I walked Maureen to her car. It was across the street in the parking lot of Jimmy's Steakhouse. As she was getting in, I asked, "What's going to happen when you tell Eric about tonight? Will you be safe?"

"I will. Eric's an ass, but he's a nonviolent ass."

"If you need me, all you have to do is call."

"Thank you, that means a lot to me."

I kissed Maureen. As I closed her car door she said, "Michael."

"Yes?"

"I know you love Jeanne."

"I do, I always will."

"I know that, I really do, but this was still one of the most wonderful nights I've ever had. I can't thank you enough."

"I enjoyed it too."

"Can we really have dinner together tomorrow night? If you don't want to, it's okay, but please call me and tell me. Don't make me sit in the restaurant alone waiting for you."

"I would never do that. Maureen, I'm looking forward to dinner tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to getting to know you and I'm looking forward to building a friendship with you."

Smiling, Maureen said, "Me too. Goodnight Michael."

"Goodnight Maureen, remember, if you need me just call."

"I will." Maureen shifted her car into reverse and backed out of her parking space. As she shifted into forward, she said, "Thank you Micheal, I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Yes you will. Good night Maureen."

Maureen pulled her car out into the street. I watched her tail lights disappear into the night and then I walked back across the street to my motel. Inside my room, I poured myself a glass of Chivas Regal, turned on my television and found an NHL hockey game. The Bruins were playing the Rangers. It was the third period. The Bruins were up 3 to 2. I sat down and watched the end of the game while I waited for Jeanne to call.

I didn't have a long wait. My cell phone buzzed. Suddenly feeling nervous about what I was going to have to tell Jeanne, I picked it up.

"Hello Micheal"

"Hello Jeanne, how are you?"

"I'm good. I've had a nice evening."

"So have I. I think I should tell you about mine before you tell me about yours."

"OK." I detected a note of apprehension in Jeanne's voice.

After taking a long slow breath to calm myself, I began. "There's a restaurant across the street from my motel, Jimmy's Steakhouse. I had dinner there this evening."

"That sounds pleasant." The apprehension in Jeanne's voice was still present.

"It was. I had a nice dinner, but that's not why I'm telling you this."

"Okay."

"There was a woman seated at the next table. She was also alone. We started talking and ended up having dinner together.

"I see."

"She was nice."

"What's her name?"

"Maureen Styles."

"Is she young?"

"No, she's maybe a year or two older than we are."

"Is she married?"

"Yes."

"Where was her husband?"

I paused for a moment and then I said, "He was on a date with his girlfriend."

"Oh."

"Two months ago he announced to her that he was seeing another woman. It was out of the blue, no warning."

There was a brief silence and then Jeanne said, "I see. Her situation is similar to yours, isn't it?"

"Maybe initially, but you and I are working things out. We're trying to save our marriage. Maureen's husband isn't even making a halfhearted attempt to do that. According to her, his attitude is like it or lump it."

"That's cold."

"Yes it is."

"At first I did that to you, didn't I?"

"At first."

"I'm so sorry Micheal."

"Jeanne I'm not telling you this to make you feel bad. You came to San Francisco. That changed everything. It was tough at first, but we are working it out. I think by now we both have come to realize that even though the road was hard, it was worth it. I'm happy with our new life and I'll be even happier when I come home."

"Me too, Micheal. Alright, tell me more about your dinner with this woman."

"Maureen."

"Yes, Maureen."

"We exchanged stories. I was honest with her. I told her everything. She was intrigued about you, Amy and Mel. She wants to be more free and open. Your life style appeals to her."

"She wants to be a slut?"

"Yes, well at least she wants to give it a try."

"What about her husband?"

"I don't think she cares about what he thinks. Jeanne, there's something else you need to know."

"Okay."

"When I told Maureen about the time I spent with Amy and Mel, I told her about cuckold boot camp. She wants me to put her through slut boot camp."

"Slut boot camp? She wants you to teach her how to be a slut?"

