The Fresher, The Artist, and His Wife (Closed)

[AndreaSubbie]

The room was absolutely perfect!

Well, not exactly perfect, but it was a charming room in a nice house and she could afford the rent. As long as she was ok doing chores round the house for Mrs Howells to qualify for the discount. Which she was. Because otherwise she couldn’t afford it.

She smiled at the nice couple showing her round. A Professor, no less!

“I’ll take it! Its great! I only have this bag of stuff for now so I can kinda move in straight away if that’s ok?”

Andrea looked down at the large roll bag by the front door where she’d dropped it. It didn’t contain much, but then she didn’t have much. Just lots of jeans and t shirts and underwear like the yellow and denim she was wearing. Which all fitted in the one bag. She was a long way from home. But hey, a new start, new opportunities, new beginnings, new life, new Andi! If she needed new clothes it shouldn’t be difficult, she was a standard size, slim, medium height, modest on top, and her long dark hair wouldn’t need cutting for a while.

By way of explaining the lack of luggage she added, “I reckon to get the stationery supplies from the College shop.”

 

[Tio_Narratore]

After meeting their prospective tenant, showing her the room, and going over the rules, Edwin and Georgia Howells looked at each other and nodded agreement.

"Of course, Andrea," Mrs. Howells said; "do you need some help with your stuff."

"And after you've settled in, we'll show you the rest of the house," added Mr. Howells.

Mr. Howells was the senior art professor at the university, and Mrs. Howells was a cataloger for the university library.

"She seems very plain on the surface, Edwin," Georgia said quietly after Andrea had gone upstairs, but there is something deeper about her, don't you think?"

"Her smile was quite interesting and appealing," he husband offered, "but we're taking her as a boarder for the new residency program. They want to put students up in staff homes to promote their notion of the school being 'a family of learning;' she's just a student helping show how welcoming we are."

"Yes, dear, but still , , , she is a person, not just a token. And she doesn't have much money. We can give her some notebooks and pens, too. Her textbooks are going to be expensive enough for her."

 

[AndreaSubbie]

It didn't exactly take long to unpack up in her room.

After putting her undies in a drawer of the dresser, her t shirts in the next one down, and her jeans on hangars in the wardrobe, she wandered round the room touching the little ornaments and lamps and the bedstead.

"This is MY room! I feel so adult!" She giggled to herself. They say talking to yourself is a sign of madness, but she did it all the time, and hey if you think you might be mad it must mean you aren't, right?

Smiling happily, her phone in her back pocket, Andrea clumped downstairs to the main room hoping to find Prof and Mrs Howells. There was something really nice about Mrs Howells that made her happy to do chores, maybe even get kind of close to her and talk about things? Andrea had never had anyone to confide in.

"Hiya! You do have a lovely house!" she greeted her hosts with a big happy smile.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“Thank you,” replied Mrs. Howells, “We rather like it. It’s from the 1870s, and the woodwork is all original.”

She continued. “Here, Andrea, let’s take a quick tour. I’ll get Edwin to join us. Come with me.”

Georgia led Andrea quickly to the back of the house and stopped at a door.

“This is Edwin’s studio. It was originally a stable, but was a shed by the time we bought it. It has a perfect northern exposure, so Edwin turned it into his studio.”

She knocked, and Edwin shouted them in.

“You always have to knock before going into the studio, Andrea, to make sure you don’t disturb the artist.” She said the last phrase with a bit of a giggle in her voice.

“Edwin,” Georgia said, “our lovely young boarder is ready for the Grand Tour.”

There were painting supplies and painting all over the studio, but a fairly clear space in the center back of the room. There were some chairs and a sofa there as well as some other pieces of furniture. A large canvas of a young, naked woman was leaning against the wall. Prof. Howells was standing in front of a covered easel with a brush in his hand.

He put down the brush he was cleaning, wiped his hands and joined them. First stop was the kitchen, and they were already in it at the studio door.

“You can have free use of the kitchen, dear,” Mrs. Howells offered. “Just coordinate with me if you’re doing something big.”

“And feel free to help yourself to anything in the fridge,” added Mr. Howells. “If we don’t want you to take something, we’ll put a note on it.”

Then there was the breakfast nook, with a table for four, a full dining room, a spacious living room with cocktail tables and comfy furniture, and the study. It was the largest room, lined with well-stocked bookshelves and featuring two large desks on either side.

