It is this moment that our story picks up as we see a couple getting ready to go down to dinner in their LA home, which they share with their only daughter. Theirs is what most would consider a nice and comfortable home though not really luxurious by any means yet in a way it has that elegance which lets one see that this is a couple who does posses a certain class that places them slightly above those around them.
We see Karen sitting in front of a mirror and table, brushing her long blonde hair which given her age and desire to look dignified she now a days keeps only to her shoulders. Karen on this occasion is wearing something simple which includes a pair of black cotton pants, along with a white Polo shirt, making her tanned upper body more apparent.
It is as Karen fixes her hair, that we see her husband Thomas put on a dark blue summer jacket which he intends to wear with a white shirt and a pair of light brown pants, this being his favorite way of dressing on days that like this one are hot but not overly though theirs is an air-conditioned home. Karen for her part has been meaning to tell her husband about her plans to find, Kasiutrella a manager to take care of the tennis career she is planning for her daughter.
Karen, once feeling her hair is exactly the way she wanted to present it on to others, turns around and says in an almost completely unemotional tone "I've been thinking of finding someone to guide, Kasiutrella's career perhaps a manager, what do you think darling?". Thomas felt his wife would be asking him a question of sorts as she during the last few weeks had been hitting, in no unclear way for their daughter to turn professional, so it was with no surprise that his wife's question impacted on him, who still was not sure a professional tennis career was the right thing for their daughter, at such an age though he was aware that if she was going to be a professional tennis player the time definitely was at hand.
"I know you have been wanting for Kasiutrella, to become professional a long time but are you sure it is what she wants?" was Thomas's reply which he really did feel was important to be answered, for he in all truth did not want his wife's ambitions to be what mattered but his daughter's, specially since they were talking about her future. "You have seen her play and her coach says she shows as much promise as any of those other girls he has seen play" Karen replied looking at her husband whom she could see was finished adjusting his jacket and putting on his eau de toilet. "You know very well, that I am not talking about her ability but her willingness to play the game like a professional", Thomas replied with some sarcasm and frustration.
Karen then looking up seeing her husband slightly annoyed simply smiled as she had done so many times before as she in all reality know what her husband had meant but felt it was not something they could discuss without Kasiutrella, herself who in all fact had never really stated one way or the other weather or not she wanted to turn professional. "I know what you meant but this we have to talk over with her, don't you think?" Karen spoke in words of softness as she leaned over and touched her husbands hand, who stood behind her.
Karen for her part was not one who could be called a brilliant woman in any regards; as she did have certain charm though in the eyes of the more sophisticated hers was perhaps overly mid western American in it's simplicity even if she never pretended to be what she was not by putting on intellectual airs. Concerning, the work she did this was an area where she also knew her limitations of not being overly creative yet she did compensate with her enthusiasm and hard work combined with discipline and modesty that let her see when the ideas of others were more suited. It was however in all this that she was one who one should not underestimate; given how she could be very convincing in her simplicity which in many ways could be taken for sincerity. All of which lending itself to creating her to be a mild success; as both the opera singer (semi retired) and part business owner she was.
Sexually speaking, she in many ways was one who had been raised on the notion that it was but a part of a marriage though not the most important by any means, which in reality was the concept that a married couple not only could but should go on even if sex could not be. Regarding her case, it was not so much that sex was a problem because she was one who could manage to get by without it as she had done for so long, perhaps she to a certain extent had lost interest or had been so involved in the relationship with her husband and work that she had almost forgotten about this part of life. Of course there was the possibility that she was just waiting, even if unknown to her for that one man to spark her up again, like her first lover had done so many years ago when her age was similar to her daughter's, specially since she was still a woman whose body was still capable of drawing attention, given the figure she still kept via working out everyday and practicing such sports as kickboxing and weightlifting.
Karen Sue Cantrell was desirable to others; this there was little doubt in her mind and though she felt flattered by the attention she was almost certain it would only come from afar, as all were aware she was married and faithful to her husband. It was even strange to her how she could be playful with those around her, in the form of saying how she loved them and would send them kisses. She being almost like a child who knows not what it could arouse in somebody who desired her for her literal meaning instead of the almost coquette one she wished to present of the friendly housewife.
