Destinbury

Chapter One Hundred Thirty One

Owen and Nila were smiling as first Alana and Dan, and then Perry and Kathy joined them at Granite City for dinner Friday night. "Nila, this is a wonderful surprise," Alana said before throwing her arms around her. The group of six barely had time to enjoy their cocktails as conversations flowed, as they getting caught up on how everyone was doing. But little bits and details would slip into the conversation about different things that had happed over the last weeks, and for the most part the men were content to and listen to the women.

But then Nila opened up the subject of Owen's naked housekeeper, and the men took control as they flooded Owen and Nila with questions and bawdy comments. Their evening was warming up very nicely, but settled down through dinner, but only until the arrival of after dinner drinks when Owen brought the others up to date on some of the things he had enjoyed over the last weeks. Then Owen said, "Now I'm going to share some things with all of you about my family."

Nila was surprised by his announcement, but stayed quiet as she watched him closely and held his left hand. Owen smiled thinly and leaned back taking his glass with him as he studied the melting ice in the bottom, as the others went silent. Then he unloaded to his friends. Every detail past and present that seemed to have any pertinence to his tale, and on to the subject of a family reunion at some point in the not too distant future. "So," he said in conclusion, "Does that explain why I'm screwed up? Probably not, and I'm not likely to change a lot, so I guess that doesn't matter anyway."

Kathy was quick to tell him, "Well we love you no matter what."

Alana, sitting to Owen's right, said, "You got to play with your naked cousins, and that couldn't have been bad."

Smiling, Owen admitted, "No, that wasn't bad at all."

"Don't you have any male cousins?"

"Two, but I have no idea where they are. That family pretty much disconnected with everybody else years ago."

Leaving the subject of his family behind, Kathy said, "You've had quite an adventure since you left the working world."

"Without a doubt, but come Monday morning, all of that will slow down a whole lot."

"Oh that's right, you go back to the bondage of gainful employment," and Owen didn't miss the smile she shared with him.

He looked into Kathy's eyes as he said, "Well part time bondage anyway."

"But be honest, was your idea to drop out and play with photography all that you hoped it would be?"

"In some ways it was much more than I imagined," and then he leaned back and admitted, "But in some ways it wasn't at all what I had envisioned, but that was my fault."

"And the party idea, where does that rate?"

"Again a mixed rating, but for the most part the parties were a fantastic experience, and I'd do that again, though I don't see that ever happening."

Kathy smiled as she said, "I'm sure you'd like to meet another Wendy."

"Sweet Wendy was just that, sweet, and I'm glad I have those memories, but I'd just as soon not get that involved in another party. Besides, there will be no more parties unless Nila is with me."

She squeezed his hand as she said, "And you can bet I'd be there." Then still holding his hand firmly in his, she smiled and said, "Especially if there would be naked wait staff again."

"I hope there would be. For the party alone, the maids cost me eighteen hundred bucks and I charged Trace four grand. I enjoyed great eye candy and made a nice profit, and then did the same again for the wedding celebration."

"Owen," Alana said as she reached for his other hand. "Have you thought about the fact that you and I share something of a common bond?"

He smiled and said, "I have thought about that, and you're right, we do. The difference being, I only heard about my parents escapades where you had the trauma of watching them perform."

"How did you come to terms with your situation? What finally sent you home again?"

"Sister Kate, and cousin Linda, and of course the tincture of time helped the healing. But honestly Alana, I really overreacted to my situation. I should have resolved that whole mess years ago. Now had I experienced what you did, I don't think...no I'm wrong. I have to say, that you and your parents have suffered enough, and if there is any way possible, you should at least think about contacting them."

Alana tried to smile and failed as she said, "Maybe I should. You're right of course, far too much time has slipped by as it is. I don't even know if they would talk to me now."

"If not, then you know you've tried, but I suspect they would love to hear from you."

"The whole idea seems right, but trying to picture me with them...I don't even know what they look like now."

"They'll look older of course, but they'll still look like you remember them. When I went down to see Mom and Dad, I had Linda to lean on, so I'm offering to go with you and Dan if that would help you."

