Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 The Line of Magdalene

   This is a work of complete fiction and fantasy.  The characters are all
imaginary and bear no relation to any persons living or dead.  The author
in no way condones the behavior of the characters and would voluntarily
testify against them in a court of law for any of their legal
transgressions real or imagined.

   Feel free to write the author and offer constructive criticism or
encouragement (TheSpringg at yahoo dot com).

   If the reader has tender sensitivities relating to explicit descriptions
of sexual behavior in literature, please read no further. 
-------------------------- Slow, no sex (yet)

   Book One - Chrysalis Music

   Chapter One

   The bell jangled as I opened the door to the record store.  I was drawn
in because it wasn't a chain store and looked like it might have something
unusual - maybe some old blues.  Everything on my mp3 player seemed a
little stale.  The store was unoccupied except for the clerk behind the
monitor at the counter.

   "Welcome to Chrysalis Music!" chirped a friendly voice from behind the
counter, "Can I help you?"

   "Nope," I responded.  "Just browsing.  Blues in the back corner, I
see..."

   "Looking for something in particular?"

   "Nah.  Just looking..."

   Wandering to the back I could tell that I'd like the store.  They
clearly had a wide, eclectic mix of everything, and when I got to the back
the Blues section was impressive.  Not many stores have such a wide variety
in stock, especially not those big eletronics stores.

   "You like blues too huh?"

   The voice startled me, I put back a Big Bill Bronzy CD back in the rack
and turned to answer.

   "Yea.." I stammered to the stunning young lady who had appeared behind
me.  "uh...  Yes, everything on my mp3 player seems overplayed.  Need
something new."

   I couldn't help myself, I found myself gaping at her.  She was about
5'4", long strawberry blonde hair in single braid back over her shoulder
and unusually bright green eyes.  I couldn't guess her age...  19? 
Probably a student at the local college.  Her clothes were what one would
expect of a girl her age, tight jeans and tank top covering well formed
breasts, the mandatory navel piercing, but she was perfectly proportioned.
Her face was classic beauty.  Her sparkling green eyes had a quality of
mystery - impish?  wise beyond her years?  Both?  There is something subtle
and indefinable there.

   "Have you heard John Jackson?" she snapped me out of my reverie with the
question.  Refocusing, I saw she was holding out a CD.

   "No...  He's new to me."

   "Amazing acoustic guitar work, classic songs.  Rappahannock Blues they
called it.  He was a local guy.  Died just a few years ago."

   "Hey, come to the counter and I'll play it for you." she said as she
turned and led me back to the counter.  Mesmerized by her relaxed charm, I
followed without thinking, unable to take my eyes off of her.  Back at the
counter she unwrapped the CD and inserted it into her computer.  After the
usual whirring, the music started.  I loved the crisp guitar fingering and
the vocals.

   "Sold!" I said immediately, "I love it!" pulling out my credit card.

   "Want me to rip the songs and download them to you player?"

   "You can do that?  I mean the owner won't mind?'

   "Heck no!  She says service is what separates us from the big box
stores. As long as you're buying it, we're cool."

   As the computer converted the music to MP3 format, we chatted amiably.
Only interrupted by the occasional instant message popping up on her
computer.

   "What do you do?" she inquired.

   "Retired." I responded.

   "You're not that old!" she exclaimed.

   "I'm 55.  I started work young, worked hard and saved.  Now I just do
what interests me.  Mainly photography."

   "Cool!" she exclaimed.  Oddly, I was sure that her eyes brightened and
her smile turned to a beam.  "You don't look a day over forty."

   "Flattery will get you everywhere, young lady." I blurted out.  "but
honestly, I can't take credit for my appearance.  It's all heredity, runs
in the family.

   "Well, your genes look good on you!" she chirped with a laugh.

   "And your jeans look good on you too, young lady." I murmured with a
grimace a to apologize for the follow-on pun.

   "Naomi."

   "huh?  Oh, yea, Harrison - and don't you dare call me Harry.

   "So how long have been married?" she inquired

   "25 years.  Noticed the ring, huh?"

   "Yup!  Happy?"

   "Yes, very!  Both girls have graduated from high school and are in
college, so we have an 'empty nest.' We travel, I shoot photographs.  We
have fun."

   "What sort of photography?  Oh, the CD's done.  Gimme that player, does
it use standard USB?  Cool, it does - justa sec."