I took a deep breath,"That's right. I'm not sure how you're going to take this, but tonight, after we had dinner, we went back to my motel room. I gave Maureen her first slut boot camp lesson. I had sex with her tonight."

"You fucked her?"

"Yes, but first I went down on her and then she went down on me."

"Michael..." The angst in Jeanne's voice was unmistakeable.

Not feeling at all sympathetic about her anxiety, I said, "Jeanne, why don't you tell me about your evening. Did Jack Mahler fuck you tonight?"

"Michael, that's not fair."

"Why Jeanne? Why isn't it fair?"

"Because...I don't know. Oh Michael, this is all so confusing. I'm terrified I'm loosing you."

"Jeanne, tonight you entertained a man in our house. A man you stated you find both sexually and intellectually attractive. You asked me to trust you. You told me I don't need to worry about losing you to this man."

"You don't have to worry Michael. I'll never leave you for another man or woman."

"Don't I deserve that same trust? Jeanne, you have always been, are now and always will be the love of my life. I make the same commitment to you that you just made to me. I will never leave you for anyone else."

"Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night terrified that I've destroyed our marriage. Michael, I worry that you're never going to come home."

"You haven't destroyed our marriage and I am going to come home. That's a promise. You are my wife and partner. You will always be my wife and partner. No one else could ever take your place."

"I feel the same way about you Michael." Jeanne paused for a moment and then she said, "Maybe we should just go back to the way it used to be. Come home, I'll give up the other men."

"Jeanne, you know that if we do that a part of you will always regret it. You love your new life."

"I know."

"We have to trust each other. I love you. Trust is a big part of love."

"I love you too Michael."

"I know and I trust that love. Will you trust my love for you?"

"Okay." There was a moment of silence and then Jeanne quietly said, "Tell me about her. Is she pretty?"

"Yes, Maureen's an attractive woman."

Sighing, Jeanne said, "Of course she is."

I quickly continued. "She's lost right now. She needs time to find herself. She needs to explore a side of herself that she's repressed for most of her life. She needs a friend to help her with that."

"That was what you needed to do, wasn't it Michael?"

"Yes Jeanne, it was."

"And Amy and Mel were the friends who helped you, weren't they."

"Yes."

"Because of that you feel an affinity for this woman."

"I think that's correct."

"You want to help her."

"I really do."

"I guess I understand." Jeanne laughed. "It would be pretty hypocritical if I objected."

"Yes it would. You have to trust me, just like I'm trusting you."

"Okay."

"Jeanne, if you met Maureen, I'm sure you'd like her. You're very similar. I think that might be another reason I enjoy her company so much."

"If you like her Micheal, then I am sure I would too. Look at Amy and Mel, you have a perfect record so far. Tell me more about Maureen. I want to hear about your first session of slut boot camp."

Chuckling, I said, "Being a bit voyeuristic, are we?"

"I guess so. The evening I spent with Abby, Mark and Bobby I discovered I like to watch too. I now understand why it turns you on so much."

"You really want me to tell you about fucking Maureen?"

"Every seamy detail, then I'll tell you about fucking Jack."

Still chuckling, I said, "I'm not going to lie, this is a bit awkward for me. I'm not usually the one sharing."

"I understand. Truthfully, I still feel shy when I share with you. Start at the beginning, go slow. I'll ask questions if I need to."

"Alright," I took a deep breath and began. "After Maureen and I finished dinner We started talking about dating. She's so insecure right now. I had to reassure her that she's still a very attractive woman; lots of men would want her."

"You felt the same way last August after I so stupidly questioned your desirability. You do understand why I said that, don't you."

"Yes, I understand. I'm over it now. You, Amy and Mel have done a good job of rebuilding my ego."

"Tell me more about your evening with Maureen. You were reassuring her that she was still attractive."

"She asked me if I wanted her."

"She is insecure. What did you say to her?"

"I told her that of course I wanted her."

"Of course you wanted her? That was bold of you."

Shrugging, I said, "You've transformed me. I used to be a timid, mild mannered accountant. Now I'm audacious womanizer."

