Chapter 4: The House Guest

“I’ve worked it out with Stella. Lou, she’s un-retired for a week to mind the library while you rest and recover. I’m paying her for the time; she’s thrilled.”

“What? You can’t do that! Jean, she’s retired. She can’t work and collect her pension, right?”

“She’s not working. I’m giving her a gift; it won’t mess up anything for her. Forget about the library. It’s handled. There’s a bunch of things you need to attend to.”

“Oh, my house. It’s wrecked. It’s the only thing I own except the old Toyota.”

“Lou, go through my closet and find something to wear today. My contractor will be here in an hour to discuss the repairs.”

“I can’t afford...”

“Lou, shut the fuck up. I’m paying Freddie. You aren’t. He’s great. You just need to tell him what you want. Go get dressed or I’ll spank your butt.”

Les hired Freddie Connors to update the house before they moved in. Les told Jean his work was excellent and his prices were fair. Freddie was with them for 45 minutes, mostly listening, as Lou and Jean argued over what should and should not be done.

“Here’s the address and the key for the back door, Freddie. Go look at the property and email me the estimate. Don’t forget the central a/c and new heater.”

“The what? Jean!”

“Thanks, Freddie. Shut up, Lou, go get my laptop; we need to buy you some clothes and some shoes.”

Lou left the room, sniffling again.

“Is she going to be all right?” Freddie asked.

“I think so. You understand me, first class, all the way. Did I mention changing the front door to metal? We need something really strong, in case the asshole comes back.”

“You got it. With a really large deadbolt.”

“Oh, yeah? Freddie, how big and long is your deadbolt?”

“You keep flirting with me, and I might have to show it to you. Not today, though, I’ve got a lot of work to do. Bye, Jean.”

“It’s almost six o’clock, Lou, the sun’s gone behind our trees. We usually go swimming about now; and then have dinner around 7:30. You’ll join us?”

“I’d like to, but I don’t have a suit here, so no thanks.”

Les walked into the room and started undressing along with Jean.

“Louise, our pool is totally private, and we never wear suits. Both of us want you to join us and have fun. You’re not that visible under the water, you know. Please?”

“I don’t know ... well, if you’re sure.”

Without consciously realizing it, Lou’s eyes were fixed on what Jean called Les’s little boy butt. He turned away, thinking Lou might not be ready for a “full frontal.”

“Here, let me help you. I usually have him undo the buttons on the back of that blouse. Here we go. Um, you have bandages on your nipples. Why?”

“While he was dragging me, that asshole ripped my bra. I don’t like feeling my nips scraping against fabric, so I stole these Band-Aids from your bathroom.”

“Lou, they will come off in the pool and clog the machinery. I’ll get them off you. I’ll be gentle.”

Afterwards, she planted a damp kiss on both of her nipples.

“I couldn’t resist, Lou, they’re so lovely.”

Then she kneeled down and helped her step out of her pants, underwear, and sandals. Except for her black eye and some bruising on her shoulder and arm, she was stunning.

“You dress so conservatively at work, Lou. I had to guess at what was under your frumpy outfits.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. I’m nothing special.”

“Les, what do you think?”

“Spectacular. Second only to you, Jean. Um, I’m going to get in the pool; right now.”

He left before his swelling became impossible to ignore.

“I don’t understand. He’s married to you, and I’m so plain by comparison.”

“Lou, for the umpteenth time, shut the fuck up. If you gave my husband the green light, he’d be all over you. Are you on birth control?”

“JEAN!”

“I’m serious. He’s in the water right now because he’s polite and didn’t want you to see his erection.”

Lou started weeping and sat on the edge of the mattress.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Please, trust me. Lou, you’re here because you’ve become my best friend. I want to know.”

“It’s so embarrassing. Because I was so horny, I went on two dates with that vicious loser. He was well-built, polite, and he acted normal—until I wouldn’t put out on the second date. Jean, I haven’t had sex in six years! Nothing since well before my husband died.”

