Strike Four

Strike Four

by G. Lawrence

A tech specialist is humiliated by his former girlfriend

This story begins with nudity but transitions into a tale of consequences, harsh resolutions, and a love story. Readers seeking more sex (and there is nothing wrong with that) may find it dull. Please feel free to search for something more exciting. All characters are over 18 years old.

* * * * * *

I had been to Annie's condo hundreds of times. Though she was my ex-girlfriend now, we were still very close. Her roommates, Donna Rogers and Bill Sutter, were valued friends. The four of us had teamed together at Bratherson Specialists for several years. Donna's new boyfriend was present, helping prepare for a Friday night afterwork party.

My name is Thomas Sheppard, 28-years old, an inch under six feet tall, with strong shoulders and a trim waistline. My shaggy chestnut hair and light brown eyes give me a mildly pleasant appearance. I played basketball in college, being a good shooter from the outside, but never made the football team. I was a successful boxer during two years in the Army. A degree in computer programming, compliments of the G.I. Bill, got me a job designing advanced business protocols. My current project, Lightening Strike, was a groundbreaking database to keep Bratheson ahead of the competition.

"This won't be a big party," Annie said. "Just a few couples. Very lowkey. We'll have snacks and plenty of drinks."

Annie O'Connell was a year younger than I, 5'6, 125 pounds, with a curvy sexy figure. Her bust size was just right. Ample without being freakish. The long dark auburn hair and green eyes set off her small nose and high cheekbones. Annie, Bill, Donna, and I had been developing new programs for the last eighteen months, often with significant results.

"Anyone guests that I know?" I asked.

Since breaking up six months before, Annie had been acquiring new friends. Occasionally, new boyfriends. I had only met two of them and was not impressed.

"Probably not," she answered with an odd smile.

Donna came up with a platter of foreign cheeses. She was two years older, with short black hair and dark brown eyes. A bit heavier than Annie, she spent more time on her wardrobe. Her recent boyfriend, Frank Kellerman, was 35, tall and thin, with a hawk nose and black eyes, speaking with an English accent. He grew up in Liverpool.

"We're almost ready," Donna said. "Frank is arranging the bar. Bill is browning the buffalo wings."

They owned a fashionable three-bedroom condo on the third floor with a wide picture window overlooking the pool yard. The furniture was modern, with couches and easy chairs at one end of the living room and a long dining table at the other. The chef's kitchen stayed busy. Frank and I were visitors. He often stayed over. I had often stayed over in the past, but not after Annie said we should be seeing other people.

"This will be fun, but we need something to make the night extra memorable," Donna said. "Bill, what do you think? Should we go for it?"

"I believe we should. Did you discuss it with Frank?" Bill asked.

Bill was taller than I and somewhat husky, with thin blond hair. We'd known each other since our freshman year at Midville Valley College where he was a business major.

"Frank's onboard, though he needs to leave for the airport at ten for his business trip," Donna replied.

"That should be long enough," Bill said.

"What are you guys talking about?" I asked, feeling out of the loop.

"It's a dare. An exciting dare," Annie answered.

Bill went to the oak hutch where he took out a deck of playing cards, giving them a shuffle. The five of us gathered around the dining table. Bill spread the cards facedown.

"Here's the game," Annie said with a giggle. "The four high draws keep their clothes. The low card will be naked, serving food and drinks. Naked for the entire evening."

"Naked?" I said.

It wasn't that I hadn't been naked while skinny dipping in lakes. And at the beach. Mountain hikes. Participating in risqué drama classes in college. I had even run a 10-kilometer nude race for charity. With others who also had no clothes. I had never been the only one naked at a party. Indoors. With people who I barely knew.

"It will add spice to the evening," Donna said with an eager expression.

"Hopefully one of the girls will draw the low card," Bill suggested. "I'd love to see them bouncing around trying to keep their tits out of the shrimp."

"We have such parties in London," Frank agreed. "Very dignified."

I had trouble seeing how walking around without clothes for several hours could be dignified, but they seemed to have their hearts set on this ridiculous game. I didn't want to be a spoilsport. Bill pointed at the cards.

"You go first, Tommy. Pick a card," Bill urged.

I selected a card from the middle, turning it over. It was the ten of spades. Not a bad draw. Bill went next, picking the jack of clubs. Frank found the jack of diamonds. Donna drew the ace of spades. Only Annie was left, shaking with anticipation.

