THE THIRD ONE

Late that summer Armand threw a relatively small party for some select
friends and neighbors. Naturally he made a big deal out of introducing
his new wife to everyone whilst extolling on the many pros of the duo
wife lifestye. Amy was a big hit but all the attention distressed
the normally shy girl. She finally managed to pair off with a plump
older gentlemen named Theo. She had discovered that the two of them
had similar tastes in television programming. Relieved to separate
herself from the crowd and still seemed involved, she and Theo had
perched themself at the bar to enjoy some calming drinks and chat about
The Gilmore Girl's reruns and their favorite stars.

Amy liked Theo. He had white hair, a ruddy complexion, and a bushy,
funny looking white mustache. He made her laugh, even when the jokes
were as old as he was. She didn't even mind when he occasionally leaned
forward to squeeze her thigh tightly. He had quite a grip for a man
well over sixty years old. Without realising it Amy had begun to have
a good time. The liquor was seeing to that most likely. Theo was
becoming more entertaining with each drink they shared together. Amy
was soon quite drunk for her but she really couldn't have cared less.
Theo was nippling on her ear but she only laughed all the harder at the
old fart. Everyone was pretty well lubricated by this time, including
Colette and Armand who seemed to be having the times of their lives and
barely noticed Amy.

Amy looked away from Theo for a moment to watch as Colette danced with
some strange man wasn't so much dancing as holding the bombed blond up.
Amy broke into a compulsive giggle at the sight but suddenly stopped.

She had noticed a very odd young man across the room. He wasn't at all
well dressed like everyone else. His old jacket appeared worn and very
frumpled as if he'd slept in it the last couple of nights. The strange
young man didn't appear to be having a very good time. He stood by
himself with a beer in his hand and a cigarette in the other. Amy no-
ticed with curiosity how this fellow stared at people in the most
intense kind of way. His hair was cut close to his scalp and there was
a very noticeable stubble on his chin. He wore completely unfash-
ionable wire rimmed glasses. He reminded her of some of the desperate
young men she'd known in London. This fact along fascinated her more
than any other aspect of the fellow.

Amy nudged Theo, "who is that man over there beneath the painting...the
one with the weird looking glasses."

Theo squinted through a drunken haze until he found the painting. "Oh
him...thats only Tennyson Cloing."

"So who is he?" Amy asked with a hint of impatience in her soft voice.
"He looks a bit out of place here, don't you think so Theo?"

"Oh, he doesn't give a damn about how he looks. He's a writer you know,
and a damned successful one at that. I've read one of his novels my-
self actually. It was very good but a bit to political for my tastes.
I'm surprised Armand invited him, all they ever do is argue you know."

"That's very interesting Theo, I wonder where he lives?"

Theo roared with laughter.

"What did I say that you find so hilarious?" Amy inquired.

Theo wiped away a merry tear, "I'm sorry my dear but Cloing is your
next door neighbor I fear. He lives in that big place just down the
lane on your right."

Amy was startled with surprise. "He lives next door? Had I ran into
him I would have called the police...he certainly doesn't fit the
neighborhood."

"Well, looks like he's leaving. Good riddance." Amy glanced up and
the stranger was indeed gone. "Oh well, here I wask, thinking I'd met
everyone here. You know something, I would like to read one of his
books."

Theo shrugged, "why I'll send my copy over in the morning. I never
keep a book lying around that I've already read. I prefer something
new and fresh. Then Theo leaned close and whispered in the girl's ear.
"Like you my dear. Unfortunately I didn't bring my viagara with me
or I'd drag you upstairs to an unoccupied bedroom...although I daresay
that might prove to be a difficult chore tonight, even in a house as
large as this one."

He gave her thigh another hearty squeeze and his hand threatened to
drift higher. Amy was very drunk and she giggled despite herself.
What a delightful old fart Theo was. He reminded her of her horny old
grandfather. "You're so sweet Theo...but you know what they say. Old
men without their viagara are just old men without their viagara."

Theo grinned stupidly at her silly joke. "True enough my dear, but I
have woke a morning or two with a delightful odor on my fingers...if
you know what I mean."

