my turn to mingle, she’s gonna have me kiss Richie.”

“Of course! Now I get it.”

“Naomi.”

“Yeah?”

“Look, I like talking with you — having someone to share things with. Intimate things. You’re nonjudgmental, so I’m not going to overthink this — I’ll just blurt it out.”

Naomi leaned forward with interest.

“The last three nights, I necked with him right before I went to bed.”

Naomi kissed her friend on the cheek, “Oh, I understand, hon, believe me, I do.”

“It gets me hot enough, I didn’t even need my Magic Wand.”

“Carole, I understand. I mean I just saw how turned on you were a minute ago.”

Carole giggled, “Ready for Part 2 of Slut Confessions?”

“Am I ever!”

“When he leaves for school, I’ve been putting on your bayou tape.”

“I am shocked! Shocked, I tell you. You’re using your best friend for your own tawdry pleasure?”

“Pleasures — plural. In fact — wanna join me?”

She stood up and tossed her tee aside. Naomi followed with hers and her panties. Holding hands, giggling, they scooted back to the living room.