"This is so great," she said, reaching for one card, pulling back, and then probing for another. She finally chose one at the end, showing it to everybody. The queen of hearts. She jumped up and down with a big smile, clutching her hands. They all turned to me.

"Sorry, buddy, you've got the low card," Bill said, putting them back in the carton.

"Really? How about if I keep my underwear?" I requested.

"Naked," Annie insisted. "Naked for the whole night. That was the dare."

The others nodded. I had agreed and saw no choice, beginning to strip.

"Take your time, we want to enjoy this," Donna said, rubbing it in. Had she not been one of my dearest friends, I may have resented it. As it was, I was merely shy.

I took off my long sleeve shirt, undid my belt, and slid my slacks down. A kick dropped off my moccasins. Everything but my boxer shorts were soon bundled on the table. Those came off slowly, and reluctantly. I could hardly believe this was happening. Would they really keep me like this when the guests arrived? Maybe this was just a joke? My boxers were dropped on the pile, leaving me without a stitch to wear.

"You're such a good-looking guy," Donna admired. "Annie was a fool to give you up."

"She wanted different things," I replied. "If this prank is over, can I get my clothes back?"

"It's no prank," Annie said, taking a photo with her phone.

"Hey! Don't do that!" I protested, covering myself with my hands.

"We're not going to post them. Private viewing only," Annie answered, taking a few more. They weren't the only such photos of me, but none in so vulnerable a position.

"No photos during the party," I demanded. Not that I needed to be embarrassed on that score, being well-proportioned, with a modest patch of curly brown hair on my chest. Ladies considered me reasonably endowed. Finding women had never been a problem, though Annie was the only one I ever wanted to keep.

"We can always request no photos," Donna evasively suggested. "Though it will be hard to enforce."

"No photos from me," Frank declared. "I don't need airline security finding such images on my phone while traveling."

"None from me," Bill also said. "I don't want potential girlfriends thinking I'm gay."

"No one will think you're gay," Donna laughed, also taking a picture.

There was a knock on the door. The clock read 8:30. Guests were arriving. I took one last look at my friends hoping they would relent. They didn't.

The first couple, managers from the complex, were shocked to find a naked man standing in the kitchen organizing finger sandwiches. I had met them at a mixer several months earlier.

"We didn't realize the party was clothing optional," the middle-aged wife remarked, standing back for a good look.

"It came as a surprise to me, too," I responded.

"If you come to any of our events, be dressed," her husband firmly warned.

"Yes, sir, I'll make a point of it," I agreed.

The next couple, two gay women, were much closer to me. I had gone to high school with Cindy and Linda. They immediately began to tease me, like they had years before. Though I had been dressed then. Most of the time. They did have a strange habit of invading the men's shower room and seeking me out. They asked Frank to make drinks for them while whispering to Donna, looking back with mischievous glances.

More guests showed up, not the few couples Annie had promised. And they were not casual acquaintances. These were co-workers. College classmates. Members of my sports leagues. Drinking buddies from Casey's Bar. The party eventually grew to thirty. I tried not to lose my composure, which was difficult. Annie and Donna kept giggling. Bill had a big smile. Being British, Frank stayed cool and collected. No one blatantly mocked me, having good manners, but smirking was unavoidable. Some noticed I didn't look too happy.

"You've really gotten yourself into a situation," Buck Damon said, the captain of my softball team. "You know, the club needs a good fundraiser this year. How about posing for a nude calendar?"

"Which month?" I asked.

"All twelve," he replied with a grin.

A few minutes later, Hiram Dickerson came to say hello. He worked for Bratherson in the publicity department.

"You'd look good in a recruiting brochure," Hiram suggested. "Showing how open and honest we are. How about coming into the studio for a photo session?"

"Naked?"

"Of course, naked. You're nothing special with your clothes on," he replied.

"If I start a modeling career, you'll be the first to know," I answered.

Tricia Langston from accounting spent time with me in the kitchen while I was cutting up carrots and broccoli. She was very sleek, with long black hair and a flirty smile.

"You must be so embarrassed," Tricia consoled. "All naked and vulnerable. Everyone staring at you. Women having lustful thoughts. Visit me this weekend and I'll give you a very special massage. Though I want something in exchange."

