How things turn out.CAW12 Entry

[Prurient Purveyer]

“The heat waves shimmered in the distance, inexorably rising off the sand in an unmerciful display of Mother Nature’s authority. Water was nowhere to be found. Off to the left, a drunken man’s voice could be heard, signaling the start of another drunken orgy.

It was the summer of '69. It was the summer of loving…”

Julian read his story in a somewhat embarrassed monotone but The Class (Yes You Can; Creative Writing for You) had hung on every word and when the nineteen year old finished they stood and applauded warmly. Sara Collins stood too applauding with the rest- although she didn’t mean it.

It was a plagiarism- she had read the original story- but Sara knew enough not to make a scene and kept quiet. Julian sat down allowing the wave of approval to wash over him and Sara felt a little envious of his sudden popularity. Her own story was of two dolphins in love and she now felt terribly embarrassed about it. She was sure everyone would hate it and closed her eyes and prayed that she wouldn’t have to read it out.

As luck would have it she didn’t with Mr. MacGregor choosing a very nervous girl in a tartan jacket on the other side of the room to read her story. It was beautiful tale of a young girl in love and as she listened Sara heard rather than listened to the words as she enjoyed the sound of Kate’s voice. She had a slight lisp and she would continually brush her hair off her face where it would stubbornly fall immediately after being brushed away.

The class hung on her every word and Sara switched back on to hear the end of the story; the person the girl was in love with wasn’t a boy. The ending was a twist; like the others Sara had assumed it would be a boy this girl had fallen in love with but unlike the others she loved the story.

She clapped enthusiastically when Kate had finished but no one joined in.

She saw Kate look around - a terrified expression on her face- then sit down to cover her face with her hands. Sara had quickly stopped clapping and sat red faced not daring to look at anyone.

The silence was deadly and a sense of indignation rose deep within her. It had been a beautiful story she thought, so what if it wasn’t straight. And Sara now did the one thing she knew her Nana wouldn’t want her to do: she spoke up.

“Um, well, I liked it- at least she wrote it,” she declared to no one in particular but emphasizing ‘she’. The last bit had sneaked in with the rest and then, as she was to tell her long suffering Nana after “just came out.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” the lady two seats along asked menacingly and Sara cowered.

“What do you think?” She was numb- oh why had she opened her mouth and every time she said something it got worse.

“I think you are a very rude young woman and that this class would be better of without you in it. That’s what I think.”

The silence was oppressive and Sara knew she wasn’t wanted.

She closed her folder and lifted her briefcase onto her lap. Her first session and she was being sent away! What would Nana say to that? She was humiliated and now she had to endure leaving the class with all those others staring at her.

She had put her folder in her briefcase and stood to leave. No one said a word but the girl had stood too and as Sara started to leave Kate went with her. Sara waited outside while Kate pulled the door shut after her. No sooner had she done so than the class erupted. It was horrible and both girls hurried away.

Once they had reached the front door they paused then went down the steps together.

“Oh thanks for sticking up for me back there,” Kate told her with that lisp of hers.

“Oh, that’s OK,” Sara answered- adding “, I thought it was a really lovely story.”

‘It’s about me.”

“Yeah. It’s a really nice story, well sad nice but nice, you know?”

She looked at Kate for reassurance and got a smile; she smiled back.

“Would you like to have a coffee- if you’ve got time,” Kate asked her and Sara nodded- she would like that very much.

They walked along the street to a bohemian style coffee lounge, got two cups of instant then managed to find an old two squab sofa tucked away in a corner to sit on. A girl who sounded a lot like Joan Baez was singing up on the little stage and Sara sat with her ankles crossed holding her coffee in two hands as Kate slipped her shoes off then tucked her feet under to sit facing her.

“How are you feeling? She was horrible, wasn’t she?” Kate asked her.

“I feel awful. I guess I shouldn’t have done that to Julian, maybe he was too scared to put up his own story?”

“No. You weren’t; he deserved that…it’s a Creative Writing Course for goodness sakes- if he had nothing he should have said so not read an excerpt from someone else’s book.”


“Yeah, I guess but it got so nasty, I hate it when things get nasty, you know?”

Kate leaned down to pick her coffee mug up from the threadbare carpet and smiled at her. She looked very stiff.

“Are you nervous? About being here with me,” Kate asked getting a shrug in reply.

“Is it because I’m a lesbian?”

It was and Sara blushed at the question.

“Does it matter- to you?”

Sara paused; she had been put on the spot and Kate deserved an honest answer.

“No its not you I’m worried about; it’s me. You’ve found what you are but I haven’t. You’re a lesbian, I suspect I might be but I don’t know. I don’t know very much about myself at all really. I don’t like to probe too deeply in case I find out something about myself I don’t like. Guess I’m weird huh?”

“Yeah; totally.”

She smiled and her whole face lit up. Now Sara felt she belonged- it was a lovely feeling too. She slipped her shoes off to mirror Kate sitting with her feet tucked under.

“Glad you’re here?”

Sara smiled happily; it was worth it all just to be here with Kate. She nodded happily and when Kate lifted her arm in invitation she snuggled in. They sat pressed into each other sipping at their coffees from time to time otherwise just enjoying the contact.

As the night got older the girls on the counter moved a few of the front sofas back to make a dance floor. Immediately couples took to it and in no time it was crowded.