Karen and her husband in all that was theirs had not been completely deprived of a sex life, in spite of Thomas being nearly 80 years of age as Karen in her playful ways was one to keep up his interest in the act as much as she could. This being the case when she would stroke his root under the table sometimes discretely in front of guest who had never managed to catch on to what Karen was up to. Of course Karen still being a woman capable of lust, at times went further in her attempts to arouse her husband that even lend wind to the sails of his vanity such as when she from time to time would awake him with a kiss on his male pride, though she in all truth was to shy to take it all in to her mouth. Intercourse in the traditional way had not been theirs in over ten years yet despite this Karen did manage to keep up certain thrill in their lives with regards to this as she would often bend over so her husband's root could be what she felt through her clothes or sometimes when her bottom was bare. It would even amused her how her husband would in bed take to her breast almost as if he were back in infancy; doing likewise with his mother, though the truth is she would have preferred this attention to be delivered on to the rose of her woman.
This the part of her which contrary to her believes required more of this kind of attention plus the more solid than she would ever allow herself to admit either to her husband or even to herself in private, as she in a way had become one to believe herself to be above sex. This perhaps given both her age and title which she carried with her like a badge she wanted all to see and admire. For her part it was not that she was deceiving herself that hers was a full sex life with her husband as her body had not known an orgasm in almost ten years that had not been produced by her own hand yet she was content in what was still theirs though she was all too aware it would not last very long as her husband was even losing interest.
Thomas agreed with a smile and a nod to his wife's suggestion as they walked down to the dinner table in what was bound to be another sit down with their daughter, who was always asked to partake in their meals even if hunger did not suffice for her to eat. Formality was one thing that for the most prevailed in these evening affairs where slightly though not overly elegant attire was required from its participants which on this occasion would only include Princess Karen, Thomas and their daughter; Kasiutrella.
Dinners in this residence despite not always being formal were always carried out with a certain air of pomp as that is how Princess Karen and her husband would approach the table, even when doing it solely for their own benefit. This with them always walking down the broad stairs of their two story house side by side as if doing it on a red carpet of sorts, as they made their way through their large house which like most of what surrounded them was neither overly expensive nor outstanding in any real way. As for their house, it was fashioned in what could be referred to as the typical American manner which in many ways was plain with those slight touches of European flavor in the form of small of statues on the mantle and paintings of castles which in fact were investments.
On this occasion as Princess Karen and Thomas walked in to their dinning room they found their daughter; Kasiutrella already seated at the table and much to both their disapproval had already commenced on the meal of the evening. It was these details which mattered in this household as both Karen and Thomas wanted to keep a certain decorum, specially Thomas who in many ways had been forced given many circumstances to live below what he felt his position should have provided him. Kasiutrella, on this occasion had also decided to wear clothes which for the most part she was aware her parents preferred her not to wear at the table. This coming in the form of the clothes she wore to play tennis which included a short white skirt, a t-shirt of many colors along with white sox as well as her sneakers of the same color.
Kasiutrella, in all reality on at that day had not had much in the way of time to get changed and showered for this meal as her parents would have wanted to; given not only that she had just finished practice at the club apart from how hungry she was to the point of not even taking in to consideration that she was doing what she knew her parents objected to.
Karen and Thomas entered their dinning room to the vision of their daughter, who had already gone through her soup and was about to start on the main course which on that day would be chicken, rice and baked potatoes. It was the sight of her parents that reminded Kasiutrella, that hers should have been to wait despite her hunger being what it was from the fatigue of having to practice her serve for what on that day had seemed hours on end. Kasiutrella however was in that age which to a certain extend demanded that she question all the morality and ideas she had been raised on. This lending cause for her not to immediately apologize for her lack of courtesy which in all truth she had come to see in a different light. It being that if she was hungry and the meal was served; why then should she wait for those who were late? Of course her also arguing to herself that why did it mean so much to some to not only eat together but to start doing so at the same time. As if those who started after the rest would be at some unfair disadvantage or could not enjoy their food as much, simply because some were already further in to it than they were.
