Lost in America

"But can't people be transferred from other departments, read up on that segment of law and fill the gap. That's what we do at the university -- one must be flexible."

"Yes, we are doing that, but one does pick up experience from books or training CD's and the instinct of where to find the under-belly and go for it. One doesn't acquire from training media and law lectures knowledge of legal protagonists in face-to-face confrontations..."

"All right, I'm convinced. But here's what I want you to do: One, fire Sharon and two I want Daytona to phone Austin tomorrow evening before handing the phone to you."

"That suggestion about the phoning is great and I'll back you on that, but as for firing Sharon just because she's fucking our daughter..."

"Raymond, for God's sake."

"Oops, just because she and our daughter are in a personal relationship that no longer is convenient could easily cost our firm two hundred grand in wrongful dismissal and damages for humiliation and a possible career blimp. We may even be ordered to take her back. On top of that, guess who my partners will expect to pick up the total tab for this one?"

"Oh, what a mess and all because Daytona behaved like a stupid selfish juvenile."

Raising an eyebrow Raymond asked what did she mean and was told Daytona obviously had decided to keep Sharon hidden under the blankets in case her pitch for Austin didn't come off.

"Of course -- unwise but would have appeared to have been the right thing to do had it come off. Good thinking darling -- it appears our daughter is not quite the idiot I though she'd become. People can be so difficult to understand at times -- don't we both know that.

"Yes," Eileen said dryly.

Daytona came in after 11:00 and didn't go to her parents' bedroom as usual to see if they were still awake so she could say goodnight.

"She drove home so must be okay," Raymond said. "Go to here."

"I will when I think she's in bed. She's been to see Sharon."

"How could you possible know that?"

"Logic helps but it's what I would have done."

"Hell, I would have driven away in the opposite direction."

"Yes, but you are a male and sneer at their version of love."

"Christ your mind is like a rapier tonight; obvious skullduggery sets you alight."

"That's a poor choice of words -- come here and say you're sorry."

"Hi mom. Sorry I didn't come in. But once I dropped into bed I was hoping you'd come in to me like you used to do in my troublesome teenage years."

"Hullo darling. What was Sharon's reaction?"

"She took it hard -- but how did you know I went to see her?"

"Well, you are a little too intelligent to know drinking yourself legless will not solve this one."

"You can be very smart at times mom. We fought tooth and nail but finally agreed to take a break for a while -- to give me time to sort things out with Austin given the opportunity and for her to get over the hurt I've burdened her with. It wasn't pretty mom, but we ended up okay and decided to continue as if nothing had changed except there won't be anymore sex in the meantime."

"That is a sensible decision by both of you."

"Thanks. We kissed as I left without passion and that seemed rather strange; she'd really hurt mom. I took a gamble and invited her to lunch with me today expecting a rejection but she sobbed and hugged me, saying thank you, thank you."

"Good, now your go down and find a 24/7 florist and send her half a dozen white roses with a card than simply says 'Sorry, Daytona' and ask for immediate delivery. It will cost you an arm and a leg but it's the right thing to do?"

Daytona jumped out of bed and hugged her mom. "You are so right, why shouldn't Sharon always remain my best friend whatever happens. Thank you mom; this confirms they reason why I continue to live at home -- it's really the convenience of having good people around me rather than the convenience of the facilities."

* * *

The next evening Daytona virtually blurted out her profound apology to Austin; she knew what he got was the best by way of an apology anyone had ever gotten from her. His voice had reached her core and as she ran from the phone into her mom's waiting arms she felt immediately calmed, saying, "My delivery was a dog but he will have taken aboard the sentiments. What do I do now mummy?"

Eileen sighed.

"It's all right mom, I'm an adult with a trained mind. I know what to do. I leave it, don't contact him apart to write him a letter of humble apology and then allow time to heal. Then I need your assistance: when you go to meet his mom I want you to take me with you but not as a surprise. Just reply when the invitation comes would they mind if you brought me along. If he chooses not to be there I won't mind -- I love New York."

"Yes dear. That's wickedly strategic thinking."

"You already had that in mind."

"God Daytona, that's a comment not a question: you are so damn bright. Yes, the thought had crossed my mind several times."

