Darcie Makes a Convert
(Or Olivia's Initiation)

Hey, everybody! A lot has happened since I was last here. The biggest news is that The Three Stoogettes are together permanently! How did that happen you ask? Well, like many companies, the software place that Robert and Debbie both worked for in California got tired of being buried by the taxes out there and decided to move east. Well where do all of these companies moving east head to? Why Dallas, Texas of course! Robert and Debbie aren't just living around here; they're neighbors now! They bought a house in that very subdivision that caused our pond to drain out that summer, and start the very popular tradition at Mom and Dad's: Fourth of July Mud Volleyball. Their neighborhood has a community pool, but they have an open invitation to the pond whenever they like since like me, Debbie doesn't own conventional swimwear. At least she hasn't owned any since moving here. Beth and I took care of that. We had a barbecue at our house right after they moved in. Debbie brought all of her bathing suits and we ceremoniously set fire to them. Then Jim, Steven and Robert threw us in the pond with our clothes on. Of course, there was nothing unusual about that part. Getting thrown in the pond is just part of barbecues at our house.

By the way, Debbie about had an orgasm when she found out their company was coming here. Summers aren't quite as long in Tennessee as they are in Texas, but they're still a lot longer than they are in the Bay Area. I've told you before that Debbie is a country girl like me who grew up spending nearly every summer day splashing in a creek by her home. In the San Francisco area they got about three or four weeks of hot weather a year not conducive to playing in the water.

Debbie brought a great idea with her. Robert, Steven and Jim all have to travel with their jobs. Robert travels to software trade shows from time to time. Steven is a regional sales rep and Jim sometimes has to do training at local offices or one of the other regional training centers. Well to keep them from getting lonesome, we started meeting on a regular basis to make Three Stoogettes movies for them to play while they're gone. We keep the thrift stores, Goodwill and that outlet for old prom and wedding party dresses busy. Some of the movies are done for all of them to see, while others are for one of them specifically. Like the others you've heard about, we get wet, messy and stripped down to our underwear. If a movie is for one of them specifically, his wife ends up going a little further. Too bad those videos aren't what this story is about. (I'm just having fun. I promise I'll let you in on one or two of the specific videos we did in a later chapter. Believe me; they are worth the wait!)

On a related note, we're thinking about starting a business where we shoot trash the dress skit videos starring real brides and their real wedding dresses. Kellie, our wedding photographer, gave us the idea since we seem to be such experts at wrecking nice things and we had showed her Beth's trash the dress Three Stoogettes style. Kellie wants us to do them in conjunction with her photo shoots. It would help offset the cost of the nice video equipment the guys bought us and the numerous outfits we go through. Yeah, we try to find nice things at the dress outlet, Goodwill and thrift stores, but we don't always find what we're looking for and you can't find underwear and lingerie there. Who'd want it if you could?

Anyway, what this story is about is what started with a phone call out of the blue in late April. It was Olivia, Jared's wife, the one who pulled him away from my wet and wild wedding and made him sell his old Blazer. This time of year it was already hot in East Central Texas. Like most afternoons, I was outside on the dock in a lawn chair, letting my cut-off shorts and tube top drip after climbing out of the pond. I wanted to catch a little rest before the school bus stopped and three girls, who probably wouldn't even go inside to put down their books, would be jumping off the dock and wanting me back in the water with them. Boy, they'd gotten used to being country girls quickly.

Darcie, she began, I'm not sure how to start. A couple of weeks ago, I found Jared watching You Tube videos of your wedding reception. When I questioned him, I found out that he had all these other sites bookmarked too.

Wow! Between You Tube, Flikr, Facebook and our photographer's and videographer's web sites, our wet (and messy) wedding wasn't much of a secret. Nearly everyone there had their own personal photos and videos they'd taken and our professionals had a lot of what they'd taken of us posted on their sites. We finally gave in and posted most of our official wedding pictures and videos to Flikr, You Tube and our Facebook pages to show how we turned the lemon of a downpour on our outdoor wedding into the lemonade of enjoying the rain, turning our reception into a formal swimming party and getting caked, pied and thrown into the mud. I state with pride that our photographer, Kellie, still says I am the most thoroughly trashed wedding day bride that she has ever seen. Had I known it was a contest, I would have tried harder! I'm thinking a barrel of molasses over my head would have been just the perfect touch. However I won't care if some other lady breaks that record as long as I get to see the photos and videos of the carnage. It might give me ideas!

Anyway, Olivia went on to tell me she asked Jared why he was looking at all of this so much. He said he found it exciting, she told me. You know he sort of had a crush on you when you were dating Robert.

