(fictional story about fictional characters)
Debra Barone's tenth wedding anniversary was only a couple months away and she found herself wanting to do something really special for her, NY Newsday sportswriter, husband Ray. He had actually been pretty nice, and thoughtful, lately; and she knew he worked hard; so she wanted to show her appreciation. On one memorable occasion , he had, surprisingly, taken her side against his perpetually meddlesome mother Marie; and "shooed" Marie out of the house. Eight years ago she and Ray had purchased the house across the street from his parents; and ever since, Marie would just barge into the house, unannounced, at her discretion. She was constantly criticizing Debra for everything; from her housekeeping and cooking; to her child-rearing skills.
"Yeah, she should talk about child-rearing skills, " thought Debra to herself, "her two sons are completely messed up."
She was sitting at the kitchen table trying to remember why she had persuaded Ray to buy this house, when her best friend Amy, lightly knocked on the back door, and then came in without waiting to be asked. They both thought of each other as family.
"Oh, hi Amy, " Debra happily exclaimed, "would you like some coffee?"
"Thanks Deb, that would be nice," Amy responded, taking off her coat and sitting at the table across from Debra. "You looked lost in thought when I came in; a penny for your thoughts," stated Amy.
"Marie again," frowned Debra, " but also I have been wracking my brain trying to think of something special to give Ray for our anniversary."
"It just so happens that I know the perfect thing," Amy replied; " professionally done boudoir photos. I actually had some done for Robert; but then the louse dumped me again before I had a chance to give them to him."
Debra took Amy's hand in hers and patted it, comforting her. Robert, Ray's older brother, was notorious for being non-committal with women. He was a sergeant with the NYPD, but Marie had brow-beaten him all his life; and spoiled him for other women. He still lived at home, and had broken up with Amy several times. Debra found it hard to believe that Robert had actually been married once.
"Boudoir photos...you mean pictures of you in your underwear," asked Debra.
"Lingerie, actually," blushed Amy, "it's very tastefully done; and they made me look incredibly sexy. Eat your heart out Robert!"
"I don't think...I just couldn't let some strange photographer see me in my lingerie," stated Debra; "although it would be perfect for Ray; you know the way he's always pawing at me."
"Oh Deb, it's totally discreet; and the photographer I went to is a woman...and she has her studio right here on Long Island; it's practically in your neighborhood," urged Amy. "Here, I'll give you her card."
As she lay in bed that night; trying to relax enough to sleep; after another confrontation with Marie (about her cooking again) ; Debra couldn't stop thinking about the boudoir photos. Amy; even though she blushed a bright crimson; had shown her the photos she had intended for Robert, and they had been quite good. They were professional quality portraits; but with an erotic focus. Amy had been fully clothed in lingerie, but posed in a sexy and suggestive manner. They reminded Debra of "Playboy" type poses. She had told Debra that the photographer would let you pose as daringly as you chose. The photographer, whose name was Sheila, directed Amy and made many suggestions for poses; but Amy had the final say. She told Debra that even though she had thought she would be embarrassed ; Sheila put her totally at ease; and the experience was very positive. Debra thought that it might be nice to have some photos of herself to remember when she was still sexy and proud of her body; she hated to admit it; but gravity was already starting to affect her breasts. Amy had said that you could bring your own lingerie; or choose something from the large selection that Sheila had at the studio. By the time she drifted off to sleep next to the snoring lump that was Ray; Debra had decided that she was going to at least visit Sheila's studio.
The next day she called the number on the card Amy had given her, and made an appointment to meet with Sheila. So, a couple days later, right after getting the kids on the school bus, and seeing Ray off to work; Debra drove the short distance to Sheila's house. It seems the studio was located above her garage. When Debra drove into the driveway; she discovered the garage was a mammoth, three car structure; with a complete second floor. She was slightly nervous; but this appointment was just a "meet and greet." When she had spoken to Sheila on the phone, she had instructed Debra to just ring the doorbell on the side door of the garage; so that's what she did. Almost instantly, a smiling face appeared at the door and it opened. Sheila and Debra introduced themselves and Sheila led the way upstairs to the second floor studio.
The upstairs studio was enormous and inviting. The main room had a sofa and a couple nice easy-chairs in one area; another area was obviously the "office" section, judging by the desk, computer, etc.; and in one corner were several "pull-down" screens and some large lights...this was obviously where the formal portraits were done. Debra was immediately struck with the attractiveness of Sheila. She was a little younger than Debra; very petite and perky; with the bluest eyes and short blond hair. Debra bet that she didn't even have to brush it out after a shower; it probably just fell into place naturally. They sat in the chairs; and Sheila asked Debra what exactly she had in mind. She told her host that she just wanted something "kind of sexy" for her husband as an anniversary gift.
Sheila retrieved a large 3-ring binder from her desk and handed it to Debra saying, "these are some examples of my work. I ask every customer if they would mind being in my portfolio; and if they would rather not; then, of course, I don't include their photos in my notebook. I think you will be pleased with the quality of my work. My philosophy is that every woman is beautiful; sometimes it just takes more work and makeup. Remember, all these women are just ordinary housewives, or working women."
Debra perused through the 8X10 prints and was totally impressed. The women were beautiful, and the photography was very professional. When she was finished with the notebook, she handed it back to Sheila; and told her how impressed she was.
Sheila took Debra by the hand and as she led her to a door behind the office; told her, "let me show you the bedroom. This is where all the boudoir photos are taken."