She looked at Dan and said, "We have talked about all of this of course, but I decided that if I did contact them it wouldn't be right to put Dan through that."

"I've told her repeatedly that I'll go though," Dan said.

Looking at him Alana said, "But like I said, and I admit I'm thinking of myself, I think I'd worry too much with you along, partly because they've never met you or, as far as I know anyway, ever even seen a picture of you."

"I know."

Being as soft and understanding as he could, Owen said, "Well I'm ready to help you anyway I can."

"Thank you, and I just might ask you, assuming you don't mind Nila, or you Dan."

"Well of course not," Nila said quickly, "And whatever any of us can do to help, we're here for you."

"It's just weird that I have my situation, and Owen has parents that are former porn actors and are nudists."

"Have you ever considered the possibility that maybe your parents are nudists too?"

"Oh God, I've never even considered that."

"Well I'm sure they wouldn't be naked when they greet you at the door."

"I'm afraid I'll flash back to peering through the fence and watching them strip and screw the neighbors."

Owen put her hand to his lips and kissed it gently before he said, "If that happens, then okay. Hold onto me or whatever you need to do, but I'm sure that image wouldn't take over your thoughts. That scenario would slip away in moments."

"I'd like think that's what would happen." She took a breath and said, "Okay. Owen, let me know what days you have available and I'll call them."

All of them smiled as Owen said, "Fantastic, I'll let you know Monday evening."

Chapter One Hundred Thirty Two

Owen spent his first hour Monday morning going over details with Maury, before diving into his new job. But just before lunch, Laura, Maury's secretary called and said, "Owen, we'll have to put the afternoon meeting off until Wednesday. Maury had to leave and will be gone the rest of the day. He asked if you would get with Dan and work on what you could until the Wednesday morning meeting."

Owen and Dan adapted their plan for the day and worked until almost one, and then drove down McKinley to the Fiesta Tapatia for lunch. "Okay," Dan said, "Let's table the office talk and rest our brains for an hour."

"That works for me."

After tasting his diet Coke, Dan said, "It was great seeing you and Nila back together again."

"We have a ways to go, but we'll work things out."

"All because of New York right?"

"How did you know that?"

"Friend, that was easy. You two were on your way to wedded bliss. Then she takes that trip to the big city, which we know you weren't too happy about anyway, and then when she gets home shit hits the big fan."

"Well you're right, and that issue still is an issue."

"I won't ask, but if you ever want an outside opinion I know enough to keep what you say confidential."

"Thanks, I do know that, but unless something changes, Nila and I will make it okay."

"Tell me the truth though, did you and Alana make love when you two were together?"

"We really didn't, but that was, for me at least, one hell of a struggle. You and June on the other hand had a great time."

"Damn, we did have fun. Has she told you about that?"

"She won't even talk about any of that. Have you told Alana? I should know so I won't say something I shouldn't."

"It would be best to avoid the topic for now, but I did tell her. I'm in something of a rat hole too because of that. We're doing okay, but she's let it be known that I'm going to pay for that one day."

"Oh, that doesn't sound too good."

"She didn't say that in a fit of anger, but she made it clear that, like you, she struggled very hard to more or less behave that day."

"So you owe her one, whatever that one might be when the time comes."

"That's about it. How is it Nila has let you get away with so damn much?"

"Good question, and looking back, I think that as much as she pushed herself to be so damn tolerant of me, I was racking up a debt."

"That blew up in your face in New York."

"I don't think so, but I could be wrong. But there is far more to that event than a simple reaction to my activities."

"So what's next in your life with work now interfering with your free time?"

"Nothing actually. I'm not looking for women to photograph anymore, though I wish I'd hear from Meredith or Ann, or maybe even Wendy."

"You do have a string of women."

"Well they certainly aren't mine, but I want to...let's say stay in touch with them."

"And that big chested one you told us about?"

"Ah yes, Kiley, hot and sexy enough to drive men insane."

"But nothing between you two?"

"No screwing, but she did milk me dry in a parking lot."

"You lucky bastard."