Jeanne burst out laughing. "Michael, I love you so much."

Laughing along with her, I said, "I love you too Jeanne."

"Okay Don Juan, describe your conquest for me. You told me she was pretty."

"She is. She's a mature woman with a full figure and amazing rear."

Still giggling, Jeanne said, "You always have been a butt man."

"Damn right."

"Tell me more."

"She has kind eyes and a warm smile. She wears her hair shoulder length."

"What color is her hair?"

"She's a brunette."

"Does she have big tits?"

It was my turn to burst out laughing. "Big tits? Jeanne, sometimes you completely amaze me."

"Sometimes I amaze myself. Now does she?"

"Yes, she has gorgeous tits."

"Are they bigger than mine?"

"Is Jack's cock bigger than mine?"

Chuckling, Jeanne said, "Touche. That said, you already know about Jack. He is bigger than you are. Now are Maureen's tits bigger than mine?"

"I think yours are a little larger than Maureen's, but she's still well endowed."

"So are you."

"Thank you."

"Michael, she sounds hot."

"She is. You're starting to like women, aren't you?"

"Appreciate might be the best way to describe my current feelings about sex with women. While I'm certain I'll always prefer men, there's something intriguingly different about sex with a woman."

"For one thing, there isn't a dick involved."

Jeanne laughed. "The timid mild mannered accountant is definitely gone." She paused, after a moment she said, "Yes, that's true, but there's more. Women are softer, gentler and Micheal, women understand how to lick a pussy."

"I have to agree. I've seen Amy and Mel in action."

"Yes you have. I can't wait until you see Abby and me in action."

"I'm looking forward to that too."

"Now back to Maureen. It's time for the seamy details."

"Okay, After Maureen and I left the restaurant we walked down to the drugstore to pick up some necessities we needed for the evening and then we headed back to my room."

"Condoms?"

"Of course. Once we were in my room we had a nightcap and chatted for a few minutes."

"I imagine you were both nervous, especially Maureen. Michael, the first few times I got together with new men I was so nervous I could barely carry on a conversation."

"I didn't know that."

"We weren't communicating at that time."

"No we weren't."

There was an awkward pause and then Jeanne said, "You were having a cocktail and chatting. Tell me what happened next."

"We started talking about sex. I admitted that as a seducer of women I was still kind of shy."

Jeanne laughed. "Michael honey, you have a slut wife and you just finished spending six weeks living with two professional escorts. Are you really still shy about sex?"

"Maureen said the same thing. Jeanne, Amy and Mel always took the lead and when we're together, you do too."

"Yes, I suppose you're right, but you did end up having sex. You must have gotten over your attack of shyness."

"Maureen took the lead. She stood up and asked me to unzip her dress."

"Good girl, she has the potential to be an outstanding slut. Tell me more."

"She was wearing sexy black lingerie."

"Really? But you said she wasn't out looking for men when you met her in the restaurant."

"She wasn't. She told me she was feeling old and ugly. The lingerie made her feel sexy."

"I can understand that. What happened next?"

"I kissed her."

"That was bold."

"She'd just asked me to take off her dress. It doesn't take much encouragement to overcome my shyness."

"You are making progress. What happened after you kissed her?"

"I took her to bed. Are you doing okay so far?"

"I am. Actually listening to this is making me very damp."

"Good. Maureen wanted to feel wicked. She's been neglected in the sex department. So I gave her wicked. Jeanne, her husband never went down on her."

"That poor woman. I hope you showed her how wonderful it can be."

"Of course I did. Maureen has a beautiful shaved pussy. I made sure she got the full experience."

"She enjoyed it?"

"She thought it was amazing, she loves being nasty. Jeanne, I'm certain Maureen has a future as a slut. After she orgasmed, she wanted to borrow my cock."

"Borrow your cock?"

"Yes, like Mel and I did that afternoon a few weeks ago."

"I remember. Mel was trying to help you understand why I enjoy quickies at Brady's so much."

