"I'm leaving him dad, I've had enough."
I knew that this day was coming. The only surprise was that Betty had put up with that useless husband of hers for so long. They fought constantly and it broke my heart that my only daughter was stuck in a loveless, unhappy marriage.
I had never taken to Les. How would you expect a father to react to his daughter getting pregnant in her last year at high school. Betty was a top student and she had plans to go to university. All this changed when she was adamant that she would keep the child and become a fulltime mother. She stayed on at school, which was very brave of her and gave birth to little Cathy, two months after her final exams. Les, to his credit, stood by her and he took a job with his uncle, who was a mechanic and they rented a one bedroom apartment in a run down part of town. But he was a teenage boy, unprepared for fatherhood, who preferred to spend time with his mates, drinking at the local pub and wasting his money on cars and cigarettes. There was a constant struggle to put food on the table. Nothing changed much in the following eighteen years as almost single-handedly, she raised her daughter Cathy and saw her follow the path to university, that she was so cruelly denied.
"I haven't seen him in two days," Betty shouted, more in frustration than anger, "not a phone call, nothing, he could be dead for all I know, or even care. This is it dad, I'm out. Cathy is away at uni and I'm spending time by myself. We never talk when he is around, he just sits drinking beer and watching TV......"
Betty was getting everything off her chest, so I let her vent. I knew that this was a turning point in her life. I felt a pang of guilt in hoping that her marriage was over. For nearly two decades I had seen her stay in an unhappy marriage, in the mistaken belief that it was the best thing for her daughter. She could have done so much better.
Still, when Cathy was old enough to go to school, Betty found herself a job. Betty was smart, very smart, her final high school exams proved that. She took a job as a receptionist at a local law firm, and it soon became apparent to her employer that she was capable of much better. She trained as an articled clerk and became a valued member of the firm, accompanying the solicitors in courts. Cathy struck an imposing figure in the courthouse. Tall at close to six feet, she had a striking figure, and was stunningly beautiful, blessed no doubt with the genes of her adored mother, who had sadly passed away four years earlier. At the age of 37, Betty was still in the prime of her life and my fervent wish was that she leave her deadbeat husband and start life afresh.
"Dad, can I come stay with you for a couple of weeks? I have found a place of my own but I can't move in until the end of the month," Betty asked with a desperate tone to her voice.
"Of course baby, you know that you are welcome here anytime. I would love having you around," I replied enthusiastically.
I still lived in the family house, the house where my wife and I raised Betty. There were three bedrooms, a large private backyard and the swimming pool that had been the focal point of our long summer days.
"Dad, can I come over tomorrow? I can just pack a few things to get me by until I move," Betty asked.
"Sure thing Betty, your room is clean and tidy," I replied. The two spare rooms were always made up for the times that Betty and Cathy visited. Often, they would stay for a few days when times became difficult at home with Les. It was always a pleasure to have them around. "Just let yourself in, I would help you, but I have an important meeting with an interstate client tomorrow."
"It's fine dad, I'm not bringing much, just clothes mainly and maybe a nice bottle of champagne as a thank you present," Betty answered cheerily.
We chatted for a few minutes more then we hung up.
I was looking forward to having Betty around. She was such good company, funny, intelligent and she had a caring nature and was a good listener and clever conversationist. There was only one drawback. I enjoyed being naked around the house. Living alone, I could suit myself about how I dressed at home, and I preferred the comfort of wearing nothing. And swimming in the pool was more pleasurable without the unnecessary restriction of a swimming costume. Oh well, it is only for a couple of weeks so I figured that staying dressed would be a small price to pay for having Betty around.
When I arrived home from work the next day, Betty's car was in the driveway.
"I'm home!" I bellowed as I let myself in.
"Daddy!" Betty shrieked as she ran to greet me, throwing her arms around my shoulders and giving me a firm peck on my cheek. I held her tightly, so thrilled to have my darling daughter in my arms.