   "Landscapes, architecture, people, whatever attracts my eye."

   "Want me to copy it all to the 'J' folder for Jackson?  "

   "Sure, thanks"

   "What sorta people photos?"

   "Mostly portraits and ...  the female form."

   "Wanna shoot my form?" she giggled as she gave a twirl.

   "Are you flirting with me or do you really want to pose?" I asked
coolly.

   She suddenly became serious, a contrite look passed over her face, as
she said, "Both." and burst out laughing.

   I was chuckling as the door opened with a chime and a customer entered.
She passed the credit card receipt across the counter.

   "Bottom copy's yours."

   After signing, I passed her my business card.  If you are really
interested in posing, shoot me an email.

   "You get instant messages at that yahoo screen name?  "

   "Uh, sure," I replied as I headed for the door.

   "I'm ChrysalisMuse." I heard as the door closed.  I looked back and she
was already talking to the new customer with her back to me..  As if she
could feel my gaze, she looked back over her shoulder and smiled.  I could
have sworn she winked too.

   As I walked away, I knew I would finally have to figure out that Instant
Message stuff.

   That evening after dinner, I turned on my computer, and went to search
out how to chat online.  I was surprised at how easy it was to find the
Yahoo Messenger software and install it.  Within minutes I was online and
seemingly nowhere to go, so I lost interest.  I was just beginning to
process some photos from my last shoot with my wife, when the speakers
chimed and a window popped up.
ChrysalisMuse: <hello handsome!>

   My wife called out, "What was that noise, darling?"

   Guiltily I replied, "Some annoying pop-up, infernal things!"
OdysseyPhotos: <Naomi?  How did you find me?>
CM: <that's easy, silly.  Just respond to this add message and you'll
always know when I am online.>
Somehow I felt emboldened to talk to her like this, but a little illicit

as well.
OP: So, what's on your mind?
CM: do you have a portfolio online?  I would love to see some of your
work
OP: All my current photography is digital, but my portfolio is still on
paper.  Never did figure out that web site stuff.  Guess I should, huh?
CM: duh!
OP: I'll have to find a class.
CM: Not!  It's so easy, I could teach you!
OP: Do you have time for school, a job and

   web tutoring?

   CM: Sure!  School's a snap.  I can usually get my HW done at work and I
set my own work schedule.  The owner's cool.
OP: You seem have things under control, Naomi.  A very together young
lady.
CM: Thanks!  Why don't you bring your portfolio by the store sometime
and we'll talk about what kind of web site would be cool for it..
OP: Sure thing!  When's good for you?
CM: Anytime after school.

   We chatted some more, arranged a time and logged off.

   The next day I was in fine spirits and spent much of the morning pulling
prints together for a portfolio.  Strange...  For all the years that I'd
been shooting, it had always been for myself - I had never put a portfolio
together.  I took some prints from my last trip to Chile (landscapes), some
portraits of friends, and a some of the better PG rated shots from glamour
workshops.  Not questioning my own sudden enthusiasm for this portfolio, I
headed out the door around three for a stop at my favorite photography
store to pick-up a professional portfolio case.

   Ned at the camera store seemed surprised to see me come in with the
prints.

   "You are one of my best pro customers, Mr.  Sutter, but this is the
first time in five years that I've seen any of your work!" he exclaimed,
"You're good!"

   "Thanks, Ned, but I'm not a pro.  Just a slightly over-invested
amateur."

   "With this portfolio you should be pro.  Why the sudden interest in
putting a portfolio together, if you're staying amateur?"

   "Not really sure Ned.  I'd like to work independently with some quality
models outside those group workshops and I need to demonstrate the quality
of my work."

   "Well you got a good selection here.  Let's put these headshot up front
and then these..." and we fell into an amiable discussion of which prints
to include/exclude, how to sequence them, etc.  Before I knew it, I had a
pretty impressive portfolio, and it was 4:15, so I paid for the portfolio
and left.

   Arriving at the music store, I slung my Nikon D200 over my shoulder and
tucked the portfolio under my arm.  The store looked empty when I entered
with the door jingling.

   "Welcome to Chrysalis Music!" Naomi's voice chirped form the back. 
"I'll be right with you."

   I was setting my portfolio on the counter when she appeared.  She was
wearing a billowing, almost sheer, white peasant blouse and tight jeans
again.  She was obviously not wearing a bra under the blouse, and her long
braid snaked around her neck and disappeared down the front of her blouse
and between her breasts.