“You can use the study for school work, if you wish. There’s even room for another small desk for you.” offered Georgia.

“Yes,” added Edwin, “and don’t worry about stationery, there’s plenty of notebooks and pens here, and other stuff as well. You can help yourself to whatever you need.”

“Any questions, dear,” asked Mrs. Howells

 

[AndreaSubbie]

"Um, questions? Wow, er, sure, I must have loads of questions. Ha ha, why is it when someone asks you that they all fly out your head?"

Andrea stalled for time to think, running over everything the Howells had said.

But that image kept floating to the front of her mind. The portrait. The nude. The large scale nude. The girl was naked in it, totally naked. Ok, so it was artistic, decent, whatever, but she can't have been much older than Andrea herself. And she'd been naked. With Prof Howells. And Mrs Howells was ok with it? Well obviously.

Shaking her head to try and clear the image, Andrea asked about food.

"So um, I guess I cater for myself? Breakfast and dinner? Of course I'll get lunch in the university, but er, I'm not a very good cook, so you'll have to excuse me if it stinks a bit ha ha, unless you er want to teach me a bit some time?" looking at Mrs Howells.

Again Andrea felt a pull towards the lady. Something about her made Andrea want to trust her, learn from her, confide in her.

"Oh, and thanks for letting me in the kitchen and study, but er, apart from cleaning, do you want me to stay out the other rooms?"

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“Well we didn’t consider that. We didn’t know if you bought the school meal plan. We’d be happy to have you join us for dinner, wouldn’t we Edwin?”

Prof Howells replied eagerly in the affirmative.

“And you’re welcome to breakfast as well, Andrea,” he added, “though we don’t really do that on a schedule. But you can take anything for yourself if we’re not all together.”

“And lunch, too. Eating out can be a problem on a student budget; we’ll stock up some stuff for you. Just let us know what you’d like. Or maybe you’d like to come shopping with me,” Mrs. Howells suggested.

“And, of course I’ll help you with cooking if I can. I’m not great at it myself. And Edwin cooks too. You can learn some useful things from him.”

“Well,” Georgia reflected, “I don’t think you’d wander into our bedroom, and you already know about the studio, so feel free to make use of any room.”

“That reminds me,” said Edwin, “we didn’t know what you would like in your room for entertainment. We can add a TV on cable if you’d like, or a smart TV on the internet if you’d prefer. Just let me know, and I’ll pick one up.”

“And don’t be reluctant to ask for anything else you might need. We’re both academics, you know, and appreciate the need to help students out,” added Mrs. Howells.

 

[AndreaSubbie]

"you're really so kind, I don't know what to say!" Thinking for a moment, then,

"Look, I don't want you to spend all my rent on feeding me, so if you want to add extra chores I'll do them, ok? No question. And yes, I'd love to learn from both of you. After all, Uni is about learning new things, new ideas, doing stuff you've never tried before, maybe never thought of before," looking at both of them, proud of the open intellectual approach to her new life.

"Um, I normally have sandwhiches and crisps for lunch, and yes of course I'll come with you to help with the shopping, Mrs Howells. Oh, and for the room, yeah a smart internet tv would be awesome ... do I need a password or anything? Do you have adult filters on?"

She felt a bit brave asking the last part. Hopefully it sounded like she wanted the adult filter on, but hey nothing ventured.

Which then made the image of the nude portrait pop back into her head, and she blushed at her impulsive offer to do extra chores and try new things. What if Prof Howells asked her to pose for him? What would that be like? She'd die of embarassment. And what might be under the cover he'd draped over the canvas he was working on? If the Prof didn't mind Mrs Howells and her seeing the naked girl, could it be something worse? Andrea felt a strange glow in her tummy as her thoughts rambled.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“It would be nice to have adult filters for the TV and Internet,” Georgia said with a grin, “then we could block out all the puerile garbage that shows up.”

Edwin laughed at her joke and then gave Andrea a straight answer.

“No need for filters, Andrea. Not even if there were children around. Librarians and Professors both oppose censorship of any kind. You’re an adult anyway; I’m sure you wouldn’t want us to control what you view. And besides, how can you learn new things if someone is censoring your access to things?”

“I left a note on your bedroom desk with instructions and the password. I presume you’ll get your university account at orientation,” declared Mrs. Howells. “The keys to the house are there too .“

She continued.

