4
Distinguished Photos
This is the fourth of "The Pru Chronicles." Although much of the story is embellished, some more liberally than others, there is an element of truth woven throughout. Only two of the Chronicles are fully fiction, and one other is based on very real conversations that were leading to the events described but stopped short. Otherwise, yeah, some of this is true...
Pru is a beautiful, vivacious, blue-eyed, blonde with the athletic body of a dancer. She is now 24 years old and has been married for two years. This story continues Pru's sexual journey in the year after "Interventions." She ended things with her lover, Chris, when her husband, Sean, returned home. The military soon transferred Chris far across the country, making it easier for her to settle back into her "good girl" ways. Still trying to adapt to small, military town life, Pru has started looking for ways to occupy her time, idle hands being the Devil's workshop, as the old saying goes. It wasn't her hands that might get her in trouble though.
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Pru and Sean settled back into married life, which for them meant mostly not clicking sexually. Although she was still "inspired" by her summer of love, she was conflicted by the need she felt again to be the good girl and good wife and for her husband to see her only that way. That need led her to suppress the hunger that haunted her at night when the memories of some of the amazing, extramarital feelings she'd had in that same bed not too long before.
To get past those thoughts, she worked more hours and, got involved in civic groups on base, and, on a lark, signed up to be in a community musical production. Busy with military duty and not a performer, Sean wished his wife well but supported her acting endeavors from home.
Pru was just in the ensemble, but she had a blast, especially with the big dance numbers. As they got closer to opening, she noticed a recurring visitor sitting in the back of the auditorium during rehearsals. He didn't appear to talk with anyone, and no one else seemed to notice he was there, as he watched each rehearsal intently. What caught Pru's eye was how out of place he looked in this small town. He was well dressed and handsome, in an almost Hollywood way: salt and pepper hair, closely trimmed beard and mustache, dark serious eyes, and probably in his mid-60s. She realized he looked like the most interesting man in the world from the Dos Equis commercials!
On dress rehearsal night, there he sat again when Pru danced out in a showgirl number dressed in a leotard. She was almost distracted by the feeling that he was staring at her, and when she made eye contact his serious expression softened into a faint smile. When rehearsal ended, Pru walked up the aisle to find the mysterious visitor waiting.
Smiling and his grey eyes shining, "Hello, young lady. My name is William," and he handed her a business card. "May I say that I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you prepare for your role. You are delightful to watch."
Pru laughed, "Well, you can watch me whenever you like with comments like that, William. Thank you."
He chuckled, "Please, the pleasure is all mine. But I have what may seem like a forward offer or request, if you will permit me. You see, among other things, I fancy myself a photographer - not quite a professional but definitely more than an amateur. It's one of my passions. I am sometimes able to mix that passion with my business and photograph real women wearing the latest high fashion that my company sells in our boutiques. Since we're primarily spread across the southwest, we like to produce our marketing materials with beautiful women surrounded by the southwest outdoors. I'd love for you to consider a modelling session with us, for which you will be given any of the clothes that you model."
A surprised Pru laughed, "Wait, that's a lot to take in. You want me to model? And feel free to circle back to the bit about me being beautiful!"
William nodded, "I assure you that I understated my sense of your beauty, Mrs...?"
"Oh please, call me Pru," she answered.
"Excellent. Pru, I'd love a chance to create some images that do you and our landscape justice," William said, beaming.
Pru thought and then said, "Let me talk to my husband about it, but I think it sounds fun. He'll be at the shows next week, and you can talk to him yourself."
William nodded, "I look forward to hearing your and his decision." He stood and turned as Pru walked out the door, his eyes fixed on her until the door closed.
A week later, William walked up to Pru in front of the stage after the opening show. She was speaking to a young military officer and turned to greet William with a friendly smile, "William! I hope you found the show as fun as I did! This is my husband, Sean. I told him all about you!"
William shook Sean's hand, turned a puzzled glance to Pru, then said to Sean, "So,
you
are this young woman's husband? Very nice to meet you, sir."
Sean nodded, "William. So, I hear you want to take some pictures of my wife. What exactly to you have in mind, if you don't mind a jealous husband asking?"
"Ah, yes. Nothing to fear, all very tasteful. Think: fashion magazine meets nature magazine," William answered.
"Well, she's her own woman. So, if she wants to do it, that's fine with me. Any Playboy stuff?" Sean asked with a laugh, producing a frown from Pru.
William held up both hands, "Oh no, I'm suggesting nothing of the sort. Fashion photos. We'll print you a portfolio of all of them for you both to review, and everything will be up to her during the shoot."
Pru squeezed William's arm and led Sean away by the hand, saying, "Thank you, William. We'll talk about it and get back to you after the last show tomorrow night.