Chapter 1: The decision

Knowing I'd need help for the upcoming craft shows I'd scheduled to attend in her region, I asked a family friend if maybe her daughter, Melinda, might be available to do some work for me. I'd pay her a good wage for doing the 5 shows I'd be attending in the local area. It was early in the summer vacation schedule so I knew Melinda would be just bumming around, probably getting into whatever trouble a sixteen year old drop dead gorgeous young woman could get into.

Yeah, Melinda is a doll! About 5'6", weighs maybe 110 pounds soaking wet. She's got perfectly proportioned breasts, maybe even as big as C-cups, and an ass to die for. Her hair color seems to change with whatever is "popular" at the moment, but in my humble opinion, she looks absolutely stunning with Gothic jet-black hair. Her bright light hazel-white eyes, in combination with that jet-black hair, could melt titanium with very little effort. The big problem is she knows how to use that fact to her distinct advantage, especially with me. I'm wrapped, but that's getting ahead of the story!

My close friend Sara, Melinda's aunt, checked it out with her sister Janet and it sounded okay, but with some reservations.

Janet knows me, but not quite as well as Sara does. Sara let her know that I'm a pretty decent guy, which she had really observed at parties in the past. She knows I would make sure that Melinda was well protected while in my "custody". Sara didn't know my complete background, nobody did, but she knew that there was no way anything or anybody would mess with Mel without facing me.

For the most part I was viewed as "fearless". I knew fear very intimately, but had learned to deal with it for what it is.

Everyone had seen the extensive scars on my body at the beach parties, but Mel was the only one to ask any questions about their origins. Leave it to the curiosity of a child.

The prospect of Mel earning a hundred dollars a day for working meant that she'd have about $900 per show to spend on "school accoutrements" that Janet wouldn't have to cover, or as I would suggest, better she put most of it in the bank and save it for a college rainy day!

But there were still reservations on Janet's part.

I am, after all, a man!

Melinda's mother, Janet, is a bi-sexual woman with two beautiful daughters. She has really bad vibes for men in general. It's because of the way she's been treated by the men in her life, which, in the minds of friends and family alike pointed directly to her lack of good choices when it came to men.

I'm not that judgmental. Sara already knows that and it's something Janet will learn and come to grips with. I just don't feel it's my place to tell someone how to live their life. I'll listen, observe, but rarely ever provide an absolute path. Not my job!

After a failed marriage to what most would call an abusive total loser, she and the girls were on their own so mom turned to girls; she just didn't want to deal with men and the bullshit that came along with them.

From my perspective, I can't say that I really blame her. I like Janet a lot, and feel badly for her, but as with most things in life, her situation is mostly self-induced, but no person deserves to be treated the way her men have treated her.

Let's face it though, for the most part, men are pigs. We are, it's in our genes, and it's the way we're wired.

Being a man, and knowing how most men are, letting the little head win out over common sensibilities, it's not all that surprising.

We all know the little head really has no brain or conscience, so when "he" takes over, there's not much thought process going on with "his" single-minded drive.

It's really not all that surprising that she feels the way she does. What's really surprising to me is that more women aren't bi-sexual for the very same reason.

Driving south from home I arrived in L.A. early on Wednesday morning hoping to have a chance to talk to both Janet and Melinda. The show was starting on Saturday and running for a week. Actually nine days in total.

I generally arrive in town at least a couple days early so that I could get acquainted with the show place and its surroundings. This time, realizing that Janet was still a bit worried about leaving her daughter with me each day, I really wanted an opportunity to set her mind somewhat at ease, or at least as much as I was able.

Be that as it may, because of her chosen sexuality, Janet was still a little hesitant. She knew that what Sara had told her about me was accurate; Sara was too straight up to be any other way. With her own observations over the years, she also knew that I would take excellent care of Melinda.

Mel, for all intents and purpose, seemed totally "normal" in a sexual sense in that she actively chased after boys. I suppose it would be more accurate to say, she allowed boys to catch her, but left them all wanting. She had a singular mind, and there was only one male in her sights.

Janet also knows that I'll be a very good overall influence on Melinda, but she wanted to find a way to talk to me without Melinda being there. One thing that Janet can't give to Mel is a "male" influence in her growing up process. Her father is worthless and Mel doesn't even like visiting since she's matured physically.

That tells me a little about dad.

Yeah, I'd mess him up if he touched Mel inappropriately, and I know Mel would tell me! He knows too, and he also knows who I am, so I don't think he'll do anything that Mel would object to. He's a completely useless asshole, but he's not totally stupid.