"I really am, but believe this or not, thinking about hot and tempting Wendy gets me going. Kiley is young, smooth, firm and is my version of a nearly perfect body. But Wendy brings eagerness, experience and a no holds barred approach to life to the party, to say nothing of a pretty nice petite body and eyes made for the bedroom."

"Now I'd pay to meet her, and you did bed her."

"She and I did have a brief and intense interlude at the party, and perhaps one day you could meet her, or at least I hope to see her again before she finds a guy."

"And the woman that...well June was with you on that path event."

"Oh, that's Meredith I just mentioned. She doesn't affect me as much as Kiley or Wendy, but she is sweet and intense. I believe when Alana asked me how I rated her ass, I described it as being very active."

"Now that sounds very interesting too."

"It's just that her hubby is right there to watch."

"Not so good."

"I still thoroughly enjoyed being with her, but that was less than ideal."

"I'm sure."

With only a brief pause Dan said, "Okay, I'll tell you something, but this part Alana doesn't know about. June and I went to her place and a woman named Peggy joined us. She's the one that took the photos for us, but she was also a very active partner in our sex dance."

"Oh shit, I know Peggy. On the quiet side, but very intriguing."

"That's her. You invited her, but she couldn't bring herself to attend."

"Now you're the lucky bastard."

"I am as long as Alana never learns of that."

"I hope one day you'll find a way to tell her, before you get too comfortable and give away your secret."

"Thanks, now I'll be worrying about that all over again."

"Just my opinion, and you know I'll never tell Alana."

"I know."

Chapter One Hundred Thirty Three

Owen and Dan worked until three, but until they could meet with Maury, their new project was on hold. Owen did what little he could until three thirty and then headed home. When he saw Char's car still in the driveway, he smiled, and rather than have her hear the garage door, he parked next to hers and slipped inside. She wasn't in the kitchen where he expected she would be, so he stood still and listened, but all he was rewarded with was silence, so he moved through the house, but still she was missing and it was then he realized where she had to be. Retrieving his camera he slipped out through his bedroom French doors and onto the end of the stone patio. There she was, naked and lying on a recliner that she had pulled over near the pool.

Holding his camera up and ready, he moved toward her grabbing a couple of shots of her along the way. He was within twenty feet before she opened her eyes and quickly sat up. Owen snapped one more frame of her as he smiled and said, "You look hot, and I'm sure the sun has dedicated the day to you."

"Oh, now I'll be you've been saving that sweet line for a long time. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I hope you were serious about me using the pool area."

"Of course I was, and I was serious about getting sexy pictures of you."

"You're wonderful medicine for this well past prime lady."

"You still look great, and what's more important is, you're still very young at heart."

"And look at you, all erect and pointing at me."

"Living proof that you are sexy and tempting."

"Now tell me how you can be home early on the first day of your new job?"

"The boss had to leave. No seriously, we had a complication, so our new project was put on hold almost as soon as it started. Wednesday we'll jump into it again, and then we'll get things going."

"You got a call earlier. I wasn't in there to hear the message, but it's on your machine."

"Thanks. I'd much rather be out here with you, but I better go check that."

As he started to walk away, she smiled over her shoulder and said, "Thanks for joining me boss, and take good care of your pointer."

"My pleasure, and you can check my pointer the next time to be sure I am taking good care of it."

"I'll be sure to do that," and he closed the door behind him on his way to his old answering machine.

"This is Dad," and those first three words surprised him and made him smile. "I don't know if this is anything you would be interested in because I doubt you could make more than a grand or so, but for about four hours and minimal preparation that isn't bad money I guess. Anyway, it involves advanced amateur photographers. There are eight of them and they look for different or unique settings. They hire models and spend a few hours doing nude shots of them. That's all the details I have, except their from somewhere between you and Kokomo, and it's more by accident that I even heard about them. If you're interested give me a call and I'll get their contact information to them. That's all I have. Mom says hello of course, and Lori and Ginny are still talking about when you came down to see us." The machine beeped, and smiling Owen hit the delete button and called home.

"Hi Mom, is Dad there?"