“I work from 8 to 4 Monday through Thursday. Friday is off. That’s when I usually shop and do the housework. Edwin has studio classes all day Friday, and a theory class on Tuesday morning. His other hours, for meetings and student interviews, are erratic. Once you have your class schedule, we’ll see how we can best fit everything together.”

“It’s a nice day, Andrea. Georgia and I usually have a drink in the backyard on nice afternoons; you’re welcome to join us. So, if we don’t see you back there in a half-hour, you can join us for dinner at around six in the nook. It’ll be simple; just chicken cacciatore and a salad.”

The Howells left Andrea to decide what she wanted to do and headed to the kitchen to fix drinks. Georgia spoke as Edwin poured.

“I think she’s a delightful young woman, Edwin. Full of enthusiasm. Did you see her eyes? Introspective and curious at the same time. And such expression in her face. I really think you should have her sit.”

“I really don’t think she’s likely to doff her clothes that easily,” replied Edwin.

Georgia swatted at him playfully.

“Didn’t you hear what I didn’t say, you old lecher? I said nothing about her body, It was just her face I referred to. You don’t have to paint all women naked, you know. I think she’d be a good subject for a portrait.”

“You’re probably right, dear. Both about me and about her.”

They both laughed as they headed out to the yard with their drinks.

 

[AndreaSubbie]

As soon as they left, Andrea climbed the stairs to her room, thinking about all they'd said.

It was obvious that they were academics. They gave out lots of information all neat and tidy and expected her to grasp everything first time. She supposed she'd need to get used to that, and sharpen her wits.

So first, yes she'd join them for a drink. It would be rude not to after so much kindness, but she mustn't overdo it. She wasn't family and they had a right to their own space. She must be careful to repsect that, maybe even show them extra respect to repay them? Anyway Prof H said half an hour .. would 35 minutes be right? Not too late, but not bang on the dot. Was 5 minutes disrespectful? She deiced on 35 minutes and would see how they reacted.

While she waited she popped the TV on and logged into the internet, and just to check the filters tried opening her favourite erotic story site. Ooh, there it was, no problem. Grinning to herself as she considered what she might entertain herself with later, Andrea turned off the TV and went downstairs, leaving her bedroom door open.

Promptly 35 minures after they'd left her, Andrea wandered through to the back yard and sat with the Prof and Mrs Howells.

"This is really nice," she smiled warmly at them. "You have such a homely home, and I can't believe I'm the lucky girl who gets to share it. Thank you both so much." Wanting to offer something back, she went on,

"You said you usually do housework on Fridays, Mrs Howells? Would it be ok with you if I do a bit every day? I'll work to any routine you decide, but I think it'll be easier with my lectures and assignments. I already know there aren't many fixed times for being in Uni on my course. It's a lot of reading and essay writing so I should be able to do work when you're here or not here whichever you prefer?"

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“Anything is fine, Andrea,” Georgia said. “We’re not really on a schedule for anything except our required work hours. I usually do shopping and the laundry on Fridays, but everything else is on an ‘as needed,’ or ‘as noted’ basis. We didn’t give you a room to get a maid, Andrea; we’ll each do whatever is needed as we see it. And that does include Edwin. Your study time is most important, though, so we don’t expect you to give up any of that for housework. If your Friday schedule has some free time, you can help with either the groceries, the laundry, or both.”

Edwin was covertly studying Andrea’s face as Georgia spoke to her. His wife was right, he thought, she does have good eyes, very thoughtful eyes. And a very expressive face. She’d make a lousy poker player, but a good model.

He detected a touch of sensuousness in her as well; it was clear she enjoyed physical pleasures. What kind of pleasures wasn’t clear though, and her host thought back to her concern with the adult filters. It was obvious that she didn’t want anything blocked, but just what sort of “adult” content was she planning on finding?

“Can I get you a drink?” Edwin asked as Georgia finished talking about the chores.”We have a well-stocked bar. I can fix pretty much anything you might like. It’s a good day for a margarita or a tequila sunrise, but I’m game for anything you’d like.”

He could look straight into her eyes as he spoke, and he saw the introspection and curiousity that his wife had spotted. A serious reaction to even so simple a decision: he could see she was reflecting on what she might like, and curious about what new things could there be. A new flavour? A new aroma? A new sensation? Yes, Edwin concluded, there was definitely a sensual streak in that petite body.

 

[AndreaSubbie]

"Um," Andrea thought about it, "would you mind terribly if I asked you to kind of surprise me? I mean, intellectual curiosity and stuff is what Uni is all about, right? Do you think its ok to sample new tastes as well as new ideas? I dunno, maybe I'm trying to be too clever, but isn't there a kind of parallel?"

