Chapter 44: Irish Catholic

January 26, 1982, Chicago, Illinois

“How old is Violet?” Anala asked, as we sipped our tea on Tuesday evening.

“I’m assuming she’s eighteen or nineteen,” I said. “She’s a Freshman and talked about graduating from High School last year. Why?”

“Well, you said you felt there was something you were missing. Think about the things you know.”

“I have! If I could have figured it out, I wouldn’t have needed to ask you!”

“There’s a possibility you haven’t considered, and it might be because you’ve never encountered it. It’s possible to graduate High School before you turn eighteen. If you skip several grades, you could easily graduate at fifteen. Most kids that advanced go to Ivy League schools, but maybe she has some special circumstance.”

“You think she’s fifteen?”

“Her maturity level indicates either being very young, very sheltered, or both. Think about the things she did. Offering you the gum she was chewing is very ‘Junior High’. Her reaction to the question about having had a French kiss was a sign of lack of experience or immaturity, or both, and she didn’t want to say ‘no’ and seem immature.”

“You’re sure about this?” I asked.

“It makes sense. I’m sure there are other possibilities, but this one seems the simplest and makes the most sense. Is there anything going on between you beyond the homework?”

“Not in my mind,” I replied. “I can’t speak to hers. I mean, sure, a cute girl sits down beside me and I think about it, obviously, but I didn’t get that vibe. And her reaction to the gum told me she wasn’t interested in me in that way. And she’s said nothing that would give me an invitation, either, beyond asking to sit next to me and asking me to study.”

“My theory would fit. If she’s interested in you, but naïve and inexperienced, which would be normal for a girl who started High School at eleven or twelve, asking to study at the coffee shop is a totally safe way to spend time with you. As I said, everything makes sense if she skipped grades.”

“So what do I do?” I asked.

Anala smiled, “That’s up to you. If you want to keep studying with her, then do that, and wait to see what happens. Maybe nothing comes of it; maybe she takes baby steps to get closer to you; maybe she decides you’re the one to give her the experience she’s lacking.”

“Not at fifteen,” I replied.

“If she’s as naïve as I think, it could be years before she takes another step, if she even does. Kids who are that advanced are often socially awkward and have trouble even making friends.”

“So why sit next to me?”

“For some reason, you seemed safe. I can’t tell you why, because I’m not her.”

“Do you think I’m safe?” I asked.

Anala laughed, “I think you are VERY dangerous!”

“Reconsidering your decision?” I asked.

“No, but that’s not to say I haven’t had a daydream or two!”

“I’m getting under your skin?”

“In your dreams!”

“Actually, from what you just said, in YOURS!”

“And you haven’t?”

“Actually, not since that first day when I wondered what you would look like naked. Once you said you weren’t interested, I didn’t even think about that again, except to occasionally tease you, but that was never serious, because I understood your rule.”

“You give up so easily?”

“You shut me down completely, and directed me to Gudia.”

“Most guys are more persistent.”

“And even when I’ve teased, you’ve shut me down as well. You seem disappointed that I’m not fantasizing about you regularly!”

“Women have egos, too!” she laughed. “And I suspect you can tell me exactly why I wouldn’t go through with the fantasy.”

“You told me! I’m not dominant enough for you.”

“And your personality isn’t such that you could change. If it was, I might consider making you prove your claims about your lingam!”

“I’m aggressive at work, but with women I’m much more passive, letting them decide how things should go.”

“And perhaps that’s what Violet sensed somehow — that you wouldn’t try to push things beyond whatever it was she wanted.”

“Maybe. So what do I do? Ask her how old she is?”

“That is one approach,” Anala replied, “but you might scare her away.”

“So just go with the flow, then?”

“That would be the best approach, I think. How are things otherwise?”

“Good,” I replied. “I’m seeing Allyson fairly regularly, but not as a couple. I’m seeing a couple of other girls as well.”

“Not uncommon for a nineteen-year-old. I take it work is OK?”

“It is.”

“And your female friend there?”

“The agreement we made appears to be holding.”

“Something will change that. It’s a minefield, and you’re just delaying the inevitable blowup, unless you can make the commitment.”

“I know,” I sighed. “I just don’t want to hurt her.”

“I’m not sure you can avoid that, except by marrying her.”

I took a deep breath and let it out.

“Sadly, I think you’re right. And I can’t do that now.”

“You know my advice.”

“I do,” I affirmed.

We finished our tea, and as we usually did, parted after a chaste hug.

January 27, 1982, Chicago, Illinois

I decided to just let things with Violet proceed without saying anything, but I was watching her more closely for signs that Anala was right. Nothing jumped out at me, and we went to the coffee shop to do our homework as we had since she first asked. I walked her home, then walked quickly to my apartment, arriving just before Bianca.

“Hi!” I said when I opened the door.

“Hi!” she giggled. “I’m here for my suck and fuck!”

“Then you’ve come to the right place! Come inside!”

“That’s what I expect YOU to do!” she exclaimed.

I laughed, and once Bianca was inside, I shut the door. She quickly took off her coat, hat, and gloves and hung them on the coat coat rack which had been part of the furniture that was in the apartment.

