Chapter 14: Guess Who’s Coming After Dinner

After lunch and cleanup, Dot and I returned to my bedroom, where I was the student and she was the teacher.

“We’re not going to have any more sex, Mike, because you need to be fresh for Dora tonight. I want to explain some more sexual activities you two can enjoy together and some cultural things, like pineapples.”

“Pineapples? I don’t get it.”

“Swingers display pineapples, particularly with the fruit upside down. It’s like a secret handshake.”

“The Lincolns have pineapples on the patio umbrellas in their backyard. Now I know why, I guess. What does that mean for Dora?”

“For you and Dora, they mean nothing unless you agree together to make changes. She understands everything is new to you. But she does expect you to understand: you aren’t her first.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m getting my mind around that. I mean, it’s a fact—there’s no point in getting weird about it.”

“That’s the right attitude. Now, this means Dora is pretty knowledgeable. She wants me to clue you in so when she proposes something different, you don’t get all nervous and scared.”

“Me? Nervous and scared? Impossible!”

Smirking, she said, “Of course. If you say so. Nevertheless, we have things to talk about.”

According to Dot, Dora’s parents had been swingers for a long time, while my parents had just gotten their toes wet, in a manner of speaking.

“But what does that mean, Dot?”

“I suppose that might mean your parents having sex with each other but in the same room with another couple. Or it could mean swapping partners but not being in the same room. That would be consistent with just getting started.”

“I see.”

“Beth and Harry have gone far beyond that level; Ellie and Henry, not so much.”

“And Dora?”

“I don’t actually know. You need to ask her yourself. But don’t be surprised if she isn’t willing to answer you—not entirely, or not in any detail.”

“Because?”

“It isn’t your business, really. And you’re better off not getting into those details. She’s not going to behave the same with others when she’s in a relationship with you. Just sit with that and think for a little while, Mike.”

I took that in and lived with it for a while. I decided that Dot was right; it wasn’t up to me to sit in judgment of Dora; before me and with me were two different circumstances. I didn’t want to fight with her. I didn’t want to keep her confined to me, if that’s what she wanted. Was that what Dora wanted Dot to explain to me?

I took a deep breath. “OK, Dot, I’m letting the past go. What else do you have to share with me?”

I learned all kinds of new things from Dot that afternoon. First, she reminded me how Dora’s monthly cycle could affect her (even with birth control).

“Hopefully, your mother and sister have given you some clues. Every woman’s experiences are different. But every woman appreciates when you are kind and patient, even on difficult days. Your face tells me this isn’t new information to you, Mike.”

“Absolutely.”

Second, we talked about orgasms: how women weren’t necessarily depleted and sleepy after coming, and some could go again and again.

“What does that mean to you, Mike?”

“I need to ask?”

“Exactly.”

And then we got into a topic I had trouble believing, at first.

“In the butt? Are you serious?” Once again, she reminded me that every woman is different. Dot did explain some of her favorite “backdoor” practices, and reminded me gay men cheerfully enjoyed each other’s asses all the time.

I stored away all of these facts and details, because I wanted to be as informed as possible if Dora and I could continue together. But could I ever catch up? I was riding an old lawnmower while she drove a Ferrari.