Chapter 3

Boots and Chris let Herbie out in front of the School Administration Building. Herbie wore his only suit, slightly too small, and his stepfather's best tie.

"I fucking cannot believe this," said Chris.

"Me either," chimed in Boots.

"If I'm not back in a hour, call my mother and tell her I'm dead," said Herbie with a sort of Mona Lisa smile.

Herbie made his way into building and was ushered by a secretary back to Dr. Todd's office. Dr. Todd greeted him with a politician's broad smile and a firm handshake.

"Come in, Herbie. How's your summer going? I must say that you are to be commended on your work on our last yearbook at the high school. I think it turned out great. One of the best the school has ever had. You were a fine editor. Now what can I do for you?"

Dr. Todd eased back into his huge leather desk chair and pressed his fingertips together in front of him.

"Thank you, sir. I have a bit of business to... ah... conduct with you... ah... sir."

"Terrific. Let's hear it," said Dr. Todd smiling.

Herbie took a deep breath and plunged in.

"Sir, my friends and I saw you and your wife down by the river... with the meat counter guy from Safeway."

Dr. Todd's smile disappeared and his bushy gray eyebrows shot up.

"Sir, while you were shooting old fashioned print photos, we were using a digital camera," Herbie lied.

"Why you little son-of-a-bitch, do you realize just how much trouble you are about to be in? Who do you think you are, your little turd? Coming in here like this..."

"Sir, I believe it is you that is in trouble. I believe if our photos were posted on the Internet, people in this town would... ah... lose confidence in our school superintendent."

"Why you fucking bastard, I will break every bone in your fat ugly body!"

Dr. Todd stood up behind his desk. His huge, former-coach body seemed to rise higher and higher. His face was crimson and his fists were clinched as he started to move around his desk toward Herbie. Herbie's heart seemed to move to his throat. He had to force out his words.

"Sir, if you harm me, then the pictures will be widely distributed and you will go to jail for assaulting a student. If I don't walk out of here unharmed, my friends will publish the pictures and you will lose your job and your reputation."

Dr. Todd stopped at the corner of his desk.

"Just to verify that we do have the pictures, sir, I... believe your wife... ah... did the meat guy with her on top... and with you watching and jacking off... and your wife was wearing... ah... purple panties, I believe."

Dr. Todd grimaced and paused for a long moment. His fists were shaking and the muscles in his jaw were rippling.

He leaned across the desk and said in a strained whisper, "So what do you want, you fucking little blackmailer? Is that what this is about? It is, isn't it, you little piece of shit? So how much money do you want for those pictures?"

"Money, sir? No, sir. We don't want your money. We want... ah... your wife!"

Four days later, Mrs. Todd paced back and forth beside the same cypress tree by the river where her earlier indiscretion had occurred. She puffed vigorously on a cigarette while three pairs of teenage eyes peered at her from behind the thick underbrush at the top of the bluff.

"Ok, we go through with it, agreed?" whispered Herbie.

Chris and Boots nodded as they crouched close to Herbie.

"Chris, you go back to the shack along the river path. Boots you go the other way. Make sure that Dr. Todd is not hiding somewhere. I told him that she had to come alone. I'll lead Mrs. Todd back to the shack."

"I'm not sitting in the shack while you two are... you know," whispered Boots.

"Ok, you and Chris can watch, if you want, from the little porch in back. There are plenty of holes in the wall to look through. Just be quiet. And if she starts to murder me or something, I am counting on you to rescue me. Ready? Ok, let's do it."

Herbie extended his trembling hand between the three teens. Boots and Chris followed suit and shook hands like a group of basketball players just entering a game. Herbie stood up and walked to the edge of the bluff.

"Ahem." Herbie cleared his throat. Mrs. Todd looked startled. "This way, please."

"I can't climb up there in these shoes," argued Mrs. Todd.

"Come around by the path. I'll show you the way from there."

Mrs. Todd gave Herbie a thorough once over. It was if she was trying desperately to place him in some past reference. She tossed her cigarette into the dirt and turned toward the path.

Herbie kept a few paces ahead of Mrs. Todd. A chilly wind whistled through the trees or, at least, it seemed chilly to Herbie. His stomach was in knots, but he recognized that he was in a position of great power and opportunity. He moved with a greater spring in his step when he sighted the shack.