Daytona told her about lunching with Sharon. She said they were the two prettiest women in the restaurant -- she in her egg-shell blue dress, midnight blue jacket and matching ankle boots and hair loose while Sharon was in her pin striped jacket and skirt, emerald shirt, blonde hair in a French roll and black ankle boots with emerald ribbons at the back of them.

"We must have been the two most gorgeous lesbians in all of New York."

"I'm sure dear," Eileen said a little nervously.

Daytona said they were both uptight but stiff Martinis soon had the relaxing a little. "I told Sharon that whatever happened I wanted her as my best friend for life and she seemed pleased to have that confirmed."

"And?"

"She asked what if another opportunity came her way during this hiatus."

"I said take it. What do you think of that mom?"

Eileen said she'd have to say it was the right reply, as young women these days appeared to need sex and a lot of it. "What about you?"

"I'll wait for my Prince."

"God Daytona, for an educated woman bred by very stoic parents you do have a wishy-washy side to you."

Raymond arrived with drinks and told him about his conversation with Austin, urging Daytona to hear him out before reacting.

"Well," he asked.

"That's cool."

"Is that all you have to say -- I've worked my butt off trying to string this together. I know it's for the firm but it also presents possible outcomes for you."

"Thanks daddy."

"I think Austin's response indicated his attitude has slipped back from betrayed to unacceptable," Eileen said.

Frustrated, Raymond said: "What on earth are you talking about."

"Mom is saying Austin has backed off and is now in negotiating mode. All I have to do is to tell him my sexual relationship with Sharon is over but she will remain my best friend. If he can stomach that then I'll have to woo him."

Raymond finished his drink in a gulp. "Then do it girl."

"I will daddy when the time is right, in the right place and both of us are face to face in the right mood."

"Christ, how long will that be?"

"Two to three weeks."

"No longer?"

"No -- but don't rely on an outcome to suit you."

"Two to three weeks will be okay by me. I have an optimistic feeling about the reconciliation between you two because he's tasted the honey pot..."

"Raymond!"

Raymond and Daytona grinned.

"I'll proceed with the bilateral swap tomorrow -- it will take a few weeks to finalize. In the meantime I'll send the young man a jar of honey."

The two women looked at Raymond and shook their heads, holding out their empty glasses.

* * *

Nine days later as arranged, Eileen and Daytona flew into New York at 6.45 and went by cab from LaGuardia to their hotel where they settled in before going to Mrs Flinder's hotel. The two older women were already on first name basis, having conversed twice on the phone and Irma Flinders already knew about the lover's fallout and reason for it. She promised to help as 'a subtle fence mender."

The three women bonded instantly. Irma, a fading blonde and over 6ft tall with a swimmer's shoulders smiled widely, had an open and trustworthy face and a hearty laugh; her personality was infectious. Eileen and Daytona could see something of his mother in Austin -- the eyes were similar and the way she moved and some of her expressions were very similar but he was a little less outgoing.

Irma poured them a drink and said they would meet Austin at one of the hotel's restaurants.

"At a restaurant?" Daytona said nervously.

The two women exchanged glances.

"Yes dear," Irma said. "Please relax; it will be fine as he knows you will be coming with us."

She sat on the two-seater and patted to the place beside her looking at Daytona while Eileen sat on a chair. "Please dear, try not to be cross with me. Pete my husband and I have been in despair for at least six years because of Austin's refusal or more likely inability to settle down with one of the nice women he always takes out for a while and then poof -- they've gone although one or two have come to me crying, to no avail because Austin won't talk to me about it sensibly. I thought he was doomed to be a bachelor until he called me less than a fortnight ago to tell me about this wonderful girl he'd met. I've spoken to your mom about this but asked her not to tell you. He called me two nights later on schedule the night he arrived at my sister's apartment to say he met this women Eileen who would like to meet me because he'd made me so interesting and she was formerly from Boston as well. So that was arranged. Then I asked him to tell me about this wonderful girl he'd met; he replied what girl and terminated the call. Your mom has filled in the missing pieces for me."

"Tell me what he said again, the exact words if you can recall."

"Mom, I've met this wonderful girl; I think something has triggered between us."

Daytona cupped her hand across her mouth; a muffled "Oh God!" could be heard.

