Sister Laurel & the Atheist Read online

  Chapter Six—Baby Sister

  "An older sister is a friend and defender, a listener, conspirator, a counselor and a sharer of delights - and sorrows too." ~Pam Brown~

  T hey stayed in the sauna about twenty more minutes and talked. Curious as a kitten, discovering life, her baby sister was suddenly determined to experience as much as she could about that which she'd so tenaciously withheld from herself—sex. She agreed to have the wax treatment along with her. She felt a little guilty about that, knowing that would put her sex life out of commission for at least twenty-four hours, maybe more, but she figured it would give Julian the time he wanted to convince Laurel to make love with him for the legitimate reasons of mutual attraction, respect and pleasure. Not to see what she missed, something to reminisce over and pine for the rest of her life. She also managed to tie up the one little loose end; that Laurel's virginal membrane was intact, by giving her a quick pelvic examination.

  "Hmmm. Don't be surprised if you spot again the next time you make love."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Your hymen was only partially ruptured. Hence with penetration you could bleed."

  "Gee, thanks. I'm glad you told me that."

  Tess felt like shit, tricking her own flesh and blood, but she believed it was for a good cause. Even if Julian didn't work out, which frankly, knowing how smitten he claimed he was, seemed like a long shot.

  Afterward, they went into the shower room where they removed our towels and stepped into fusillades of spraying water from multiple levels and angles. They were naked again and Laur didn't seem to mind. Maybe she was loosening up in anticipation of tonight. She would, in her position. In fact, she loosened up anyway. She wondered what Seth and her could do with her, soon to be sore, pussy.

  Next, was the moment She'd been waiting for. A massage and Brazilian Wax. She'd wanted a wax job ever since she began her personal pubic management. she'd think about going to get one and inevitably would chicken out, but not this time. She was already here, naked and looking forward to it. Unlike her sister who looked like she was going to an execution—hers.

  When they walked in Marla smiled. "Ready for your massages?"

  "Yes and Brazilian Waxes."

  Marla's eyes lit up. "Both of you?"

  "Yes, Laurel goes first."

  "No, you go first."

  "No…you go first." I took her arm. "I insist." And led her to the massage table. After Marla removed Laurel's towel, they both helped her onto the table. She shivered. Tess held her hand and whispered calmly. "Remember, you're doing this for Julian."

  She looked at her and gave a single short nod.

  "Laurel, you know that once I do this—"

  Tess cleared her throat loudly and when Marla glanced at her, she shook her head violently, until Laurel looked over to see what she was doing. Then, she put her hand to her mouth and pretended to have a dry throat, clearing it several times.

  Marla winked at Tess and continued, "Umm…your pubic hair will not grow back for two to three months."

  Laurel nodded. "That's all right, I just want to look good for… Tell me, does it hurt?"

  "Yes, a little, but this ointment is made to deaden the nerve endings. I'll put it on, then massage you and by the time I finish, the area will be numb enough that you shouldn't be too uncomfortable. Now, before I apply the ointment, let's trim you up."

  Sis acted uncomfortable, shaking and jerking with each snip of the scissors. This was a little much for someone, as bashful as Laurel, to swallow at one time. She held her hand through the whole episode. She balked when Marla tried to trim the hairs around her vagina. Tess kept reminding her she was doing this for Julian. Poor Laurel, to make matters worse, she had to get into some uncomfortable and absolutely mortifying positions. The things we do for our men.

  After Marla finished the trim and applied the ointment, she gave her the massage. Marla's kneading hands seemed to calm Laurel, but the minute she began applying the hot wax to her pubis, sis started shaking. A towel over the upper torso helped, but the trembling continued throughout her ordeal. Even after the wax embedded cloth was removed, straggling hairs needed to be tweezed.

  It was a good thing she insisted Laurel go first. If she'd have watched her first, she wouldn't have gone through with it, but after it was done and Marla applied cooling antiseptic lotions and hair growth inhibitors, Laurel seemed genuinely pleased.

  Marla handed her a mirror and excused herself to cleanup and get ready for me. Laurel held the mirror she'd given her in place and smiled. "What do you think Tess?"

  "I think it looks spectacular."

  Poor Laurel. She made her blush. "I gotta admit I like it, but describing my vulva as spectacular is a little much. Don't you think?"

  "Maybe, but I'll bet Julian would agree with me. It's spectacular. By the way—"

  "Okay, I'm finished with you Laurel. You can get dressed now and Tess, It's your turn. Up on the table."

  Laurel scooted off and as she readied to mount the table whispered in her ear, "By the way what?"

  "Your pussy will be too sore to have sex tonight," she whispered.

  Laurel's jaw dropped and eyebrows rose, resulting in the open mouth, big-eyed surprised syndrome. She hissed, "Why didn't you tell me?"

  She patted her on the cheek and flashed a naughty smile as she sat up on the table and reclined. "Thought I just did. Don't worry, he'll wait."

  * * * *

  "Daddy? This is Laur."

  "Hi Baby. Good to hear your voice."