"Careful on the steps. They are pretty rotted," warned Herbie politely.

He opened the door and strolled inside. He looked at the far wall, but could not catch a glimpse of Chris and Boots. Nevertheless, he knew they were there.

"My husband said I should get the photos," said Mrs. Todd. Her long blond hair framed her face and seemed to radiate the bright sunlight streaming into the old building.

"You will never receive the photos, so get over that immediately. Our agreement is to keep those secret, not to give them up."

"Look kid, this isn't right. What did I ever do to you? I... My husband and I don't deserve this."

Herbie looked up and down Mrs. Todd's body.

"When you were in high school, I'll bet you were a cheerleader. Correct?"

"Well... yes... but, what does that have to do with..."

"You probably made fun of your share of kids, huh?"

"I don't know what you mean..."

"Kids that weren't as cool as you maybe?"

"I suppose... I mean... that's just the way things are in high school..."

Herbie shook his head slightly, tightened his lips, and stared. Mrs. Todd stood silently, but her eyes revealed that she understood. Her face started to become a darker shade of red. Herbie dragged over a rickety old chair and sat down.

Outside, Chris and Boots crouched together and shared a peek through cracks in the shack wall. They could see and hear everything. The plan that neither believed would happen was underway.

"Well, you've got balls... I'll have to admit that," said Mrs. Todd. "I'm surprised my husband didn't cut you up in little pieces and feed you to the snakes in the biology lab."

"I had protection from my friends who are in this with me."

"Where are your friends now?" said Mrs. Todd. She seemed to go on high alert.

"They are near by."

Mrs. Todd glanced around the room.

"Take off you clothes, please," croaked Herbie.

"Look, why don't I give you a real good handjob and we'll call this even."

"Take off your clothes," repeated Herbie. "I am now in charge here."

A faint expression of fear flickered quickly across Irma Todd's face.

"Look kid, let's make a deal. I know what you want. I'll bet that you are a virgin even. Right? You and I know that I really enjoy sex. And, I like being watched while I have sex. That is exciting to me. But, I'm not a whore. I want to enjoy myself too. Sex is no good unless two people are having a good time, not just one person. And that is not bull shit." She paused. "Now where are your friends?"

"Don't worry... they can see you... ah, us just fine."

Mrs. Todd's eyes searched the room again.

"First, I want to you to kiss me," Mrs. Todd whispered.

Herbie nearly fell out of his chair. His smugness turned instantly to fear and indecision.

"Ok... I guess," he muttered.

Mrs. Todd took Herbie's hand and lifted him toward her. She stooped just slightly and kissed him full on the mouth. Boots and Chris looked at each other wide-eyed. No one had anticipated a response from Mrs. Todd quite like this.

Mrs. Todd's tongue inched its way through Herbie's lips. Cold chills and hot fever seemed to embrace his body all at the same time. He couldn't believe how incredibly soft her mouth was. He awkwardly put his hands on her waist and started to return her fervor. When he felt her tremble slightly, he knew he was at least on the right track. Irma finally broke off the kiss and, to Herbie's surprise, pushed him back into his chair. His face had a look of absolute wonderment.

Mrs. Todd brazenly looked into Herbie's eyes and started to unbutton her blouse. She tugged her shirttail from inside her pants and tossed the garment behind her. Herbie's eyes grew as big as saucers. He had prepared for this moment over and over in his mind, but now that it was here, he could only gulp and stare. Mrs. Todd put her hands on her hips and seemed to push her breasts forward. They were encased in a white demi bra with transparent lace across the top half. Through the lace, a small dark nipple peeked just over the opaque part of each cup.

"What is your name?" asked Mrs. Todd.

"Herbie."

"You can call me, Irma. Do you want to see my breasts, Herbie?"

"God, yes," groaned Herbie.

"Good sex requires good communication, Herbie. You have to ask. We have to share."

"Please, can I see your breasts?" croaked Herbie.

"Would that please you, Herbie?"

"Yes, YES!

Irma unhooked the back of her bra and it slid easily off her full breasts. Without support, they sagged a bit under their own weight. Irma rubbed one hand over her exposed breasts and tossed the bra aside with the other. At this close range, Herbie noted that her very fair skin was almost translucent. Faint blue veins appeared here and there inside her remarkable breasts. Her small nipples seemed to almost wink at him as he examined them closely.