Charles & Claire Ch. 32

CHAPTER FOUR

At the rehearsal for our first of two performances, I went up to Michael to talk to him.

"Hello Michael?" I said.

"Hello Charles, what's up?" Michael asked back.

"We're changing our opening number," I said.

"Great, let's see it?"

"I don't want to do that until performance? That means I need you to trust me, please?"

"Sure, is everything OK with you and everybody else? Can I ask what the music is, that you're dancing to?"

"'Big Blue Earth' Michael."

"Oh, Shit."

"Yeah Michael, Oh Shit." He must've known the music the way he reacted.

The rehearsal moved along quite well, with Michael going through his paces, and the girls and I doing our thing.

*********** ***********

Michael came over to me and asked, "Would you like to say something before you dance your opening tonight, Charles?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact I would. Thank you Michael," I responded.

"That whole Mapparium and that song have really burrowed under your skin, hasn't it?" Claire asked me.

"Yes, it has Claire, not to sound too corny, but it opened my eyes to more then just how the world looks."

Michael cut us loose for two hours. We went back to the rooms and took a rest. I caught myself singing, "Big blue earth, deep blue sea, I see you, you see me."

... I fell asleep.

*********** ***********

The girls were stretching, the mom's fixing hair and makeup as I was fitted with a cordless headset mike.

"Ladies and Gentlemen - Charles Newman!"

A very nice round of applause and a spotlight came on as I jogged to my position.

"Thank you, thank you very much, you're very kind."

I put my hands out to quiet them down.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, me and my family have been here for three days, enjoying your marvelous city. We took the Beantown Trolley Tour, which I would recommend to anyone visiting."

There was a round of applause and some chuckling.

"Later in the day, our group went to the Mapparium and I was impressed by the immenseness of the edifice, along with the lingering idea that we must re-invest in our world, so Charles & Claire would like to give the Mary Baker Eddy Library an endowment of $100,000 so any child can see what The Charles & Claire Group saw earlier this week."

The entire audience got up and applauded my announcement. It was indeed a moment in my life I'll be forever proud of. I motioned for them to please sit down.

"Charles, Claire and Kallie would like to give our interpretation of dance to the music, Big Blue Earth."

The girls came out to their opening positions. I nodded my head and the voice of 4-year-old Isaiah Brackman, along with Mindy Jostyn and Cornelius Bumpus started the song;

"Big blue earth, deep blue sea, I see you, you see me

Land to land, place to place, Here we stand, face to face

I am you, you are me... All one world, one family..."

The girls and I danced along with these wonderful voices, and as we danced, we were singing along with it, and by the end of the routine, everybody was singing along with the chorus of the song.

The girls went back to their ballet moves, K doing multiple Jetés while Claire was doing multiple spot spins, with me holding her steady; and it was over.

I'm used to waiting for a crowd to come to their senses after a routine, but these folks immediately and unequivocally got up as one and cheered for Charles, Claire and Kallie. We all waved to them as we left the stage.

Michael came out and said, "How about those young people, Charles & Claire aren't yet 14, and Kallie is only 9 years old. Let's bring them back out for a minute, OK?"

The crowd went off again, and I brought all of my ladies out with me. We all bowed. Michael came up to me and said, "I'm going to match Charles $100,000 donation, if we can get eight more of you before the night is over we can give to that wonderful library $1 million dollars. So sit back and relax, we got two more hours of this."

The usual set list, both Michaels and ours, paled in comparison to our opening number. The show must go on, and it did. When it was over we got not only requests for autographs, but practically everybody handed us either cash or a check, wanting it to go to the library. What a wonderful feeling it gives you inside, to do something that pleases and inspires so many people.

The Media contact for the library, Taryn McNichol, happened to be there and she came up and hugged every one of us, and took the money off our hands. Mom grabbed a checkbook and wrote our check. I handed it to Taryn who gave me a peck on the cheek, with Claire looking on, smiling.

Michael got his eight other contributors, so Taryn left with a million dollars, a hefty purse, and a security guard, who walked her to her car.

After the crowd dispersed, Michael came up to me and said, "Charles Newman -- just when I think I'm starting to figure you out, you do something as amazing as what you did tonight. Very nice moment you had there before the dance started. I thought you were about to break into tears, but you held it together. I don't know if I could've?"

"Michael, that was the second most amazing moment of my life," I said.