It was not so much any more that Thomas minded such details, however he did feel it was always necessary to make it a point of saying something when such did occur, therefore it was with some jest that he stated "Kasiutrella, young lady I know you are hungry but you could at least try to wait for us before you commence" as he and Karen stood above her almost in judgment of her acts. "Oh, Thomas it is not like we are not late, if anything it is us who should say we are sorry for making her wait" Karen said almost trying to convince her husband it was them who were at fault. It was not that Thomas felt this was such a big issue but the truth was he was a man who had little to talk about other than such matters; given his business and details in protocol, which he never really managed to see were to a large extent a matter of interpretation with not everyone agreeing with him. This being the case as to not only how to follow its rules but ultimately what if any importance they should have in our lives.
Karen and Thomas took their seats with Thomas always sitting at the head of the table as the man of the house was supposed to while his wife took his right flank, leaving their daughter the left one, which in a way made her feel as if she were constantly being looked at for points or perhaps flaws she might commit during the meal. She could even remember the days when they would eat at the table and have to sit at its opposite ends. This meaning her father would sit at one end, while her mother at the other and she in the middle; creating a distance that made conversation awkward to say the least or such it was till one day Karen herself decided that perhaps it would be better to sit down together as a family and forget the ways of the wealthy.
Kasiutrella, in all reality was not one to revel against authority let alone her parents however she did have her views on many subjects which contrary to before she was more than willing to have known. "I never understand why it bothers people that somebody does not wait to start dinner, with them as if they could not do it after the other person has already started, will their food taste any worse? It is like a race where the point is to start all together and if one does so first it is cheating? I mean what is the significance of that specially if some arrive before I mean I understand it if we are all sitting together and somebody starts before the rest have been served but when a person starts before someone who has not even arrived at the table" Kasiutrella spoke with a certain air of pride as if she felt hers had been a winning argument which gave her cause for certain smugness.
Karen seeing that Kasiutrella had made her point did not see the need to continue with the same argument therefore interjected with what many knew to be her sense of calm that almost never went in to passion, though did not always include reason "Ok, that is enough young lady, you have made your point now may we please drop the subject?". Karen's smile could convince more than her words and on this occasion it was just this which led talk to another subject, as Thomas was not really in the mood to quarrel over an issue which was not even all that important.
"Well, at least I hope she will show more control in front of our house guest who is arriving tomorrow", Thomas stated almost as if he were both trying to change the subject while getting in the last word about the previous one. Karen and Kasiutrella appeared surprised at that moment, as if they were hearing something which perhaps was not complete news to them but they had not expected. "Are we having house guest?" Karen was first to ask while Kasiutrella looked on wondering when she should come in with a question of her own which she had not yet considered. "Yes, we are and I mentioned this several weeks ago so I don't know why you look at me so shocked" Thomas explained in his natural way of speaking which for the most part was slow and deliberate, almost as if he had rehearsed everything he had to say. "Well, dad did mention it but he did not say exactly when this house guest would be coming" Kasiutrella added; almost feeling like an adult that she was being allowed to partake in such a discussion. "I have not forgotten what you said but I just thought your nephew would not be coming this time, after all hasn't he been saying he would come visit and stay with us for such a long time and so far, he still hasn't." Karen added to the conversation wanting to express her point of view which she felt should not be misunderstood that she had something against this particular house guest.
Thomas for his part felt he should explain given the fact that he had declared so often without results that his nephew; Pierre would be staying in their house, which he did in the form "I know before I said he will come but now he has to. He has found a job in LA, working in the cinema as camera man so he will come and stay till he finds an apartment or a place to live". Karen in reality was not well acquainted with Pierre apart from knowing him from the distance that allows one to appreciate the looks of a person which he surely did not lack or the overall personality which she in all truth had never taken any kind of fancy toward, given she found him overly flirtatious. "You know, I have known him for over 15 years since he was a teenager and in all that time I don't think I have ever had any conversation that went beyond a few words of hello and how are you but I do remember though it has been sometime since I have seen him that he is good looking, Kasiutrella even had a crush on him many years ago" Karen cried out trying to make it clear she was in a way glad about having him as a house guest. Kasiutrella, was made shy about having had her childhood fantasy discovered given she had never said anything to support the claim that she in fact had been in love with Pierre, apart from her being in an age when she wanted not only herself but her views not to be left out of any conversation. "Mom, I did not have a crush on him, well maybe a small one but that was a long time ago, besides I don't think he even noticed me. I was such a child then and he was more concerned with you than anything else".