“Want to dance with a lesbian?” Kate asked her and Sara got to her feet to lead her to the floor.

They danced as the others did; with their arms wrapped round each other and it was there they had their first real kiss. After a time Sara became lost in her thoughts and danced in silence with her head on Kate’s shoulder and her face turned into her neck.

“Penny for them.”

‘Oh sorry,” Sara apologized “, I was wondering what my Nana will say about this.”

“You’re going to tell her?” There was a note of apprehension in the voice.

“Yes. I won’t tell her your name if you don’t want me to- but I do. I want to tell her I’ve met you and I’m mad about you and… oh lots of stuff.”

‘I’d love you to babe but once you come out you can’t go back in. It’s a big step, its… well it is that’s all.”

‘I didn’t even know I was in the closet till tonight.”

Kate gave her a hug.

Pandemonium had broken out in the classroom once Kate and Sara had left. Mr. McGregor let them go until the anger had dissipated then came round to sit on the corner of his desk. He drummed his finger tips together as he waited.

“So, Julian, did you write that story?” he asked.

Julian squirmed under his scrutiny. Mr. McGregor was well aware that Julian hadn’t written it as he too recognized the piece.

“Um, not really,” Julian admitted finally.

“No Julian, you didn’t.” He said it briskly, dismissively then looked up at the rest of them.

“All of you, this is about improving your writing. I don’t need to be impressed by someone else’s work.”

Julian now sat with his head in his hands and shook with the force of his sobs. Sara’s nemesis Muriel Carson slipped off her chair and went over to put her arms round the boy. He was so like her Dylan at that age. So sensitive and so terrified of revealing anything about himself for fear of being rejected.

The class sat in silence as Muriel drew Julian into her. She crouched; rocking him back and forward. As she rocked him she stroked his hair and whispered to him.

“You sit here doll,” she told him and he moved to sit next to her.

Mr. McGregor hadn’t finished; Muriel herself was his next target.

“Muriel how much do you think closing your mind to other writers’ work will advance the cause of your own writing abilities?”

The question hung in the air as Muriel tried to think of an answer; she knew she couldn’t give the real answer; that she had been horrified at how much she had been aroused by the story and tried to think of something convincing to offer but words, for once, failed her.

“ Not much, I guess,” she offered getting a look that bore deep into her.

“I have never in my life seen a performance like that. That story of Kate’s was head and shoulders the best thing I have heard in five years of hosting this class for adult writers. Let’s get real here people; some of you have talent, most of you are fair to moderate in ability and I can get you to write better than you do now but none of you have Kate’s ability. You don’t have it now and twenty years from now you won’t have it either and that is just a sad fact of life.

“Look we’ll end the class here; I think the creative flow is stifled for us all at the moment. Muriel, Julian I’ll see you please; the rest of you please take a sheet as you leave. You have six topics to pick from; three thousand words of your own work for next Thursday and we’ll get cracking then.”

The class filed out, dutifully taking their sheets as they left, and it was just the three of them.

“Julian, better now?”

“Yes Mr. McGregor,” Julian answered still unable to meet his eye.

“I think you can write Julian, I really do,” Mr. McGregor told him and Julian nodded.
“Are you alright now?” he asked and the tall slim boy looked fearfully at him and again he nodded.

He wasn’t alright at all, Muriel could see that and she moved to stand with her body against his.

“I’ll take him Mr. McGregor,” Muriel told him and he knew by the way she had said it and the way she looked at Julian that he should leave it there.

“As you wish, if you bump into either Sara or Kate you owe them both an apology Muriel and I think you know that.”

“It’s a long story, it’s…oh never mind, yes Mr. McGregor we’ll see you next Thursday.”

She closed the door as she escorted Julian from the room- taking a sheet for each of them as they left.

“There’s a MacDonald’s not too far away, what do you say to an old lady shouting you a burger?” she asked him gently. Julian nodded and let her take his hand to walk down the road and across to the MacDonald’s Restaurant.

He was starving and she watched as he devoured his big Mac and fries then slurped the last of his coke. They sat on a bench seat and it embarrassed him that the feel of her body against his aroused him so. Part way through she slipped her arm round him and he felt her bosom pressing into his side.

“Still hungry?”

He didn’t answer for a time then gave a little shrug followed by the slightest of nods.

She went up to the counter and bought him another combo.

“You remind me so much of my son Dylan,” she told him as he got past halfway on his next Big Mac “,he would have been twenty six next month.”

She smiled at him then sat twiddling her fingers deep in thought.

“He was sensitive. So sensitive.”

Her eyes had filled with tears and the words stopped. He stopped chewing and turned to look at her then put his hand over hers. She pressed her other hand on his and squeezed.

After their meal he put his elbow out for her to hook her arm through and they walked out of the near deserted Restaurant onto the sidewalk.

“Dylan and I were very close,” she told him. They had stopped by her car and again she had made sure he got her breast pressed against him. Julian felt his cock swelling then the hand on his hip strayed round to his butt and stroked him there. He breathed through his mouth as he felt her hand caress his butt.

“Kiss me Julian,” she begged and now she stood on tip toes; her breasts pressed against his stomach, her arms hooked up round his neck, as she tilted her head up for his lips.

She had closed her eyes and he kissed her; feeling her lips- moist and soft. He closed his eyes too and when he parted his lips slightly; her tongue snaked straight in.

