The plot's the thing. Some sex, of course, but I am more interested in the story to be told. As usual this is work from my imagination and any resemblance to actual people is purely coincidental.
*****
Andrea
Andrea and Peter had been good friends from when they met at a Saturday portrait class at the local community college, shortly after Andrea started teaching.
Andrea was always a little self-conscious about her face. To compensate she wore tight woolen sweaters and slim jeans to show off her best assets - her slightly over-sized, but very shapely breasts and her long slim legs. Even though she had no interest in getting a boyfriend she still appreciated the looks she received.
Andrea attracted Peter's attention. He initially chatted her up over the coffee break. Their mid-break chats became the norm. Andrea felt safe with a married guy who was about twenty years older than her. He was safe in her eyes. She easily handled his continuous attempts at flirting.
They had a long-term friendship over the years. She called Peter if she was wrestling with a problem, needed advice or knew that he might help another of her many female friends. When there were no classes contact was intermittent with long periods when they were never in touch. Peter did not attempt to push Andrea into some form of relationship. In his heart he knew he would never succeed. Yet when they got together again they were able to pick up immediately where they left off. They met for a dinner or a coffee in the Fall most years. She showed him the photos she had taken on her summer vacation. This year, some fifteen years after they first met, and two days after she had arrived home, was no exception.
After showing all the pictures of her recent trip to New Zealand, Andrea cautiously edged her way into describing an experience she had on the South Island. The narrative was slow to unfold but as she got started the words came out as a torrent.
When she finished she asked, "God, what am I going to do? I'm worried they will do something rash with the material." Andrea could feel the panic rising in her chest.
Peter was taken aback. She had never before shared with him such an intimate aspect of her life. In fact she always steered away from more personal matters. She compartmentalized most aspects of her life. Peter never challenged her in this regard. Andrea was behaving out of character. Peter knew it was serious.
"You've got me there. Have you thought of writing it down for the record...just in case. At least you will have clear documentation of the incident." His thirty years in Human Resources taught him the value of a well documented case.
The seriousness of Peter's voice sobered and calmed Andrea. Peter usually had an answer for everything. The twenty-year gap between their ages had in Andrea's mind imbued her friend with a wisdom she did not think she had.
"...in case of what?" Andrea knew the answer before it came.
"If they know where you live and work, you could be looking at blackmail or worse."
"But they're just kids." Andrea started, but Peter interrupted.
"They aren't kids. You said yourself you pegged the ages to around 19 to 20. They're adults and don't kid yourself, this kind of crap gets posted on line all the time. Have you thought what that could mean?" Peter's voice showed concern.
"I've thought of nothing else since I got that thumb drive. They mailed it to me at work. It was wrapped in a note from Josh. I haven't looked at it. I'm scared to. What if someone else had opened it?" The rising panic Andrea felt came through.
"The sooner you write this down the better. You'll need to get your statement witnessed to verify the date." Peter's voice was calm and reassuring but Andrea felt far from reassured.
"Andrea, you're the only person who knows what happened apart from the four in New Zealand. Could you do it? Write it out?"
Andrea was beside herself. How could she have been so foolish, so trusting?
"Try to put in as much detail as possible. I know it'll be difficult but you have to think of protecting yourself. Are you ok?" Andrea tried to shut out the idea of reliving her experience.
"No, I'm not ok?" Andrea' response was frosty. She was puzzled as to why Peter would ask such a question.
"I mean have you sought medical attention" Peter looked concerned.
"Medical attention? What do you mean? Uh, no. That's not necessary. Aside from some minor bruising, I'm just fine physically."
"Take pictures of any bruises? It's physical evidence although trying to prosecute across international boundaries is next to impossible."
"What do you mean?"
"If they are coming after you, you have to build a counter-defence. See a Doctor."
"You think I should see a doctor. For why. I told you I'm OK. There's nothing to see really."
"Andrea. Listen to me. Have yourself tested and looked over."
"Tested?" A thought hovered in the back of Andrea's mind.