"That's right. Maureen didn't understand why I enjoyed going down on her so much. Her husband never went down on her and when she went down on him she always felt like it was a chore rather than a pleasure."

Sighing, Jeanne said, "I used to feel like that."

"I know, but you don't anymore."

Jeanne giggled. "No I certainly don't. You're now married to a BJ queen."

"And I love it."

"We have become a couple of pervs."

"Yes we have."

"So did she do it? Play with your cock?"

"Yup, I was just lying passively on the bed while she touched me, fondled me and explored me. She asked if she could watch me cum. I said yes, so she stroked and kissed, and finally sucked and licked me. When I was close I warned her so she could give me a hand job and watch. It was fun."

"It sounds like it was fun. What happened next?"

"We lay in bed for a while talking. That's when she asked me to help her."

"Become a slut?"

"Yes, and I agreed. I hope that's okay."

"Michael, Since I just spent several hours entertaining a man in Tricia's old bedroom it would be pretty hypocritical for me to object." Jeanne paused. After a moment she added, "While I will admit that it makes me a little uncomfortable, I realize that I create similar feelings of discomfort for you and I keep reassuring you that you don't have anything to worry about.

"We just have to trust each other."

"Yes we do. What happened next?"

Laughing, I said, "You're getting to be as bad as me."

"And you're getting to be as bad as me."

"Because of Maureen?"

"And Amy and Mel."

"It's not a contest. You have an overwhelming lead in quantity."

"True, but you may have me in quality."

"Interesting, I hadn't considered that."

"Amy and Mel are special."

"Yes they are. I remind you, you now have Abby, Mark and Bobby."

"I do. Maybe someday we can all be together."

"That would be fun. I hope it can happen too."

"Back to Maureen. Did you fuck."

"We did."

"Was it fun?"

"Did you really just ask me that?"

"You're right. Let me rephrase that. Was it exceptional?"

"My experience isn't quite as extensive as yours."

"Didn't we just finish that conversation?"

"Yeah, I guess we did."

"So?"

"It was exceptional."

"Really? Tell me why."

"It was like she was discovering the enjoyment of sex for the very first time."

There was a long silence.

Finally Jeanne said, "Michael, I'm sorry."

"Why."

"Please don't misunderstand this."

"Okay, I'll try not to."

"I understand. I had a similar experience, but..."

"But it wasn't with me."

"I can't begin to tell you how much I regret that."

"I know. I wish it had been with me too. It wasn't and we can't change that. Still, I'm glad you finally did have the experience and now that you have we're both enjoying it."

"We are, aren't we."

"Yes we are."

"Tell me more about your night with Maureen."

"There's not much more to tell. We fucked. After we fucked we talked and then she got dressed and went home."

"Is she going to tell her husband about you?"

"Oh yes."

"Do I have to worry? Is he going to shoot you?"

Chuckling, I said, "I don't think so. From what Maureen told me, he's not that kind of guy. I think it's more likely he'll use this as an excuse to leave Maureen."

"Will she be able to deal with that?"

"I think she'll be relieved. She's tired of the neglect and humiliation."

There was a pause and then Jeanne asked, "Michael, did I do that to you?"

"At first, but when you came to San Francisco that all ended."

"I'm so glad I did that."

"I am too."

"I think it's lucky Maureen met you tonight."

"I'm glad you feel that way."

"We're both growing Michael."

"Yes we are."

There was a moment of silence and then I said, "Why don't you tell me about your night with Jack."

"Okay."

After a short pause Jeanne said, "I had a good time." Her voice was tentative, uncertain.

"Jeanne, I sense that you had a wonderful time, but you're afraid to tell me about it."

"I'm sorry Michael, I did..." Jeanne's voice trailed off.

"Total honesty Jeanne, we can't keep secrets from each other."

"I know that Michael, but I'm afraid you'll misunderstand."

"We just finished talking about how we have to listen to each other and try to understand. We have to be patient and help each other understand. You had trouble when I told you about Maureen, but you're trying to understand."

"I am."