"He's right here honey," and a second later Cliff said, "I take it you're interested in the photo gig."

"I just might be. As much out of curiosity as anything, but like you said, it should be easy and fast money."

"Seems that way. A question now. When you host a party, what would be your maximum and minimum number of guests."

"There would be no minimum, but there would be a minimum cost to the interested party. As for the top number, I'd think thirty would be a great plenty. Less than that once the weather starts to change. Say twenty at the most. Do you have somebody interested?"

"The best I can say right now is possibly."

"Feel free to give them my contact information."

"Thanks, I'll do that. So you're back to work now?"

"Started today in fact."

"That's good. What else is new for you?"

"Nila and I are back together, or at least we're working in that direction."

"Now that is good news. Eva was full of questions about you, and as I understand it, the girls really filled her in."

"Interesting, how did she take all of that news?"

"Okay actually, but don't be surprised if she pelts you with questions when you two see each other."

"I'll be ready."

"Oh, and get this. There's an industry convention coming up and I've been asked to give a talk."

"Fantastic, what will be your topic?"

"Still working on that, but something to do with the pornography industry through the years. The past compared to the present kind of thing."

"Should be interesting."

"I hope I can make it interesting enough that people don't walk out on me."

"With your years in the business I'm sure you'll be great."

"So you said you'd do another party or wedding if the circumstances were just right and the money was there."

"That's right, know somebody like that?"

"Just the one person I alluded to earlier, but I do see and talk to a lot of people. You know, a meeting here or there, a party on occasion and maybe something would come up during a golf game with other like minded couples."

"That would be a long drive for them, but if you can work that magic I'd have you come up and help me monitor the chaos."

"Oh son, now you've pushed the right buttons. I'll put out a subtle comment here and there. Advertising helps you know."

"Dad, you amaze me. If something comes up, maybe I better see about getting an official permit just to stay on the right side of the law."

"A very prudent precaution."

Chapter One Hundred Thirty Four

"It's me," Owen told Nila when she answered her cell phone. "Before I call her, I wanted to be sure you're still okay with me going with Alana to see her parents."

"I'm okay with that Owen. She and I had a chat earlier."

"Great. Honey, she and I came so close to getting into each other at the party, but I promise you I'll do my damn best to behave."

"Owen, you're already into her, but I know what you mean. I'm a little surprised that she isn't insisting that her own husband be with her, but I got the feeling that he would have promised her anything as long as it got him out of seeing her parents."

"I got the same feeling, and I can't help but wonder why that might be. He's never met them so what's the issue?"

"Well supposedly, that is the issue, but that doesn't make sense to me. Do what you can to help her through her emotional crisis. Oh, where do her parents live?"

"Oh right, that part. Would you believe Springfield, Illinois?"

"No, you're kidding me."

"I wish I was, but I just learned that from Dan. For whatever reason I assumed they were from this area."

"Damn it."

"I know. About five hours from here in fact."

"Oh great, so how will that work out?"

"I won't know until I've talked to Alana, but something like half a day to get there so...maybe..."

"So maybe a couple of nights on the road?"

"I'm hoping for just one, but better that than planning to stay with her parents, because I don't see her issues being resolved as simply and sweetly as mine were. That would be too much to hope for."

"I hope you're wrong."

"All I can say at this point is I'll do what I can to help her, but also to get us home as fast as possible. I know Dan will feel the same way too, because he's already in a little trouble with her."

"Over what?"

"I don't have those details," he lied.

"So you'll call me after you talk to Alana?"

"I will. I may not have the information we want, but I'll call either way."

"Good. You've stopped your photography and doing your best to behave and now this comes up."

"I know. I had it in my mind that we would drive for an hour or whatever, have a brief visit with her mom and dad and we'd be home in time for me to stop and see you."

"Well call her and find out what's coming."

"Stay close to the phone honey." Then he quickly called Alana and told her, "I wanted to catch you before you got home. You know, just in case there was an issue with Dan about going to see your parents."

"He's just glad that he isn't going, so that isn't an issue. Owen, are you sure you want to get in the middle of my mess?"