He was rock hard- she could feel his shaft when they kissed. She looked around, it was too public there but she wanted him, needed him. Oh so like Dylan; she had lost count of the number of times she had made love to her son, but it was the only sex she had ever enjoyed and maybe with Julian…

There was a little alcove a dozen yards away where it was quite dark and she held his hand leading him there. She positioned him to block the view then unzipped and slipped her dress off. Her bra and panties followed and Julian stared open mouthed as her firm tanned body crouched before him. She smiled up for him then after she had undone his belt and pulled his jeans and boxers down she slipped her mouth over his cock. All the way down then sucking hard as she drew her lips up to his tip and licked round it. She raised her head.

“Doggy,” she told him and turned away to bend right over for him.

He was a virgin; she knew that and she waited patiently loving the feel of his fingers flitted uncertainly over her asshole and slit. Dylan had loved her cunt shaved- that was what he liked her to call it “her cunt.” She had kept it shaved these four years since it had happened; out of respect she had tried to tell herself but it was for her she had to admit now. She loved rubbing her fingers over herself down there and remembering the feel of her only son’s penis going deep inside.

Julian was struggling and she put her hand under to reach behind for his cock. Grabbing it she pulled the tip into her wet opening and waited as he pushed forward.

“Oh God! Oh yes!’ she gasped as his long young cock drove deep into her. She used her vaginal muscles to grip his shaft as he fucked her tilting a little so his tip rubbed over her g spot and soon she was quivering with her orgasm. Julian was too inexperienced to be aware of what she was getting from their fuck and just let his tip tell him what to do. He came on a thrust inside her and as he did she reached round to grasp his butt and pull him against her while he spurted.

Julian had never had an experience like it; he had made love to a lady older than his mother. Her soft body was bent over for him, offered for him and he felt a tremendous affection for Muriel. She stood up and his cock slipped out but instead of that being it she crouched before him and sucked his cock clean. He felt himself hardening as her mouth worked his cock. This time she stayed down and sucked on his tip while she sroked his shaft then licked along his shaft till she reached his balls sucking on each one till it nearly hurt and moving her mouth back to his tip then slipping her mouth over and taking him all the way in. he felt her gagging but she stayed down and from deep inside himself he came.

He spurted strongly expecting her to pull away but she stayed down and sucked hard as he came.

She stood and opened her mouth to show him his cum in there; then she closed her mouth, swallowed and opened again; all gone.

“I won’t kiss you if you don’t want, guys don’t really like the taste of cum much- but I love yours.”

He felt terribly fond of her; she had leapt to his defense when that girl had made the accusation and comforted him when it had all got too much for him and now this. It had been like a date; well it was a date really only she was such an amazing lover. What girl his age could have done that, and so patient?

‘I think I love you Muriel,” he told her hugging her as tightly as he could.

“Oh Julian,” she murmured hugging back.

What was she doing she wondered. She was a respectable married woman, a pillar of the community, and she had given herself to this boy. She was risking everything and for what?

For love; to matter, to count in someone’s life and suddenly all she was risking didn’t seem that important anymore. Not now.

“I love you more than I can say Julian my darling. I’m a silly old woman, aren’t I? You can tell me, I won’t mind.”

“You’re not silly and you’re not old Muriel, Don’t say that, don’t ever say that.”

She rested her head on his shoulder as he held her tight and felt the joy of knowing that, at last, finally, she mattered to someone..

Sara and Kate left the coffee lounge a little after midnight. They held hands swinging their arms like little girls as they sometimes walked sometimes skipped along the deserted streets. They had both brought their cars and when they reached the car park suddenly the night was going to be over. It felt such a shock to Sara. From being the worst time of her life she had had the most wonderful night. It had been so wonderful and all because of her darling Kate. She made Kate promise to txt her and they would meet again after work tomorrow, no it was after midnight now , so; this evening. That sounded nicer. They had one last kiss and she was on her way.

Nana had gone to bed but woke up when she heard their car come up the driveway. She didn’t drive anymore, not at sixty seven –just couldn’t be bothered with all the impatient drivers in the world. She had prepared a supper and put the jug on. Sara looked happy she thought delightedly.

‘Well darling, how did it go? Did they like your story?”

“I sort of got kicked out Nana,” she admitted but instead of the sheepish expression she should have had she looked very pleased with herself. Something was up.

‘That course cost me five hundred dollars darling so can we please go over the “sort of got kicked out” bit a little more.”

That was as angry as Nana got and Sara felt as though a bucket of cold water had been flung in her face.

“Well it wasn’t my…oh Nana I’m so sorry. I tried but they were so nasty to this other girl Kate’s story and this stupid boy had read out the first page of that book we read a few years ago, The Sixty Niners – remember it?”

Helen (known by her Grand daughter as ‘Nana’) listened intently.

“Go on; they didn’t like this girl Kate’s story and some kid read out a plagiarism? I might have to ask for a refund…so what happened next?”

And she told her, how the “at least she wrote it” line had ‘slipped out’ how they had been forced to leave and how she had come to feel so strongly about Kate. She didn’t use the L word- she didn’t need to.

“Before your mother died my darling I promised her that I would do everything in my power to make you happy. I’m getting on now doll. I am and I have to face facts, I won’t be around for ever to look after you and you need someone.”