I could see that. Running around the quarry in nothing but a thong in front of both of them and our little fun we had in the mud pit after we got the Blazer unstuck might have encouraged that. God, I hope he didn't tell Olivia about that part!

Olivia went on, I told him that I wouldn't be mad if he let me see all of the sites he had saved, so I sat down and watched everything we missed after we left.

I had already told her about what happened after they left. You remember. It was during our little chat while Jared and Jim were haggling over the Blazer. She went on and told me how now she'd seen it all. She'd seen the video of Jim caking me. She'd seen the countless times I'd jumped or been thrown into the pond, including my favorite when I clenched my bouquet in my teeth to dive in and swim out to the raft for the toss. She'd seen Beth and all of my bridesmaids and my mom trashed and dunked several times, and Jim and me getting viciously caked. Then there was the true trash the dress session with more swimming, pies, mud and dress mutilation.

What didn't you do? she asked.

I replied, Not much and since you've seen all of that, I might as well tell you about what didn't get on camera. I went on to tell her about swimming with the girls until well after dark, getting pied yet again and coated in chocolate by Jim and finally how he tore what was left of my gown to shreds.

And you enjoyed all of it? she asked.

Every second of it. I just made up my mind that once I knew the dress was ruined by the rain, there wasn't any point in trying to save it, I replied. I decided to have fun instead. Why the sudden curiosity? I knew she was getting at something. We'd spoken three times in our lives and two of them were about trashing my wedding gown.

Jared loves me, but after I looked at everything he said that if he could change one thing he would want me to act more like that. Then he asked me

I could tell she was struggling with it. Olivia, did he ask you to do a 'trash the dress' shoot for him? I asked

Yes! she blurted out, nearly sobbing.

It's okay, I told her. Lots of ladies do them. Their husbands really seem to enjoy it. Sometimes like in mine, they even join in.

But I just don't think I can! she replied. I'm not like you. I don't like getting messy or all wet, and my gown It was so expensive, and beautiful! But I'd like to make him happy! I just don't think I can do something to humiliate myself like that! She was beginning to bawl. Something that I thought would be so simple to decide was tearing her up inside.

I'm so sorry that I'm dumping all of this on you, she confessed. It's just that you're the one he was looking at and you're also the only person I know who might be able to help me.

How? I asked.

Teach me to act like you do, she said.

I'm not sure that I can teach a carefree attitude, I replied, but maybe you don't have to destroy your gown. You could do a 'drown the gown' session.

What's the difference? Olivia asked.

You just get all wet instead of wrecking your gown. Usually after a cold water soak and dry cleaning the dress is almost good as new.

I'm not sure if I could even go that far.

I sighed and said, Like I said, I don't know if I can teach you to have a carefree attitude.

Well could you at least please try and think about it? she begged. If you do, I promise that I'll do whatever you say. She sounded so sincere and Jared was such a sweet guy. I had to at least try and help her if it meant that she be able to make him happier.

All right, I replied. Let me think about it and I'll call you back in a day or so.

Thank you so much! she said and hung up.

Well the school bus came right after that and three silly girls pulled me out of my chair and back into the pond to be joined by Jim later when he got home, so I didn't give it much thought until the next day when Debbie, who was now only working part time thanks to our much lower cost of living, Beth and I were floating on inner tubes dressed in tank tops and denim mini-skirts like the crazy country girls we were. I told them about my conversation with Olivia.

Well why don't you start her out slowly, Debbie suggested. Have her tease Jared into spraying her with the hose, stuff like that.

Right, Beth chimed in, and then have her move on to sillier stuff until she can tolerate being wet in something nice in public.

I called Olivia that evening and told her I had an idea. Have you ever let Jared get away with anything wet or messy, I began, like even just getting sprayed by the hose?

We wash the cars together and he does that, but I always wear a bathing suit because of it, she replied. Well, at least it was a start.

Well here is what I want you to do to start you off gradually and not throw you in the deep end, I said. Tell him you need to wash the cars this weekend, but don't wear a bathing suit. Wear some comfortable old clothes like a t-shirt and shorts that you might wear for painting or gardening.

Should I wear a bikini under them? she asked. I should have anticipated that question. I remember Samantha thinking that was getting wet with your clothes on. I decided to push her a little.

He'll like it better if you wear your underwear and look like you weren't intending to get wet at all, I replied.

All right, but the t-shirt is going to be a dark one, she said with a slight giggle.

Oh, your neighbors aren't that close, I teased. Go ahead and wear a white one!

I she trailed off. I expected her to protest and wasn't going to push her any further but she finally said, Fine. A white one then, but my bra won't be see-through.

