Chapter 9

It took about an hour to make sure all my clothes were packed, then another twenty minutes to say all our 'Goodbyes, I'll writes', and all that good stuff. I gave everybody a big hug before I left with Dad. Val got a special one. She was still looking a little starry eyed. Dad was curious about Riekie, but contained it until we were in the car.

"So what's this about Riekie?"

"Oh! It seems she gets her jollies from watching other people make out. It doesn't even have to be full sex. With us, all we have to do is get into some heavy French kissing. She has an orgasm, and it's so strong she faints. She won't recognize her own sexuality. She keeps telling Carol that masturbation is dirty. Thank God her parents are more like you guys. I don't know where it came from. I think Joanne has something to do with it. She has some hang ups, too, but from what I've seen, Riekie's are worse."

"Oh, so after this incident, you're wondering if Riekie's changed her attitude toward masturbation?"

"For her sake I hope so."

"This new-found maturity of yours is pretty unnerving!" We both laughed.

"Like I told you, Dad. I don't think it's new. I think it was there all along, from the way you and Mom raised me. It just took the right situation to bring it out."

"It's still unnerving to see it so suddenly."

"I guess."

In about ten minutes, we were at the Scotts' being greeted by my Teen Angel. My Girl! Carol and Bob were both watching for us. Carol ran up and gave me a great big wet kiss, then threw her arms around Dad and hugged him hard, as he helped unload my stuff. You could tell he was delighted. He beamed. He'd be telling Mom what a wonderful girl Carol was, just because she hugged him. What red blooded man wouldn't like being mauled be a sexy nymphet? She was acting just like a typical teenager, all bubbly and bouncy. I loved her more (if that was possible) for it. It just seemed the more I saw of her, the more I found to love. And only a month ago, we didn't even know the other existed. Ain't love grand? Dad couldn't stay and visit, even though he was still curious about Riekie.

After Dad left, we carried my stuff into the house. Dolly gave me a big hug. Once I got settled in, Dolly said "We had better get this over with. Joanne has to leave soon. Bobby, go get the girls. I suppose Carol didn't tell you the rest? Their confined to their room for the day, and I had Bobby take the phone out."

The two older girls came trooping in. I was standing behind Carol with my arms around her waist, hands clasped over her navel. I was holding her close, and looking over her shoulder. The pose was deliberate. Carol knew what I was doing, but she was having a hard time keeping a straight face. Out of spite, she kept rubbing her butt into my crotch, teasing an already formidable boner. When they saw us, the two girls both sucked in their breath sharply, and rather than the repentant look Dolly wanted, they went all cow-eyed, our pose recalling images from this morning, just as I thought they might. Seeing this, Carol got a little more serious, and stopped teasing my cock with her butt. Instead, she snuggled back into my arms contentedly, and watched the girls with concern.

Dolly looked at the two girls "Riekie, Joanne, don't you have something to say to Carol and Dave?"

Riekie lost her cow-eyes. She looked like she was going to break down. "Carol, Dave. What we did today was wrong. We invaded your privacy. We cheapened a very romantic gift. We were friends until this. Can you forgive me, and let us be friends again?"

A pretty speech. She'd obviously rehearsed it. But did she mean it? I looked closer. Riekie was trying valiantly to hold back tears. I whispered in Carol's ear. "What do you think, Sweetheart? She's trying awful hard not to cry. I think she means it." Carol just gave a quick nod of her head, and pressed back tighter into me. She was trying to hold back tears too.

It's amazing how quickly the tables had turned. Riekie was always the big sister, looking out for Carol. Now Carol was the big sister.

"Riekie, you were always a good and true friend until this. From what she told me this morning, I don't like the way you treated Carol Anne last night. It was that, which made her hole up in the bathroom and call me in the first place. I was planning to give that gift to her anyway, but at a time of our choosing. Your actions forced me to rush it. Then, you cheapened it by listening in. Carol and I agree that it looks like your apology is genuine and sincere. So, we accept your apology." She brightened up, and moved forward to hug us. I held up my hand. She stopped.

"Friendship is another thing completely." She looked stricken. Carol turned her head up to me. The look in her eye was questioning. It was obvious from the stricken look that the friendship part was what Riekie valued most. Her apology was sincere. "Friendship is based on trust and truth. To regain our friendship you must re-earn our trust. Can you do that?" Carol relaxed. Now she, too, understood.