Sara had put her head on an angle as she listened; Nana was always there, always and the thought she might not be terrified her.

“So tell me about Kate, pretty special, huh?”

“Oh Nana she is the most wonderful girl in the world. I love her Nana and she loves me.”

Nana poured their tea and sat down beside her. She put her arm round Kate and kissed her cheek.

“I’m so proud of you Sara; I always have been- so was your Mom. She had such a hard life but she always said you made it all worthwhile.”

And the city’s newest lesbian turned in to her Nana and sobbed her heart out.

Muriel and Julian had got dressed and gone back to the car park where they had one last kiss and went their separate ways; Julian back to his parents’ home and Muriel back to Charles. He was waiting for her.

‘You’re late.”

“I’m over twenty one Charles.”

“That’s for sure.”

“Oh God Charles! Its late and I’m tired.”

‘You’re always tired.”

“Go figure. Good night Charles, I’ll sleep in the spare room.”

She felt his eyes on her as she went up the stairs to the spare room. It was a guest bedroom- from when they once had guests- with an ensuite. She locked the door and stripped. A shower, she needed a shower and she stood under the water washing herself thoroughly and massaging her cunt as she relived the feel of his cock probing deep inside her. He was such a gentle lover, it was a probe more than a thrust but he got it in so deep.

He loved her; he did- she was sure of it. She lay naked on the bed and dreamed that he was in the room with her, watching, and she had to put on a show for him before he would fuck her. Charles finished the bourbon and lay sprawled over the couch downstairs as Muriel orgasmed in her sleep dreaming of Julian taking her ass.

Kate texted Sara at ten o’clock that morning. It was just an “I love you, hope you’re having a great day” text that people in love send each other and Sara pressed her cell to her heart before sending her reply. She wanted her to meet her Nana; wanted to show Kate off and after an exchange of messages Kate agreed to go there for dinner but not that night. She would go the next night but would Sara like to meet at lunch time?

They met at a respectable café and had lunch together and it drove Sara mad; she so wanted to take Kate in her arms and give her a real kiss and tell her over and over how much she loved her but she couldn’t, not there and the only hugs and kisses she got were when they met and when they said good bye.

Muriel got her text at ten thirty.

‘Are you alone?” it read.

“Alone and thinking of you my darling.” She texted back to him.

Seconds later her cell rang- it was him of course. He didn’t want to sound overly possessive but… she told him she loved the thought of him being possessive of her; she longed for him to take her. her. She mentioned she was getting a beauty treatment so not to forget to be impressed. He had matured so much! He really was her man now and she shivered as she realized that if she could see the change in him others would as well- like his mother perhaps.

Kate rang late in the afternoon; she couldn’t stand being apart so if it wasn’t too much trouble she would call over after dinner. She was told in no uncertain terms by a delighted Sara that she most certainly would be expected for dinner so please get there by seven.

As soon as her call from Kate ended Sara was on the phone to her Nana. Kate was coming over; did she have enough meat for tonight? Should she pick some up on the way home? Wine; should she get some wine?

Helen smiled as she listened to the frantic panicking of her darling Grand daughter; she was head over heels in love with this girl Kate.

“We’ve got enough meat sweetheart and we’ve got some wine to choose from. You just get home safely and we’ll knock her dead.”

“Um, oh, ok, so you’ll be OK?” she sounded far from convinced.

“Yes sweetie, I’ll cope- somehow.”

“Am I being silly?”

“Just a bit; you’re being a woman in love sweetie. Just leave everything here to me and get home safely.”

“OK Nana. Love you.”

“Love you too Sausage.”

She put the phone down as another headache hit her. A few minutes on the couch and it should pass. Ten minutes later it had faded and she got on with having the place as inviting as she could get it. Sara had to have someone she could cling to in her life. Helen had begun to despair that she would ever find someone but now it seemed her prayers might just have been answered- she hoped so.

Sara at home was even worse than Sara on the phone as she fussed over every detail; she would pick up a fork try various positions for it then put it back exactly where her Nana had put it the first time. Helen got her to shower and after she put her hair up, did her makeup and lent her the diamond necklace and the gold bracelets to wear. She wore a silver colored sheath- bought for an event she hadn’t had the nerve to attend and once ready she fidgeted and looked repeatedly at the clock.

Kate was a bundle of nerves coming over. She too had dressed up; the classic little black dress with all the bling but she wondered; would she measure up. She parked on the driveway, per instructions, swallowed hard and went up to find out.

The door opened almost immediately and Sara, looking absolutely gorgeous stood beaming before her.

‘Come in. Come in. Nana, Katie’s here, Nana!”

“Coming Sausage.”

“Well she sounds nice,” Kate thought as the dreaded moment approached. Helen had put her party frock on too and came out to meet Kate. She smiled so warmly for kate then gave her an extra tight hug.

‘Can you bring in the nibbles Honey?” Helen asked as she took Kate’s hand to lead her to the couch. She sat Kate down on the middle squab and sat next to her- still holding her hand.

“She loves you.”

“I know; I love her so much.”

“You’ll take care of her? Oh why am I asking; I know you will. I thank God she found you.”

Kate could feel the tears welling in her eyes. Sara’s Nana was handing her over; it was as if …as if she didn’t have long and she wondered for a second if Sara knew and she knew that she didn’t.

