Tom Brown was the local shopkeeper in the small village of Ruralton, and was known as being one of the nicest men in town. His wife Margeret, in her early fifties, but a few years younger than Tom helped out in the shop from time to time, stocking shelves and going over the books, and today was such a day. The shop was very quiet though, and so the couple found themselves chatting.
"I'm sorry about last night," said Tom quietly, from where he was standing behind the till.
Margaret was filling up the fridge with milk, and looked over at him with a puzzled expression. "Sorry about what?"
Tom looked around to make sure the shop was empty. "You know... That I couldn't get it up in bed for you?" He felt very embarrassed and could feel his face going red.
Margaret smiled gently at him. She did love him so much. "It's okay, Tom," she comforted him, "It's your health, love, there's nothing we can do about it."
Tom sighed, "But I feel bad. You've always had a higher sex drive than me, and now I can't look after... your needs..."
Margaret told him not to worry, even though it did concern her a little bit. She had always enjoyed having an active sex life, of course it had dropped away a little after they had their two children, but after they grew up and moved out, Tom and Margaret's sex life had reignited again. However, Tom's health was ailing and whether it was that, or the medication he was on, lately he had found that he could get an erection sometimes when in bed. Although she told her husband that it didn't matter, really Margaret was finding herself growing a little frustrated. But what could she do about it? She had only ever been with Tom, and he with her; they had met at school and were what people called childhood sweethearts. She couldn't ever see herself with another man, no matter how desperate her needs became.
"Maybe you should talk to the doctor about it?" Margaret suggested, but Tom shook his head, going bright red in the face again.
"No, I would be much too embarrassed," he admitted then relented, "We'll try again tonight and see if I can get hard for you. If I can't then maybe I will think about it."
"Hi mum," said a voice from behind Margaret, making her jump. She turned around to see their eldest child, Luke with a basket of shopping in his hand. Where had he popped up from? How long had he been here and how much had he heard?
"Hello Luke," she said to him, "Doing some shopping?"
"Yep, then I've got to get off to work," he said, passing the basket over to his father working at the till. Luke was in his late twenties now, and a good-looking young man, popular with the girls of the village. He was the local school's P.E. teacher, and both Margaret and Tom were very proud of him, although they also felt that he should be thinking about settling down sometime soon. He had plenty of girlfriends, but he never seemed to stay with any of them for long.
Tom finished putting Luke's groceries into a bag and then waved his son goodbye. Margaret gave him a kiss on the cheek and when he left the shop, she looked at her husband. "That was close!" she whispered, "I hope he didn't hear anything." Tom nodded.
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Luke smiled to himself as he left the shop. So his dad couldn't get it up anymore. He felt sorry for him, but worried more about his mum. Luke had often heard them have sex over the years, unlike his younger sister he had never moved out of the family home, so he heard them at it quite a bit, and from the way his mother could be quite noisy sometimes, he had guessed that she perhaps liked sex more than her husband. Luke was old enough to know that even older couples needed sex, and he pondered what he could do to help his parents with their dilemma. He knew lots of naughty girls in the village and the surrounding areas; he was sure he could maybe get one of them to perhaps be naughty with his dad, to try and help him out, but how would mum react to that? Perhaps he should do it in secret, but he didn't think dad could like to mum. He was just too nice a person. But his mum, now there was an idea. Perhaps she should just leave dad alone, after all Luke didn't think his old man was that bothered about sex, not as much as his wife. If Luke could find someone to seduce his mum, she could get some fun with someone else in the village. But who? He decided to talk to his mum about it tonight, after work when he got home.
That evening, Margaret was putting the dishes away after tea when Luke walked into the room.
"Can I talk to you for a minute, mum?" he asked.
Margaret looked around to see where Tom was. He was sitting in front of the telly, watching football. "Of course you can, dear," she said to her son, and they sat down together at the table.
Luke took a deep breath and told his mother that he knew all about her problems with his father. Margaret was devastated but knew that her son would only want to help. She quietly told him that she knew that Tom was impotent and that it was really worrying him.
In one way she could speak to him about sex. He had often walked behind her in the house and squeezed her bum and said spmething naughty to make her laugh. This was more serious though.
She went on to say, "You know that your father is such an honourable man, Luke. His main concern is not himself. It is me. He knows that I am in my fifties and he is devastated that I am missing out on things."
"You don't have to tell me Mum. He is the finest and most honest man I have ever met. I admire him so much."
Margaret nodded. Luke was a good boy. She had been so afraid that Tom would be ashamed if he thought anyone knew.
Luke took a deep breath and said, "He has told me all about his problems, Mum. And you are right. He is worried to death about you. He thinks it is so unfair to you." Margaret was shocked. She knew what a private man her husband was and it must have taken so much courage for him to explain it to Luke.
Margaret spoke softly about her loving husband "What did he say Luke?"
Luke again took a deep breath. He had decided to speak to his father before talking to his mother. That was the easy part. It was coming to the difficult part now. "Dad said that it wasn't natural for you to live a celibate life and it was a problem he felt responsible for and that he must find a solution."
Margaret let the words hang in the air. She couldn't think of what to say. She just kept quiet.
Luke continued, "He thinks we have to find someone to take over his duties."
To Margaret this was unimaginable. She genuinely did feel so frustrated but this was impossible. She did manage to stutter, "But no man could take your fathers place, Luke."
He nodded. He had a lot more to explain. "Dad showed me those pictures you keep of me, Mum, in my bathing trunks, and in my gym kit." Margaret blushed. This was her secret; although she had told Tom and he had helped her with the pictures. Tom had helped her in her secret moments.
Luke spoke quietly, "He told me what you do when you look at my pictures, Mum, and he told me how he stood by the door for your safety and privacy."