  "You too. I was wondering. If you're not doing anything, can I come up to see you."

  "Sure. I'm free. What time?"

  "I can be there in twenty minutes."

  "Good. I can't wait to see you. I'll have a pitcher of lemonade waiting."

  "Daddy."

  "Yes?"

  "I love you."

  "I love you too, babycakes."

  * * * *

  "Hi Julian. It's Tess."

  "Hi Tess. How was the spa?

  "It was marvelous. Please thank your sister for both of us. Julian, remember what we talked about this morning? How you want my sister, but not for the wrong reasons?"

  "Certainly."

  "Well, I think I bought you some time. Laurel's nether regions should be out of commission for a day or two."

  "What on earth are you talking about?"

  "Laurel and I both had Brazilian wax jobs. I think you know what that means.

  "Do I. Thanks Tess. I think you'll make a great sister-in-law."

  "What did you say?"

  "Hmmm. If Laurel and I were to marry."

  * * * *

  Daddy lived about twenty miles northwest of the spa, in Encino. In thirty minutes, Laurel was on his front porch standing at his front door. She was about to ring the doorbell, when the door swung in and there, topping six-one on a trim frame, with salt and pepper hair was the smiling face of the man she truly loved—her mother, father, teacher, friend—in other words her rock.

  He stood there in the doorway, hands urging her into him for the big welcoming hug she longed for.

  She ran into the familiar arms of Albright Adams. "Oh Daddy, I missed you so."

  His keen blue eyes twinkled as he backed away and put his forefinger upon the tip of her nose. "And I missed you too, sweet-pea. What's it been two weeks since I last saw you?"

  "A month and I'm sorry. It's just that they keep me so busy between the church, my lessons and the hospital it seems I barely have time for anything and now…now my life has become even more complicated. Truthfully Dad, that's why I came to see you, I met a man."

  "Hmmm. Sounds like we need to sit down for a serious discussion. Let's go into the kitchen." He squeezed her shoulder. "That lemonade is waiting."

  With his arm around her and her head resting on his shoulder, they went into the kitchen and sat at the kitchen table. He poured her glass full and was filling his when he asked, "Do you love him?"

  She'd just started to swallo
w her drink and the question so threw her that her throat constricted and she spit out a mouthful of lemonade. She jumped up grabbed a dish towel and began to clean up when he followed with, "Does that mean yes?" and a wink."

  Do I love him? Would I, could I sleep with him if I didn't love him? "Possibly. That's why I'm here. I don't know what to do. I know I should tell him I can't see him anymore, but I'm even chicken to tell him about the Sisterhood. And Dad, He's an atheist. I should have run the other way when he told me that, but I didn't. He's just so clever, charming and articulate and guess what? He works at the Natural History Museum as the Assistant Antiquities Acquisition Director."

  "The fact that he's an atheist shouldn't matter. I myself have questioned organized religion from time to time. It's his character that counts. What's he like?"

  My eyes opened wide. "Daddy, you don't believe in God?"

  "Let's say I don't believe in his certainty. Too many prayers go unanswered. Too many hideous things happen. Genocide, mass starvation and so forth. But that's a discussion for your friend. Tell me about him, please."

  "His name is Julian Peters."

  Dad nodded. "A good name, go on."

  "He's tall and fabulous looking. Smart too, funny and well educated."

  "Of course. Go on."

  "I'm afraid he probably has slept around a lot, but he seems genuinely interested in me. Teresa thinks he is. She says he's a catch and she seems to be pushing him at me."

  Dad chuckled. "That's my Tessa, sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. He sounds very nice, but since he's been around, you better be extra careful before you have sex."

  A flush of heat crossed her face and she just knew she turned red.

  "Wha…"

  "Daddy. I took vows of abstinence."

  "Which you're considering rescinding if I'm reading things right. But that isn't why you blushed. Have you had sex?"

  She was frozen. Her mouth moved, but words could not form. Even if she knew what she wanted to say, she couldn't speak.

  "You did. How long have you known him?"

  She croaked out, "Since yesterday?" It was a statement that sounded like a beg for forgiveness."

  "Uh huh. A little quick I would say, but since your dear mother and I did something almost as quick, I understand."

  "Daddy, swear to God, I didn't even know it happened. I just woke up in his bed without my clothes. I must've drank too much."

  "When're you seeing your young man again?"

  "Tonight. He's making dinner for us—veal picata—in…" She glanced at her watch. Five-thirty. "Goodness, Daddy. I have to run, I have to be at Julian's in a little over an hour."

  Okay Baby-doll. Thanks for coming and thanks for telling me about your man, he sounds…nice."

  He walked her to the door and gave her a fatherly good-bye hug. She gave him a daughterly kiss. "Goodbye Daddy." She turned and ran for the car.

  * * * *

  As soon as she walked in the door, Seth looked up from the TV. "Hi sweetheart, where're the kids?"

  "At your mother's. They're spending the night. Meet me in the bedroom. I have a surprise for you."

  "Bedroom, surprise?" He rose as the corners of his mouth curled up. "Those two words used in the same sentence sound very promising."