Sara came in with the tray of nuts and assorted nibbles she had spent the last few minutes arranging perfectly to see her darling Kate and her Nana having a very intense hug. And not only that; they both had tears in their eyes. She thought it was sweet but Dinner was simply the happiest meal she could ever remember. Every time she glanced up she got a smile –it was going so well. If she had looked up at another time she would have seen her Nana look at her and seen the concern on her face. Then she might have seen Nana look across to Kate, their eyes lock and Kate nod very slowly but very emphatically; she would be in very good hands.

Helen- she insisted Kate call her by her first name- and Sara stood together on the porch afterwards to wave good bye then they went back inside to tidy up and get ready for bed.

The weeks passed (neither couple made it back to the course). Muriel had only been able to see Julian a few times since that first night but she rang him often enough and sent him loving text messages to which he responded in kind. Just a day or so short of three weeks later Charles waited till she was in the shower to check her messages.

“Who the fuck is Julian?” he demanded as he stormed into the bathroom.

“He’s the man I love Charles.”

“Well that wouldn’t be me Muriel; I realize that – I’m only fucking married to you.”

“Charles, do you mind? I’m naked.”

“I’m your husband, shouldn’t I get to see it?”

“No Charles, we will talk things through later but I want you to go out now.”

He went out slamming the door behind him.

“Julian, Julian, who the fuck is Julian? The writing course! It must be; the teacher or some guy on the rebound trying to be Wilbur Smith. The crap about the thing is in her bag somewhere.”

He found her bag and found the list. There it was Julian Pritchard -19. Nineteen what, oh and there was Muriel Carson, 57. That was her age so Julian was nineteen? His wife was fucking a nineteen year old? He grabbed the mobile and went off to his den to ring the home number for Julian Pritchard.

Julian was out right now Mrs. Pritchard politely informed the very forceful man on the phone. She had to sit down as he asked her if she knew her son was having an affair with his wife Muriel Carson a woman fifty seven years of age.

Abigail Pritchard sat with the phone held limply in her hands after the man had hung up. This woman was using her son as a play thing, a; what was it they called them- a toy boy. That was it she was using him as a toy boy. She had to be stopped the bloody cradle snatcher.

Muriel came out with her hair just towel dried and wearing her robe; the sooner she got this over with the better. Charles was looking very pleased with himself- maybe he had a little poppet on the side. Wouldn’t put it past him he was so sneaky- like with the gambling.

She sat at the table and waited for him to join her.

“Charles there is no future for us together. I want us to part peacefully and get on with our lives.”

He glared at her but said nothing so she continued.


“You went into my cell and snooped on me. That is about what I have come to expect from you Charles. The Charles I married would never have done that.”

“The Muriel I married would never have given me cause.”

‘Touché Charles. I went looking for love.”

“Like you looked for love with Dylan you evil bitch.”

“I loved Dylan-“

He had rolled his eyes.

“Yes we were lovers but I loved him… oh you wouldn’t understand.”

“I told her,” he announced triumphantly playing his trump card.

‘You told who?” She knew what he meant and suddenly she felt hollow.

“Young Julian’s mother, that’s who.”

‘You’re all class Charles, all class.”

‘So what now Missus I’m looking For Love?” he asked sarcastically.

“Guess I better go see her,” she replied sounding a whole lot more certain than she felt.

The matrimonial assets were hers, he had gambled away nearly all his share and she had had to take out a mortgage to pay out his losses. She had been going to give him an allowance but now?

“Well I hope you enjoy your moment Charles and I hope you enjoy going back to work at your age because this it; that was the last straw. I will speak to my lawyer today and he will make sure you that you get nothing. Understand? Nothing!”

He smiled triumphantly; he was going to be destitute but he had finally done it- he had fucked her.

She got dressed, an expensive frock, patent leather shoes and matching hand bag and drove over to speak with Mrs. Pritchard. Hopefully Julian would be there too, she had rung and told Mrs. Pritchard she was aware her husband had spoken to her so she was coming over to speak with her in person about her relationship with Julian.

Abigail had rang Julian and demanded he get home right now. She had sat seething as she waited but she wasn’t a nasty woman and the emotion passed leaving her feeling numb. Julian had got home just before the woman was due to arrive and he did look different; his voice was deeper, he was courteous to her; doing things like holding the door for her to go through first and things around the house. His room was perfect now and any plates or cups were picked up and taken to the dishwasher.

He had matured and she had wondered if he ever would- was that due to this Muriel lady?

“Are you seeing her?” she asked and she felt so proud of him as he stood up straight with shoulders squared.

He looked her straight in the eye and nodded.

‘Yes Mom; yes I am. We’re in love Mom and before you ask, yes I do know what I’m doing.”

Muriel arrived expecting a knock down drag out free for all but instead she got a hug right on the door step. Julian had told her everything (Julian looked over his mother’s head and shook his slightly- not exactly everything) and she could see the difference in him so she was OK with it but.

They would be discrete but people would talk; let them they were in love and they would take it one day at a time Muriel had told her and Abigail felt a little better. A little- her mother would not approve at all and she wondered if it could be kept from her for as long as possible. For ever would be nice.

.She took him for a drive; it had been hard; she was a tough old bitch but he was young- they tended to feel hurts more deeply. They ended up at a park and walked hand in hand along a cobblestone path.