Listning to herself Andrea thought, 'what a lot of school girl fake clever twoddle'.

She was even a little embarassed. What must they think of her, being so clever themselves. They'll have her down as a simpleton, without an original thought.

Not knowing how to rescue herself, she changed topic again.

"Oh, Mrs Howells I know I'm not the live in maid, but with me here and you both being so kind and generous, you really shouldn't be doing any housework yourself. Let me do that and the laundry and help with shopping, I'm sure Fridays is fine. You can just tell me which bits you want doing each day. I really don't mind. In fact, it'll make me feel better about accepting so much hospitality? And taking a bit of responsiblity will help me feel more like an adult?"

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“Yes, there is, Andrea, and no need to be self-conscious about it. Curiosity isn’t just about the mind. It’s about the senses, too. And even ‘professional educators’ have found that experiential learning is worthwhile.”

There was a clear note of disdain is how he uttered ‘professional educators.’

“Of course artists, and many other academics, have known that for a long time. But leave it in the hands of the Ed Faculty, and they’ll be sure to sterilize it until it’s dead.”

“Okay, Andrea, I’ll surprise you. But you have to promise to drink it all so you can get a full appreciation of it. After all, as Alexander Pope put it, ‘A little learning is a dangerous thing ;/Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring :/There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,/And drinking largely sobers us again.”

Georgia laughed as he went off to the kitchen, and then turned her attention back to her new houseguest.

“You can take on enough responsibility by sharing the workload with us. And take even more responsibility by seeing yourself what needs be done and doing it, rather than doing what someone else tells you to do. That’s what real adults should be doing.”

“Just take things easy the first few weeks; it’ll be enough for you to get used to being in University. You can do the tasks with me, or Edwin, and then you’ll see the kinds of things that need to be done. Soon you’ll be able to see for yourself, and do them as necessary.”

Edwin thought about making her a Hurricane, but decided that she should be presented with a greater challenge; after all, teenagers probably had tasted all the sweet cocktails. He got limes, sugar, ice and cachaca and prepared a cold caipirinha for the freshman.

“Here you go, Andrea,” he said as he handed her the drink. “It’s Brazil’s national drink. It’s called caipirinha.”

Georgia looked at him somewhat askance, and then smiled.

“Just sip it, dear,” she cautioned as Andrea took the drink.

 

[AndreaSubbie]

Andrea sniffed the drink, looked at it, smiled, and said in toast,

"Here's to experiential learning!" looking at Prof H, "and I promise to drain the full draft", then to Mrs Howells, "And here's to taking responsibilty and being Adult!"

She took a sip. It was strong, very strong. But sweet and also bitter? Kind of like maybe a bacardi? But not. Pulling a face as she got used to the assault on her taste buds, she looked the Prof in the eye and took a big gulp, holding it in her mouth to savour the flavours mingled in there, the aromas filtering up into her nose, and then swallowed.

"Mm, very nice," she said, and as a joke, "but don't you have anything stronger?"

Andrea giggled quietly, her head already lifting partway to the clouds, but at least she was sitting down.

"Eshperienshal lernin is about the senses .." then correcting her speech with an effort to enunciate, " we .. musst .. exploore .. the .. senses ... doncha .. think sir?" and she nodded wisely at the Prof and at Mrs Howells before taking another large gulp. Boy, it was strong.

Her head clearing a bit, Andrea added slowly, "And yes, Mrs Howells, I will take things slowly at first until I learn the ropes."

It took some concentration but she was proud of how coherent her comment was.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Both Edwin and Georgia smiled at Andrea’s reaction to the cocktail. Georgia leaned over and smacked Edwin on his thigh.

“Don’t you think you should behave as a responsible adult?” she asked with a laugh.

She turned to Andrea.

“Yes, do take things slowly at first. Particularly the caipirinha. It is a very strong drink. You don’t really have to finish it, but if you do want it, take sips and spread it out over the net half-hour at least.”

Then she jokingly added, “and don’t worry; if you do get a bit tipsy, I’ll take care of you. All young people have to get drunk sometimes, but you don’t have to start off right away.”

Mr. Howells was lightly amused by Andrea’s efforts, and quite pleased to see that she was prepared to take some risks. There was no learning without taking risks, he knew; what passed for learning without risk of some sort was mere training.