  "Don't get too excited." She smiled back and took the big guy's large hand in mine. "You might be able to only look for now and not touch."

  As they entered the bedroom she explained, "Laurel and I spent the day at a spa and guess what?"

  "I'm sure I don't know, but from the way you're acting I'd guess you got that Brazilian wax treatment you've been threatening to get for months."

  Was she disappointed? Of course, but she was also pleased. She stood in front of him and pinched his nose as he lifted her skirt and started to drag her panties down. "You're just too smart for your own good, doctor. Maybe that's why I love you."

  "And you are too sexy for your own good and that is why I love you. Mmmm. Look at this? It's all red." He touched her. "It's warm too. Let me lick it better."

  "Seth, the sex crazed doctor."

  "Only with you baby and the doctor prescribes copious amounts of cooling saliva upon the injured area." He stuck out his long tongue, wiggling it, slowly heading in the direction of her suddenly sodden pussy.

  She reciprocated by edging in toward him. "You are evil."

  "I know and you love it."

  Her cell phone rang.

  "Let it ring."

  She wanted too. She wanted that tongue bad. "I can't. It could be your mother—the kids."

  He groaned as she kicked the panties around her ankles off and pulled down her skirt. She reached in her purse, which she'd set on the nightstand, retrieved the ringing phone and quickly flipped open the cover.

  "Hello."

  "Hi Baby. It's Dad. I didn't disturb anything, did I?"

  Only a little blissful oral sex. "Of course not! Nice of you to call."

  "I've been meaning to ring you, but this isn't a social call."

  "Oh?"

  "No. Laurel just visited me. She's very conflicted about this young man."

  She shooed Seth over. He flashed a disgusted look, but moved and she sat on the bed. "I know. I met him. I like him. I think he'll be good for her."

  "That's what she said. That you seem to be pushing him on her."

  "Daddy, I don't have to push very hard. I know they've only known each other a short time but she is enthralled by him. And frankly, he seems every bit as beguiled by her."

  "I know. They even slept together."

  "She told you that?"

  "You know Laurel. She's an open book. After I figured it out she admitted it. That bothers me some, but not as much as the fact she can't remember."

  "Why Daddy?"

  "Something bad must have happened for her subconscious to expunge the memory."

  "Daddy. I think we better talk. I'll be there at eleven tomorrow. And don't make lemonade."

  "I thought you like my lemonade."

  "I do but for this discussion, coffee is in order. Oh. One more thing Daddy."

  "What Sweetheart?"

  "Julian reminds me of you."

  Chapter Seven – Laurel does it (sort of)

  "Thou art to me a delicious torment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

  H e closed the lid on the cauliflower, flung off the apron and raced to the door. Peeking through the peephole confirmed his expectation. It was her. He yanked the door open, stepped outside, directly in front of her and taking her in mhis arms, kissed her madly.

  Coming up for breath and backing away slightly, she sighed, "Wow. That was some greeting."

  Smiling, he took hold of her hand and led her inside. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I haven't seen you for ten and a half hours. You monopolized my thoughts all day." He lifted her hand as he bent down and kissed it.

  "I missed you too."

  He broke an awkward moment by shrugging and asking, "So would you like a glass of wine? Oh that's right, no wine or alcohol."

  * * * *

  A flash of heat surged though her. Darn, once again her body betrayed her at the mere suggestion of what she planned tonight. She smiled at Julian. "It's alright a glass of wine would be nice. Could you water it down though?"

  "Sure have a seat, dinner will be right up." She sat on the couch and he turned to go into his kitchen. All of a sudden, he stopped and turned back toward her. "If you would like, I could add sparkling water and make it a spritzer?"

  "Could you? That sounds nice."

  He started to turn again. "Julian, before you leave. There's something I should tell you."

  "Yes."

  "I know it was my idea to make love tonight, but I'm afraid I've gone and done something that is going to cause us to postpone it, if you want to do it at all."

  "Why's that sweetheart?"

  "Tess and I went to your sister's spa this afternoon."

  "Yes."

  "I wasn't using my head. T
o make a long story short I got a Brazilian wax and well…"

  "I know what you're going to say. You're a little raw. It doesn't matter. We can take it easy or we don't have to do anything. I love your company. Let me get dinner up and afterward we can talk about it."

  Dinner was delicious. Julian was a fantastic cook. After dinner, Julian made coffee. They had coffee and dessert—homemade lemon bars in the living room on the couch. They talked. He told funny stories about his work and she told him about their day at the spa. She mentioned her meeting with father and how he wanted to meet him. Then she asked him about Sarah. He didn't really want to talk about her.

  He set his coffee down on the coffee table and took her hands. "Damn, I wish she hadn't told you. I actually liked Sarah. Not like I do you, but enough that I would have kept seeing her if she hadn't become so needy. She became possessive, buying me presents, dropping in, trying to monopolize my time."

  "Sounds like "Fatal Attraction.'"

  "No, I'm still alive. Luckily, she wasn't like that. We had a talk. I told her she's a great gal, but too old for me."