There was a silence until broken by Eileen. "This is one of those times when kids even at twenty-eight have to reply on mothers knowing best. Irma and I agree that when meeting him again you should not over-react -- I said you must keep calm and beautiful and Irma ask if you were beautiful and I said Oh-yeah."

"Oh yeah," Irma echoed, placing an arm around young woman beside her and then easing off the grip when feeling the trembling.

"Go on mom."

"Irma's suite has only a king size bed whereas our room has two queen size beds. With your agreement, Irma and I propose she takes your bed and we leave the restaurant before coffee, leaving you two talking with you having to explain the revised sleeping arrangements."

"Oh yes -- and being a horny male he'll jump at the chance to sleep with me and off we'll rush to this suite. Come on mom, you're dreaming."

Eileen showed a rare side; she turned tough. "Listen to me young woman. You've wrong-footed on him and this is your chance to get back in step and allow him to get a full look at you -- go to bed by all means but get out and walk the parks, visit and couple of galleries, see a show and find out if he'll go shopping with you; that one will be a real eye-opener."

"Listen to your mom Daytona. You are have trained in advocacy so you know how to win. I know the same applies to Austin but you have the drop on him; his mouth is down and he doesn't know you're fighting for your right to be with him if you can convince him to have you. He'll simply assume you're being friendly to help your dad and his partners out -- become friends and that condition to working with your father and his team for a year will be removed. Come on darling, your mother and I are taking you shopping to dress for dinner -- we have almost two hours as we booked for 9:30."

"This dress is suitable for dining in New York, isn't it?"

"Of course it is my dear but we want you dressed to make the entire restaurant to sit up and say, "Who's that girl?"

"They won't, this is New York."

"The will," Irma smiled. "You mom and I am in agreement with this; if it happens it will be a tactical victory for us. You really have no idea how sex sits in pride of place in a man's mind and what having other people admiring his choice does to his ego."

"That's a brainless way of thinking but because it's men I suppose it's almost believable. I've caught you out in your morale boosting Irma. First you said the entire restaurant will sit up and take notice and moments later you adamantly said and I quote, 'If that happens'.

"Your Honor -- the plaintiff is harassing one of her own attorneys."

* * *

The maitre d' drew attention to the new arrivals, bowing and performing an extravagated welcome to the three blonde women who performed a planned entry. Irma went first behind him, an impressive figure although aging -- almost 6ft 3in in her low heels, a black pleated dress cut to mid calf that softened her rather full figure, with a short gold embroidered jacket and matching skirt.

Four paces behind her, also in a new dress with her hair in a French roll came Eileen. Her much trimmer figure was clad in wine jersey, gathered in ruffles under the bust and finishing at knee length in wide scallops; her accessories were black.

The chatter around them had already hushed noticeably but died at nearest tables when four paces back came Daytona. She'd found her dress quickly and had raced off and found a bored hairdresser without custom who agreed to do a rush job by blonding Daytona and transforming her flowing waves into strings of soft cascading curls; her hair looked magnificent. Her dress, purchased by her mom and Irma, was black jersey, with a deep V-neck, empire waist, spaghetti straps and a flowing skirt to mid thigh. It was apparent her breasts were unrestrained.

Daytona met Austin's eyes and could tell he was hugely impressed. She had been embarrassed by the slow walk and spacing but saw the sense of it because as she arrived at the table he'd already greeted his mom and her mom and seated them watched by the aloof French maitre d'. That allowed Austin to concentrate on her.

"Hello again."

"You look handsome"

He kissed her smiling. Daytona offered her a cheek but he gently turned her face and kissed her lips -- but only just. She thought it had the touch of a butterfly skidding to a landing. But at least it had been shaped up for a proper kiss -- the poor boy was nervous. At that moment she knew it would be all right between them; he would know through the mom network that her affair with Sharon was over.

Chapter 3

The year had sped by and it was time to make decisions. Daytona and Austin were living comfortably in an apartment within walking distance to the office where they worked Austin had wo young married English lawyers with appropriate experience to join the business law department at Raymond's office. Daytona was asking him every night now had he come to a decision -- but she wasn't the only one. It was causing a small rift in the household of the senior Mitchell's -- Raymond afraid he was about to lose a potential son-in-law and business partner, Eileen going the other way and fearful she was to lose her daughter to Australia.