We broke apart, I looked her up and down. She took my breath away, standing there in a light cotton sundress, green with swirls of yellow floral print, that perfectly matched her light blonde hair. She was sporting a golden tan that exuded good health. I was pleasantly surprised that she looked so well despite the trauma of leaving her husband.
"Welcome home, darling, it's so nice to have you here. I think we are going to have the best couple of weeks," I declared honestly.
"Oh me too dad and let's start it off in style, how about we have the bubbles out on the back deck. I have made up a plate of cheese and crackers," Betty enthused.
"No need to ask me twice, just let me change and I'll meet you out there," I said as I headed to my room to get into something more comfortable for the hot evening.
How I would have loved to sit naked, but a t shirt and shorts would have to be the dress code for the occasion. My only concession would be that I could get away without having the restriction of underwear.
A gentle breeze was wafting over the patio area as we sat down to enjoy our drink.
"Cheers!" we shouted as we clinked our drinks.
We sat and talked animatedly, I made the effort to not bring up the subject of leaving Les, so as not to spoil the mood. There would be time enough for that later down the track. It was all I wanted to simply enjoy having Betty back home, even if just temporarily.
Time flew and before we knew it, the golden nectar had disappeared. The sun was setting, and a red hue hung on the horizon, filtering through the trees lining the back fence. It was still very hot.
"How about a swim dad? Betty suggested.
"For sure," I replied, "I'll get us some towels and meet you back here.
Back in my room, I realised that all that I had to wear in the pool was a pair of daggy old Speedos. I put them on and looked in the mirror and It wasn't a pretty sight. It had been some time since I wore them and either I put on weight or they shrank, because they looked a size too small and certainly were fitting rather snugly. Oh well, I had no option so they would have to do.
My unfashionable attire was only accentuated when I returned to the pool and saw Betty waiting for me.
I wasn't prepared for the vision of splendour before me.
Betty was resplendent in a tiny lime green bikini, the top struggled to contain her perfect sized firm, round breasts. The bottom was a thong that was high cut and narrow, the back disappeared up her crack. Whilst I noticed her healthy glow earlier, I was taken by her tan on show in her revealing bikini. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that it was my daughter standing in front of me, not some swimwear model from a fashion runway. Still, I had to offer a compliment.
"You look fantastic Betty, that swimsuit really suits you," I stated, thinking that assertion straddled the line between honest fatherly admiration and lustfulness.
"Thanks dad, it's new, all that I had at home was an old one piece that I hadn't worn in years," Betty replied.
I took that as the perfect segue to explain the shabby old Speedos that I was wearing.
We both laughed and jumped into the pool and splashed around like little children. The water was divine and combined with the French champagne that I had drunk I could feel the tensions of the day drift away.
"That will do me," Betty said after a while and made her way to the ladder to get out of the pool.
I watched as she ascended, her golden body glistening with water, her muscles tightening as she pulled herself up the ladder, her bum cheeks swaying. I had to look away, to avert an inappropriate swelling in my groin, which would be a dead giveaway, considering how tightly my costume covered that area.
Betty dried off and threw on a white t shirt. I went back to my room and couldn't get out of my Speedos quickly enough. I had half an erection, but confident that it would soon subside, I put my shorts back on and decided that since it was still so hot, I wouldn't worry about a shirt.
I went via the fridge and took out a bottle of chardonnay and grabbed two clean glasses.
"Honey, what say we get some Thai takeaway for dinner, it's too late to start cooking and it's too hot anyway," I suggested.
"Fine by me dad, but my shout," Betty demanded.
The food soon arrived, and we sat in the cooling evening air, drinking our wine and quietly mellowing out. I was thinking how much I was going to enjoy having Betty around and wishing that she could stay longer than just a few weeks.
By the time we had finished dinner and the second bottle of wine it was time for bed.
It had been a long, tiring day for Betty, so she stood and gave me a big hug and a kiss.
"Thanks daddy for being here for me, you know I love you so much and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it," Betty cried.