"Pray tell, Charles -- the first?"

"Meeting and falling in love with this beautiful young lady to my left," I said, as I cuddled Claire inside my arms, who indeed, was sparkling.

"Well said, see you tomorrow. Take the morning off - see you at 1pm, OK?" Michael said.

"Michael, our contract...."

"Charles, you need your energy to perform, so sleep in or whatever and don't come in here until 1pm. That's an order... from your employer."

"Yessir," I said, as I grabbed my girl's hands as we left the Center.

*********** ***********

The second performance had no less of a luster then the first. Taryn had come back; bringing the Chairman of the Board of the Library, who thanked us greatly, giving us all lifetime passes to the Mapparium along with Library Cards. She left with another bag of money.

After two draining evenings, we headed straight from the Center to Providence Rhode Island, where things were at a different pace. The Tour then went to Hartford Connecticut. On to Newark New Jersey, and then we had four days in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Only four more cities until we get two weeks off back at home.

In Philadelphia we were performing at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in the larger of the two ballrooms, where we expected about 7,000 people at each performance.

We're booked into the Loews Hotel, only a quarter mile from the PCC. When we walked in the lobby, I saw heaven. I noticed a sign that said SPA and I was ready for one. We got our new regular setup, which were two two-bedroom rooms. After our bellboy got our stuff to our rooms, I quickly changed into my swim trunks and was practically out the door when Claire grabbed me by my waistband and said, "Just a minute Sweet-Cheeks, I'm going with you."

She was in her more modest suit in a beat and we walked to the spa, holding hands with towels over our shoulders. In the elevator we were recognized and signed a few autographs. They thanked us as we got out on the mezzanine and headed towards the spa. After getting there, we just lazed about smooching a little and rubbing each other's shoulders. I felt Claire's hand on my chest, rubbing in circles as we told each other how much we loved one another.

We heard the door open and Mom, Sarah and Kalista were all here. Kalista said, "I told you this is where they went! Why doesn't anyone ever believe me?"

'Sorry' was heard from both Sarah and Annie.

"This feels heavenly," said Sarah dipping her curves into the spa.

"With jets like these, who needs a man?" Annie said, shocking everyone, except Kalista, who by the look on her face didn't understand the reference at all.

"Yes, Annie, you did say that out loud?" Sarah said, causing Mom to blush a great deal.

"Mother, from the look on her face, Kalista needs an explanation of that remark, don't you princess?" I asked K directly.

"Actually Charles -- I think I do understand, the other night I stayed up for a while going through the dictionary, and I came across a word, Or-e-gassum. Most of the definition was full of words I had to look up, but it has to do with something called explosive e-jack-you-lay-shun."

This little girl and her burgeoning language skills stunned everyone.

"Would one of you ladies like to help us out here? Sarah, why don't you help, so Kalista understands more about an orgasm?" I said with a smirk on my face.

Nobody was willing to say anything, so I opened my mouth, but I heard Claire's voice.

"Kalista, have you ever gotten a kiss from Charles where you thought you might've accidently peed your pants, just a little, but when you checked, it wasn't what you thought?"

"Claire!" Sarah said reprovingly, "Don't! She's only nine years old, let her... grow up."

"Kalista, did you? -- It's all right to answer, if you want?" Claire said, glaring back at her mother.

"Yeah, Claire -- a couple of times Charles made me 'wet myself' like you said."

Just then a young couple walked in and joined us.

Claire leaned over to K and said, "To be continued, K."

*********** ***********

Claire, Kalista and I all jumped into the pool for a while, swimming and just having fun. Kalista asked Claire if I could kiss her, and Claire smiled and allowed it. We were all just treading water but K took her hands to my face and started a really wonderful kiss. After a little bit K pulled away and said, "Ooh! It just happened again Claire - my goodness, why does this happen?"

I looked at Claire, who allowed me to explain.

"Kalista, my kiss is causing you to feel excitement throughout your body, because you have become 'sexually aroused' by the kiss and the result of having an 'orgasm' often is accompanied by the discharge you're having. Nothing is 'wrong' with what's happening to you. You're just so excited, it results in your having contractions down... below. The same kinds of contractions are involved when a woman is getting ready to give birth to a baby, only those usually don't have a 'sexual arousal' involved."

"Do boys have this problem as well?" Kalista asked as we moved to the steps of the pool.

