Page 2 of Training Tracey

“What’s wrong with me?” The question came out of the blue and at first Amanda wasn’t sure Tracey had said anything.

“It’s okay honey, it’s okay. There’s nothing wrong-”

“Then why?” she snapped, her body rigid. “It’s just sex. Everyone does it! So why, why did the thought of him touching me-”

“You’re not ready, that’s all it is.”

“But I am ready. I want to. But I just…can’t.” The word came out as a sigh and all the aggression and tension in her body seemed to leave her with her confession.

“Trust me, when you meet the right one, and you’re both ready, you will. And it’ll be worth the wait.”

Slowly, Tracey looked up to meet Amanda’s gaze. “Was that the way it was for you?”

“Yes.”

“Was it Mr Burton?”

“Yes.” Amanda couldn’t help but smile, remembering how it had felt to be young and caught up in the spell of first love. And then, noticing the way Tracey appeared to be hanging on her every word, she had an idea. “Is there someone?”

“Well… yes- no, no, I shouldn’t be telling you- I- I have to go!” Cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment, Tracey wheeled, but Amanda seized her arm before she could make it off the bed.

“Hey! Wait a second. Come on, you can tell me...”

“No, it’s embarrassing.”

“Is he good-looking?”

“Yes.”

“Is he a boy at Strode?”

“No.”

“Oh…Do I know him? Does he live nearby?”

“Y-yes.”

“Close?”

“Very.” Tracey was looking at the floor and seemed to be studying the plain, simple carpet with all the scrutiny of a master architect as her cheeks burned crimson and she twisted the bedspread with white knuckles.

Was she afraid? What did Tracey have to be afraid of? She’d gushed over boys with her before. One of the perks of being a cool parent was that your daughter’s friends came to you for advice. Tracey had been Camila’s best friend since they started secondary school, so she already knew the types of boys she was attracted to-

Then the penny dropped. “Ah. I see.”

Tracey stiffened, and she had to force herself to meet Amanda’s eyes. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “I’m so sorry, I never meant-”

“It’s fine sweetie. I understand.” She had caught Tracey sneaking peeks before, but she had always dismissed it. With his tall, broad build, thick waves of sandy blonde hair, cobalt eyes, and a biostructure that would make a stone mason weep with envy, it came as no surprise to Amanda that her husband caught considerable amounts of attention from the women around him. Why should this hormone-wracked teen be any different? He was a very good-looking man. What red-blooded woman wouldn’t enjoy the odd bit of voyeur pleasure? It was half the reason Amanda, though not prone to jealousy, enjoyed taking every opportunity to flaunt herself on his arm whenever they went out. Marking her territory, as he would put it. She forced a reassuring smile. “And you don’t have to worry about a thing…”

“What do you mean?”

Amanda put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Tell me honey, have you ever heard of The Lifestyle?”

“Y-you mean swinging?”

She nodded an affirmative. “That’s one word for it, yes.”

Tracey nervously licked her lips, the pink of her tongue darting out across her soft peach-coloured mouth as she tried to find the words. “So…you’re? I mean, you and Mr Burton are...have?”

---