The opportunity to talk came about a lot more easily than she thought. I figured I'd take them both out for a pizza lunch so we could casually kick the summer around, and when we had finished with our pizza Melinda asked if she could take off for a while to call and text with some of her friends.

Easy stuff! Private time made to order.

"Just don't wander too far," Janet told her.

In Venice Beach, though, I figured she'd be pretty safe. I've always found, that anywhere that many whacked out people hang out, is relatively safe even for kids. Whacked out maybe, but they are still known to take care of those in attendance, and most don't take to people messing with kids - especially girls. Personally, I love Venice Beach!

The Lee's lived in the local area so when Janet told me that if it was okay, Melinda could stay with me for the whole show it came as quite a shock. It would sure make transportation issues much easier and with the room I'd reserved there is plenty of space. It might cramp my style a little, but it will be worth it to have Mel around. She is a really fun person to hang with. Still a teenage girl she has a maturity not found in many twice her age.

I guess from the look on my face, Janet could tell I was a bit surprised at her statement, especially after having previously expressed reservations to both Sara and me.

She let out a heavy sigh and looking me right in the eyes started, "Bobby, Melinda has become a real handful. To be honest, I can use the break, but if she gets too rambunctious don't hesitate to send her home. I don't expect there will be any issues because she's really looking forward to spending the time with you and working the shows. She doesn't know about staying with you because I wanted to pass it by you before getting her all excited."

Looking at me seriously, "I also think you'll be an excellent influence on her." She chuckled. "Believe it or not, she loves you very much, and it seems to be much more than the usual 'schoolgirl' crush," Janet lamented quietly. "She's always looked up to you and most of all she trusts you."

"After a lot of soul searching on my part, I do too and I'm sure you know how difficult that is for me to say."

I nodded my head seriously, but didn't say anything. I may be a guy, but I'm far from stupid! She wasn't finished yet.

"I'm also sure that she's been working up to sexual activity, if she hasn't done it already. I just don't want her hurt by some lame-ass, pimple faced boy, whose only goal is to pop her, shoot his load, pull up his pants, and of course leave her high and dry, then going out to tell 500 of his closest friends," she choked almost tearfully.

"The fucking phone wouldn't stop ringing with potential suitors looking for a quick and easy piece of ass. Mel seems to be the kind of girl that once she tastes that forbidden fruit, she's going to want to eat it by the bushel. That worries me, but I totally understand how that is," she said with a knowing smirk.

I returned the grin, but continued to keep my mouth shut.

"By the same token, she seems to have a handle on that exact situation and though she'll date, I'm afraid she's turning into a tease, and that's not a good thing either. Sooner or later one of the older guys will just rape her."

Looking into her eyes, I took a deep breath because I knew I was treading on tender territory, "Janet, I know how you feel about men, Sara has explained it to me and I've made my own observations. In fact, because of my background, Sara and I talked about it at great length. I need to tell you that I both understand and can, for the most part, agree with your feelings. A lot of men are pigs."

To the shocked look, "Hey, It's more than the way we're raised! It's in our genetics. It's the way we're wired, and I believe science has now proven that the male brain and the female brain are significantly different."

She nodded with a big smile but after a few moments of contemplation, her smile was replaced with a very serious look, "Bobby, what would you do if Melinda came on to you? She's sixteen now, and I mean really seriously came on to you with all her raging hormones?"

Now, keep in mind that Melinda is only sixteen so she's technically underage in most states, the proverbial "jail bait". Any "sexual" activities with her could land me in jail for a long time getting my asshole stretched by Bubba and his friends. The law makes no allowances for the true maturity level of a person. It's an arbitrary age, and that's just the way it is, right or wrong.

Unlike the pimply faced teenaged guys she was used to hanging out with, I wouldn't be kissing and telling – not even mom. Janet understood that as well though she had no doubt that she'd find out from Melinda. They had that kind of relationship and in my opinion, that's a good thing all the way around. Mel and I had many telephone conversations over the years.

Was I attracted to Melinda? Fuckin' "A" straight. Remember. I'm a guy; she's a knockout, what the hell do you think?

Would I fuck her?

That's a difficult question to answer, but probably. Well, with her it would be "making love" as it were, there is no way that I could just fuck Melinda.

Mel is a knock-'em-dead, certifiable fox. I'm sure that every testosterone-laden boy within "sniffing distance" is pulling his crank regularly with thoughts of Melinda running through his heads.