She nodded, lips quivering "Y-yes."

"Good. Friendship is also based on truth. It's no coincidence that the two words are similar. They share a common root. To regain our friendship, you must always be truthful with us. Can you do that?"

She nodded "Yes."

"Good. Then here's your first test. How did you two come to be listening in on Carol's and my very private and personal phone conversation?"

She glanced over at Joanne, who was looking daggers at her. "Joanne went to use the bathroom. She heard Carol talking on the phone to you. She came back to our room all excited, and told me that Carol was talking to you on the phone. She couldn't understand why Carol had to hide in the bathroom to talk to you when we had a phone in our room. She thought you guys were talking about us behind our backs. She said 'Let's listen in, and see what's so special that she can't use this phone.' I didn't want to do it. I know if I had a boyfriend, I'd want a little privacy. But she got all excited. She started listening, and the next thing you know, I was listening too. Then you guys started getting so hot, so very hot, I couldn't pull away. And then everything went all haywire. You guys got hot, we got hot, and Mom caught us being dirty with our fingers. When she came in, I thought she'd yell at us for doing ourselves. But no, she was angry that we had invaded your privacy. Oh, guys, I'm so sorry. You guys have been so good with me, and we had so much fun, and now I've ruined it! I feel awful!" She broke down and started crying. With a struggle, she got herself back together.

"Just where in our conversation did you come in?"

"Well, Jo was listening a few minutes longer than I was, but I think I started when you guys were talking about names. That's what hooked me. I was awed, that you two could put so much meaning in a name."

"Did we talk about either of you?"

"Yes."

"Did we say anything gossipy or derogatory?"

"No."

"What did you learn from what we talked about regarding you?"

"I was angry at first, that you would talk about me at all, then I realized that you were talking about me the way a parent, or-or a concerned f-friend would. I learned that you guys really do care for me. You think I have a problem, and want to help. I also learned that you knew I was sneaking peeks at you guys making out."

"Did you enjoy the sexual part?"

"At first I thought it was so dirty, but you were so hot! I couldn't help myself. I was seeing stars when Mom came in the room. I think I blacked out, too. I don't think I screamed, but Jo did."

"Riekie, this is a very personal question. You can answer it or not. Your choice. But if you do answer it, I want the truth, as in 'friend' truth. Do you understand?"

She nodded "Yes."

"Your mother is a very open person. She told you kids that masturbation is normal and healthy. I know this from both Bob and Carol. I can't see her treating you any different. Where did you learn that masturbation is dirty?"

She hesitated, but only for a second. "In grade school."

"How old were you, and who told you?"

"I was six. One of the nuns at St. Mary's"

"Why"

"I found out very young, that I could make myself feel really good by feeling myself d-down there." I saw Dolly's eyes shoot up.

"You know how little kids are. They do things that adults would call private right out in the open. I was playing with myself one day in the playground. The nun in charge of the playground saw me. She went off the deep end and dragged me into the school, and spanked my bare bottom. She told me I was dirty and would go to Hell if I played with myself. She would see me out in the playground every day until I got old enough to come home for lunch. Every day she'd tell me that playing with myself was dirty. Who was I to doubt a nun? When I was old enough to have the mother-daughter talk with Mom, I didn't believe her when she told me that 'doing that' was Ok."

Riekie saw the gathering anger in my eyes. In my arms, Carol felt me tense up, and knew I was getting very angry.

"Did I do something else wrong? Why are you getting mad at me?"

The anger drained almost instantly. Carol relaxed in my embrace.

"Oh poor, poor Riekie! No. I'm not angry with you. I hurt for you! I'm angry with that nun who destroyed a little girl's wonderful innocence! There must be a special place in Hell for people like her. Can I ask you one more personal question?"

"Y-yes"

"What happens to you when you watch Carol and me making out? Do you have an orgasm?" Carol dug her elbow into my ribs. I flinched.

"No, Carol leave him alone. It's OK. I'm not sure. I think I do, but I always faint. Why?"

"Carol and I put two and two together this morning. You probably heard that on the phone. If you hadn't heard us talking about your problem, how would you have answered that question?"