"Andrea. STD's." She knew but had suppressed the idea. She sat in silence for a full minute before caving in to the suggestion.
"Yeah, ok" Andrea felt numb. She wanted Peter to tell her everything was going to be just fine but how could he? She felt a let down like child who discovers Dad isn't an invincible superhero. Peter was lowered from the lofty pedestal Andrea had always placed him in her mind. Yet somehow she felt closer to him because of his fallibility.
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My name is Andrea Hoblochuk. I am a teacher in my late 40's. This is a record of events on the evening of 4th July 2014 as best as I can remember them.
I am single and free to vacation in the long Summer holidays. I usually go to Europe touring and to visit distant family members, but this year I decided to visit New Zealand. I have heard so many stories of the grandeur of its South Island I decided to see it for myself; notwithstanding a warning from my friends it was the middle of winter. I booked on a guided tour that spent two weeks covering much of the South Island.
We were in Hokitiki in the middle of the first week on 4th July. All us Americans on the tour decided to go out to a Pub to celebrate the 4th July. I went along. I dressed up for the occasion. The rest of the crowd was friendly enough but I was finding their stories were becoming repetitious. I was a getting a bit bored. There was nothing particularly different or special about the evening. I am not really a drinker, but I did have a glass of New Zealand wine to celebrate the occasion.
I sat on the bench at the end of the table at the perimeter of the rest of the tour crowd. My mind wandered a bit. I became aware of the group of four younger people in their late teens at the next table, which was quite close. As my eye took in the somewhat seamy pub, one of the kids at the adjoining table asked me where we were from. At first I did not realize they were speaking to me, but when the question was repeated over the hubbub, I caught eye contact with an extreme ginger, really red, headed man as he asked again.
"Oh. Americans."
"We love Americans."
"I can tell by the amount of American TV programs you have," I joked back.
"Yea. They're ok. I've been to LA. What part you from?" This question came from a very large friend to the left of the first questioner.
"Maine. On the east coast."
"Don't know that."
There were four of them. Apart from the red head and big man, there was a large attractive Maori man with lip and forehead tattoo and a girl with long black hair and heavy makeup to look somewhat Goth. They were all drinking beer from bottles.
"So why do you come here in the middle of winter?" The red headed fellow asked.
"I'm a teacher and the only chance for vacations is in our summer - your winter. I've wanted to see New Zealand for a long time."
"What'dyr think of it?"
"Spectacular."
"Really. Its boring as shit." The Maori spoke with a deep slow voice.
"It really is a beautiful land. The mountains, the forest, the fjords, the pastures...all of it is great." The Maori shrugged.
The red head again, "What do you teach?"
"Art."
The girl jumped in, "Josh is a great artist. He's off to Art College next February."
I looked at Josh, the red headed guy, "What do you draw?"
"I sketch with charcoal or carbon pencils and paint with acrylics mainly."
Once more the girl jumped in, "He paints sheep, and cows, landscapes and fantabulous nudes. He's painted me a dozen times." She jumped up, and in a single movement pulled her sweater up to show us all her breasts.
"TMI, Julia." They all laughed a bit wildly.
Josh signaled the barman and another round of beers and a glass of wine for me arrived at the table.
"What's your name?"
I told them, "Andrea, but most people call me Andy."
"The big guy is Phil, tits over there is Jules for Julia and that is Mo," pointing to Maori, "and I'm Josh."
"So what do you guys do?"
Josh was clearly the spokesperson for the group. "I'm helping Phil at the plumbing firm where he is an apprentice before I go to college . Jules is a hairdresser and Mo works on a farm."
"Do you get time to paint when you are working?" I was curious.
"Sure. Sometimes I goof off and Phil covers for me, especially if Jules if free. She got a great body." I could see that.
"Hey, you're not so bad yourself." I must have blushed a bit, and could not hold my eyes on Josh as he said this to my face.
To cover my embarrassment I blurted, "For an Old Gal?"
Phil grunted, "I like mature."
In retrospect I should have slid out of the conversation at this point and returned to my tour group.