“So then, Andrea,” he said, “there’s much to learn from this cocktail. Things about flavours, cultures, us, yourself. You should reflect on it.”

“But for now,” he continued, “this would be a good time to get to know a bit about each other, about our pasts and presents, maybe even future.”

He took a sip of his dark rum on ice.

“I’ll start. . . Just some basics . . . I’m nearly forty-six and I grew up in New York. I knew I wanted to be an artist before I even went to kindergarten. Studied at the High School of Art, and then a Bachelor of Fine Arts at City University. Master’s at NYU. A few group shows and a bit of teaching until I had a reputation. Then here. With tenure. I met Georgia along the way; she was modelling in a life class I was taking, and we hit it off pretty well. Honestly, I fell in love with her when she walked into the studio.”

“Now. Andrea, what would you like us to know about you?”

 

[AndreaSubbie]

"Hm," started Andrea. Not the most eloquent of beginings.

She'd let the three drinks she'd had from her glass settle, and some of the light headedness was under control, but it was like she was only thinking with half her brain.

She started, speaking slowly and deliberatley, "Ok so about me .. um ... you know I'm a fresher, 18 years old, from a small town no one's ever heard of. So far I haven't done much, explored much, got any degrees, just a curiosity about the world, how it works, what makes things happen, what things feel like .."

She hesitated and took another sip of the drink, smiling shyly at Mrs Howells now she was following her advice and taking it slow.

"Its like this drink, this cocktail," she mused aloud, " its a blend of all sorts of different flavours, influences from different places probably, all blended into something more. But if no one was brave enough to try something new it wouldn't have happened. It says, 'be bold, adventurous, take risks, dare to be a bit different, learn from others outside your usual circle, go beyond the safe and cosy .." but she was drifting off topic and thinking of other deeper desires and fantasies.

Looking again at Mrs Howells she added, "I AM going to finish it. I said I would. I promised the Prof," and here she looked him in the eye as if meeting his challenge of giving her such a strong drink. "I promised, so I will." She nodded her determination to him.

Then back to Mrs Howells, "But yeah, when I get drunk I'd like you to look after me, if you would please .. you're so nice and kind. Well actually you both are."

As if in afterthought she jerked her head up and blurted out, "and my futre is unwritten and unmapped. Its like one of your blank canvasses, Prof, to be turned into something beautiful!" and beamed with the pleasure of having made such a deep and profound answer to the Prof's question, though Andrea suspected that were she hear tomorrow all that she'd just said it would probably make no sense at all. Despite that, she took another few sips of the drink.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“I’ll be sure to take care of you, Andrea,” Mrs. Howells said reassuringly. “Maybe it’s good to get drunk here, where there’s people to take care of you. Risks are good, but some back-up is good, too.”

“And thanks for telling us a bit about you. I can see it is what you want us to know about you,” chimed in Mr. Howells. “It is refreshing to see the exuberance and thirst for knowledge and experience of youth. Seriously, Andrea, you may wworry that you’re being a bit mushy, but it shows who you really are. And it shows me you’re the bst kind of student.”

“Yes, dear,” added Georgia, “too many students see their future - and present - in making money, not in living a life.”

She paused, and then handed her husband her glass.

“Another for me, please,” and then when Edwin had gone to the kitchen, she leaned over to Andrea, placing her hand on the girl’s knee.

“And remember, you will make mistakes, but you will get through them and learn from them. Learn how to deal with them, and learn about yourself as well.”

The prof returned with fresh drinks for himself and his wife.

Georgia sat back as she took the drink.

“I guess it’s my turn,” she said, and then took a sip of her Cosmo.

“I was born to a wealthy family, but I didn’t care for the attitude. I was a bit of a rebel, and owed I’d make my own way. Insisted on paying my own way through school. I always loved books, so I studied literature undergrad and then took a Master in Library Science. I worked at different low-end student-type jobs for the first two years, and then I discovered a perfect student job - modelling for life classes. It was a bit scary at first, but I got used to be naked in front of a studio full of people pretty quickly. And then one fall I walked into a class and my eyes met Edwin’s. That was it for me. I had trouble taking my eyes off him so I could pose. I even blushed when I slipped my robe off my shoulders. Can you imagine that? After two years of posing au naturel, I blushed. All because of that man over there.”

She leaned over to Edwin and gave his thigh an affectionate squeeze.

She sat back and smiled at Andrea.

