Chapter 17

August 25, 2018 (Saturday)

Author: Beth Williams

I found Rhee and Mare in Katherine’s office, Mare apparently coming to the end of crying into Rhee’s shoulder. When I glanced at Katherine, she gave me a short headshake, so I gave her a short nod and waited for the story. Once I heard it, I had a suggestion.

“Mare, would you like to work on the floor?”

“I think so. I know that all customers won’t be as pleasant as Wren or have such easily solved problems, but I found that ... if not fun, at least enjoyable.”

With Katherine more than a bit surprised and seemingly unable to respond, I asked, “How long did you plan to keep her modeling today, Katherine?”

“Only until 6:00.”

“Can the store afford to pay Mare for floor help at the same rate as for her modeling?”

With her eyes on Mare’s, Katherine answered, “Yes. Mare, would you like your job here to have a sales aspect?”

“Could I?”

“Mare, I couldn’t have done better with Wren than you did except that I know the store’s stock better than you do. I didn’t want to work you for too long when you were modeling. Still, if you’re okay with waiting on the occasional customer, even if it’s to send the person to someone who can help the person, there are certainly times on some days when even someone who knows a little about the stock could be helpful. I wouldn’t want you behind the counter, as that would detract from why I most want you here.”

Mare’s eyes began to shine as Katherine continued with, “Let’s do this. When all the floor staff are helping customers, feel free to help a customer who specifically asks for help. Do what you can, even if that’s just telling the person that you’re still in training and that you don’t have the answer the customer wants. At other times, in addition to doing the tidying tasks I asked you to do, start studying the store, learning what we have and where it is. If you don’t mind working noon to 8:00 on Saturdays ... with a half-hour off for dinner, I’ll pay you for eight hours each day. I’d want to see how Wednesdays go before we discuss any changes to that day’s plan. How does that sound?”

“Great. I like it here, Katherine, and I’ve come to like learning about clothes. I’d like to learn a lot more.”

“Okay. Should I call Emma about today or do you want to”

“Umm ... would you? I could use that time to ... do my job.”

“Okay, I’ll call her and explain about tonight.”

“Thanks. I don’t want Mom to think I’m bragging.” After Katherine nodded, Mare tentatively asked, “Umm, you ... seemed to treat Wren as ... sorta special. Is she ... someone important?”

“She’s not, but her father is. He’s the owner of the largest, most important construction company in Elkton, and that company is who’s building that big, new complex by the river.”

I asked, “What big, new complex?”

“I don’t know what it is, but there’s been a lot of heavy equipment and building supplies going in there. The trees and understory along the river block views of the site from the west side. You know those pecan groves on this side of the river?” When I nodded, she added, “Just south of there. I don’t know who owns that tract or what’s being built but given the traffic and various construction materials going in there, it seems like it’s more than just a half-dozen houses.”

“Oh. Okay. I can’t think of the last time I’ve been on the west side of the river on that part of town.”

Rhee asked, “Didn’t we go that way for one of our non-league games this year? It was one of the first ones, probably in April. Wasn’t that Rattlesnake Springs?”

“Oh, yes. That’s right.”

“Well, that project hadn’t been started then ... or it was only in the very earliest stages, as I didn’t notice anything different there then.”

I nudged Katherine by asking, “So ... Wren?”

“Oh. I’d never seen her before, but I’ve made it a point to learn about the movers and shakers in town, so I’ve seen photos of her. The most recent was probably from one or two years ago, but she doesn’t seem to have changed much. She should be-e-e-e... 16 or 17. She seemed ... surprisingly nice given her parents. Her father’s a gruff I-wanted-that-done-yesterday kind of guy and her mother’s the worst sort of rich-girl bitch. I’m surprised by how pleasant Wren was with you, Mare. I didn’t expect that, given her parents. Maybe she has a mind of her own. My experience with the type suggests that I shouldn’t hold my breath, but what I saw of her just now seemed ... surprisingly sane.”

She breathed deeply, then added, “I should know, as ... I come from a very similar situation and have way too much experience with the type.” When I opened my mouth, she shook her head at me and said, “I owe everyone that story, but not here and certainly not now. I need to get my new star employee back on the floor where she does even more good than I’d hoped.”

Mare slammed herself into Katherine, wrapped her up, and gave her a scorching kiss.

When Mare leaned back, Katherine said, “I am so much looking forward to you being LA-legal.”

That earned Katherine another scorching kiss, after which, Rhee and I followed them onto the floor, although the two of us detoured to the breakroom.

Since I had texted on the way, Delia opened the door as I was knocking on it, pulled us in, and then quickly closed and locked the door.

As I took in the scene, Rhee said, “The atmosphere has become much hotter.”

The various young girls were closely studying various walls and there was a knot of girls, Meka in the center of it. I could also see the tops of the heads of our guys right in front of Meka, their bodies facing her but with their heads looking down; Meka’s eyes seemed to be looking at the same thing the guys were.

When we squeezed into the packed audience, I could see over Crewe’s shoulder that Alyssa was on her knees before the guys and had both cocks in her hands, the left on Seamus’. Her mouth, though, had the head of Brett’s cock in it, with her right hand holding the base of it. Shortly thereafter, Alyssa pulled her head back and looked up at Brett’s eyes.

“Somehow, that’s nowhere near as disgusting as I thought it would be. In fact, I’m fucking turned on. I can’t believe I just voluntarily wrapped my mouth around two ... cocks in less than a half-minute. Okay. I’m obviously not completely a lesbian and I’m beginning to think that I’m more like you girls than I thought possible. Meka, I’ve got pictures swirling around my mind of me in bed with your two guys.”

Meka replied, “Alyssa, if or when you truly want to take them to bed, they’re yours. We’ve given you carte blanche with them and they’ve each given you the same.”

Alyssa seemed to notice me then, as she said, “I’m glad you’re here. Remember ... umm ... the story I told you about watching a guy and a girl fucking?” When I nodded, she said, “I was describing my own first experience with heterosexual sex.”

Meka beat me to it, as she knelt and wrapped her arms around Alyssa; I had to squeeze past Crewe and walk around Alyssa to her left side to mirror Meka. Alyssa was not crying, but her body felt tense, and she removed her hands from our guys’ cocks.

Despite that tension, she called out, “It’s now safe for young girls. Feel free to join the audience if you want.”