"What's that?" I asked.

"I want to spank your tight ass," she announced, giving me a good whack. Then she laughed and walked away.

When Cindy and Linda returned with their drinks, they started a game they loved to play in school, grabbing at my crotch. They didn't actually touch me, that would have been rude, but they kept me jumping. I wanted to be mad at them, but the way they smiled was so joyful. With them being gay, there had never been any romantic interest. It didn't stop the teasing.

I tried to stay busy mixing drinks, not shy about making several for myself. While staying sober. When everyone had eaten, we packed up the leftovers for Agatha Mendez, who donated generously to a homeless shelter.

Bill spent the night playing disc jockey. Despite many entreaties, I refused to dance. Most did, having a good time. I was not the center of attention for the entire evening. Much of the night was spent visiting with old friends, talking sports, gossiping, and comparing jobs. I was cornered at one time or another by nearly everyone asking why I was naked, explaining I had lost a dare drawing at cards. They were amused. Except when serving food or drinks, with a tray in front of me for protection, I used my hands to cover my private parts. No rule said I needed to show off.

Frank left early for the airport, having a long flight to Frankfort for his consulting firm. Donna disappeared with him for half an hour, returning with her dress disheveled. I smiled.

"Maybe you're the one who should be naked?" I suggested as she buttoned her top.

"You're naked enough for both of us," she replied.

"I've been naked for two hours. Can I get my clothes back now?"

"No. A dare is a dare. And we need to talk later," she answered.

The party began to die down, and it wasn't so bad as it might have been. If being terribly embarrassed before people I knew could be described as not so bad. My best friends continued to enjoy their prank. If there was a motive behind it, they weren't giving any clues.

"Only Agatha is left," Donna said, referring to the oldest of the group. The thin old woman was seventy-five now. "Tommy, help her take the leftovers down to her car."

"Why me?" I asked, not having ventured outside.

"It's your job," Donna ordered.

"Let me get dressed," I said, wondering where Annie had taken my clothes.

"No, not yet. The party isn't over until everyone is gone," Donna replied.

"I'll go with them," Annie offered, handing me two large grocery bags.

I followed the ladies out on the walkway, down three flights of stairs, and went around the pool. Being somewhat secluded at the edge of a desert, it was a high security building, with the main doors locked against intruders. Only a keycode would allow entrance, and they changed that every few days. We went to the side entrance accessing the street. Annie held back, holding the heavy door open.

It was a strange neighborhood. Across the road was a freeway shielded by a tall chain-link fence. Behind us was a deep cement ditch used for runoff during rainstorms. Vacant lots stretched to the left and right filled with cactus and wildflowers. Being so far off the main highway, there was little traffic on the deserted street. Agatha opened the hatch of her SUV, allowing me to put the groceries in.

"Thank you so much, Tom. These treats will be appreciated by many needy families," Agatha said, kissing me on the cheek.

"Thank you for doing such good works, Mrs. Worden. You're an inspiration," I replied. I waved as she drove off.

When I turned to go back inside, I found the security door had closed. There was no sign of Annie. I had no idea what the new keycode was.

"Annie. Annie," I called, knocking. The door was made of steel. I pulled on it, realizing it wouldn't budge. "Annie, please open the door."

There was silence. Five minutes went by. Then ten. Church bells in the distance rang midnight. I began to search around for something to cover myself, but there was nothing. Shrubs and rocks. Not even tree branches. The closest apartment building, a quarter mile away, also had heavy security. Every parking lot was fenced with barbed wire to keep out trespassers. My car was parked at the curb but I had no keys.

"Annie. Annie, please open the door," I begged, my eyes getting misty. I had been embarrassed at the party, but this was humiliating. Trapped outdoors in the middle of the night absolutely naked.

When the church bells rang at 1 a.m., I finally accepted that Annie wasn't coming back. They had tricked me out of the complex and had probably planned it that way all along. It made me awfully angry, though there wasn't anything I could do about it. Another walk around the lot turned up zero to wear. There was a mini-mart half a mile away at one corner, a liquor store just as far away on the other. They wouldn't be helpful. I had no money and would likely get arrested.

Just before 3 a.m., flashing red lights lit up the shallow alcove where I was sheltering from a light breeze. The spring night was getting colder. Two cops walked in my direction with flashlights.