“I hope we haven’t embarrassed you, dear. It is nice, though, to know a little about each other’s deeper selves.”

 

[AndreaSubbie]

Andrea was all big eyes and open mouthed stare as Mrs Howells told her life story.

She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Not that there was anything wrong with it, but it didn't seem to square up with the elegant professional lady sitting next to her.

"Embarassed? No, sorry, no I hope I'm not embarassed. Maybe surprised, but wow, kind of in awe too!"

The shock of the revelations had sobered Andrea up a bit, and feeling rather staid and boring by comparison lifted her glass, raised it in salute to her two hosts, "Risks with back up," she said to Mrs Howells, "and thirst for knowledge and exuberance and new experiences!" to Prof H, and drained the remnants of the still amazingly strong cocktail.

Again she pulled a face and then set the glass down in semi triumph.

"Well, I can't compete with becoming a professor, or with being a nude model, but at least I can finish a drink!" she said lightheartedly, smiling.

Mrs Howells was right, of course. If there was anywhere to get drunk right now, this was the safe place.

"And yes I know I'll make mistakes, but yes that's how we learn and grow, right? The best thing is probably not to be too afraid to try, right?" Looking at her wise hosts for their approval.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“Yes, college is the place where we can take risks, make mistakes, but learn rather than suffer,” declared Mr. Howells. “And that’s probably why Georgia and I are still in school,: he added with a laugh.

“Now it’s time I started dinner if we’re going to eat at all,” he said as he rose from his chair. “I’ll leave you two ladies alone to talk of what you will.”

“Andrea,” Mrs. Howells began after her husband had left, we are very happy to have you here. It’s refreshing to have a young person around, particularly for me. Edwin has his students, so he does get the benefits, but I’m a cataloger and only se my colleagues during the day. I’m looking forward to coming home to a student every day. And to you especially. I’ve only known you for a few hours, and already I’m impressed.”

She smiled, then paused as her face became more serious.

“There’s much to learn in class, but even more outside of class, Andrea. About the world, about people, about yourself. You’ll be smacking into all sorts of things, and some will make you uncomfortable. But you only learn if you’re uncomfortable. It’s good to have some back-up, but some forewarning is useful too. If you have any questions, any concerns, any need for a sounding board, feel free to come to me. And, I assure you, I will never be judgemental.”

“Now, that’s the serious part. We are here to have fun too, so talk to me of something frivolous,” Georgia said as she sat back and sipped her drink.

 

[AndreaSubbie]

"Frivolous? Well I don't know."

She thought a moment, "Well I suppose its on the lines of what you just said, really. I'd love to have someone to talk to, to confide in. Someone wise and understanding, and yes, not judging.

I feel like I'm at just the beginning of a whole new adventure. I don't mean studying for a degree, being away from home or any of that. They're more of a dressing. No its about myself. Like maybe I'm about to grow up? Grow into the person I'll be as an adult. As if I'm going to make life changing decisions? Probably everyone feels like that at this stage.

But hey, what's more boring than listening to an 18 year with no life experience talk about herself, ha ha.

So yes, let's talk trivia; boys, clothes, holidays, hobbies, or even do a question and answer, like 'truth or dare' or 'truth or truth'

Oh, and It'll be nice to come home to you too. I wasn't going to say anything but I felt drawn to you from almost as soon as you guys accepted me as your student. You seemed like someone I could get close to, even more after what you told me of your past.

But Mrs Howells, I am curious about one thing. You said you only learn if you're uncomfortable. I wonder is that a bit like having to overcome fear in order to grow?

Damn! I drifted back to more serious matters. I must de drunk. I'm not normally as verbose as this! But I was fascinated by the portrait in the Studio? The one on the floor? The er, nude? Its an amazing picture, but what about the model? I mean, I'd be mortified doing anything like that. I'm not as brave as you.

And what was so terrible on the Prof's current canvas that he had to cover it even from you?"

Andrea toyed with her empty glass letting the thoughts run in cirlcles through her mildly fuddles brain.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Georgia laughed as Andrea spoke.

“Perhaps we should treat the serious more lightly, more as part of the fun. It needn’t make it any less important. After all, having fun is the most serious part of being alive.”

“It’s not that brave to be naked. I bet you’re naked often. When you shower, when you get dressed. You may even have been naked in the girl’s locker room for high school gym. It’s a small step to doing it in front of others, even if you haven’t had a lover.”

Mrs. Howells sat back with an impish smile across her lips.

