(This is the fourth story about Linda and Gary, which began with "A Close Call, and Then..." All characters are more than 18 years old.)
The swirl of social activity that goes with graduating high school swept right by me without doing much damage. I thought about asking Gary to the senior prom, but decided against it. I didn't like dancing and we would have had nothing in common with anyone there. Even my best friends, Linda G and Linda Z (too many Linda's; I called them G and Z and they called me M), didn't have much in common with Gary, and hardly with me any more. My times hooking up with Gary had changed me in ways that I couldn't put my finger on. I was certainly skeptical of the sexual morality I had been raised with. Supposedly, Gary and I had sinned in what we had done, but I couldn't see how that was true. I hadn't hurt Gary in any way. And he hadn't hurt me. In fact, he had rescued me from a bad situation. Where was the evil in anything we had done? I couldn't see it. And try as I might, I didn't see anything in the Bible that condemned us. I most emphatically did not talk this over with my parents or our pastor. Sin or not, there would have been scandal and trouble and shaming etc.
Gary and I kept going out occasionally as usual, all very innocent and above-board. It was the week after the blow job that we both had news for each other. At dinner, this time back at the nice Italian place, Gary told me his big news.
"I have been offered a job with the Chicago Tribune. It is an entry level job, of course, but it is too good an opportunity to pass by."
"Wow. Congratulations. Uh, when does it start?"
"Not until end of August. I only just got the offer yesterday and I wanted you to be the first to know. I wasn't sure how you would react."
I did an inventory on my feelings. I really like Gary. I like seeing him and talking with him. I would definitely miss him. But I was not in love with him. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life with him or get married or anything. My heart would not be broken. Besides, I also had news of my own.
"I think it is a great opportunity and you should definitely go. This is your first big break. How did they ever hear about you, in a little nowhere place like this?
He laughed. "Nepotism, I guess. I have a cousin who has worked there for years and he put in a good word. And I can stay with him until I get settled." He paused. "I will miss you though. If I can think of any way of seeing you again after this summer, I will take the chance."
"I would love to see you again too. I hope we can. As it turns out, I have news of my own. I just heard I was accepted at Reed College in Portland, Oregon."
"That is great! I wondered what your plans were but you have been secretive."
"Yes, most of the time because I wasn't sure what I wanted and then because I thought I might not get in. I can't stand the thought of staying at home. My parents are great, but I am not a kid anymore and they will always think I am. I will have a curfew until I am 40 if I stay home."
There were a few minutes of silence as we each digested the other's news. "So you won't be broken hearted or whatever when I go to Chicago?"
"I will miss you a lot but no. And you? When I go to Portland?"
"No. I like you a lot, but I am probably never going to get married and you deserve someone ... someone who can be more complete for you."
"What do you mean?"
"It's just that this whole exhibitionist part of my personality. What kind of woman would consider marrying a man who has only limited interest in having intercourse?"
"I suppose a woman who is a died in the wool voyeur. That's not me but I think someone like that could exist for you. So you just don't care about fucking?"
"I'm not opposed to it, and I have done it a few times and really enjoyed it. But it is not what I think about when I'm fantasizing. I think I couldn't make a wife really happy for long. You have given me more pleasure than you can possibly imagine"
"I am glad it has been as important to you as it has been for me. Hooking up with you has been wonderful. I think you have made me transition into an adult."
"You are definitely an adult. And a good adult too. You deserve a man who can give you everything you want."
After a short silence I said, "I do have an idea for a sort of going away present for you, now I know you are going away."
"Oh, yeah? You have already given me three of the best presents there are."
"You mentioned once that you fantasize about being naked in a whole room full of women."
"Yes."
"Well, what if I could make your dreams come true?"
He actually blushed. "How could you do that?"
"My girlfriends and I, Linda G and Linda Z, and some of their cousins from out of town, and maybe some others are going to have a girl's only graduation party in a few weeks.. I could tell them that I know a male stripper we could get for the party."
"Uh, wow! That sounds like something I would really want but It sounds risky. Like the kind of risky that would lose me my job before I get it."
"I don't think it is dangerous at all. None of them know you and the ones from out of town are from further south. There's no Chicago connection. G and Z don't know you. And if you did come as a male stripper, they sure wouldn't blab to their parents. Or anyone else in this area. Societal norms are fierce dictators. I could make them take a vow of secrecy if you want but this is a conservative area. None of them could face the scandal."
He looked thoughtful. "I would love to do it. If it is really safe. It would be a dream come true. I don't know how a stripper is supposed to behave, though. I don't dance. I might not be very much like what they would expect."
"Not that any of them would know what to expect from a male stripper. I'll explain it so they will expect only what you are comfortable with. I think having you there naked would cancel any disappointments they might have. We are all just small town country girls, after all."
"Let me think about it. This is a very kind thing for you to do. When are you planning this party for?"
"No firm date yet, but after July 4th. We will need a day when all our families are occupied, but summer is one of their going-out-to-visit seasons. We can do it."
We decided to discuss it again next week. A few days later I had to get some stuff printed for the church bazaar and went down to the print shop. The guy in charge there was this six foot tall guy, big muscles, and no hair on his head at all. He looked like Mr. Clean from the old TV commercials, and he was one of the most pleasant people I had interactions with, and maybe thirty years old. As he was doing my printing, Gary happened to come in. First he greeted me and then he greeted the bald guy as Brennen.
"So you come here often?"
"Yes, And Brennen is one of my best friends."
"Pleased to meet you, Linda. Uh, you owe $15.73," His voice was the deepest bass voice I had ever heard. I wondered if he could get up high enough to sing a bass line in the choir. I paid and Gary and I walked out together.
"Well, you finally met him."
"Who?"
"That was Curly."
"You are kidding me!" I was suddenly struck with an image of Curly giving Gary a blow job. That was the only thing I actually knew about Curly.