Truth be told, I'd have to admit to that one myself, and I'm not a testosterone-laden pimply-faced teenaged boy! I'd also be willing to bet money that there are some teachers at school that are pulling that same action!

Part of her problem is that she knows she's a fox and like Janet said earlier, she knows how to use her sexuality to tease and get pretty much what she wants. I don't believe she's a prick teaser, but she does have that capacity. Young guys really don't have the ability to differentiate between an all out tease and a mild flirt. It's all the same to the little guy, and of course in a sixteen-year-old boy we all know that's who's ruling the roost and pointing the way.

Well, I remember teasers in high school and what they ended up getting. Usually it was either ignored or gang fucked. It really depended on the girl, but I can tell you that in my time, Melinda would be in the "gang fucked" category.

I know Janet wouldn't want that for her daughter, but I can't relate that to her in a reasonable way. I'm sure there were similar happenings when Janet was in high school as well, so vigilante sex with teasers probably isn't unknown to her.

With the question on the table, it almost seemed as though she was setting me up for something, trying to drag out of me, my true stripes. My personal policy is total honesty – especially with parents!

So to diplomatically answer her original question about Melinda coming on to me, I answered with a question.

"What would you want me to do Janet? How would you want me to deal with it? How would you feel if I gave in?"

I paused for a moment to let the concept sink in.

Then added, "How would she react if I didn't cave in? Would she take it as a personal affront? Would it add to any psychological insecurity? You say she loves me very much. What is the reality of that love? What will be the results if I reject that love?"

Pausing again for some comprehension exercise, I then continued, "There are a lot of situational variables, Sweetheart. You know her a lot better than I, so I have to leave it up to you to let me know how you would want me to handle that eventuality."

Then I added, "In my mind she is an adult and as you have seen, that's the way I treat her. As long as she acts like an adult ... I know she's your baby, Sweetie, and always will be a baby in your mind, but her maturity level in my observation, is what I have to consider quite adult. She certainly doesn't act like a little girl to me. Not anymore."

I paused another moment to again let what I was saying sink in a little, and then continued once more. "Based on your decision, I can determine whether I'm willing to 'play'. Just by your asking makes me believe you think she's going to at least try to play a game of seduction. In your thoughts, consider how I should react to an out-and-out tease."

Then with a smile, "Because you know she's going to pull the tease, Janet. She's been doing it to me for years. Did you see her a few minutes ago?"

She laughed and nodded, putting one of her hands on mine across the table before we scootched together in the booth.

"Now," I continued again. "What it'll come down to is, 'okay just how serious are you'? Bluff called. If it's a bluff, but I need you to let me know what you expect if it's not a bluff."

I could see the anguish in her eyes as she responded, "I don't know Bobby, that's my problem. I just don't know."

She took a deep breath and tried to collect her thoughts, "I don't know if she will or not, but it just wouldn't be a real big surprise if she does. I know you're right about the tease." Then with a smile added, "And she is an expert at that, I've seen her work it."

We both laughed breaking the nervous tension that had been building.

Looking at me seriously, she said softly almost at a whisper, "I know she cares very deeply for you. I would have to call it love, and Bobby it's more than 'puppy love'. I think that's what scares me the most. My little girl has grown up. A lot."

And then, in a very loving, soft tone, "I just want her treated with respect and love instead of teenage hormonal lust. I want her first time, if it hasn't happened already..." Then taking a deep breath, "I don't believe it has, but I want it to be the kind of special memory that every girl wants it to be in her deepest fantasies, but so seldom gets."

Then with a thoughtful frown, "God knows, mine sure sucked."

Then with serious trepidation deep in her eyes, "So on the one hand, I know that she would be in good hands with you, but Bobby, she's still my little girl."

I nodded my head to acknowledge her feelings and what she had said, but remained silent. It was her stage.

Janet was in great emotional turmoil and I didn't want to add anything to the machinations. She was going to have to make a decision and let me know what it was.

She was searching my eyes looking for some kind of answer, but she was only finding tenderness, love and understanding, but no answers!

Both Janet and I continued our eye contact in silence as she worked through her feelings. I reached out to her and put my hands on hers acknowledging I somewhat understood her dilemma.

I have a special understanding and feelings when it came to family.

I could see that she just wasn't sure what she was feeling. She truly understands that Melinda wants sex; she can "smell it". It's one of those Mom things. She also knows and understands that it's going to happen probably sooner rather than later, if it hasn't already. It's just how, when, and with whom. She knows the guys Melinda hangs around with and none would be an acceptable choice to her, but remember, she's "mom".