Now her tears were flowing freely.

“You’re a widow? I didn’t know! I’m so sorry.”

“Liam had cancer; he lingered for a year, but his body was just ravaged. At the end, he weighed less than 80 pounds. He was just skin and bones. Look, I’m sorry; please apologize to your husband. I’m going to go into the guest bedroom and close the door. Go swim with him; I’ll see you in the morning.”

“No, come out and eat with us at 7:30. We will put our clothes on first so you’ll be comfortable. I’m going to go out now, I’m sure he’s wondering what happened.”

“Just tell him I’m sorry.”

At dinner, Les had a question.

“Are you feeling better, Louise?”

“I am; please call me Lou. To be honest, I haven’t seen a naked man in six years. That seemed to set me off.”

“Six years? I’m sorry, Lou, are you a lesbian?”

“Not at all; I’m a widow. My husband died of cancer years ago, and I’ve been solitary ever since. That asshole was pressuring me for sex on our second date, and he went nuts when I said ‘no.’ But I’ve calmed down. I would love to swim with you two tomorrow evening.

“But, Les, I won’t have ... I can’t; oh, hell. I’m going to stare at you. Your behind, your ass, it’s really something.”

“Something good?”

“Oh, yeah. It made me want to see the other side of you. I’m so sorry, Jean. You’ve been so wonderful to me, and I’m ogling your husband like a home-wrecking slut.”

“Lou, you are so wrong to feel that way. Remember Bud, who helped Les fix your door? Bud and his wife Dee come over here all the time to swim with us, and they are always naked just like we are. And then on Fridays, well, we put our four naked bodies on our big mattress and make love. Les is with Dee, and I am with Bud.

“We’ve been making love with each other practically since we moved here. Believe me, it’s crazy fun. You’d see that next Friday, if you want to watch us.”

“You’re telling me that once a week, you’re...”

“Swapping. That’s right. Our neighbors are, well, they’re irresistible. Les gets off on Dee’s huge hooters, and Bud is super-hung.”

Jean held her hands apart, and Lou scoffed at her.

“That’s inhuman; you can’t be serious.”

“You’ll see. More importantly, he’s sweet and kind and patient. He doesn’t want me to be uncomfortable, so we use lube, and he goes in slowly and carefully.”

Lee smiled as he watched Lou’s face start to flush. Jean held her hands apart again.

“I almost believe you. But you can’t buy condoms that size; are you on the pill?”

“No, I’ve had a hysterectomy. Dee has also had one, so Bud is free to have his way with us without concern.”

“Before trying to date again, I got an implant. I don’t want to be raising a child on my low salary alone. Which reminds me, how the hell am I going to pay you guys back?”

“You aren’t. Jean and I know that you can’t. Lou, with everything that’s happened and considering how long you’ve been working with Jean, we are going to keep looking after you. We want you to feel safe and comfortable and go back to the library and your home as our beloved friend.”

“Oh, I get it now. You two want to have sex with me in return for all this generosity.”

“Absolutely not! We aren’t the kind of people who would demand sex from you.”

“Really? Oh, darn. I was kind of hoping the three of us could make love after we finish the apple pie.”

With a wicked smirk, Lou leaned over and stuck her tongue in Lee’s mouth. Jean stood up.

“I’ll serve the pie.”

The three of them were naked and petting each other while sprawled on the big bed in the master bedroom.

“Jean, I want both of you, but I’ve never had a girlfriend before—uh, a naked girlfriend. Can I make love with Les first while you watch us? And then maybe you can tell me what you prefer.”

“Oh, yes. Make her scream, Les, while I watch. We need to get those mirrors.”

“Mirrors?”

“I’ll explain later. Lie on your back and spread your legs, sweetie. Les, go get the lube and get yourself ready. My goodness, you’ve got a big bush. I love the color, and you smell divine.”