“Here. See?”

She slipped her shoulder strap down and uncovered her left breast.

“It’s just a breast. I’ve seen this one often. No problem in letting you see it.”

“Don’t worry about the covered painting on the easel, Andrea. This is just a matter of education. It doesn’t mean it’s something to be hidden. Oil paint dries very slowly. All artists keep their oils in progress covered so dust and dirt doesn’t settle into the paint.”

“Now the important part. Being uncomfortable.”

“If you’re comfortable, there’s nothing to do, no change needed. But if you’re uncomfortable, intellectually, physically, whatever, then you have to do something to change the situation. So being uncomfortable forces you to learn.”

“Here. Consider what we just said. You were uncomfortable about the painting on the easel, so you did something. You asked about it. And that led to you learning something about painting. But you also could learn something about yourself. You were uncomfortable because you inherently felt that things that were covered up were bad in some way. Now you know you feel that way and that there may be other reasons to cover things.”

“It can get pretty complicated at times. But look at us right now. When I first exposed my breast, you were uneasy about it, but now we’ve been sitting here talking with my breast still out, but you’re not disturbed by it any more. But why were you disturbed at nudity to begin with? You’ve learned to keep your body covered. Does that make you unconsciously feel it’s something to be hidden because there’s something wrong about it?”

Georgia sat up straight, her shoulders pushed back.

“Here, let’s try this.”

She slid the other strap down her arm and sat upright, both breasts bare and pushed forward.

“Does this make you uncomfortable? Think about it a moment.”

“Now I’m going to make you more uncomfortable. You have to find you own way of dealing with it, of resolving it. And, remember, I’m not judgmental. Whatever you do is fine.”

The older woman leaned forward, now, her breasts swinging slightly, and looked Andrea right in her eyes.

“Show me your breasts.”

 

[AndreaSubbie]

"Show you my breasts?" Andrea smiled at Mrs Howells, looking at the mature breasts bared in front of her, and up into the wise professional eyes.

"Yes, you're right, I'm uncomfortable. I'm thinking, how can this nice lady ask me to show my boobs when we've only just met. But that's convention talking, isn't it?

I mean, yes I've learned to keep my body covered. It's what we're told from early on, stay covered, it's wrong to be bare. So me being uncomfortable is only because you asked me to do something against what I've always been told. It's the convention, not my body making me uncomfortable.

But also, Mrs Howells, I can feel a little fear. Its a tiny knot in my tummy. But actually it's a kinda nice feeling. I like it. It's because I'm thinking of doing exactly what you asked that I'm afraid. But overcoming fear is good, yes? And breaking convention can be good too, if what its based on is wrong. Is my body a bad thing? No. Should it be covered? Not for that reason.

Is there any reason why I'm still wearing my top? Not really, apart from its normal. Convention."

Making a decision, looking into the wise eyes opposite, Andrea grabbed the hem of her t shirt and lifted it up over her head, draping it on the chair back behind her. Then taking a breath, she unhooked her inexpensive white bra, let it fall down her arms, and draped it too across the back of her chair.

Andrea sat back, feeling proud of herself.

"There. That actually feels pretty good! I'm still scared, maybe even a little turned on. But it's good!"

Flashing a sudden grin at Mrs Howells as a brilliant thought struck her, she added, "Hey, if it's good to take risks, how's this?" and sitting up straight, hands loose in her lap Andrea called out,

"Excuse me Prof Howells, any chance you might bring me another of those wicked cocktails?"

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“Just a minute, Andrea,” Prof, Howells shouted from the kitchen. “I’ve got to set the chicken to simmering.”

A few minutes later he stepped out into the yard to see four naked breasts.

“Oh dear,” he said with a laugh, “Perhaps I shouldn’t have left you ladies alone.”

He handed Andrea her drink as he took a good look at her youthful and modest breasts.

“I feel a bit out of place here,” he said with another laugh, and he promptly peeled off his tee shirt.

“There. That’s better,” he said as he picked up his drink for a toast.

“To freedom!” he declared as the two women joined him in taking a sip of their drinks.

“I can stay for about ten minutes,” he said, “and then I have to get back to dinner.”

Turning to his wife, “I think I may have missed out on a very interesting discussion.”

“And Andrea, I would love to have you sit for me. For some sketches and paintings, if you would. But even before getting your lovely youthful body, I’d like to do some portrait work. Seriously, your face is fascinating, full of character and expression. I’d love the opportunity to capture it.”

