Bring your mother, sister, or daughter

"It would be a pleasure to have you join us at tonight's Sensuality Circle," Bernie's mom said to Lil over the phone. "Tonight there's also a special theme. I've invited our regular circle members to bring a female family member to participate. Although it won't all be family pairs, the circle dynamics may be very different tonight. I've had some of my most difficult circles with this theme, but also some of the most beautiful moments. You might want to think about that before you decide whether to come."

"Oh," Lil said. Her eyes focused, and she looked at Bernie standing next to her at the lavatory sinks. "A woman family member as a guest?" She raised her eyebrows at Bernie.

"Yes, like a mother, sister, or daughter," Joyce said.

Bernie smiled. She was holding the small paper shopping bags from 'Hot' that contained their purchases -- matching pairs of black underwear with red hearts circling the waistband. "Sure, Mom's done it before," she said to Lil. "It'll be fine."

"Okay then," Lil said to Joyce. "I want to go, and hopefully tonight will be fine."

"Good, Lillian, I'll be happy to see you," Joyce said over the phone. "You can come as a family friend of ours, or...I know your mother is on a cruise. Is there another woman in your family you would like to bring with you who would be comfortable in an environment where you and other women will be masturbating and may touch each other sexually? I've had members bring their aunts, grandmothers, and godmothers. One even brought her church's female pastor."