   She stopped, and stood facing me with her hands on her hips.  Slowly one
hand left her hip and moved up with a gracefully flowing movement, ending
up pointing at her face.  Suddenly, I realized where I had been starring.
She was smiling with amusement and I was blushing with embarrassment.

   "You look amazing..." I stammered.

   "Thank you kind Sir." she said with a flouncing twirl, "I see you
brought your photos, Let's have a look!"

   I stood next to her completely distracted by her proximity.  Her scent
was faintly floral...  Jessica McClintock?  From beside her I could see her
braid slide up and down between her exceptionally firm breasts.

   "These are wonderful!" she enthused, snapping back to the here and now.
"Lot's of people take pictures, but, wow, you have an eye!"

   "Uhhh," I thought to myself...  Take the complement..  Be smooth and
calm like gorgeous young women always flatter you...  "Gee thanks" I
murmured...  Yea very smooth, you dork.

   She laughed.  "I would love to have you take some pictures of me.  I'd
like to get into modeling someday.  I can't pay, but we can work out a
trade."

   I stood there looking dumb.  The trade possibilities ran through my
mind.

   "Not that!  Silly" she said.

   Was she a mind reader or did my thoughts scroll across my forehead on
some sort of display?  No, I was just leering at her, I thought still
blushing.

   "You know you need a website, so I'll be you web mistress and you
photograph me."

   "Oh!" fluster again.  "sounds like a deal" I said.  Should I tell her
that I had come mentally prepared to offer her $50 an hour, and once I had
set eyes on her again I had immediately capitulated and was willing to
spring for $100 per hour.

   "If you want me to set a web site up, we can start now.  First, we have
to decide on a domain name," she said looking at my card.  Do you want to
do it or do you trust me?"

   "Trust you?  Absolutely!"

   "Okay, how's www.odysseyphotography.com sound?"

   "Perfect!  It sounds like I'll have to reprint my business cards to put
me in the new age!"

   Her fingers flew over the keyboard, as I watched in amazement.

   "Yup!  Domain's free." She said and proceeded to quiz me for full name,
address, etc as she filled out an on-screen form.

   "Shall we register it for 3 years to start?" and with my nod she held
out her hand, "plastic?" a pause, smiling up at me.

   "Oh yea..." and I fished out my credit card.

   "Yahoo can host the domain for now.  They're cheap, but we might want to
get more bandwidth when you start getting a lot of hits.."

   I continued to watch her in awe as she worked.  A couple of customers
came to purchase CD's, and they all complemented me on the photos.  I was
in another world, swept up by this gorgeous and competent young lady.

   "There!  You're harrison@odysseyphotography.com and I am
mistress@odysseyphotography.com.  I thought web mistress was too boring!"
she laughed.  "Now you owe me.  When do I get my first photo shoot?"

   "Well, I'm the retired guy with no fixed schedule.  You tell me?"

   "Where is you studio?  Is Saturday afternoon okay?  Does you wife mind
that you bring home stray model wannabee's?"

   "Studio's at home.  Saturday is fine and she hasn't minded yet, because
this is the first time."

   "Well take advice from a woman.  Tell her tonight, so she can get used
to the idea by Saturday!  Never surprise a woman with another woman!" she
said giggling.

   She folded up my portfolio, tying it shut and tucked it under my arm.

   "Is your home address the one you gave for the domain registration?"

   "Yup!  See you around 2:00?"

   "I'll be there with a few outfits and my make up."

   At home that night, I showed Kathryn my new portfolio.  She was thrilled
and didn't brink when I explained about Naomi, the music store, and the web
site.  When I told her about Naomi coming over to model, she made a point
of saying, "I'll look forward to meeting her on Saturday."

   When Saturday finally rolled around, I finally had the studio cleaned
up, an assortment of backdrops ironed and the strobes arranged.  I was
still fiddling with the wireless strobe triggers, when Kathryn came in with
Naomi, talking like they we old friends.

   "Naomi is an accomplished young lady, for being only 16." Kathryn said
with emphasis.  "Since the photographer was being his typical distracted
self, he forgot to get a model's release form with a parent's signature..."

   Stunned, I starred at them.  "Don't worry.  Her Mom dropped her off and
she signed it before she left.  I promised that I would be in and out
chaperoning," she smirked.