‘If you want to end it, any reason, I will understand.”

“No. I signed up for this; you’ve turned me into a man Muriel…I can cope; I get angry sometimes, like before when people turn on you but I can, I can cope. Anyway it’ll pass, I’m sure of it.”

‘Thank you darling. Now just look away while the lady with you has a little weepy moment.”

He squeezed her hand and led her to a bench seat where they just sat saying nothing and holding hands. It was enough.

“Spoken to those girls yet?”

He had to ask.

“Not yet; I’ve been too…ok, yes, I’ve been putting it off. OK? Happy?”


“No. We need to speak to them- no time like the present.”

“I don’t have their numbers- all the stuff from the course is at home.”

“Well then you’ll have to ring from home, won’t you?”

“Yes Julian, thank you so much for making me do this Julian.”

‘You’re welcome; you’ll feel a lot better.”

He was probably right but even so, oh shit she was dreading this. The sheet was where she though it would be and she rang Sara’s cell. Just when she thought it would go to Answer Phone and she had dodged a bullet a young voice spoke.

“Hello? This is Sara speaking.”

“Oh, hi Sara this is Muriel Carson speaking.”

The girl gasped and Muriel’s heart sank as she struggled to find the words. She didn’t have to- Julian took the phone off her.

‘Hi Sara?”


“Julian?”

“Yeah, its me. How are you doing?”

“Oh, um good, yeah, I’m really good. Me and Kate, I mean Kate and I…well we’re together.”

“Really? Oh fantastic. Hey Muriel has rung up to say she’s really sorry for how she was to you guys. So be nice, huh?”

He handed the phone back and she managed,

‘Yes um oh good grief I was such a rhymes with ditch to you guys. I hope you can accept my apology but if you can’t…”

“Oh, no, no it’s OK. If it hadn’t been for you I wouldn’t have met up with Kate like I did.”

“I’m with Julian.”

“My God! I wondered, I mean he was with you but, like you’re an item? I mean…”

“That’s OK Hon, I can barely believe it myself; it’s been a bit tough but it’s worth it. We’re both in it for the long haul.”

‘So are we-oh Muriel I’m so happy.”

‘We should get together, are you going to the next Session?”

“No, I don’t think so, we haven’t written anything and I just don’t feel like writing, not at the moment.”

“Oh, OK,” she was frantically trying to think of something to say but nothing came so she finished with a very lame,

“Well if you want to you’ve got my number there-have you?”

“Sara?” it was Julian again.

“Executive decision, we’ll have a picnic on Muriel’s lounge floor. Bring a rug and lots of food, Sunday afternoon; rain or shine. K? Alright then, oh and give our love to Kate.”

Sara stood looking at the receiver then she smiled; she had been worried sick about what to say to Mrs. Carson if she met her and it had been so easy.

She dragged a very dubious Kate along having packed a picnic lunch and the rug. They got a huge welcome from Muriel and a more relaxed one from Julian then went on through to the lounge where the furniture had been moved back and there was room to spread the rug out so they could have their picnic. They pooled their offerings and got into having an indoors picnic. And they shared –not everything- some things are too private to share- but enough to feel a bond between them.

On the drive home- to Sara’s place Kate was quiet letting her darling gorgeous Sara bubble and do her impersonations- never nasty- while she thought; the way ahead wasn’t going to be easy; Helen had told her she had maybe six good months ahead then it would go downhill very rapidly and they were looking for the best time, if there was such a thing, to break it to Sara. Helen had told Kate a lot: about Sara’s life and her mother’s and about herself. She was leaving big shoes to fill, not that Kate minded; she loved Sara more with each passing day and being loved and adored by her was pretty special too- that didn’t take a lot of getting used to.

Anyway, Sara was really coming on – she was the one who had insisted they go to Muriel’s and what a brilliant decision that had proved. They had got on like a house on fire with Julian and Muriel and what a terrific couple they made. It was funny how things turn out. It wasn’t going to be plain sailing but one day at a time, cherish the moment; that was what Helen had told her- no regrets just cherish the moment.

She nodded to herself; she would.

[ELaken-Palmer]

A really good story about a couple of unlikely couples who somehow make it work... as you did with this entry. I liked this and wish you the best of luck in the CAW12 challenge.
Read all the CAW12 stories and VOTE!

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by ELaken-Palmer

A really good story about a couple of unlikely couples who somehow make it work... as you did with this entry. I liked this and wish you the best of luck in the CAW12 challenge.
Read all the CAW12 stories and VOTE!

Thanks for that, glad you liked it.

[Wolf_Knight]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cheltenham]

Sometimes it is difficult to find love in the world. Things happen and people are brought together for a reason.

Very good

[clairebare]

Good story. Two thumbs up.

[darthel0101]

The whipsaw made it hard to keep track of where the story was at times but the story worked even with that.

One of the best points of the CAW is that the stories generally end up being love stories instead of simple vehicles for a sex story. The emotions are stronger and make the story more gripping.

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by darthel0101

The whipsaw made it hard to keep track of where the story was at times but the story worked even with that.

One of the best points of the CAW is that the stories generally end up being love stories instead of simple vehicles for a sex story. The emotions are stronger and make the story more gripping.