Amy swayed on the barstool, her brain in a drunken haze. Theo took her
and to steady her but she only laughed. "I'm not so darn drunk that
I can't figure out the obvious. I do need some fresh air though. Be
a dear Theo and take me out to the garden...I need to walk off some of
this booze. I'm a terrible lightweight and don't care to embarrass
myself at my introduction party."

"Splendid idea," Theo said as he helped the unsteady girl to her feet.

They made their way to the door and staggered outside, laughing all the
way. They drifted towards the relatively darkened area of the gardens.
On the way they met a giggling couple returning from an apparently
memorable tour of the grounds. Theo gave them a jaunty salute as they
passed and the man slapped the old boy on the back and laughed "Be
careful out there, lest some wild beast eat you Theo."

"Don't worry on my account young fellow, I have a loaded pistol in my
pocket," Theo replied. They proceeded and Amy whispered in Theo's ear,
"but I thought you had forgotten your viagara?"

Theo pretended to be offended, "you shouldn't tease an old man pretty
sorceress, I had to brag a bit to that stallion didn't I. Allow an
old crust his vanity my dear." Amy giggled and leaned heavily on Theo
as her legs threatened to buckle. "I think we had better sit down
somewhere pretty soon," she said.

"Just a bit farther, I think I recall the perfect spot for a moment's
repose," the old man said.

Amy tugged playfully on is thick crop of white hair, "something re-
called from one of my husband's previous parties I'm sure."

"Quite possibly my dear," Theo said, chuckling merrily. "Ah, there
is our destination if I'm not mistaken."

The couple sat down heavily on a wooden bench, one partially concealed
by the limbs of a willow. "Oh, its lovely here Theo...it looks so
very different at night. I must spend more time out here. What are
you doing there you old pervert?"

"Oh, I'm afraid you might get some tree sap on your lovely gown, please
allow me to re-adjust it for you." Theo pushed the knee length gown
up until it nearly reached Amy's grotch. He sucked his breath in with
a satisfied sigh when he spotted her frilly panties. His hand slip
slowly but deliberately up her thigh as he kissed her smooth young
cheek lovingly. Amy's own breathing became ragged and random as she
parted her thighs slightly. Then she gasped audibly as as thick fin-
gers stroked her through her panties.

Amy grabbed a better hold on Theo's coat as the fingers slipped easily
into her well lubricated honey pot. "Ooooo Theo...ooooo, you terrible
old bastard," the girl panted.

"Old but not quite dead," Theo replied. He worked his fingers in her
as she gasped and moaned. "Damn, if only I'd taken my pill...,"

"Don't worry about that Theo darling...use your tongue on me, please
eat me, eat my hot pussy. Ooooo, I'm on so damn horny."

"Oh course my dear, now lean back as far as you can. I don't wish to
soil my knees if I can avoid it."

Amy did as he requested and was soon rewarded by the tickling sensation
of Theo's brushy mustache against her bush. He licked her like an
absolute pro. It seemed to go on forever but in reality it took only
minutes before Amy was quivering with a powerful orgasm. She bit her
lip to keep from shouting even as one hand grabbed a handful of white
hair and held on for dear life.

At last the waves of intense sensations subsided. "Now, I'll do you
loverboy," the surprised and satisfied girl cooed.

Theo shrugged, "I'm afraid it would be a wasted of time pretty girl.
Perhaps next time I won't forget so easily my special pills. It's
getting late and I'm already to drunk to go back to the party. There's
nothing left but to go home and enjoy some beautiful dreams. Shall I
escort you back to the house my dear?"

"Thank you, but no Theo. I need to sit here for awhile and sober up.
I can't go back right now...I fear I might make an ass of myself with
this spinning head of mine. Are you able to drive?"

"Oh, don't worry on that account, my driver is waiting. Goodnight
dear girl and thank again for indulging and old fool like myself."

Amy giggled again, "you may be an old fool but you are an old fool who
sure knows how to eat a girl's ass."

A sliver of moonlight illuminated the delight in the old man's eyes.
He saluted her and took his leave.

Amy sat there all alone quietly humming a silly tune, breathing deeply
of the fragrant garden air, and waiting for her head to clear enough
for to make a dignified return to the party. "But no more drinking
tonight," she declared.