"Now it's my turn to understand. You have to trust me."

"Okay."

"Let's try again. Did you have fun tonight?"

"Michael, I had a marvelous evening."

"I'm glad to hear that. Tell me about it."

"Jack brought me flowers."

"He brought you flowers?"

"Yes, he actually seduced me tonight."

"He seduced you? But didn't he know you were a sure thing? I mean earlier this week you gave him a blow job in his car."

"Of course he knew I was a sure thing, but he still seduced me. It was so romantic." Jeanne paused and then she quickly added, "Michael, remember at the beginning of this I kept telling you that love and sex weren't synonyms?"

"Yes."

"Love and romance aren't synonyms either. For a woman romance can be a form of foreplay, for many of us it's an important form of foreplay. You may not realize it, but you've always been very good at romance and seduction. When I was a prude that was so important to me."

"You're telling me that Jack is romantic."

"Very."

"Trent wasn't, was he."

laughing Jeanne said, "Trent was the antithesis of romantic."

"At least for awhile, you enjoyed him."

"He was different. Remember, variety is one of the most exciting attractions of my new life. I guarantee you I'll want to play with more Trents."

"So tell me more about your date with Jack. What did you wear?"

"Yesterday, after work, I bought a full length sheer beige dressing gown. It's trimmed with lace and has a single fastening at the bodice, so it falls open when I walk or sit."

"That sounds very sexy. I can't wait to see you wearing it."

"I'd like that too."

"What did you wear under it?"

"Absolutely nothing, all I had on was the dressing gown and a pair of stiletto slippers."

"You weren't wearing anything underneath the dressing gown?"

"Nothing at all."

"And the dressing gown was sheer."

"You can see through it easily."

"And that's how you greeted Jack at the door."

"Yes, wasn't that slutty."

"Very, I wish I'd been there."

"So you could watch?"

"Yes."

"As soon as he was inside the door Jack kissed me. Would watching another man kiss me excite you?"

"It would, especially if you were nearly naked."

"I was. While Jack kissed me he explored my body with his hands."

"Did he feel your breasts?"

"Yes, and my ass."

"Your ass? Not your rear?"

"My ass, Jack caressed my ass while he kissed me."

"Did he touch your cunt?"

"My cunt?"

"Yes your cunt, not your pussy."

"Yes, Jack rubbed my cunt. While he kissed me I let him freely play with my tits, my ass and my cunt."

"You're a slut."

"Yes I am. You're married to a slut. Is that okay?"

"It's wonderful. I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Good, because I love being a slut."

"What happened after Jack kissed you?"

"I made two Manhattans. We sat on the couch and chatted while we sipped our cocktails."

"He didn't just pull you to the couch, tear off your night dress and ravish you?"

Jeanne laughed. "No, Jack's a gentleman. He's patient and I told you, tonight he seduced me."

"I would love to watch a man seduce you."

"Michael, it was so hot. After we'd chatted for a minute or two he set his cocktail on the side table next to him, took mine from my hand, set it next to his and whispered to me that I was beautiful. Then he placed his fingers on my cheek, gently turned my face, looked into my eyes and kissed me softly on the lips. I nearly swooned."

"Swooned? You are feeling romantic."

"Don't be a putz." We both laughed.

"He kissed you. What happened next?"

"We made out on the couch."

"Did he explore you again?"

"Yes." I could hear the excitement in Jeanne's voice.

"Did you touch him?"

"I did. He was so hard."

"You wanted to suck him, didn't you."

"Yes Michael, I really did."

"Did you do it?"

"Not yet."

"Really? What did you do?"

"After we'd made out for a little while I stood up, unfastened my dressing gown and let it fall to the floor."

"You were standing naked in front of him."

"I was and I was loving it. Michael I've become as big an exhibitionist as you are a voyeur."

"Did you dance for him?"

"No I just stood there and let him look at me."

"what did Jack do?"

"For a moment he just stared, but then he smiled and told me to come to him."

"He was taking control."

"Yes."

"You love a man who takes control, don't you."