“You really should sit for Edwin,” Georgia added. “I thought that the moment I saw you. Such interesting - and interested - eyes.”

Back to her husband, “We were talking about learning, about the need to be uncomfortable in order to learn. I think Andrea really appreciates that. I’m sure she’s going to be an excellent student.”

“That’s wonderful!” he replied. “This school could use some more real students. There’s too many who just want to get their degrees and go out to make money. They don’t really want to learn.”

His eyes went back and forth between his wife’s mature and ample breasts and Andrea’s young and modest pair. Both, he felt, were lovely to look at, perfect for painting, and so absolutely appealing.

 

[AndreaSubbie]

Andrea glowed with pride.

She felt like she'd just turned a corner. She thought about what she was feeling but there were too many things going on to separate them all.

Taking a sip of her drink, little by little this time, she decided, Andrea looked into the eyes of her two mentors, as she suddenly thought of them. They probably wouldn't want that role, wanting her to learn for herself, but she'd already learned a great deal from them, been guided by them.

"Its rather nice having our tits out! I would never have dreamed I'd do anything like this, but it's refreshing and I'm really enjoying it. I like how you're both open about looking, and it makes me feel good that you look. I like you looking. And I would hope that you keep challenging me with incomfortable suggestions.

Of course I'll sit for a portrait, Prof Howells, I'm honoured that you would think me a suitable subject.

But tell me, from what you were saying before, how do you rate my risk-taking and learning by inviting you to see us both, particularly me the new girl, topless?"

Andrea smiled and raised her glass.

"Here's to tits, risk-taking, learning, and being uncomfortable"

 

[Tio_Narratore]

The Howells joined in Andrea’s toast and then Edwin answered her question.

“I’m very impressed, Andrea. I’m not surprised that Georgia challenged you, and I’m pleased to see you responded well. Even going beyond her challenge, I suspect. And that’s impressive. It means you’re ready and able to challenge yourself.”

“We thought you’d be a real student from the description the Admissions Office gave us. Off to school, away from home, on your own with limited finances you’ve already challenged yourself well.”

“There is more than just facing the challenge,” he continued. “As the old song goes, ‘you have to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, know when to run . . .”

Georgia interrupted him, laughing.

“That may not be the best adage, dear, ‘know when to hold them’ maybe a bit too much in this context.” She motioned to the bare breasts he was looking at.

Edwin laughed too.

“Well, at any rate,” he resumed, “you also have to be careful in taking your risks. Assess the situation first before deciding on what to do next. Like with this. Baring your tits with us in the backyard isn’t the same as doing it at a frat party. Now, you might want to do it a a frat party, I know, but you do need to know the situation when you decide what to do.”

“As if you always did,” Georgia noted.

“Yes, dear,” he said with mock sarcasm. “I know. We all make mistakes.”

They laughed.

“So, Andrea,” Edwin resumed his talk, “I appreciate your agreeing to sit for me, but I want you to be sure. So I’ll ask you again tomorrow.”

He stood up. “And now I have to finish getting dinner ready. Can I trust you two to not end up completely naked? Or should I hope you are? At any rate, I’ll call you when it’s on the table. About fifteen minutes.”

The Prof headed back to the kitchen to set the table and finish up the meal.

 

[AndreaSubbie]

Andrea giggled quietly at his suggestion they might end up completely naked, and glanced over catching Mrs Howells' eye.

She couldn't quite interpret the look, but Mrs Howells had far more experience in these matters and probably Andrea wouldn't understand the full subtlety of what Mrs Howellls thought of her husbands prompt.

"I do understand that going topless here in this safe environment isn't the same as being naked in a frat house full of hormonal young men who probably want to have sex with any woman remotely available. That would be a dangerous risk. A risk of physical harm. I hope I can tell the difference.

But there is something alluring about being seen naked by other people, especially by men. I understand a bit of why you did the modelling. But did it get sexual for you? Now the Prof has gone I can admit to you, Mrs Howells, that I'm really turned on being half naked in company, especially with a man in that company. It's different somehow. Like it raises the stakes.

Is that how it was with you, modelling? Or was it all so commonplace that until you met the Prof, it meant nothing?"

It crossed Andrea's mind that Mrs Howells might be about to challenge her to get totally naked, but she didn't think she was ready for that. Yet. Not yet. Better to keep the conversation going to let that particular challenge fade beyond memory. Even if the thought did nag at her.