Synopsis: Having never planned to return to the Valley, it seems the best of intentions can be fully negated during a moment of weakness. Jerry has a lot to answer for! This is a stand-alone Harper Valley incident.
***
I suppose I could always claim it was a case of "guilt by association," yet the least competent of lawyers could dismantle my case in seconds, once my willing participation in earlier Harper get-togethers was aired publicly.
The fact is however, I had no intention of ever re-acquainting the girls with their former reckless ways, instigator that I undoubtedly had been in the past. Were it not for Jerry's incessant badgering, I would surely never have caved-in emotionally and accepted an invitation to what was billed - laughably in hindsight - as a "quiet afternoon with some old friends."
Having by necessity to return to Australia as I mentioned, we had managed, for two months at least, to distance ourselves from Jerry's persistent pleas to "come over and see everyone" knowing exactly what that was likely to entail. With just two weeks to go before we returned to our home in the US, Jerry played his last card -- and I didn't even know it.
The call from Warwick was innocuous enough. We had stayed in touch, corresponding mostly by email and aside from the normal pleasantries, had exchanged our views on most everything from escalating fuel costs to Brianna's latest loser of a boy-friend. I have to be honest, just the mention of his daughter's name was enough to conjure up memories of former intimacies between us that would maintain my body heat even in the Arctic Circle. Quite irrationally, the thought of some callow youth attempting to navigate amateurishly her young body, filled me with instant distaste. I think Warwick was of the same opinion.
"Jer's real disappointed you won't be able to make it before you leave," came suddenly from way left field. "He really wanted to have a little social get-together for you"
I felt a total heel......for all of thirty seconds.
"Yeah well I know what Jer's "get-togethers" usually entail Warwick," I replied. "My three girls would be on their backs upstairs before the first commercial break....and that's a best-case scenario!"
"I think you got it way wrong my friend," Warwick answered. As far as I know, he just had in mind to ask Connor, Brad, George, Steve and Graham over...maybe Craig as well. Just a few drinks and nibblies is all."
"It's the nibblies that bother me Warwick." I interjected. "It's what those guys do best...and hey, was that invite to include their own daughters or was Jer planning on just sharing mine around?"
"Nup, everyone's daughters were to attend. Jeeze you're getting paranoid in your old age Noel," he added.
Could be he had a point there!
"Michelle was looking forward to seeing you too," Warwick added subtly, ladling on the guilt factor.
I was right that second, if not a lost cause, something very close to it.
"Ok Ok," I blurted out, emotionally drained. "Tell Jer we'll look-in Saturday afternoon. Just for a few minutes...maybe a quick drink, but that's it. Oh, and I'm having the girls dressed in chain- mail by the way -- neck to ankle....just in case he has any ideas!
Warwick was still chuckling even as he hung up the phone.
***
It was bordering the ethereal, walking through Jer's home again and knowing what sexual eccentricities shall we say, must have been conducted there since last we set foot in the place. Getting on for four years now since my days as a neophyte at Harpers, I wondered just how many other young girls' lives must have radically changed as they inevitably have for my three -- all clear of their teens now. I glanced at the couch over near the far wall and could still see Jenna perched on Warwick's lap topless, her skirt crumpled up around her waist as both he and Connor took turns kissing her, their hands roaming her slim body at will, one fondling her breasts the other perpetrating many a gross indecency inside those light blue panties she has always favored.
Although way past their adolescence, none of them appeared much different, certainly none looked their age, Kylie especially. Never was this more evident than as I watched them mingling now with other late High School acquaintances who would have been only in years eight and nine at the height of our Harper participation. Sitting in my favorite recliner at Jerry's nursing a JD and ice, the status-quo for me at least, was definitely restored.
"You see much of Bob these days? Warwick asked, completely disturbing my reverie. It was referring of course to the eccentricities of "If the Shoe Fits." I knew exactly what he was meaning of course - were Angela and Tiffany regular house-guests at our home in Nebraska and if so - full details would be appreciated!
"I think they've only been over once since," I replied, "and even that was just a social evening, nothing vaguely hard-core," I grinned.
This wasn't strictly true I have to say, but I couldn't see much point in advertising our weak moments. Besides, it was a while ago now.
I was watching Natalie chatting to a girl she evidently knew -- rather cute little dark-blonde girl who if I'd seen her before at the High School, I had no recollection. I doubt she could have been more than seventeen right now.
"You remember Melanie?' Jer asked, following my line of vision.
"Can't say as I do Jer?" I muttered. She must be a couple of years younger than Jenna right?"
"Something like that," he replied, "She's been a regular fixture at the last half a dozen parties - really in-demand girl."
Sensing an undercurrent that might conceivably involve me in topics I had not planned to re-visit, I just shrugged. "Yeah, well I can see why!"
Even as I spoke, I was unavoidably seeing that trim little body upstairs in the master bedroom, her clothes being indelicately removed by five praying mantises, their hands seeking the gratification that comes from stripping an eighteen-year old girl naked on a King size bed, up front of some seriously heavy-duty fondling and petting beneath the sheets. The inevitable eccentricities, followed most likely by a communal shower and the experience of being dressed again by five very eager fathers.
I was impelled to finish my Jack Daniels in one gulp.