"Yes."

"What did you do?"

"I stepped forward so the insides of my legs were pressed against the outsides of his knees. He reached out with his hand and lightly grazed his fingertips across my pussy."

"Your cunt."

"Yes my cunt. I stood naked in front of Jack and let him fondle my cunt."

"You enjoyed it, didn't you."

"Michael I was so wet."

"I'm sure you were. You're a slut."

"I am."

"Tell me more."

"He fondled me for a second or two and then he pushed a finger into me."

"You were standing in front of Jack naked. He was sitting on the couch dressed. You were letting him finger fuck you."

"It was so hot. He slipped two more fingers into me and then he stared into my eyes while he slowly fucked me with them."

"What did you do?"

"I licked my lips and told him I wanted to suck his cock."

"What did Jack say when you said that?"

"He didn't say anything. He just stopped fingering me and took off his shoes and socks, pants and underwear. At the same time I picked up my dressing gown and laid it across a chair and then I picked up Jack's pants and laid them across the same chair. When I was finished Jack was sitting back on the couch with his legs spread. His big cock was sticking straight up. It took my breath away. Michael, I love cocks."

"I know you do. Tell me about Jack's."

"Really?"

"Not for me Jeanne, for you."

Giggling, Jeanne said, "You really are a good husband. You understand me."

"I'm learning and as I'm learning I'm discovering that I have a very exciting wife."

"Michael, this is so much fun."

"I agree, so tell me about Jack's cock. You said it was big."

"It is. It's at least eight inches and thick."

"Is he circumcised?"

"Yes."

"Do you prefer cocks that are circumcised?"

"They're more common and you're circumcised."

"I am."

Jeanne paused to think. After a moment she said, "Once a guy gets hard it doesn't really make much difference." She laughed. "I'm a slut. I guess I love all cocks."

Chuckling, I said, "Good point, so is Jack circumcised?"

"Yes Michael, he is."

"Tell me more. When he's erect does his cock have that nice upward curve that you enjoy so much?"

"It does and it has a big head. That's fun too." Suddenly Jeanne burst out laughing.

I said, "What?"

"Two years ago would you, even in your wildest imagination, have believed that someday we might be having this conversation?"

"Nope, but I do have to admit that it would have been an exciting fantasy."

"Really?"

"I've always been a voyeur."

"And for that I will be forever thankful."

"So tell me about the blow job."

"It was pretty standard. I licked him and sucked him."

"Did you kiss and lick his balls?"

"Oh yes. I deep throated him too. Was that okay?"

"Yes, of course it was okay. Did he enjoy it?"

"He did, but not as much as Trent."

"From what you told me I gather Trent was into things like that."

"He certainly was. Jack's a little more like you."

"Did you lick Jack's ass?"

"Micheal!"

"What?"

"This was our first real date. I'm a good girl. I never lick a guys ass on the first date." Once again, we both burst out laughing.

After a moment, Jeanne said, "But I'm sure I'll get to it on our next date." She was still giggling.

"I hope so." I was chuckling.

Suddenly serious, Jeanne said, "You hope so?"

"Jeanne honey, you like this guy. Have some fun with him."

"You're sure you're okay with this?"

"Is there any reason I shouldn't be?"

There was a brief pause and then Jeanne said, "No Michael, there isn't. There isn't any reason at all."

"I believe you and I trust you."

There was another pause. This one was much longer. Finally Jeanne whispered, "Thank you Michael, I love you so much."

"I know that Jeanne. I love you too. So what happened after you finished giving Jack a blow job?"

"We went into Tricia's old bedroom."

"Your boudoir."

Jeanne giggled. "Yes, my boudoir. Jack went down on me."

"Trent never did that."

"No he certainly didn't. Only you, Abby, Mark and Bobby have gone down on me."

"Was Jack good?"

"You, Abby, Mark and Bobby are all better, but it was still fun."

"We have more experience and Abby's a woman. Did he get you off?"

"Fireworks and trumpets."

"You were excited."

"I was."

