Alix Holmes lived in a small rural community where her father ran a ranch supplies business. Most of the family worked in the business and everyone in the district knew what the Holmes's did and the Holmes's knew the business of most other families.
The day after Alix lost her virginity she knew her mother knew, reading the love in her mom's eyes. Oh yes, mom was after grandchildren and so far Jess, Tim and Hannah, all married, were only into sex for recreation. Which whispering bitch coming into the store had blathered? Or had boastful Tony told his mom about getting a leg over Alix and she immediately rushed to the phone?
Later in the day Alice pushed her daughter into a quiet corner and said, "Tell me about last night."
"It was dark, no moon."
The jaw set of her mother told Alix to quit horsing around.
"Okay, a guy got to me at last. He was talkative, attentive and told me lovely things about myself."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, just as my girlfriends said there was no blood because of all the horse-riding I do. Who told you mom?"
"Why Sandra of course. She's hoping something might develop between you and Tony."
"Mom, I've only just turned twenty. No way will I tie up with a guy this early. From now on I aim to have sex coming out my ears."
"I think you mean much lower down than that darling. You are taking the pill?"
"Yes mom, since your command when I turned eighteen."
Alice placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Darling, I really would like you and Tony to date for a while."
"Okay mom. I take it pleasing you means I get upgraded lingerie and a couple of Saturday night dresses?"
"Of course dear. You've made me so happy. Have the others said anything to you about making you an aunt?"
"No mom. Relax. Give them a chance to enjoy sex recreationally."
Alice sighed.
Alix knocked around with Tony until she was bored shitless and had three other successful boyfriends that year. The next year she averaged a new guy every second month plus their married clergyman when helping decorating the church for autumn festival, although they didn't do it there but rather in the woodshed.
In March the following year a replacement salesman charged with beefing up orders for animal drenches, walked into the warehouse and shouted, "Anyone here?"
"Yeah, on the mezzanine floor above you checking straw bales. What do you want?"
"Oh hi miss. I'm Luther Jones, your new salesman for animal remedies."
"Oh yeah, we have heaps."
"Um miss, may I check through your inventory with you?"
"What for?"
"To fill gaps."
"Okay, I'm coming down. Catch me."
Alix vaulted the rail and hanging by her fingertips called, "Ready."
"Yeah, aw, you're in jeans, not a dress."
"Aren't you unlucky," she said, letting go.
Luther underestimated the power of her descent and fell to the ground with her on top of him.
"You let me fall," she charged.
"You pushed me to the ground by sheer weight," he panted, half-winded.
Luther placed his hands around both breasts and then lowered them to test her rib covering and then her stomach where he found no sign of roll.
"You're lean except for that pair."
"I don't want you touching me like that unless you aim to do something about it."
Alice came into the warehouse before the embarrassed guy could answer. "What on earth are you two doing? It looks unsavory."
"I dropped from the mezzanine floor but weak arms here failed to find the strength to hold me mother."
"Goodness Alix, you are a woman of almost twenty-two and not a madcap teenager. I want you to stop horsing around. Please let the gentleman up."
"Hi Mrs Holmes, I'm Luther Jones, your replacement animal remedies salesman and service agent."
"Hello Luther and welcome to our store. Animal remedies are Alix's responsibility so she'll attend to you. Bring Luther in for coffee Alix and for goodness sake keep your hands off him."