Fair enough, I said. It was a pretty big victory getting her to agree to a white t-shirt and no bathing suit underneath. She must really want to change. One more thing, I said, if you dress that way, he may not assume that he's allowed to get you all wet. You may have to tease him to get him to come after you. Rub up against the wet car. Wring out your sponge and splash yourself. Wrestle for the hose with him, but don't take it away. Stuff like that.

One last thing, I added, once he starts spraying you, scream, wave your arms around, let him corner you; do everything but run off. Once he's got you totally soaked, just stand there with a silly grin on your face until he gets tired.

What should I do after that? she asked.

Well if Jared's anything like Jim, he's going to want to get you out of those wet clothes, if you know what I mean, I joked.

She laughed out loud, sounding totally relaxed for the first time since she'd contacted me the day before. No, she said still laughing, I meant what else to practice.

I know. I'm just having fun, I replied. Keep doing things like that, washing the car or teasing him while he's running the hose for other reasons and then when he turns it on you, just stay there and take it. Make sure you're thoroughly soaked every time. Keep doing that until it's fun. Then call me back.

I promise to be a good 'pupil', she said. Bye.

That was the last I heard from her until the following Saturday when she called.

Well how has it been going? I asked. You called back pretty quickly.

Pretty well, I think, Olivia replied. He's gotten me all wet every day since we talked last. We washed the cars a couple of times and I teased him when he was watering the trees out back and he let me have it. Yesterday I was just sitting on the patio in a lounge chair and he got the hose and sprayed me.

What did you do? I asked.

I just sat there until my front was drenched and then I turned over and let him get me in the back.

Cool! I said. Are you starting to enjoy yourself?

Yeah, especially since he reacted just the way you said he would, she said with a giggle. He caught me off guard another time when I really didn't intend to get wet too. I was working outside and he dumped a bucket of water over my head. It felt so good out in the sun that I forgot that I wasn't wearing a bra!

How did you act once you realized it? I inquired.

Before I would have covered up with my arms and run into the house screaming, she admitted. But for some reason I just figured that I was already wet so 'Who cares?' Jared figured that was his green light and came after me again so I just threw my arms out and let him nail me!

Wow, I said. I wasn't going for wet t-shirts until lesson two!

I guess I'm just a fast learner, Olivia joked.

Yes, but so far, everything you've done has been at home in front of Jared, I said. Has anyone else been around for any of this?

No, not really, she replied.

Well I'm going to challenge you next time, I said. You need to stretch your wardrobe and you need to get out in public. Do you have any really long shorts or Capri's?

Sure, I have both.

I continued my interrogation: Is there a lake nearby with a public beach?

Yep, Atlanta State Park, she replied.

Well, I said, I want you to suggest that the two of you go there for a Saturday. Don't act like this is one of your 'assignments'. Match those Capri's up with a frilly tank top or French cut t-shirt, something pretty, and then 'accidentally' forget your bathing suit.

And swim in that? she asked, sounding a little doubtful.

Exactly, but not only that, I went on, forget any change of clothes so you have to ride all the way home like that.

And don't let your clothes dry out much either. If you do, make sure you plunge back in and get good and soaked for the ride home.

Won't that be uncomfortable? she asked.

This is about learning to do spontaneous crazy things on the spur of the moment, and besides, it's supposed to be really hot this weekend, I countered. Getting all wet has started to feel pretty good when it's hot hasn't it?

I guess, but can I at least wear a bra?

I snickered in spite of myself. Of course, if it makes you feel more comfortable. This isn't about showing yourself off to everyone. It's about getting comfortable being all wet in public.

All right, she relented. I'll wear my clothes in the lake and drip all the way home and like it. Anything else.

Yeah, now that you mention it, I began, have Jared take some pictures soaking wet with your wet hair drooping over your face and post them on your Facebook page. I want to make sure you're actually following my advice. I could be wicked when I wanted to be.

But all my friends will see them too! she countered.

And they'll simply think that you're having fun with your husband on a hot day in the lake, I responded. They'll probably all see your 'drown the gown' photos eventually anyway. Say, speaking of Jared, what's his take on all of this?

He says he likes the change in me, she said sheepishly.

I'll bet he does. Ready to mess up that wedding gown yet?

Like you did yours? Not yet! she shot back. Getting some casual clothes wet is a lot different than my wedding gown!

Well just do what I told you and I'll call you after I see those pictures posted, I said with a chuckle. I'd get her to come around yet. I'd already talked to Kellie and she said she was really pumped about coming back out to our place with the pond and waterfall. She'd actually brought a few couples out there herself.

