At the time this occurred, I had been married to my wife for almost twelve years, and quite honestly, I am more than happy with our relationship. She is rather conservative however; at least I thought so from a sexual standpoint at the time. My wife Nicole, had been brought up in a rather typical middle class family, and I met her during our junior year of college. At the time, she was a sassy looking brunette with a fit body that would turn heads as she would walk across campus in her usual understated but eye catching shorts or jeans. She was like no other woman I've ever met, and I have been hooked on her ever since our first few dates. Acknowledging that, I have sometimes wished for her to be a little bit more sensual - particularly as we have gotten into the multiyear marriage grind. This is a story (as she later told it to me) of a simple event that definitely added a bit of spice to the old usual marital scene.
We were living in a nice upper class neighborhood, both now in our mid thirties with the usual couple younger kids, and comfortable enough that Nicole was only working part time. We had made a number of close friends in the neighborhood, and Nicole would frequently go out exercising with one or more of the neighbor women. Nikki, as I call her, still looked marvelous with a slim but rounded figure. She couldn't weigh more than a couple pounds above the slender weight she was when I married her. I think she looks younger than her actual age despite rarely wearing much makeup. That day, she had gone walking with one of her closest friends named Kjristie, who happened to live about a block away.
Kjristie, as her name would suggest, was of Norwegian descent, and was also quite a nice looking woman. She was similar in age to Nicole (mid thirties), slightly taller and perhaps just a bit fuller figured. She definitely caught the eye of most of the men in the area as she would work out in her yard or stroll through the neighborhood. As they would walk, they would usually make small talk about whatever the latest neighborhood gossip was, or whatever women seem to talk about. That morning was somewhat different. Part way through their walk, Kjristie paused, became unusually serious and asked Nicole if she could impose upon her for a big favor.
"Nicole, we have known each other for quite a while, and I need to ask if you would consider doing something special for me. This is really to help my younger sister Hayden. I know that you don't really know her, but I have been helping her find some women that would be willing to participate in her research project, and I was wondering if you would consider it."
Nicole knew that Hayden was Kjristie's younger sister and was doing post graduate work in psychology at a nearby university. Somewhat perplexed, Nikki really didn't understand why Kjristie was being so serious. Was she in some sort of trouble? Did she need money?
Kjristie gradually continued with her request. "You see, Hayden is working on a thesis for her graduate degree, and it includes doing an individual research project. She is working on a project that involves doing a rather involved survey on a number of women subjects in order to try to predict certain behavior characteristics. In order to validate her research, she needs to get quite a few women of different age groups and backgrounds that she does not know too well to participate. That's why I am asking for your help."
Of course she would help Nikki thought, but why was Kjristie acting as if this was such a big favor. What was the big deal? They had done a number of favors in the past and she had never acted this way. Finally Kjristie explained the part of the request that had made her so evasive.
"Before you agree," she said, "you need to understand a bit more of what will be involved." Kjristie explained that Hayden was studying to be a sex therapist. She told Nikki that the survey would involve asking a number of rather intimate questions about the subject's personal sexual history, practices, and thoughts regarding certain types of behavior. "Hayden says that all of the responses will be completely confidential, and she promises that there will be no way for individuals to have their responses later be identified or get back to their spouse or friends". Hayden would be doing the questioning herself, and no names or writing samples would be maintained.
Nikki thought for a moment. It occurred to her that she might be a little embarrassed about divulging some of her personal secrets, but if it were really going to be that confidential, she guessed that she could do it to help out one of her closest friends. When Nikki agreed, Kjirstie told her that the survey would be done at Hayden's house, where she would be hosting about six women at a time to a casual pool party with some drinks in order to reduce their anxiety and inhibitions about speaking freely. It was unlikely that she would know any of the women that would be attending that evening, and names would not be used. Each of the women would go into a separate room to take the survey on a one to one basis with Hayden, and probably last about 15-20 minutes apiece. Kjristie agreed to watch our kids over night, as apparently I was going to be out of town on business that night. Nikki actually did not tell me about this event until several weeks later.
The night of the event, Nikki said she wore a relatively conservative two piece bathing suit, and covered it with a casual one piece cover up. Hayden only lived a few miles away. Several other women participating were already out in the yard around the pool area when Nikki arrived. The pool area was quite pleasant, and was completely secluded from any neighbors. The women appeared to range in age from mid twenties to about forty or so. They seemed to be a rather diverse group, but most important to Nikki was that she did not recognize anyone.
Hayden greeted the ladies, made sure that they each had a drink and then briefly spoke about the evening. "Ladies, first I must thank each of you for coming to help me in my research. I hope you understand that this entire evening is to be fully confidential. In addition to the answers that you give me regarding my survey, I will ask that in your conversations between one another, no mention is made of names, places of work or residence, or other information regarding the evening's activities that would compromise the privacy that I am committed to in this study. Understanding that commitment, I hope that the guarantee of complete confidentiality will permit you to give accurate and honest answers. In a few minutes, I will ask that each of you will come back to the privacy of my study one at a time to complete the questionnaires. It has been found that answers tend to be more accurate when they are given face to face privately with a researcher. Again, thank you for helping me, and please make yourself comfortable while you are awaiting your turn. Please feel free to use the pool, hot tub, or any of the other facilities."
She then asked that a woman in the "green swimsuit" follow her back to the study. My wife had time to have her drink, some snacks, and engage in some brief conversation with a few of the other guests. She noticed two younger women that appeared to be in their mid twenties. One had short blond hair, and another was African-American with a very fit appearing body. There were two other women that looked to be in their thirties, and one woman that appeared about forty-five. She happened to notice that two of the other women were wearing wedding rings.
Not long after that, Hayden approached Nikki and asked whether she was ready to come back to her office to complete her survey. Hayden was wearing a white terrycloth robe, which my wife was assuming covered her swim suit. Hayden directed Nikki to sit on a small sofa while she closed the door and got her clipboard with the questionnaire.
Hayden again briefly reminded Nikki that everything that was disclosed would be completely confidential, and to please give as honest an answer to the questions as possible. She was instructed to let her know if at any time she did not want answer or participate. She said that there were several sections of the survey, with a few questions in each part. Hayden said that if needed, a brief explanation could be given if that worked better than picking from existing choices. With those instructions, Hayden took a seat across from Nikki, her tanned and trim legs extending from the bottom of the robe, and began the questioning.
Part One:
This section is meant to give some demographic information in order to address whether the survey population is valid.
1. What is your age? Answer: "Thirty four years".
2. Are you single, married, divorced, or widowed? "Married for 12 years."
3. When did you begin having menstrual periods? "Age 13."
4. Are you currently sexually active? "Yes."
Part Two:
I will be asking some questions regarding some of your prior sexual history, experience and practices.
5. Have you ever masturbated? "Yes."
