"What's the matter, dear?" Kay could see that her normally happy-go-lucky daughter was distraught about something. She had barely taken off her stylish new spring coat when Holly appeared in the hall, looking forlornly at her mother.
"Did something happen at school?"
"No."
"Is it your new boyfriend? Did you have a spat with Kevin?"
"No, not a spat. At least not a disagreement."
"What was it then?" Kay adored her daughter and understood that she would want to talk over whatever was bothering her. She knew Holly practically worshipped Kevin and would not want anything to come between them.
"It's embarrassing to talk about."
"You mean it's about sex?" Kay knew her daughter had been going with Kevin for several weeks and intended to have sex with him. Kay approved. After all, Holly was eighteen now. At 46, Kay remembered the exploration of sexual pleasure as one of the glories of her youth.
"Yes. We talked about it for the first time last night and it was new to me but not to him because he had done it before with other girls. I could tell he expected me to know all about what to do, but I don't know what he wants." She burst into tears.
Kay sensed that Kevin was not particularly the talkative type and wasn't surprised they hadn't been able to discuss the problem. She would have to find out what was going on.
"Tell me what happened and maybe I can see a way to help you." Mother and daughter had always been able to talk about anything.
"Well we made out for a while and then he said he wanted to have sex on our next date when his parents will be out and we'll have a place alone. He told me he really enjoyed hot sex. I didn't know what he meant. I've got no experience and he done it with other girls, I think."
"Did you ask him what they did that he wanted you to do?"
"Not at first. I couldn't bear to ask him what those girls did. Finally I asked him what kind of sex he meant."
"What did he say?"
"He said he wanted to be teased. 'I want a real cocktease,' he said and then sort of clammed up. I got the idea he thought I should know what that means because other girls had given it to him." Kay comforted her daughter as best she could. Holly was somewhat immature for her age. Despite her generally sunny disposition, she suffered from typical teenage anxiety about dating. Kay hoped she would mature without too much distress. From her long experience she had some idea what Kevin might have in mind. She also knew she couldn't really teach her daughter this sort of thing. It would take a male.
"I think what you need to do is to learn more about this before seeing Kevin again. When is your next date?"
"Well, we planned to do it tomorrow, Saturday night."
Kay thought for a moment.
"That's not much time. Look, only a guy can show you this stuff. I've got an idea that might work. Just listen for a moment."
"OK, but I can't just ask some guy to tell me, can I?"
"No, not just anyone. What you need is a man with lots of experience who can teach you the tricks. I think it's possible that Michael might be willing to help."
"Mom! Your boyfriend? You must be crazy! I mean, he's older than you and wouldn't ever do something like that. I'd be mortified if Michael knew we were even talking about this. It's impossible!"
Holly was genuinely appalled. Her mother's latest boyfriend was 52 years old, a mature man who behaved like a gentleman in every respect. She had only met him a couple of times coming or going. He was invariably nice to her and seemed to really like his mother. She wouldn't mind if they got married, though that didn't seem likely very soon. Holly couldn't imagine what her mother was thinking by bringing the subject of Michael up.
"Look, darling," said Kay. "I know it seems crazy, but hear me out. Guys aren't all the same when it comes to sex. They have very individual tastes and desires, so you have to learn a lot of different things to please them. Michael is very experienced sexually, so he can show you everything you need to know. I also know he likes a lot of teasing. If he can be persuaded, I'm sure he'd make a really good teacher. I don't think he'd refuse because he wants us to be happy."
"No way," said Holly. "I couldn't possibly ask him that. It's too embarrassing. What would he think? It's impossible... Besides, there's not enough time. "
"He won't do it unless he knows you really want him to. I'll explain everything to him first. Then, if he agrees to talk to you, you'll at least know he's open to the idea. There is nothing to lose. As for the short time before your date, he works at home and could easily make time for you."
Holly looked doubtfully at her mother. She was aghast at the idea. At the same time, she really wanted to make Kevin happy and couldn't see another way to learn what she needed to know, and fast.
"I'm sure he won't want to embarrass himself like that. Go ahead and talk to him; I'm sure that'll be the end of it."
"I'll ask him to come over here right now. His condo is only ten minutes away. I'll take him into my bedroom and explain the situation to him. If he agrees, we'll all talk and see if it can be agreed."
"OK, I guess," said Holly doubtfully. She still didn't like it, but her mother was insistent. Holly felt confident Michael would balk at the idea anyway.
Michael Handlin agreed to come over when Kay called saying only that something important had come up and he could help. They had been going together for almost two months and got along well. Kay was so upbeat and cheerful. Her daughter was much like her, though even sunnier with the bubbly enthusiasm of youth. He wondered if he would ever get married again. Right now he enjoyed his time with Kay and wanted to help her, if he could.
Kay greeted him with a big smile and a kiss.
"There's something I need to talk to you about. Come into the bedroom for a minute."
"OK." Michael said hello to Holly and followed Kay into her bedroom, a little curious.
"Michael, I need a favor. Or rather Holly needs one. I know it's a lot to ask, but you can really help her out. I wouldn't ask you if there was any other way."
"I'll help if I can. What is it?"
Kay carefully explained the problem, leaving nothing out. "So you see what her problem is. She doesn't want to lose Kevin. There's no one else to ask."
Michael was stunned. It's the last thing he had expected. He knew that Kay was rather open-minded about sex, but nothing like this. "I don't know what to say. Kay, I can't imagine doing something like that with Holly. She's just a girl."
"She's 18 and she's wants to have sex with her boyfriend. You know what he's getting at, don't you? I mean you have experience with that sort of thing, cock teasing, don't you?"
"Well, yes. I can guess what he likes. Many men like to be teased, some quite a bit. But I can't really imagine that Holly would want me to teach her about it. I can't believe she would ask me that and I certainly wouldn't ask her."