   I felt as though the floor turning from solid to liquid and I was
falling through.  How could I have so blind?  She's a minor!  I tried to
hide my panic by focussing my attention on my equipment.

   Kathleen turned to Naomi, "Not that you have anything to fear with Mr.
Oblivious here.  He'll be lost in his f-stops and strobe settings.  Now
let's pick out your outfits and I'll help you with you make-up."

   Kathryn began fussing with the clothing that Naomi had brought in her
rolling carry-on suitcase.  Naomi inclined her head, turned and smiling,
gave me a wink.  She then turned and joined Kathryn in sorting through the
outfits, putting them on hangers and arranging them on the rolling clothing
rack.  It wasn't long before they disappeared behind the folding oriental
screen that made up the model's changing room.

   "What do you want to start with?" Kathryn asked from behind the screen.

   "We'll start with the headshots and then move to some full length shots.
You choose the outfit."

   As I busied myself with backdrops, lights, and my other equipment, I
listened in on the "girl talk" as they discussed outfits, makeup and
generally getting prepared.  I was astonished at how well they were getting
along, and thankful that Kathryn was there to keep me out of jail.

   "This dress will look gorgeous on you.  Try it on." followed by rustling
of clothes.  "Well, with your figure and this dress you don't need a bra! I
am jealous!  Do you ever wear one?"

   Laughing, I heard Naomi respond, "Only when I wear an outfit that looks
better with a bra showing!"

   Kathryn's gasp turned to a giggle and they began fussing with her dress
and hair.  It was taking FOREVER.  Talk of curling and sprays continued,
but finally they emerged with Kathryn beaming and Naomi looking radiant. 
They seemed so pleased with themselves - they seemed to be bonding together
in some way that I had never anticipated.  I was not sure what to make of
it.

   "Do you like?" Naomi asked as she twirled to show off.

   She was in an strapless midnight blue dress, that plunged low in the
back.  It was clinging to her form as though Kathryn had spray painted it
on.  It was obvious she was nude underneath or a thong at the very most. 
Her strawberry blonde hair was arrayed in wavy curls cascading over one
shoulder, leaving the other bare.

   As I starred, Kathryn unexpectedly smiled and said, "Oh, yes...  He
likes..."

   I recovered after yet another blush, "I think this background will go
well with your dress and I'm going to use a rose gel with the backlight,
which will complement your skin tones and hair color.  Why don't we start
you off sitting on the stool." Quickly, we were getting her situated and
doing strobe tests.  When I looked up, Kathryn had slipped out of the
study.

   Naomi looked up smiling mischievously, "I told you not to worry about
bringing a model wannabe home.  You told Kathryn in advance, like I told
you to, and she welcomed me with open arms!" she said in a whisper.

   "It's not Kathryn that I am worried about.  It's you!  You're only 16!"
I hissed.

   "Oh?" she whispered with an innocent smile, "were you planning something
more than innocent photographs?  Seduction maybe?"

   "N...no...  Damn it!  Naomi.  You could have told me!" I stammed.

   "You didn't ask..."

   "Thankfully my wife has more sense than I do."

   "Yes, woman's intuition.  She knew that I was 16 before I crossed the
threshold.  That's why she asked for the model's release before my mother
left."

   "She seems to have taken to you, which pleases me, because I can
photograph one of the true beauties of our age, without worrying about my
wife being jealous!"

   Even seated she managed a graceful, sweeping curtsy, which involved a
bow forward and a delightful exposure of nubile cleavage.

   "Hold that pose!" I exclaimed and began snapping furiously.  From on
pose to the next she performed like a pro.  I was getting good stuff. 
Hell, a few sessions in different locales and she would have a professional
portfolio.

   "Kathryn!  Wardrobe!" I shouted and we heard an affirmative sound from
the other side of the house.

   "I can change myself!" Naomi pouted.

   "Of course you can, but my wife is our self-appointed chaperone, and I
intend to keep her happy" I whispered just before Kathryn breezed in, "And
me out of jail!" I added silently.

   "What next?  Casual or swim suit?" she asked.

   "Casual" I responded curtly, not wanting to betray my desire to see her
in a swimsuit.

   They disappeared behind the screen, while I downloaded the picture that
I had taken, installed a fresh compact flash card in the camera and pulled
a new background down.

   "Harrison?  Is this top okay?" and before Kathryn could restrain her,
Naomi was out from behind the screen, only wearing panties and the peasant
blouse.  In a flash I realized that Kathryn wasn't restraining her, but
standing back, smiling with her arms crossed.

