Jan

With that, Jan and Kelly started to cry, too, and all three of them got up to hug each other.

After a minute or so, I noticed a little whispering before I heard Kelly mutter 'Well go ahead and ask him, then – he doesn't bite! At least, not hard!'

A moment later, Robyn came over to stand in front of me, with Kelly and Jan watching. Looking down at me a bit nervously, she asked 'Dan, is it okay if I give you a hug, to show you how sorry I am?'

I was a bit surprised by the question, but told her 'I think that would make for a nice start on our new relationship.' and stood up. I was even more surprised by the ferocity with which she held me as she cried a bit into my shirt. I hugged back, gently, and patted her back softly. After a bit, she pulled back from me a way, and pulled my head down to give me a kiss on the cheek, saying 'Thank you, Dan. You won't be sorry.'

Looking into her eyes, I answered by saying 'No, I don't think I will.'

Getting a look from Kelly, I excused myself to go back into my office; when I came out a little later, Robyn had left, and Jan and Kelly were on the couch, talking.

When I came in, they separated a bit, indicating that they wanted me to sit between them. When I did, both closed in on me, snuggling into my sides as they pulled my arms around them.

Kelly was first to speak, telling me 'I think she'll be okay. She's had a tough time of it, but she had the guts to make the first move and apologize.'

Jan agreed, saying, 'Yeah, I think so, too. She didn't try to dodge it, at all – she just accepted the responsibility, and was ready to take the punishment.'

'Am I getting the impression that there might be an additional girl at the party?' I asked.

Kelly spoke up quickly, saying 'No, not definitely, but there's a chance.' with Jan adding, 'It depends on how she does. It's still a couple weeks away, so we've got time to decide.'

'Well, just make sure before you make any final decisions, okay?' was all I could add.

Both nodded their agreement, and we stayed on the couch like that for a little while, before Jan finally decided that she really had to get home. Kelly and I continued to snuggle, right up until it was time for bed.

In the days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, I got phone calls from the parents of the other girls that were to be at the sleepover.

The parents were thrown off a bit by the unusual situation: Jan doing the inviting, but the party being held at the home of one of Jan's friends, and that friend's middle-aged boyfriend. I had to reassure all of the them that the girls had my permission to have the sleepover, that I would be there to make sure things didn't get out of hand, and otherwise had no planned participation in the event. Thus reassured, they granted their permission.

The conversation with Susan's dad, Steve, was the most 'interesting': My secretary told me at work one day that I had a call, from Steve Moore.

I took it right away, and after an exchange of pleasantries, he got to the reason for his call.

'Dan, I understand from Susan that the girls are going to be having a little slumber party at your home after Thanksgiving.'

'Yes, that's correct.'

'I have to admit that the idea of Susan attending it leaves me with mixed emotions.'

'How so, Steve?'

'It's a difficult subject; I'm concerned about something, but don't wish to cause offense.'

I think I know what the problem is, and say 'Let me guess: knowing what happened between Kelly and I, you're concerned about what may happen during their get-together.'

'That would be a fair statement.'

'Your 'interest' in the situation is understandable; I pretty much expected that I would be hearing from you.'

'Indeed? Yes, I suppose that you would. Please understand that after that Phil incident, I am most certainly inclined to trust you around Susan – but this party they are planning, and the organization of it, are somewhat 'unique'.'

'Yes, they are. To spare us both some discomfort, I'd like to tell you that Jan and Kelly have planned it as a basic slumber party with them and the other girls. Doubtless there will be changes once things get started, but I want to assure you that I have absolutely*no* anticipation of, shall we say, personal contact with any of the guests.

In fact, if any of them should display any tendencies in that direction, I will be both surprised and exceptionally resistant toward the idea. I am quite happy in my current situation, and have absolutely NO desire to expand it, or consummate any of the other girls' fantasies or desires.'

'That does reassure me, and I appreciate your attitude on the matter, Dan. There is an additional factor, though, that I think you should be aware of.'

'And that is?'

'Susan has learned some of the details of how you and Kelly got together, and of how your relationship with her, uh, 'developed'. Susan has what I am hoping is only a 'crush' on you, but I worry that it may be something more.'

'Steve, I appreciate the warning; however, I stand by my previous statement that I am most resistant to the idea of intimate contact with any of the girls that will be at the party.'

'Still, I have no doubt that should she set her mind to it, Susan will take every opportunity to demonstrate to you her, ah, appreciation of your help with Phil, and perhaps even her feelings toward you. I simply want you to know that if that should happen, even though I do not like the idea, I will not try to do anything about it.'

Is he saying what I think he's saying?

'Steve, I'm sorry, but you've confused me. Could you say that again, so I can try to understand it?'

I could hear him sigh heavily before he replied'Yes, I suppose I need to make it completely clear – for both our sakes.'

After a few moments, he went on 'I know that Susan is nearly a grown woman, able to make her own decisions. To the best of my knowledge, though, she has not yet taken that final step. I DO know that she can be quite determined when she decides there is something she wants; far more determined than is probably good for her.'

'Really?' I asked. From the way I'd seen her act, I wouldn't have expected it.

'Quite so.' he sighed, before continuing 'What I am trying to say is that if it should happen that Susan decides that she wishes to 'cross the line', as it were, into full womanhood, I will not try to prevent it; nor will I take exception to it after the fact.'

'Steve, forgive me, but you still sound like a lawyer. Is what you're telling me that if Susan decides that she wants me to be her first, you won't object? If so, I hasten to assure you that that is the*last* thing I want to happen, and will do everything I can to avoid it.'

'I know it is, Dan, and that you will. I have to sound like a lawyer because that's the only way I can think of it. And yes, that's what I'm saying. I don't care for the idea – not because of you, but because it would mean that she was no longer my 'little girl'. But I have to accept that she IS old enough to make the decision, and that when she does, there isn't a damn thing I can do about it. All I can hope for is that whoever is her first will be someone that I could respect, such as yourself.'

'I'm honored by the compliment, but I still don't want any part of it.'

'I know – and that's part of what makes me respect you: you don't particularly want that kind of responsibility, but if faced with it, you accept the necessity, and do the best you can. I hope the situation doesn't come up. If it does, I know you'll resist it. I just want you to know that if it does happen, then I won't be angry or upset with you; if anything, I know I can trust you to do it right, and not hurt her like one of her classmates might.'

'Gee, thanks for not putting any pressure on me, or anything, Steve!' I said, trying to lighten the mood.

He laughed briefly, and I continued 'Well, let's hope that it doesn't come to that; but if it does, you can be sure it will happen the way you would want it to.'

'Thank you.'

About that time, my secretary let me know that I had another call; Steve heard her, and thanked me again before ending our conversation.

A few days before Thanksgiving, I got home to find Kelly and Jan in the den again, obviously waiting for me. I held my forefinger up, to indicate that they should give me a moment, and detoured through the kitchen to get myself a soda.