Olivia didn't waste any time. On the following Monday she had posted about a dozen or so pictures from Atlanta State Park. The first one was her dry. She was wearing a pair of red twill Capri's that were pretty form-fitting. Up top was a pink French cut t-shirt that was similar to the one I wrecked on the way to Mud Fest. It was tight and cut high on the bottom to expose her belly button. Even dry, it gave the hint of a frilly bra underneath. Nice. The girl showed initiative.

The next one was of her wading out into the water. Jared must have been out in front of her. She was in water up to her knees so the legs of the Capri's were already wet and the red fabric had turned a deep carmine. She was laughing and pretending to wave Jared away.

The next shot was her diving under the water. You could only see her head and back and a big splash.

Next she was standing up again waste deep. Her eyes were shut and she had one of those, Why did I just do that? expressions on her face. Her pretty auburn hair gleamed under the summer sun with water dripping from it. The wet t-shirt lost much of its opaqueness and showed off both her skin and the white lacey bra she wore. She either didn't notice or didn't care because she never attempted to cover the bra in any of the pictures.

The camera must have been waterproof because the next couple were of her swimming under the water. I couldn't believe the next one. She actually did a hair flip! I asked her about it later and she told me that Jared talked her into it.

The next few were out on the beach. The first was her sloshing her way up out of the water. She had a silly smile on her face and I wish I could have been there to hear what was being said.

She told me that she had let Jared pick the poses he wanted to take. That made sense since the next one had both of them in it. They must have gotten some assistance. Jared had commandeered a rather large sand bucket and the picture was of him tossing the full bucket of water into her face. I couldn't tell her expression because she was obscured, but the next shot must have been right after because what looks like gallons of water is running off of her, her eyes are still shut and she has the dumbest expression that I've even seen. But I could tell she was still enjoying herself.

The next picture was her lying in the sand and COVERED in it! Everywhere but her face and hair. She was lying on her side, her head propped by her hand with a seductive expression. Next was her running for the water, still covered in sand, to rinse off.

Most of the rest were of her going down the slide and jumping off the raft that were both out in the water. However she was really being a good sport about it because two of them really caught my eye. One was taken on the raft. Olivia was falling in backwards and Jared's hand was in the picture as if he'd just shoved her off. She was hitting the water stiff-board style and with her arms out to her sides like the old Nestea Plunge commercials. The second one really shocked me. They must have found a hose near the bath house because she was standing with her back to a wall. She was holding the hose over her head and letting the water run over her with her lips, covered in a fresh coating of red lipstick, puckered up for a kiss. The only thing missing was raccoon eyes from wet eye shadow. Have to tell her about wearing plenty of cheap eye shadow for that full wet girl effect.

She confirmed my hunch that the last one especially was Jared's idea. She'd agreed partly because she definitely wasn't the only one running around that place in wet clothes and because she had to admit that she was having a great time. She said she was beginning to understand the concept of once you're a wreck, you might as well relax and have fun being a wreck. Grasshopper is nearly ready.

I had her do a few more wet projects, getting her in nicer and nicer things each time. She hosed herself down with the kitchen sink sprayer wearing a skimpy teddy for Jared. I had her find a restaurant near a public fountain and hint around at Jared through dinner about how He had better not get any ideas about getting her wet, so much that he drug her into the water after dinner in her skirt and blouse. She finally started doing things on her own like walking into the shower on Jared in her work clothes, (blouse and skirt) or turning the hose on herself.

She seemed very comfortable now getting wet and enjoying herself. But for a true trash the dress attitude, I had to get her comfortable in clothes that might not survive. That was going to take a little research and a personal touch.

I quickly found what I was looking for by way of a fundraiser in Texarkana. I told Olivia to reserve the next Saturday and then called the organizers and told them I had a couple of last minute volunteers. They were glad to hear it. On Friday Jim and I left the girls with my parents and headed east for a little motel near Jared and Olivia's house.

The next day we showed up at their door.

What is going on? Olivia demanded.

If you knew, you'd probably back out, I replied. You're just going to have to trust me.

Making Olivia stay out of the room, I raided her closet and found just what I was looking for: A little black cocktail dress similar to one that I'd packed for myself. Further searching rewarded me with some black pumps and moving the raid to her lingerie drawer garnered me black lace boy shorts and a matching bra. I searched for some fishnet stockings, but all I could find were black nylon stay-up's. I could have loaned her a pair of mine had I known, but the clothes really should all be hers. I slipped her outfit into a suit bag and stuffed her shoes, stockings and underwear into the bottom.