   "The top is okay, but think that you are missing something below??"

   To my surprise, Kathryn responded, "It's a conscious choice...  it's a
look we liked."

   "Will your mother disapprove?" I asked Naomi?

   "Heck, No!  She's cool.  She wants to see everything you take.  Actually
she's pretty excited about the photo shoot.  She was a model when she was
my age and wants me to try it too.  Building a portfolio is what its all
about." She responded cheerily.

   We got some nice shots that afternoon, with Kathryn getting closely
involved in directing and posing Naomi.

   Several times she amazed me with the risqué, implied nudity that she was
suggesting for the teen.  At one point, I had just taken just shot from
Naomi's left profile as she leaned over the cloth draped stool, arms
straight, with one leg elevated and extended gracefully with her foot
curving up and toe pointed.  Kathryn indicated for Naomi to hold the pose
and brought me around to face Naomi.  The front of her peasant blouse was
only loosely laced revealing clearly the swell of her breasts.  After
adjusting the strobe positioning and snapping a couple of good shots,
Kathryn interceded again.  Grabbing the spray bottle and began misting
Naomi's face and hair.  I contained my excitement when she held the spray
bottle close inside the bodice of her loose blouse.  It was an intensely
erotic moment for me as Naomi's breasts were momentarily in full view and
her nipples instantly hardened as the cool spray hit them

   "Oh, My!" exclaimed Kathryn.  "I'll need to warm that spray in the
future!"

   Naomi giggled, but never baulked at Kathryn's handling, nor at the brief
exposure of her breasts.  In fact she was careful not to let the fabric of
her blouse touch her breasts as she re-assumed her former pose.  This time
her breasts were clearly exposed within her blouse, and the mist on her
breasts had condensed quickly and a drop had formed on the tip of one
nipple just in time to catch a glint of light from the strobe.  With the
sheen of the misting glistening on her face and breasts, her pouting, full
lips and a soulfully ancient look in her eyes, it was one of the most, no,
the most seductive photos that I had ever taken.  It was one of those shots
that I instantly knew was perfect, but I also knew I would never be able to
publish because of the age of the model.  What I didn't know then was the
tipping point it would prove to be on future events.

   Kathryn obviously knew immediately that her inspiration had paid off,
and I could tell that Naomi keyed off her excitement, and jumped up.

   "Can we see it?" she pleaded.

   Kathryn's expression mirrored her plea, and while I knew that stopping
the shooting now meant that the shoot was effectively over.  From the looks
on their faces, I also realized that my desire to continue working was
seriously out-voted.

   Before I was led out of the studio, I removed the memory card from the
camera and initiated the upload to my office computer over the network. 
Inserting a blank card, I allowed the excited "girls" lead me to my office.

   Stopping by the bathroom, I told the girls where to find the images on
my server and reminded them not to save any changes they might make.

   Splashing cold water on my face, I needed to take a moment.  Trying to
calm my aroused state, I tried not to wonder at what the heck was going on
with Kathryn and Naomi.  After drying my face and taking another deep
breath, I headed to the office.

   I found Naomi hunched over the keyboard and Kathryn leaning over her,
hand resting on Naomi's back and her head down next to Naomi's so that her
auburn hair intertwined with Naomi's.  That last shot on the 21 inch
monitor, and the wide format printer humming as it worked on an 21 x 17
inch print.

   I stood in the doorway a moment, admiring the two women together.  Using
only available light, I rapidly snapped off a couple of shots, including
one of them both looking back over their shoulders at me with sultry smiles
on their faces.

   Trying to ignore the charged atmosphere, I pulled up a rolling chair and
asked "Okay, that's indisputably the best shot, but we can't display it on
the web.  Can we find a few that we can post on our web site?"

   "Why can't was use this one?  Mom won't mind!" Naomi whined.

   "You're still a minor honey," Kathryn said, "and this one shows a little
too much."

   Naomi pouted a moment but it was clear that she understood.  I took over
the keyboard, and we began selecting the best shots.  On Naomi's
recommendation, I made various smaller sized images for the web site. 
Under guidance I learned how to upload them to a folder on our internet
server so that she could later program them into the Odyssey Photography
web site.

   I was deep into my photo post-processing and barely heard the doorbell
and shouted goodbye to Naomi as she left.