She decided to test her legs. They were a bit wobbly but not to bad.
The slender girl decided that stretching them some couldn't hurt. She
wandered about there in the garden for a few minutes. Satisfied that
she was recovered sufficently, Amy whirled about playfully and plowed
right into something, or someone, there in the near totall darkness.

"Careful there, this path isn't very wide...I can't get out of your
way I'm afraid."

Amy gasped, "who is it?"

The male voice continued. "It's Tennyson, but who might this be? One
of the ladies of the house perhaps, possibly the same woman I saw
sitting over there with Theo?"

"You were watching us?" Amy exclaimed, her tone suddenly indignant.
"How dare you be so rude?"

"How dare I what? I was merely taking a quick nap beneath the willow
when I heard something that woke me and there you two were. Theo is
a good old shit and I wasn't about to spoil his fun by popping up.
Under the circumstances, what was I supposed to do...you tell me."

Amy put her hands on her hips, exasperated by the man's logic. "And
why exactly are you telling me about what you saw. Things observed in
secret should be kept secret...at least that's what a gentleman would
do don't you think?"

"My, for a little woman, you certainly have spirit. Armand must be
very proud of you."

"Armand has nothing to do with this...I'm waiting for an explanation."
Amy had cooled off some, curiosity had largely taken the place of anger.

"I'm not sure to be honest. I suppose its just a terrible way for me
to introduce myself. I didn't have the pleasure before, and I didn't
quite know how to go about asking someone to help me make your ac-
quaintance. I shouldn't have come here tonight, social situations are
always a disaster for me. Armand should have known better. God knows
how many parties I've been tossed from before...and most of the time
I wasn't even that drunk."

Something about the solemn little speech touched a cord inside Amy.
She had suffered from shyness most of her life, perhaps here was a
kindred spirit...a drifting soul cursed with awkwardness. She could
not stifle a rising sense of empathy with the odd young man.

"Well, my name is Amy Prentiss, wife of Armand Prentiss. I'm sorry we
didn't get the chance to be formally introduced. I suppose we should
start by promising each other to forget what I did, and what you saw
out here in this garden." She offered her hand. Tennyson took it and
raised it quickly to his lips. He brushed her fingers with a feathery
kiss then let her hand drop...after a moment of lingering contact that
did not go unnoticed by the girl.

"I will try hard to forget but...nevermind...I suppose I made myself
known to you out here because I dared to think...and I know this will
guarantee that you'll think I'm mad, but I somehow wanted you to know
I saw. Its stupid of course but in a way I only wanted to have a bit
of a secret we could share together. I was watching you tonight, and
I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen or ever shall.
You have bequiled me Amy Prentiss. I suppose that I'm your pathetic
slave now. Do what you will with me."

"Hmmm," Amy began to reply cautiously. "I understand that you are a
writer, and a pretty good one. Obviously, living in this neighborhood,
you must be doing well. However, don't you feel you're overwriting
this scene just a bit. I don't think you're quite the wallflower that
you pretend to be. Besides I'm married and I love my husband with all
my heart. The best we could ever be is casual friends. Please try to
understand Tennyson...I'm a taken woman."

"If only I had Theo's charms then," the unkempt man answered.

"That's not fair! I was drunk on my ass and that sweet old man remind-
ed me of my grandfather...and I don't exactly know what happened after
that."

"You must have had an interesting relationships with your grandfather
then?"

"YOU BASTARD," Amy growled and tried to push her way past the intrusive
man. He blocked her way and grasped her arms with a steel grip. She
stuggled for a half second when the moonlight fell full on his face.
The girl found herself staring deep into the depths of his dark eyes.
She saw something there that couldn't be easily explained. It was al-
most like she had known him somewhere before...or something like that.
The emotions Amy felt at that precise moment she would never be able
to explain rationally. Then his lips were upon hers and they kissed
with a passion that both shocked and fascinated the slender little
woman. "I'll never forget your kindness," he said before releasing
her and simply vanishing into the darkness.


Breakfast was late the next morning, very late. There wasn't a lot
of conversation because they all had slight headaches. Armand hardly
ate a thing before pushing himself away from the table. "Oh my poor
stomach, I don't believe solid food is a very good idea right now.
Instead I'm going to sample a dose of the hair of the dog and do a bit
of reading in the study. Later, my dears."