It was not so much the case that Thomas, was against the idea of a man being attracted to his wife as long as it did not lead to it being the other way around however there was something about Pierre he feared though he knew not what. Pierre after all had never shown interest or at least none which he could see in his wife or older women for that matter, however given he was 30 years old or more or less at the time which perhaps might lead to his taking an interest in Karen. Of course it also would not be the first time an attractive man had shown such an interest though for some reason he felt he should worry; as his age no longer allowed him to keep by sexuality the wife that was his but by a title which could be so easily be changed. Of course with him being the confident man he was or at least wanted to be seen as could not make it apparent in any way that he feared losing his wife or having her have an affair with what he had always considered to be an upstart playboy. He in all that concerned this matter could have refused his nephew to stay in his home but knew this would lead to questions as to how he could refuse his sister's grandchild; who came to him needing a place to stay while he found one of his own. It was the idea that perhaps it was overly silly to think his wife of so many years though younger than himself would have an affair with a man, with a house guest that guided him to accept thinking it was pointless to be afraid that something intimate would come about.
Thomas however was not one who cherished any kind of talked that even hinted his wife might be unfaithful which brought about his reply which he hoped would not come of as defensive but in jest "Pierre has an eye for lovely women, this is true but I think my wife also has an eye only for me or so I hope". Karen in reality had never even considered the chance of a romance between herself and Pierre though she had found him attractive even if she found his nature too loose in regards to not only life but women, in generally whom he would not stay with any longer than the season he happened to encounter them in. "Yes, it is true my dear, my eye is only to gaze upon my husband and besides I think Pierre is attracted to any woman who is over the age of 15 and under my own so I don't think he will even notice me, not that I want him to of course" Karen spoke in a flat tone of voice as she reached across the table to touch her husband's hand who seemed almost worried, as if fearing his wife were hiding some sort of desire, not only from him but even herself. Naturally with Thomas being one who had been trained by society to hide his emotions along with fears, it could not have been even any where near being noticed that such was the case as he smiled back to his wife as they held hands.
Kasiutrella, seeing her parents in one of those moments of romance as their eyes focused on the other cried out, "Oh, how corny "my eye is only to gaze upon", sounds like bad poetry next you two will start kissing". Karen looked away from Thomas not catching his worried look as she said "Don't knock it till you tried it with somebody you are in love with". Kasiutrella, could feel both her parents looking at her as she finished of her food and retorted with some cockiness about her "What makes you think I haven't tried that and more with somebody I just want?". Karen was not one to ever be able to talk with comfort to her daughter of such matters and yet she knew her husband even feared the subject; with some firmness replied more from the need to have to say something "Please stop telling us these tales of romance, you know you are too young and I told you this will be for you only when you are 16 and not a day before". Kasiutrella in fact had experienced more sexuality than she would ever admit to her mother let alone father, whom she saw more like a grandfather, this the case even if she unlike some of her friends was still a virgin said "Ok, mother if you say so but waiting is hard at my age" with a certain cynicism about her that her father preferred to ignore, though he would talk to his wife about later.
As for the rest of the meal it went by calmly; as they all finished what they served themselves and Kasiutrella waiting for her parents; given she was in fact interested in how Pierre was going to direct a film at one of the studios. Karen for her part was even startled at how interested her daughter was to hear about Pierre's career, to the point of staying almost a full half hour after having cleaned her plate as she seemed to somehow be moved by how Pierre had worked hard to get the job he was now sure to start in a week. Karen even suspected it might be this attraction for this man, who surely was one to capture the affections of many a young lady, specially like Kasiutrella who was perhaps overly romantic or even sexed though this second phase she was not aware of.
