Denise nodded; she'd heard all of this before, she'd even shared the story with Will.
Annika returned Denise's nod and continued, "However, what you have probably forgotten, is that it was your father who insisted and ensured that you studied, completed your school assignments, and passed your tests. He worked with you every evening to be sure you understood your class material, prepared all of your assigned work, and were prepared for your classes. When you went away to Arts School, you floundered at first. You missed the discipline and direction your father had provided you. You weren't successful nor happy in Arts School. Even though you were a good dancer, without your father's help and guidance, you weren't dedicated nor successful in your dance classes. At the same time, your roommate Vondra and her friends were on their way to becoming successful designers and fashion artists. As I recall, when that fashion magazine published a couple of Vondra's designs you moped for weeks. Later, when the school selected her to work for a special modeling project, you became a recluse."
Annika paused to allow Denise to comment or agree. Denise simply nodded her understanding.
Annika continued, "To you, Vondra was successful, she had friends who listened to and followed her, she seemed to be a dominate personality. Eventually, you replaced your previous source of direction and guidance, your father, with Vondra. Although, she seemed to be just like your father, she wasn't. She was skilled in fashion design and she had a following of friends, but she was not concerned about your well-being, and she didn't know how, nor did she care to motivate you."
Denise considered what her mother was saying, and commented, "Will said she was never my friend, I was just someone she could abuse to impress her followers."
Annika, finding she once again agreed with Will's opinion, smiled, and continued, "Fortunately, you soon realized you did not have much of a future as a dancer. You quit Arts School, moved back home, back with your father. With your father's guidance and insistence, you soon got a job. Later, with your father's prodding and support, you enrolled in accounting school. When you graduated and got a job, you moved into your own apartment. Again, without your father's control and guidance, you floundered and became depressed and a recluse."
Denise blurted out her frustration, "Sorry to interrupt, but what has all that got to do with Vondra?"
Annika sipped her wine, smiled, and nodded before she continued, "I believe you envy Vondra. In Arts School you wanted to be like her, you wanted to be artistic, popular, and successful. Moreover, I believe you have never gotten over your envy, jealousy, and resentment of Vondra, of Vondra's success. To you, Vondra is not just successful, she's confident, outgoing, and in control. She has successful friends, a thriving fashion design practice, and is a well-known socialite in Kingston. Those were your dreams, your aspirations. She has what you always wanted. She is enjoying an advantage that you always desired to possess. Thus, when she criticizes you, you accept it, you take it to heart."
Denise frowned, thought to protest, but remembered that her mother was a trained psychologist, and had Denise's interest at heart, so she asked, albeit with a hint of insolence, "Okay, let's agree that I envied Vondra's success, how is it that she still has so much influence over me?"
Knowing Denise was listening Annika smiled and continued, "Several things came into play to create the situation. Foremost, your love and respect for your father. Secondly, your father's dominate personality combined with your submissive nature. Third, when you lost the dominate personality in your life, the only man you'd ever loved, you looked for a replacement, and you found Vondra. You transferred your feelings for your father onto her—it was easy, she was older, acted as if she cared for you, she was successful, and as your roommate, she was close to you, always there for you."
Denise considered her mother's points and having to agree with them, nodded for her to continue.
"When you left Arts School, you left Vondra's sphere of influence, but you did not forget your feelings for her. You thought of her in the same way you had always thought of your father, you continued to allow her to dominate you, and you gave her comments the same value you'd always given your father's. Thus, you allowed her comments to influence your feelings about yourself."
Annika sat back and sipped her wine as she allowed Denise to consider the information she shared with her.
Denise looked up from her thoughts and asked, "I give her opinions the same authority and influence I give father's opinions?"
Annika smiled and nodded.
"How can I change that? How can I take that authority and influence away from that wretched, vindictive, overly-critical, undernourished bitch?"
Annika had a long laugh before explaining, "I think you just did."
"What do you mean?" An incredulous daughter asked her mother.
"With your realization a second ago you removed any influence Vondra ever had over you. You now see Vondra for who she is. Whenever you see her again, you will remember what she did to you, how she used and abused you for her own pleasure, and you will no longer respect her opinion, nor her."
"Really? That was all I needed to do?"
Annika nodded and then lifted a finger to get Denise's attention, "It helped that Will got you to talk about Vondra and to consider the undue influence she had over you. That helped you to recognize and accept the validity of the things I pointed out to you."
Denise nodded, and with the beginnings of a tear in her eye, whispered, "Mother, thank you for helping me get over Vondra. And before you ask, I will be sure to thank Will when we next chat."
They ordered, the waiter served them, and during dinner, they enjoyed the cool breeze as they talked about the possibility of modifying Denise's Jamaican Beauties Jaunt itinerary. Denise was open to and, in fact, excited about including a night at a Villa on the Cliffs or The Cliffs Hotel, and spending a day at James Bond Beach including a snorkel or sailing trip or, even better in Will's case, a private vest and swimsuit optional snorkel party.
While they enjoyed after dinner glasses of Sauvignon Blanc, Annika talked with Denise about the feelings she experienced while she was naked in the sea and her feelings as she walked naked onto the beach with everyone watching. Denise admitted that it was something she enjoyed and was willing, even desirous, to try again in different venues.
*****
Risqué Club
Annika offered to take Denise to a local club to celebrate her newly achieved freedom from Vondra's ridicule. After walking two blocks up the street, they entered a Calypso Club X and the hostess escorted them to a table between a big stage and a small dance floor. Annika ordered two wines from a waitress before leaning towards Denise and shouted over the music, "Your father has an interest in this club; it's one of his favorites!"
At that moment, a dancer, wearing a minimal string bikini with three narrow oval slivers of material that barely covered her nipples and labia, danced onto the stage above them. She smiled broadly, shimmied her butt, pumped her hips, and shook her breasts for anyone that came to the stage with money. When the music quieted, Denise leaned over and asked, "Are you sure this is father's favorite club?"
When the next song began, the young, dancer soon removed her bikini top as she continued her performance. Now there were many more men offering her money to dance, wiggle her ass, and shake her breasts in front of them. Again, when that song ended, the young girl went to the men and collected the tips they offered and seemed to enjoy letting them fondle her exposed thighs and breasts.
When the third song began, Denise wondered why the girl would do what she did for just a few dollars. Furthermore, she was finding it even more difficult to believe her mother's allegation that her father enjoyed watching nearly naked girls dance on stage.
When the music ended and the girl had once again collected her money and left the stage under the watchful eye of a large gentleman in black slacks and a black tee shirt with the Club's logo on the chest, Annika announced, "There's a quieter place where we can talk, grab your drink and follow me."
Annika led them to another muscular gentleman, also wearing a black tee shirt with the club's logo, standing at the bottom of a staircase and after talking with him for a minute motioned for Denise to follow as she walked up the stairs. On a landing in front of a set of frosted glass doors, another gentleman stood behind a podium. He seemed to recognize Annika and smiled when she approached. Annika smiled as they talked and when she handed him several bills, he opened a heavy door, allowing the ladies to enter the lounge.