“First time without an audience!” I said.

Bianca laughed softly, “Yes. I could call Shelly if you wanted!”

“No. I’m very happy for it to be just you and me. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Cum will do nicely!” Bianca smirked.

“Then let’s get undressed and go to bed.”

Five minutes later, Bianca was giving me an awesome blowjob while I licked her. I gave her three good orgasms before she drank my cum as it spurted from my dick. After she swallowed the last spurt, she released me, but didn’t move, so I continued licking her as my dick slowly deflated. When I was mostly soft, Bianca began sucking me again, and when I became hard, she released me, turned, and impaled herself on me. She rode me to three orgasms before I came, then stretched out on me.

My erection subsided, and I slipped from her, and after a quick kiss, Bianca turned so we could sixty-nine again. I gave her a couple of orgasms before I was fully erect, and this time she wanted me on top. We had a good fuck which started slow, and eventually became very energetic, resulting in several good orgasms for her before I pushed deep and cum spurted into her spasming pussy. We had one more round before Bianca snuggled close and pulled the sheet and comforter over us.

“Set your alarm so we have enough time for a suck and fuck in the morning,” Bianca requested.

I did, and then turned off the light beside the bed, leaving only the dim night light near the bathroom door providing the slightest bit of illumination.

“How often can I see you?” Bianca asked, her head resting on my chest, and one arm and one leg thrown over me.

“Remember what I said about just saying things straight?”

“Yes.”

“Just tell me what you want, and we’ll figure out what’s possible.”

“Could I stay over every Wednesday night?”

I couldn’t think of any reason to say ‘no’, and Anala had suggested making decisions that kept open as many possibilities as possible. I didn’t know how things would go with Allyson, and I didn’t want to foreclose things with Bianca if I didn’t have to. That made the answer easy.

“Yes.”

“Thank you,” she said, sighing and snuggling close. “Sleeping in your arms is going to be awesome.”

“Sleep well,” I said.

“Oh, I will!” she breathed.

January 28, 1982, Chicago, Illinois

My alarm rang an hour earlier than normal, but losing an hour of sleep was worth it, as I enjoyed a wonderful blowjob followed by an energetic fuck. Bianca and I showered together, ate breakfast, and then left for the L. I’d go to work, and she’d continue on to Northwestern, having to change trains. When we parted, we exchanged a soft kiss and once the train had pulled away, I left the platform and walked quickly towards the Hancock building.

As I walked, I thought about Allyson and Bianca, and that I liked both of them, and would have a tough time deciding between them if I was forced to do so. Fortunately, I didn’t have to. I was sure both girls were interested in a more permanent relationship, but were, at least for a time, accepting what I could give them. And, being honest with myself, I liked being able to have regular sex, and Wednesdays fit the pattern I established with Lily.

There was a difference in that Allyson and I were dating, while Bianca and I were simply casual sex partners. I’d be spending the weekend with Jeri, and my relationship with her was completely different from either Allyson or Bianca. It was, as Jeri had described, a business relationship, though sealed with her virginity, not a signature on a contract. And, with an expectation that the business side would continue after we stopped having sex.

I laughed as I walked into the lobby of the Hancock Building thinking that in Jeri’s mind there was no difference — sex was business. And that fit with things I’d heard at Spurgeon about sex being just one more commodity which could be traded, bought, or sold. I hadn’t really understood that when I’d first heard it, but now, a few months later, I did.

“Morning, Nick,” I said when I walked into the mailroom.

“Morning,” Nick replied. “Did you see Mr. Nelson?”

“He wasn’t in his office when I walked past. Why?”

“He usually arrives at 7:30, same as I do, but I haven’t seen him and there’s no message.”

“If he were late or sick, who would he call?”

“Mandy Peterson in Personnel, but he’d leave a message for me, too.”

“Maybe he was stuck in traffic. The Ike looked worse than usual this morning, at least what I saw from the L.”

“Morning!” Bob said coming into the mailroom.

Nick and I both greeted him and Bob and I got to work. Thirty minutes later, Mr. Nelson still hadn’t arrived, so Nick called Mrs. Peterson in Personnel, but she hadn’t heard anything either. Nick thought that was very strange, and dialed Mr. Nelson’s house, but there was no answer. It wasn’t until after I’d completed my morning rounds that we had any information.

“Mr. Nelson was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with chest pains this morning,” Mrs. Peterson said, coming into the mailroom just after 10:00am. “His wife said they’ve ruled out a heart attack and believe he has unstable angina. They’ve given him nitroglycerin, and are going to keep him overnight for observation.”

“Nitroglycerin?” I asked. “Isn’t that an explosive?”

Mrs. Peterson actually laughed, which was rare for her.

“Yes,” she said. “But it’s also a heart drug.”

“Did Mrs. Nelson say when he’d be back to work?” Nick asked.

“No. They’ll decide that after they run more tests. The continuity plan says that Nick will cover for Mr. Nelson, Jonathan will act as mailroom supervisor, and we’ll have a temp here starting at noon to help out.”