Interesting view; whipsaw. There's nothing new in this style; Maeve Binchy did it rather well and while I am no Maeve Binchy I do enjoy writing this way and most people do seem able to cope with it.

[darthel0101]

Originally Posted by Prurient Purveyer

Interesting view; whipsaw. There's nothing new in this style; Maeve Binchy did it rather well and while I am no Maeve Binchy I do enjoy writing this way and most people do seem able to cope with it.

The whipsaw between the two story lines was enough to keep me off-center while reading. Please note that with this story, that is NOT a negative critique; it is simple statement of fact. It forced me to pay MORE attention to what was being done instead of making me discard the story as hopeless to follow.
When I have seen the whipsaw performed elsewhere (very limited experience by me), the switches were normally identified more clearly in the text as a break in context; a warning to the reader to change gears.

You made this style work for you. Well done.

[JackassTales]

I would have broken the two stories up thus allowing for greater understanding. BUT, you did a nice job. Your 'guys' lesbian tale was terrific!

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by JackassTales

I would have broken the two stories up thus allowing for greater understanding. BUT, you did a nice job. Your 'guys' lesbian tale was terrific!

I'm not sure how I would have broken them up. What I wanted was to track the lives of two sets of classmates (albeit if very brief classmates) following the argument.

I thought a lesbian tale alone would simply be boring but the two story lines made it a lot more interesting- it was for me to write anyway.

Anyway, its there now and I'm happy with it. JT is one of the writers I used to make a beeline for when I just read on the site ( for years) so it a buzz for me to have a comment by one of my idols on my story.

Thanks

[ejls]

You took the challenge and made it your own. I commend you for writing about two love stories and delicately handling issues that some would find very difficult. Congratulations for writing something a little outside of the box.

[ejls]

Bump

[wantsomefun]

I paused about halfway through reading this story to think about what had happened so far. All four major protagonists appeared together in the creative writing group in the beginning, but then you paired them off, and went on with two separate plot lines.

Introducing Nana/Helen in the Katie-and-Sara story line was sweet. I didn't see it coming: Katie being asked to take the place of this mother figure. That made the bond between these women more special for me.

Julian's mom played a somewhat parallel role in the Julian-loves-Muriel sequences. Not the same -- timing, initial reactions, and the nature of everyone's relationship were all different -- but still similar. In both story arcs, one care-taker passes responsibility to another.

Accomplishing all that, and still bringing the two story arcs back together was no mean feat. The conclusion made sense.

Cue the applause.



Now I've read everything at least once. I still have two weeks to make up my mind -- plenty of time to flip coins, fish little papers out of a hat, draw straws,...

This is a good thing. This is what it's all about -- getting a bunch of people to write cool stories.

[Prurient Purveyer]

The reality in any relationship is that there are other people who will have opinions/ approve/disapprove of the relationship so I was always going to have to deal with them- nothing in that regard for Kate but she was presented as more or less a free agent.

They went arcing of as separates because Kate and Sara were forced out by Muriel while she in turn paired up with Julian because he reminded her of her late son with whom she had had a happy sex life.

Of course they would come back together and make up! Good grief, who wrote this? Moi. I love happy endings.

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[wantsomefun]

Originally Posted by Prurient Purveyer

The reality in any relationship is that there are other people who will have opinions/ approve/disapprove of the relationship so I was always going to have to deal with them- nothing in that regard for Kate but she was presented as more or less a free agent.

They went arcing of as separates because Kate and Sara were forced out by Muriel while she in turn paired up with Julian because he reminded her of her late son with whom she had had a happy sex life.

Of course they would come back together and make up! Good grief, who wrote this? Moi. I love happy endings.

Absolutely. I'm a sucker for a happy ending, whether it's a ride-off-into-the-sunset ending, or the musings of a lonely old person who had loved, lost, and was strong because of it.

You actually wrote three happy endings here, so that influences my opinion.

[johnstr]

Good stuff. I really like the way these contests bring out the best. I wasn't able to complete mine in time but I am enjoying this CAW and looking forward to the next.
Good Luck.

[ejls]

Bump

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[snowleopard3200]

Bump

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[darthel0101]

Originally Posted by Dizzyworks673

Bump

yep

[JayneyRedd]

#2 read. Ten to go.

Good story, PP - one of your best ever!

Because I'm trying to speed-read these stories, it was a little tricky to follow, I had to go back and re-read a few passages, but that's my fault for skimming, not your writing.

Good show!

[Dizzyworks673]

bump

[darthel0101]

Bump

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[N.E. Woman]

My fourth story so far in the contest and I just love how different the stories are, and where your minds go after starting with the same few lines!

The parallel love stories are a little difficult to read, but as another poster said, it makes the reader pay more attention. Well done!

My only real confusion came from the cell phones and texting.... Did they have that in '69? Or was that "artistic license"? Or did I just miss something?

In any case, I really enjoyed the story/stories.

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by N.E. Woman

My fourth story so far in the contest and I just love how different the stories are, and where your minds go after starting with the same few lines!

The parallel love stories are a little difficult to read, but as another poster said, it makes the reader pay more attention. Well done!

My only real confusion came from the cell phones and texting.... Did they have that in '69? Or was that "artistic license"? Or did I just miss something?

In any case, I really enjoyed the story/stories.

Thanks for the comments.