"What is this?" the tall officer asked. His partner was a woman, short and stout. I slowly stood up, covering myself.

"My friends in 319 are pulling a joke on me," I explained, hoping not to be handcuffed. Digital lights on their shoulders showed their video cameras were active.

"Not a very good joke," Officer Joshua Rollins said.

"I must agree. I'm not happy about this," I concurred.

"Raise your hands and face the wall. We need to make sure you have no weapons," Officer Sandra Vasquez instructed. I quickly obeyed.

"He's clean," she confirmed, stepping back after patting me down. Though where I would hide a weapon was a mystery.

"Standard procedure says we should arrest you," Josh warned.

"If you must, but I hope you won't," I replied. "I don't want any trouble. I just want my clothes back so I can go home."

"Have we met?" Sandra asked.

"Yes, ma'am. My name is Thomas Sheppard of Bratherson Specialists. My company sponsors events at the police picnics in Lincoln Park. I manage the balloon booth."

"Yes, of course. Tommy. My daughter loves those balloons," she said, becoming much friendlier.

"It's important to support the community," I confirmed.

"Tom, I'm sorry I didn't recognize you without your clothes," she apologized. "Do your friends have a phone number?"

She called Annie and frowned.

"What is it?" Josh asked. She dialed the number again, holding up the phone. I heard Annie's voice. It was a recording.

"Sorry, we've gone to bed," Annie answered. "If this is Tommy, we'll see you in the morning." She hung up with a laugh. The officers looked at each other.

"You have lousy friends, young man," Josh concluded. "Want a ride somewhere?"

"They have my keys, and phone," I answered. "Even if I got home, I'd have to wake up my elderly landlady to get in my bungalow. I'm hoping Annie or Bill will come back for me soon. They have to. This joke can't go on forever."

"I hope you're right," Josh said, opening the trunk of their vehicle. He returned with a fleece blanket, allowing me to wrap up.

"We'll be driving back through here just after 6 o'clock," Sandra advised. "Try to be someplace else."

"Yes, thank you. Thank you so much," I eagerly agreed.

"You are on our video cams," Josh said, indicating the camera on his shoulder. "We can't do anything about that. Department policy. Our sergeant may have questions."

"I can be reached at my office in Culver City. I'll cooperate in any way I can," I promised.

They shook my hand and headed back to their patrol car. I sank to the ground, struggling to calm myself. I never really thought they would arrest me. I wasn't drunk, or on drugs, or making a scene. But it was still a concern. Sadly, I didn't keep the blanket long.

"What have we got here?" a crusty old bird said. I looked up from the alcove where I'd been huddling.

"Move on, pal. Nothing to see," I answered. One drunken bum didn't scare me.

"Looks like there's plenty to see," the scraggily gray-haired man said, dressed in a ragged coat and worn boots. He wasn't alone. He had two equally rumpled friends. I stood up.

There was a quiet confrontation lasting several minutes. Almost surreal. Neither side said anything, just sizing up the situation. When one of the drunks finally took a step forward, I fell into a fighting stance.

"No need for violence, friend," his swarthy companion said, holding up his hands. "We just want the blanket."

"The blanket is all I have," I protested.

"That's why we want it. If you had more, we'd want that, too," he replied.

As much as I valued the blanket, I didn't want to fight three bums for it. I hesitated, hoping they might back off. No luck. Perhaps my delay had been a mistake. Should I have dared them to attack me? No, not over a stupid blanket. I gave it up.

"Just like I thought. Naked as a jaybird," one said, grinning with missing teeth. At least none of them owned phones.

"Bend over. Show us your butt," the third guy demanded.

"Fuck you," I answered with clenched fists.

They decided to move on. Which was a relief. I didn't want to hurt three down-and-out derelicts over something so trivial, but if they'd really wanted trouble, they would have found plenty. During my years in the army, I'd had my fair share of bar fights. I was always the one who walked away.

Once again with nothing to cover myself, I sat down. Just after the 5 a.m. church chimes, a pickup truck stopped on the street. A middle-aged security guard climbed out with slumping shoulders. Did he plan to make an arrest?

"What the hell?" he said, almost tripping over me.

"I'm not doing anything wrong," I insisted, scooting out of his way.

"Didn't say you were. I'm just coming home from work, not busting anyone. What are you doing here? Why are you sitting on the ground naked?" he asked.