“I thought Brad in security was senior,” Nick objected.

“Mr. Nelson’s plan specifically named you to cover for him in an emergency. I’ll inform security, facilities, and data processing of the temporary change. Please keep track of the hours until Mr. Nelson arrives, as you’re both eligible for increased compensation under the emergency operations plan.”

As much as I liked Mr. Nelson, and hoped he would be OK, the idea of ‘increased compensation’ made me hope he had to take it easy for a week or two before coming back to work. It also would give me a chance to show that I could absolutely do Nick’s job, and seal the deal, as it were, for the promotion I hoped to receive in June.

“Is the temp we had in December available?” Nick asked. “If so, we wouldn’t have to waste any time with training. She knows the drill here, and even did rounds a few times.”

“I asked the temp agency and they’re checking to see if she’s available. They’ll let me know in the next few minutes.”

That would mean Kristy would be back, at least for a day or two.

“OK,” Nick said. “Jonathan, I’m going to go sit in Mr. Nelson’s office and see if there is anything pressing.”

Mrs. Peterson left, Nick gathered a few things, and then went to Mr. Nelson’s office.

“Now what?” Bob asked.

“Pray that things stay calm for a couple of hours, because I have to stay by the phone, which means you have to cover anything that happens. Once the temp is here, she’ll cover the phones so I can do my rounds, and she can do some other tasks, too. Hopefully, they’ll send Kristy back, because otherwise, I’ll have to spend time training the temp on the phones and basic procedures, which actually makes things more difficult than if it were just you and me, at least for the first couple of hours. It would also mean having to eat at the desk.”

“What about me?”

“Your lunch is at 12:30pm, so the temp should be here.”

“OK. Cool.”

Mrs. Peterson returned about ten minutes later to let me know that Kristy would be in the office at noon, and the plan was for her to work this afternoon and all day on Friday. They’d decide if she’d be back on Monday once they had more information from Mr. Nelson.

Fortunately, things were quiet for me for the rest of the morning, though Nick had some headaches with infrastructure due to an overflowing toilet on 31.

“Hi, Jonathan!” Kristy exclaimed, coming into the mailroom about two minutes before noon.

“Hi! I am SO glad you were available! This is Bob O’Day; Bob, Kristy Benton.”

They greeted each other, and she came over to the elevated platform where the supervisor’s desk was situated.

“So,” she said quietly, “I get to work under you for a few days!”

“Nice!” I laughed. “Take care of the phones, please. I’m going to go see Nick, then have a quick lunch. I’ll just be in the break room if anything happens that needs my immediate attention.”

“Got it.”

I got up, she sat down at the desk, and I went to Mr. Nelson’s office to see Nick.

“Kristy is here,” I said.

“Good. Tell me, what kind of moron uses an entire roll of TP and tries to flush it all at once?”

“The kind who works here, at least until you pull the security logs and find out who was in the john this morning.”

“It was a rhetorical question, Kid!” Nick growled, impersonating Mr. Nelson.

“You actually have him down pat, you just need a stogie in your mouth with ashes hanging off the end.”

“No thanks! I really wish Spurgeon would limit smoking to break rooms, but if he tried that, there’d be a riot.”

“I read an article in the Trib not long ago about a push to make the ‘smoking section’ rules tougher, or even outright ban smoking in restaurants.”

“That would be nice, but so many people smoke that it’ll never pass, at least not any time soon.”

“What are you going to do about the john?”

“The same thing Mr. Nelson does. I’ll write a memo to Mr. Spurgeon detailing the problem and let him handle it. It’s one of the junior guys, so something might actually happen, unlike the copier incident with the plastic melted onto the fuser and rollers!”

“I thought Monroe had to pay for that.”

“Which was about one-tenth of one percent of his bonus. Not exactly even a slap on the wrist.”

“Figures. Speaking of money, what’s the pay increase?”

“For you? I think it’s an additional $6.00 an hour.”

“Damn!”

Nick smiled, “My salary was enough to pay for law school. I won’t have to borrow a dime.”

“Given interest rates, I sure wouldn’t!”

“Actually, I decided to take the loans, because I could put the money into fixed-income products that pay about 3% more than the interest rate on guaranteed student loans.”

“Is that legal?”

“Yes. I just left my money in the fixed-income fund where I’ve been parking it, and used the loan to pay the Law School. We can live off what my wife makes because we have no debt, and our only real expenses are rent, utilities, and food. I take the L to Kent College of Law, so we only need one car.”

“Working the system!”

“You’ve heard the one about the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance, right? The first one is illegal, the second one is your patriotic duty!”

I laughed, “My uncle said something like that — that it was his patriotic duty to follow the IRS regulations to the letter and pay the minimum taxes possible without breaking the law.”

“Exactly. If the government gives you a way to avoid paying taxes, you should. That’s neither criminal nor unethical! If people don’t like it, they can get Congress to change the law.”

I laughed, “Tell me another good one! You know it’s the wealthy and corporations who have real influence in Congress, unless some major scandal or tragedy occurs.”

“I didn’t say it would be easy!”

“True. I’m going to grab a quick lunch.”