No they didn't have texting and other than Agent 86's shoe phone no one had mobiles but the story isn't set in 1969 its set in contemporary times and the summer of '69 is part of the quote from the story young Julian was plagiarizing.

BTW did you like my title for the book I have him quoting from; The Sixty Niners?

Oh well, fair enough- I rather liked it.

[wantsomefun]

Originally Posted by Prurient Purveyer

BTW did you like my title for the book I have him quoting from; The Sixty Niners?

I saw what you did there! Sexual innuendo and a theme reference, sort of a "flag" to say, "Yeah, I'm still on track."

I was more heavy handed, actually stating, "It was the summer of '79/'89/etc." to help readers understand the chronology and, well, to reference the theme.

This was fun.

[Dizzyworks673]

To reference the theme I made references to the tv shows and music of the time period. I had to research the shows as I wasn't born yet in 69 but I enjoyed writing in that decade.

Pp this was a really good story. Another great work of a great writer. Good luck in the CAW!

[N.E. Woman]

Originally Posted by Prurient Purveyer

Thanks for the comments.

No they didn't have texting and other than Agent 86's shoe phone no one had mobiles but the story isn't set in 1969 its set in contemporary times and the summer of '69 is part of the quote from the story young Julian was plagiarizing.

BTW did you like my title for the book I have him quoting from; The Sixty Niners?

Oh well, fair enough- I rather liked it.

Yes I did pick up on the name... Very nicely done. I didn't realize we could write "reviews as long as is needed to convey just how amazing every aspect of a writer's work really is.

Just kidding, I really did like the story.

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by Dizzyworks673

To reference the theme I made references to the tv shows and music of the time period. I had to research the shows as I wasn't born yet in 69 but I enjoyed writing in that decade.

Pp this was a really good story. Another great work of a great writer. Good luck in the CAW!

You weren't born then. That's what scared the S**** out of me when I saw the challenge; most of the folks on the forum wouldn't have been born by then either so it was an historical period for them. In any case I was fifteen in 69 and going to dances where I did my best to get as much snogging in as I could but 1969 in the States? In a desert?

Yeah, had to get out of there real quick cause she was all a blank to me.

Just in passing I might mention one girl I spent all night kissing was the equivalent of a human vacuum cleaner and when my dear mother ( God rest her soul) asked me if I had had a good time I was able to answer truthfully that yes I had, thanks mum.

[Dizzyworks673]

I don't know if I would go so far as to call it historical for me. I was born in the 70s. But I do get your point as a lot of the crowd on the forum seems to young 20 somethings.

I was able to reference my summer of 1989 and use it as a back drop to place my story in 1969. I found aside from what was going on in pop culture not too much was different for story purposes.

[JadeM]

I enjoyed the story and thank you for taking the time to write it. I found I had too focus and that was nice and not hard to do. Love can be a very hard thing.

[Hornycountryboy]

Well like many said before me this was a great story! I really enjoyed this great job and good luck.

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[Dizzyworks673]

bump

[HisBabyGirl]

What a great way to tell two different stories. Good luck in the CAW.

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump up

[MartinJD]

Great story!
I enjoyed the way: the opening introduces the nearly everyone;
the tale alternates between related but initially isolated plots; time marches on (reinforced by Helen's [mature] view of such inevitability); Sarah (so tersely foreshadowed as posessing a brilliance -- aka writing skills) brings them all together (the indoor picnic); and {{ like reality }} the sun seems to be setting so beatifully.

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by MartinJD

Great story!
I enjoyed the way: the opening introduces the nearly everyone;
the tale alternates between related but initially isolated plots; time marches on (reinforced by Helen's [mature] view of such inevitability); Sarah (so tersely foreshadowed as posessing a brilliance -- aka writing skills) brings them all together (the indoor picnic); and {{ like reality }} the sun seems to be setting so beatifully.

Settle down buddy! That was better than the story

Seriously, thanks nice to know you've studied it closely- and liked it

Yaay

[snowleopard3200]

Upwards and beyond.

[pineapplelovers69]

Neither of us had any idea where this story was going, and neither of us expected such a satisfying ending.

Short list.

[belizelarry]

PP I loved this story. You took on two themes that in 1969 would have been controversial. I feel funny reading all the comments from others who say this was from past history. Hell, I was 25 in 1969, and watched some of the television shows, referenced in some of the stories, from that time. Yes, we did at times use aluminum foil to help reception. As to your reference to Wilber Smith, He is one of my favorites. All the stories had some reference to that era that brought back many fond memories. Thanks to all the authors, who through their incredible stories, take us readers on memorable journeys.

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by belizelarry

PP I loved this story. You took on two themes that in 1969 would have been controversial. I feel funny reading all the comments from others who say this was from past history. Hell, I was 25 in 1969, and watched some of the

television shows, referenced in some of the stories, from that time. Yes, we did at times use aluminum foil to help reception. As to your reference to Wilber Smith, He is one of my favorites. All the stories had some reference to that era that brought back many fond memories. Thanks to all the authors, who through their incredible stories, take us readers on memorable journeys.

WAHOO!

A "Short List" and a "Loved"

Dare I hope that my little story actually gets a vote?

No, too risky; I'll keep the fingers crossed just in case.

Can't be too careful.

[snowleopard3200]

bounce

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[darthel0101]

Originally Posted by Dizzyworks673

Bump

ditto