"Princess, I think I should ask Sarah if it's OK to answer that particular question. It involves multiple explanations of things you may be too young to completely understand."

"You just explained orgasms to me, why not boygasms as well?" K responded.

Claire and I just laughed for a moment, "Princess, let's go upstairs and Claire and I'll explain this all to you, I promise. Remember that this is all very adult stuff; you shouldn't share with anyone other then the two of us. Annie and Sarah get very nervous when discussions about any of this starts. They're especially worried that Claire and I might just decide to start having sex with each other, which we haven't, and cause trouble. Let's get out?"

We walked by the two hot babes who were really enjoying the spa, and I told them we were going up to our room. Mom pulled me down and said, "Be a gentlemen, Charles." I hopped in the spa and gave the both of them a great big kiss, in front of the other couple. I got out, re-dried myself off, and caught up with my two girls, slapping them both on the butt as I came up to them. We all grabbed hands and went back to the room together.

*********** ***********

After we all showered, separately and changed, we all sat down on the bed to continue our discussion. It was now three am in the morning.

"Kalista, do you know all of the differences between boys and girls, I mean the physical kinds of differences?" I blushed deeply. Claire grabbed my hand saying, "It's OK, go ahead?"

"Well, Charles -- girls get boobies, I have to get a bra myself, mine have gotten so big on the tour; uhm, we don't usually get as tall as boys, and we've an opening down there and boys don't?" She blushed and giggled, causing Claire to join her. K grabbed Claire's other hand.

I was gripped with apprehension over how to continue.

"Princess," I followed up, "Everything you said is accurate, but what do boys have that girls don't?"

Poor Kalista was just shaking with anxiety over this question.

"I think... it's called a pee-pee?" she covered her face and started to cry. Claire went to her and they held each other.

"Do you want to continue Princess, it's your decision completely?"

"I don't know, Charles," she said as she was still crying.

"OK then, we'll stop and talk about this some other time, when you feel ready to move on, I love you Princess, you know that. I'm a little tired from the swimming and the Spa, why don't we all take a nap?"

*********** ***********

I woke up, saw it was nine am and grabbed the laptop and decided to check out poster sales.

"Hey girls, come over and listen to our latest poster sales?" I yelled.

They were in the bathroom, combing their hair. Kalista yelled, "Hold your water old man, we're coming."

"Old man, excuse me missy -- If, I'm old... then you're middle-aged. How are you doing Princess? Are you all right?" I said with a chuckle in my voice.

"Yeah, Claire explained to me that what I said was 'old information,' she told me the current terminology for 'that.'"

I heard a knock and the connecting door open and yelled, "Come in foxes, I'm getting ready to update you all on poster sales."

"Oh, goodie," Sarah said, "I'll get to see if I've knocked Kalista off her number one perch from last time. Go ahead Loverboy?"

"Mother," Claire said, giggling.

"Sorry, Claire -- I've been calling him that for so long, it's hard to stop, kind of like giving up alcohol, skinny dipping, and young nake..."

"So, Charles," Annie interrupted. "What's our new total?"

"Six million, eight hundred sixty five thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six posters sold, producing over $34 million in gross revenue."

"That's gross all right," groaned Annie.

They were all sitting on the bed in a circle, waiting for my next announcement.

"That's over $24 million in total net income for C-Cask LLC, using the most conservative multiplier I can. So you want to know whose poster is doing the best, ladies?"

"Duh, Charles," said the beautiful and single-purposed Sarah.

"OK, like Letterman - of 21 total posters on the market, the 21st in sales, by count is;"

221,000 Charles and Annie -- most recent pose

Mom said, "That's OK Charles -- I've got seven other posters I'm on."

"Number 20;"

226,000 Charles & Claire -- most recent pose

"I still have seven more too," Claire said proudly.

"Number 19;"

241,000 Charles and Kallie -- most recent pose

"Don't worry K, you still have five other posters," I reassured.

"Thank you, Loverboy," K said, causing a plethora of giggles.

"Number 18;"

266,000 five heads -- a hefty increase from before

"Number 17;"

280,000 Kalista newest single

"When we take them again, I'll finally have some boobies."

"Number 16;"

287,000 Charles newest single

"Maybe the preppy look is out dear?" Annie said, clapping me on the shoulder, causing all of the ladies to laugh.

"Number 15;"

288,000 Annie in Black

"I've increased my lead over my son, that's all that matters."

