Chapter 5

The sun was bright and it was already searing hot as Ryan drove his car onto the parking lot at AquaSpa Pools. The air conditioning in his car had long ago ceased to work and he could feel sweat pouring down the back of his tank top. The parking lot was filled with cars so Ryan drove around back to the loading dock. As he parked and got out, he saw Benny Talbot working on the dock moving pool supplies into the storage area.

Benny was one of the few friends that Ryan had. He was older, having graduated three years earlier and was heading into his senior year at Hillsborough State College.

Ryan liked Benny. He was just a bit cocky and a real ladies man... the exact opposite of Ryan. Benny was a good-looking guy with almost movie star looks. He had been quarterback of the football team and dated all of the best looking girls in school. When Ryan was in the 9th grade, Benny had been assigned as his mentor. Benny's family was poor like Ryan's and the two of them shared that; it was almost like them against the world. They had developed a lasting friendship. Ryan almost looked at Benny as the older brother he never had.

"Hi Benny," Ryan said as he walked up the steps of the loading dock.

"Hey squirt," Benny said and flashed his lady-killer smile. "What're you doing here today? I thought you got your supplies last week?"

"I did. Actually I wanted to talk to you."

Benny saw a look of concern on Ryan's face. "Ah... lady trouble huh?"

"No... well yes... I guess you'd call it that."

"Well, you came to the right guy for advice," Benny laughed, his white teeth shining. He was pretty sure he knew what was bothering the kid. "Get me a Coke and we can chat."

Ryan went into the building and got two Cokes from the vending machine. Benny was sitting in the shade on the loading dock when he came out. "Here," Ryan said, handing him the Coke and sitting down."

"Thanks. Going to be a hot summer... good for the pool business though," Benny said, making small talk. When Ryan didn't respond Benny asked, "What's bugging you squirt?"

"It's nothing bad. I'm... I'm not really sure where to start."

"Start at the beginning my man," Benny laughed, slapping Ryan's back. "Benny's counseling service is open for business."

"Well, it's kind of has to do with the job. You see... I have... there are these two houses... the women... the women they... oh shit."

"Wait squirt, let me help you; there are two women that are coming on to you."

"How'd you know that?" Ryan asked in amazement.

Benny laughed and shook his head at Ryan. "You're such a nerd," he laughed and reached over to tousled Ryan's hair. "Get with the program kid. I thought you knew what was going on here?"

"What'd you mean."

"Are you really that naïve?" Benny said as he stared at his clueless friend. And then he answered his own question. "Yeah, I guess you are. All right, let me tell you the story of the 'birds and the bees'.

"Come on Benny, I'm serious. I have two houses where these gorgeous women have... have... well, you know, they have done things to me."

"What do you mean 'done things'? You telling me you haven't fucked them yet?" Benny asked incredulously. Then he laughed uproariously.

"No I haven't fucked them!" he returned quickly. "I don't want to lose my job."

Benny's laughter grew louder and tears came to his eyes.

Ryan had no idea what was so funny. He started to get a little angry.

Benny could barely speak but said, "You'll lose... you'll lose the job if you don't fuck them."

"Huh?"

Benny wiped his eyes and took a quick drink of his soda. "Listen kid... this organization here," he said using his thumb to indicate AcquaSpa Pools, "caters to the rich and famous. They provide... how should I say this... they provide more than pool services. In fact, I think they make more money on the 'other' services."

Suddenly it dawned on Ryan. His eyes opened in shock and he said in a loud voice, "You mean we're like pro... prostitutes?"

"Hold on there bud... let's not get on our high horse. All of us are prostitutes in one form or another. We all work for someone and get paid. Some of us use our body and some of us use our mind. It's all the same anyway. Some people sell their bodies as their chosen work. In fact, in my opinion, they are the really honest ones." Benny paused and took a sip of his Coke and then said, "However, we're not really selling our bodies. We clean pools for our pay and that's hard work, as I'm sure you have discovered. The rest is fringe benefit."

"I can't believe it," Ryan said truly stunned.

"Listen squirt, why do you think I've come back summer after summer... for the measly pay we get... or maybe the hard work... not on your life. I have three regular ladies that truly appreciate my company. Look over there," he said pointing to a shiny red Corvette. "That belongs to one of my lady friends. She lets me borrow it any time I like. I'm kind of hoping it becomes my graduation present," Benny said, gazing at the 400hp convertible. "Another lady sends me plane tickets to meet her down in Florida on my spring break. The way I figure it, if I was charging her for that... well, then I guess you could say I was a prostitute."

"But what about the money that AquaSpa is charging for our service... uh... both services? I'll bet it is a lot more than they pay us."