"I probably would have said no."

"That's the answer I was looking for. Our conclusion that you do indeed have orgasms when you watch us is still valid. The diagnosis must change. Yes, Riekie, I'm sure that you orgasm when you watch us. We thought they were so intense you pass out, and then deny to yourself that it happened. Instead, I think it's a defense mechanism. Your subconscious mind won't allow you to experience a full orgasm. When one gets close, your subconscious puts a block on the blood supply to your brain, and you pass out. You don't have to deny what you can't remember. That was Carol's first thought that you might not even be aware of them. I think she might be right after all. You like to watch us, because we can have unrestrained pleasure. Because it's us doing it, you don't get the guilt. More damage done to you by that nun. I think you were able to orgasm this morning because your guilt was tied up wrestling with the right and wrong of the phone thing. Did you have one orgasm this morning, or two?"

"I c-c-came every time Carol did."

"Wow! Did you enjoy them?"

"Yeah! That last one was so intense I didn't ever want it to stop. It felt like a whole lot of bad stuff came out of me."

"Oh, for your sake I hope a lot of bad stuff did get removed. Riekie, Carol and I have decided that you can be our friend again." The delightful creature in my arms could hardly contain herself. "You still need to regain our complete trust, but we want to be there as friends to help you with your problem. You're a sweet, wonderful person. You'll make a great doctor, but we have to fix the broken part. It might take professional help, but I think you're on your way. Wanna group hug?" She ran to us, and the three of us hugged each other as one.

There was one more party to deal with. I hoped it was as positive as this one, but I had a sinking feeling about it.

"Joanne, you've heard everything Riekie said. Do you have anything to say to us?" Riekie stepped back by Bob as I spoke to Joanne.

Her eyes filled with defiance, Joanne simply said "I'm sorry I invaded your privacy." She didn't sound very sincere. Carol's head twisted side to side under my chin. She was voting no. The tension in her lovely body said she was very angry with her old friend.

"Joanne, you heard me tell Riekie about the importance of trust and truth among fiends. Do you have any thing to add to what Riekie said?"

"I didn't start it. She did." Riekie looked stunned, hurt and betrayed.

I felt my eyes narrow. "How?"

"When I came back from the bathroom, she was already on the phone." Riekie was getting ready to hurt her 'friend'. She was not pleased. Bob had to hold her back.

"How did she know Carol was on the phone?" I knew the probable answer, like what happened to my folks, but I wanted to see if she would fabricate something.

I wasn't disappointed. "She said Carol told her she was gonna call you, and she wanted to hear what was said about her." Carol's head was twisting back and forth under mine. She was denying she told anyone she was going to call me. Riekie was livid.

"Joanne. We can't accept your apology. It is insincere and lacks conviction. You seem to be incapable of telling the truth. I don't think we can trust you, either. You would rather accuse another of something you did, than admit the mistake and move on. You seem to be incapable of accepting responsibility for your own actions. We will still associate with you socially, but we can no longer count you among our friends."

"Who needs you guys any way? I'm going home." Her overnight bag was already sitting in the porch. She grabbed it and stormed out the door.

Carol squeezed my arm. "What a bitch! And I thought she was one of my best friends! Good riddance!"

It's not as easy as that to lose a friend. I knew she'd take her back if Joanne saw the error of her ways. They went back too far. Carol would mourn the loss of her friend when she got over her anger.

I didn't think Riekie would ever forgive her. The betrayal there was too deep.

I excused myself and went to the washroom. When I came out, they were all looking at me. Dolly had a look of awe. Carol's look was full of love. Riekie's was almost like hero worship. Bob was Bob.

Dolly waved me to a chair at the dining room table. It looked like she was calling a family conference. "Dave, where did you ever learn to conduct such an in depth interview?"

"Dolly, maybe I should first tell you a little about how I was raised. My folks, particularly my Dad, believe in raising their children to be responsible and mature. He said 50 years or so ago, kids my age were already on their own. They were often married with children too. So, in my family, from the time we can understand, we've been taught the basics of life. Right now, I can run the farm as good as Dad almost. I know what has to be done, when, and how. Val can cook and sew. We learned early the value of hard work. If the hard times came again, Val and I would survive, maybe even thrive on the farm.