Both girls waved to their husband as he ambled out of the room with a
freshly opened beer in hand.

"So, did you have a good time last night, I hardly saw you for the
longest time?" Colette asked. "Everyone was talking about how lovely
you are and what a lucky dog Armand is."

"It was actually one of the most interesting nights of my entire life,
" Amy declared in a matter of fact way.

"Well," Colette replied after arching an eyebrow. "Details?"

"Where to start? I've never been that drunk in my life...the fact that
I didn't pass out altogether was a minor miracle."

"I couldn't help but notice you and Theo seemed to hit it off rather
well."

"Yes, I like Theo, he made me laugh a lot."

"Theo is an old rascal if ever there was one...its hard to find anyone
who doesn't enjoy his company," Colette replied.

"I hope Armand wasn't watching me as close as you were."

"Ha, how could he with all those sluts clinging to him like the fabric
of a cheap dress. Don't worry my dear. But what happened when you
two disappeared, enquiring minds need to know this stuff."

Amy giggled, "you're an impossible gossip dear girl. The room started
spinning around so I asked him to take me outside for some fresh air.
It really helped too. Thank goodness I managed to maintain some small
degree of dignity at my first party."

Colette shook her head and smiled, "that old devil, I didn't realize
he still had it in him."

"NOTHING happened, Theo doesn't have it in him anymore. At least not
without some prior chemical stimulation. And I got that straight from
the horse's mouth in a manner of speaking."

"Hmmm, I see this is going nowhere. Did you meet anyone else interest-
ing? Personally I find all of Armand's friends boring as hell."

Amy began hesitantly, she thought it might pay to be a bit tactful when
Colette was in hearing distance. After all, she had told Amy that she
and Armand kept few secrets from each other.

"I did have a short but interesting conversation with some fellow who
called himself Tennyson Cloing...at least I think that was his name."

"Tennyson was here, I don't recall seeing him."

"I believe he came late and left early," Amy said.

Colette nodded before taking a long swig of coffee. "That sounds like
him alright. I'm a little surprised he came at all, or even that
Armand invited him. I suppose he was curious about the new wife. He
used to come up here a lot but Tennyson was always arguing with Armand
about politics, or art, or football...whatever. He's a writer you
know, and a damned good one. I'm talking bestsellers. He should be
filthy stinking rich but he wastes most of it by throwing it away to
some charity or whatever bleeding heart cause is fashionable."

"Armand does the same thing," Amy said, a bit irritated by Colette's
attitude.

"Yes, but Tennyson gives it ALL away. He drives a terrible old ten
year old car and can't even afford a cook. He has a crazy old uncle
who comes over and keeps the grounds up. I'd shudder to see the in-
side of his house. I doubt he even has anyone to come by and do the
cleaning."

"We ought to drop in for a visit sometimes, he is our next door neigh-
after all," Amy mumbled.

"Oh, we'd be better off to just ask him up here sometime for dinner, if
he'd come. Tennyson isn't very sociable. I'm surprised that he even
spoke to you. I guess he still has interest in pretty girls anyhow,"
Colette said and laughed. "Anyhow, he's a real weirdo, everybody knows
that."

Amy excused herself and went to take a shower. Later, after dressing,
she took a short walk. Somehow she wound up at the same spot in the
garden where she and Tennyson Cloing had had their memorable encounter.
The wind was very warm that afternoon and it felt good against her
skin. During the days that followed she would bring a lawn chair to
her new favorite part of the garden and read. Try as she might tho,
Amy couldn't completely come to grips with the fresh emotions that
pestered her psyche at times, when she'd have to put her book down and
muse.

Then one day she broke her teacup in the garden. Armand had left the
morning newspaper behind and she had took it to her favorite spot in
order to check out her horoscope. The article was not an especially
lengthy one, and it was buried near the back of the news section. But
she noticed it just the same. As a huge lump formed in her throat the
girl read the headline. "WELL KNOWN LOCAL AUTHOR TENNYSON CLOING IS
HEADED FOR JAIL." The smaller type just beneath the headline gave a
clue of what was to follow. "CLOING FACING LONG SENTENCE FOR ANTI-
GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY." The fragile teacup fell from the girl's delicate
fingers and shattered into a dozen shards.