"What do I care what some rich lady has to spend or for that matter, what the company makes. More power to them... long live capitalism," Benny said and held up his Coke as if to toast some unseen person. Then he took a drink and continued, "Listen, these women have more money than dirt." Benny gazed out at the parking lot and paused. Then he said, "But, you know what? I've never asked any of my ladies for anything... not one dime. If they choose to treat me nice, then why would I argue with that."

Ryan sat with his mouth open. He didn't know what to say. What he was hearing made perfect sense but he knew there had to be something wrong with it.

"I've got to get back to work now kid." Benny crushed his coke can and tossed it into the trash. He said, "Just remember, if you're not interested in the job because it insults your morals or some other such nonsense, you can always quit and there will be fifty guys lined up to take your place by tomorrow." Benny began to move supplies again. He turned to Ryan and said, "Go for it squirt." His teeth flashed with his handsome smile.

Ryan drove off the parking lot and toward his first appointment with more confusion then before he talked with Benny. Fortunately, Mrs. Billing's pool was second on his list today and that would give him time to think. And, there was a lot to think about. On one hand he was angry and felt somewhat betrayed. But he wasn't sure by whom: the women, AquaSpa Pools or Benny. On the other, he knew that he would be a fool to leave the job. Probably every guy in his high school would give his arm to have the job. The thing that bothered him the most was that he had been so naïve. What Benny had said made perfect sense. Yet, he felt like everyone was using him. However he also knew that no one was forcing him to do anything. He could just turn around, take the supplies back and go home. Deep inside he knew he couldn't do that; his 18-year-old libido and the thoughts of things to come were driving him.

He finished his first house quickly and headed for the Billings. As he drove up the driveway of the Billings estate, he thought of Mary Wellsworth. At least she had been somewhat honest with him. Mrs. Billings on the other hand had fed him all that crap about psychosomatic disorders. He wondered if she were even a doctor. He felt himself getting angry again.

The door opened almost as soon as Ryan rang the bell.

"Hi Ryan," Ms. Baker said as she let Ryan in.

"Hi Ms. Baker," Ryan answered as pleasantly as he could.

"I was just going to fix lunch... would you like some?"

"Yes, that would be nice," he answered and followed her into the house. His eyes drifted down to her narrow waist and shapely behind. She is put together pretty good for an old lady, he thought. "Mind if I help you?"

"Sure, I would love the company." Ms. Baker led Ryan through the house and into a large, modern kitchen. "Ham sandwiches okay?" she asked as she bent over to get the makings out of the refrigerator.

Ryan didn't miss the fact that she was bending over further than she needed to. She had on another fairly short summer dress that was modestly long but cut rather low in the front. He could see the dress stretch over her buttocks as it pulled up to reveal the back of her thighs. Then she stood up and handed him some ham, a jar of mayonnaise and a tomato. He took them to the counter and waited for her to bring over the bread. When she did, Ryan stood close to her as she began to cut the tomato. He was much taller than the older woman was so he had a good view down the top of her dress. He was pretty sure that she knew where he was looking but she made no indication that she minded. When Ryan reached across the front of her to get a slice of bread he "accidentally" brushed against her breasts. His arm lingered longer than necessary. When he pulled back, he saw that her nipples had become hard. He felt his heart pounding in his chest and his penis began to stiffen.

"So, how long have you worked for the doctor?" Ryan asked as he turned to the side and leaned against the counter. While he tried to act calm, he was very nervous inside. His anger at being deceived was driving him. He had decided to see how far he could get today... with both women. He knew he was taking a big risk and could even lose his job.

As he stood next to the pretty woman, he almost willed his penis to lengthened down his leg. It was now clearly visible under his swim trunks. He saw the older woman's eyes look down and then quickly back up at him.

"Uh... almost uh... fifteen years now," she said, obviously flustered. She didn't look at Ryan as she continued to make the sandwiches.

"Really. And you were a nurse before that?" Ryan reached under her arm again and grabbed a piece of ham. As he did, his forearm rubbed against one breast again. He though he felt her shiver.

"Uh... yes... at a hospital for... for almost ten years."

"Wow, you don't look old enough to have been a nurse for twenty-five years," Ryan said sincerely.

"Thank you," she said and smiled, "I started working when I was 18... while I went to nursing school. Could I have the knife?"

"Sure," Ryan answered. As he picked up the knife, he let it drop on the floor at his feet. "Oops."

Ms. Baker squatted down and reached for the knife. As she did, her eyes fell on his swollen penis. It was trapped down one leg of his shorts and was throbbing. She stared, her face mere inches from the tent in his shorts.

Ryan's heart was about to jump out of his chest. He couldn't believe how bold he was being as he stood there, his hips almost thrusting toward her face. It seemed like minutes but was only seconds before the older woman caught herself and stood up. Her face was red and she was breathing a little heavier.