With Daytona in tears this particular evening over it, her mother pressuring her to seek a decision, Austin called Chip Reynolds in Dubbo at 8:00; Australia was 11 hours ahead and Chip had just arrived at work for an early start.

"G'day mate," Chip answered in an exaggerated Australian accent noting the identity on screen of the caller.

"That makes me feel homesick," Austin said. "I'm calling to see if you want to come home?"

"Yep, having my ear bashed over it. I put Babs (Barbara) up the duff (she'd became pregnant) so we married a month ago, quietly in Sidders (Sydney). She's been ear-bashing me to take her home to Ohio so I'm itching. We've shoved the application through (urgent application for residency).

"I'm having trouble with the line mate," Austin laughed. "It's difficult to understand you -- by the way congratulations on the marriage. You had sent me photographs and a description. She was a couple of classes back from me at high school but the lavish description about her and her assets didn't quite match the memory of a shy, mousy-haired flat-chest kid I remembered. I did tell you that at the time."

They agreed to resign effective from one month's time. Chip said he and Babs would land in San Francisco and take a couple of weeks traveling to Columbus as tourists. That gave Austin the idea of touring through the south, hooking around from Texas to San Diego and flying out from Los Angeles.

Austin returned to the kitchen where Daytona was finishing clearing up from dinner. He looked grave as because he'd not tell her what he thought about what would happen after his contract ended -- simply because he was waiting for his decision himself. She wouldn't tell him which ending she preferred but he had noticed the laptop in the study, the spare bedroom, had recently been logged into quite a few Australian websites recently including several in Dubbo. That told him a lot but then when looking at her face when talking about her mom's stress over this made him think perhaps there was no way she would go to Australia permanently. So this was the moment of truth.

"Been talking to Chip in Dubbo. He married a local girl a month ago and they want to come back. Chip and I agreed to resign today with one month's notice. Sorry if this upsets you and your parents' baby but you all knew it was at least a 50-50 chance of happening."

Daytona yelled, her face turned pink in passion and she hugged him, bursting into tears. "Oh mom will be so happy; she doesn't care what you decide but see can't stand the tension of waiting for the decision. May I call her now?"

Huh?

Confused, Austin nodded and said, "Thirty seconds and I want you back here; we have to talk."

Daytona came back -- it only seemed twenty seconds later -- a little red-eyed but smiling hugely. "She's so happy for me and says they'll come and visit us."

Huh?

"Don't look so dumbstruck -- she's known for months I'd be go with you if you decided to return. Waiting for your decision has put her on a knife-edge -- she'll be her old self again."

Austin put down his coffee cup. "Thank you for being so patient."

She ran into his open arms and smothered his faces with kisses.

Austin heard her mumbling he needed his reward and hoped it was the reward he was thinking. It was. He felt his dick rising and realized it was being stroked softly through his trousers. She unzipped him and told him to sit up on the bench. He complied, obediently and she sucked and fondled away until she almost had him climbing to the ceiling. She stopped, pulled off her panties, hitched up her skirt and climbed on to the table and presented her butt to him, resting down on her arms. The sight of her stockings and the flesh squeezing above their tops always accelerated Austin's motor.

Dropping his trousers, Austin lurched forward knowing this was an invitation to be tongued so he pulled her legs apart and went for the honey pot and soon had her groaning as she persuaded her clit to take an interest. As soon as Daytona began pushing back and grunting he knew she was ready. He pushed her back and she lowered herself, crabbing back right to the edge of the table and he inserted.

The next few minutes continued without a word being spoken. Daytona rocked back on him as Austin applied slow, deep thrusts -- at first digging his fingers into the shoulder flesh and muscle at the back of her neck, which she loved him doing, and then groping for the now swollen breasts and the bullet-hard nipples. She was ready so clamped him, making him suck in air. Her mouth opened into a silent scream and she really clamped him and they ejaculated with great, practiced timing. Austin eased away, withdrawing with a plop. They table-fucked quite often so Daytona completed her routine -- using her hands to pull herself across the table more and then rolling over while Austin climbed up to kneel between her legs. He pushed his dripping cock into a very awash cunt. Daytona wrapped her legs around her lower back and they were away again.