"Number 14;"

289,000 Charles Claire and Kalista -- Original picture -- small increase from before. "We might want to replace that with a current pose now that my dancing partners have matured."

Claire and Kalista together said, "That means boobies."

"Number 13;"

291,000 Charles in Blue

"Take that Annie," I said, as I grabbed her hand and kissed it, causing 'awws' all around.

"Number 12;"

298,000 Annie newest single

Mom thrust her chest out as if to say, 'Look at these.'

"Number 11;"

299,000 Claire newest single

"Maybe my next picture will be topless, so I can sell more pictures," Claire said.

Sarah was quick to say, "Ask any of the Hollywood actresses who wish they never had topless pictures taken. They rarely are a boon to their career and most of them don't have big enough breasts to matter anyway."

Both Claire and Annie slapped her on her shoulders for being so crude. Sarah apologized, but shook her girls as if to make a point, or two.

"Top Ten coming up, I got to pee first." I took the laptop with me.

Annie yelled, "Hurry up, only shake it once or your playing with it."

With her newfound knowledge, Kalista led the laughter on that, as I saw Sarah giving Annie grief as I walked back in.

"All right, the top ten C-Cask poster sales are in, and number 10 is,"

301,000 Charles and Sarah, new pose

"The girls strike again," Claire said, laughing with her mom.

"You know ladies, every single day I see you, I realize how lucky I am to be here with you all. Sorry - had to say that, back to the Countdown."

"Number 9;"

303,000 Annie and Sarah kissing Charles

"I'm close to having a nuclear problem there," Sarah said.

Claire said, "Ken may have fallen over dead, if you had mom."

"You are so bad Sarah," mom said. "But hot, I wish mine looked as good as yours, maybe I'll get surgery."

"YOU WILL NOT," I said, "Mom, that is so wrong -- women who get things done like that have no self esteem, you're magnificent, whether you're a B-cup or a Double-J cup, I think you're simply fabulous."

I leaned over and gave her a kiss.

"Naughty, naughty Charles," said Sarah.

"What's a Double-J cup?" asked Kalista.

"Kalista," Sarah said, "I'm a D-cup -- imagine if my boobies stuck out to here?" she said putting her hands about six inches in front of her bust line.

"Wouldn't you fall over?" Kalista reasoned.

"My points exactly," Sarah said, causing Annie to start snorting big-time.

"Number 8;"

307,000 Kalista in Blue -- second pose

Kalista was talking to Claire so I went on.

"Number 7;"

322,000 Annie and Sarah in Yellow.

They gave each other a high five. I noticed that they both were jiggling. Oh well.

"Number 6;"

348,000 Charles between the moms

"Four boobs and a boy strike again," said Annie.

"Number 5;"

365,000 Charles & Claire dance pose.

"At least our picture isn't showing any flesh," I said. "It has the smallest increase of any of the original five pictures."

"Number 4;"

377,000 Sarah Cleavage

Sarah got off the bed and starting dancing and really shaking the girls. I couldn't help but look, but I tried to look away. Kind of like a car wreck.

"Number 3;"

451,000 Claire in her Shimmy Dress

That got Claire off the bed and shaking hers as well.

"Gosh, Claire -- do we need to get you bigger bras? I'd swear you must be a C-cup by now," Sarah said.

"I don't know mom," Claire said blushing but proud.

"Claire, you can try one of my bra's -- I'm a full C cup?" Annie said.

"Number 2;"

521,000 Sarah braless

"Damn, I'm popular, or at least my girls are. Charles, adding my two single pictures together, how many is that?"

"899,000 posters of Sarah and her trained puppies, ruff, ruff."

Sarah looked at me, crossing her eyes.

"Still number one, with 585,000 total posters sold, is Kalista in Red. I remember saying we wanted every 7, 8 and 9 year old boy in America to have that picture. Hmmmm, hand me my phone please, somebody?"

"Uh-oh, everybody - Charles has 'the look' again," Sarah said.

"Hello, Ken -- Hi, this is Charles -- we'll be home in just under three weeks, we want to replace some of the early posters using the same poses, but just put the girls in different outfits and such. Are you available? -- Great, I'll call you when we get home. -- Yeah the sales are fantastic. Also what about sales from other countries for when we go to Germany and Sweden and such, will the site be able to handle that? -- Good."