"It sounds to me like Jack is a pretty good playmate."

"He really is."

"I assume he fucked you."

"Twice."

"He is a good playmate."

"Yes."

"Are you going to see him again?"

"We're planning to get together every Friday night. Is that okay?"

"Yes Jeanne, it's just fine."

"Thank you Michael."

"Jeanne, does Jack know about me?"

"Of course he does. I know he's married too. I would never date a guy without telling him about you first."

"No Jeanne, does he know that I know about him?"

"Yes Michael, he does."

"Does he know that I approve of what you're doing?"

"Yes, tonight, while we were lying in bed after he finished fucking me the first time, I told him everything."

"Does he..."

"Michael, like Trent, you are now his idol. Jack wishes his wife was more like me, you spent six weeks living with two nude dancers who are also professional escorts and now you're driving around the country playing golf. A lot of men in this country would eagerly trade places with you."

"And sometimes I think I would trade places with most of those men."

"What do you mean?"

"I would just like to be certain the woman I love needs me."

"Michael, you know I love you."

"Yes Jeanne, I know that, but I'm still not certain you need me."

"Michael, I will always need you. You are my rock. Without you I'm just a slut drifting aimlessly through life."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"Yes you do. Michael, you are the focal point of my life. Yes, I love being a slut. It's exciting, it's revitalizing, but without you it's just hedonistic pleasure and nothing more. Without you I'm just a slut. Sex is fun, but my relationship with you gives my life meaning. You remember the George and Ira Gershwin song, "Someone To Watch Over Me."

"Of course I do, we both love that song."

"Yes we do. Michael you are the someone who watches over me. You are my shepherd and I hope that someday I can regain your trust and once again be your shepherd."

"Jeanne, you have never stopped being my shepherd."

"Then Micheal it is time for you to come home. You were worried that I might not have a place for you in my new life. If you understand what I'm telling you now you have to know that you will always have a place in my life. You are my shepherd, my rock, the focus of my life."

"And you are now, always have been and will always continue to be my rock and my shepherd. You're right Jeanne, it is time for me to come home."

"But it's not."

"What do you mean?"

"You owe a debt to Amy and Mel."

"Okay, how do I repay that debt?"

"Maureen."

Smiling, I said, "Jeanne, this is why I will always love you."

"And I will always love you because you understand."

"You want me to teach Maureen how to be a slut."

"No Michael, she has a husband who's destroyed her. I want you to teach her how to be a woman again."

"I'm not sure I know how to do that."

"Just remember everything Amy and Mel taught you."

"Okay."

"And Michael, this is a time to be romantic."

"Romantic? Really?"

"Maureen needs to feel desirable."

"Won't that confuse her? Jeanne, I'm not available. At least not as a permanent mate. I have a mate."

"Yes you do and don't ever forget that."

"Don't worry, I won't, but I don't want to lead Maureen on either."

"Micheal be open with her. Talk about me. Tell her everything. If you're honest you can be romantic without leading her on. Buy her flowers, treat her like a queen, take her dancing. Michael, you're a wonderful dancer."

"But..."

"Michael as long as you stress that you're just friends enjoying each others company you'll be fine."

"This is what you do, isn't it Jeanne."

"Yes Michael, this is exactly what I do and it works."

"It didn't work with Trent."

"I wasn't honest with him."

"The game we played, telling him that you were doing things for him that you wouldn't do for anyone else, not even me was dishonest, wasn't it."

"Yes."

"I never should have encouraged you to play that game."

"We're both new at this. We didn't understand. Michael, you're right to insist on total honesty, but it has to go beyond us. It has to include our playmates too."

"Yes, it does."

We were both silent. After a moment I said, "You're sure about this? You won't mind if I buy flowers for Maureen or take her dancing."

"Michael, I have never been so certain about anything in my life. You are my shepherd. You are a magnificent shepherd. Right now Maureen needs you. Be her shepherd and when she has regained her confidence and believes in herself again come home to me."

"I will Jeanne; believe me, I will."