All set, I bubbled, swinging the suit bag over my shoulder as I galloped down the steps to their living room where Jim, Jared and Olivia were waiting.

Where the hell are we going? she asked. She was grinning at least. For now she was being a good sport about being kept in the dark. I had a pretty good feeling she'd stay that way. I have the feeling that she was a lot more fun when she was younger and something drained it out of her. She only needed the proper coaxing to bring it back to the surface.

Sorry, Liv, I replied. You'll find out when we get there!

Now Jim knew our destination, but Jared didn't for fear he'd give it away. So it was a complete surprise to both of them when Jim pulled into a carnival being given to help victims of a rather violent storm and tornado that had torn through eastern Texas and western Arkansas earlier that spring.

I followed the directions provided to me and they led me right to Meredith and her charity booth, the dunk tank.

I figured you had something like this up your sleeve, Olivia quipped. She was smiling but I wondered if she'd still be smiling as big when she saw what I had picked out.

You must be Darcie, Meredith said. You're right on time. Whoever wants to go first is up in twenty minutes.

I introduced everyone and told Meredith that it was going to be Olivia and me sitting on the hot seat. I noticed that there was a girl about my sister Ashley's age getting dunked right now. Both she and a wet friend who must have been up there earlier were wearing t-shirts over bikinis. What wimps!

Sizing up our clothing, we were both in casual stuff, Meredith said, If you need to change, you can do it in that trailer there. She was pointing to a small camper parked behind the dunk tank. Olivia and I carried our suit bags inside, but of course I still hadn't let her look in hers.

The camper was cramped. It would have been just big enough for two people as long as they got along really well. I laid my suit bag on the bed and motioned for Olivia to do the same.

Okay, you can open it up now, I told her.

Olivia smirked and quickly pulled the zipper all the way down. She put her forehead in the palm of her hand and shook her head, chuckling when she saw what was inside. She pulled out the dress and the shoes and holding them up said, Oh, you set me up good, didn't you?

You promised you'd be a good sport about whatever happened today, I kidded. Pulling my own little black dress and pumps out of my bag, I added, Besides, I'm right there with you. I'll even go first.

She set the dress and shoes on the bed and was now holding the lacey underwear and black stockings. Thanks a bunch, she said sarcastically. You know this dress is dry clean only.

So was my wedding gown, I said as I undressed, and so is yours I'll bet. Relax and have fun. Crazy girls sometimes ruin their clothes. It's an occupational hazard.

She stood there with an annoyed look on her face and I flipped my hand to motion for her to hurry up and start getting ready. She shook her head and chuckled and pulled her t-shirt over her head.

I sized both of us up when we were done dressing. Our dresses were very similar indeed. They were both a tank design but high enough in both the front and back to hide our bras. They both stopped halfway down our thighs and were tight around our legs. Climbing in and out was going to be a challenge. I'd worn a Wonderbra just for laughs. It was gray but my bikini panties were black. Black panties were a must. They helped camouflage the fact that your skirt had flown up. Olivia was wearing the black nylon stay-up stockings of course, but mine were black fishnet. We were both in black pumps. Mine were more of a flat texture while Olivia's were patent leather. Other than her initial comment about her dress being dry clean only, she hadn't complained once about her outfit.

Here, put this on, I said tossing some cheap lipstick, mascara and eye shadow onto the bed. It was the drug store's brand and most definitely not waterproof. You can't get all wet when you're dressed up and not have war paint running down your face.

She studied the makeup for a second and said, I guess it's a good thing we're going to wash this off quickly. It might make us break out.

We quickly applied our makeup and got out there just in time. Meredith saw us and her jaw dropped. I saw Jim elbow Jared at her reaction.

Are you both sure you want to get dunked in that? she asked.

It's for a good cause, isn't it? I asked back.

Suit yourself, Meredith replied.

I watched the girl who I was about to relieve chide her final customer. The top of her head didn't even seem wet. In a moment when the teenager throwing the ball connected with the target, I saw why. She went into the water feet first and landed on them. She didn't even go under.

You and I are going to put on a much better show, I whispered to Olivia while the girl was climbing out. Watch how I do it and do what I do, especially how I fall in.

We saw the girls snickering at how we were dressed up as they wrapped up in towels. At least the one who had been up there first looked like she had gone under.

Did you forget you were doing this or something? the one who had just climbed out asked me as I started to climb up the ladder next to the tank.

I'm just trying to make a lot of money for charity, I responded. You need to learn what boys like.

I managed to make it up the ladder with my skirt down. Luckily the tank had a bench connected to the dunking seat so I was able to sit down and twist my legs around in front of me and scoot over to my throne. There was water up there and my butt got wet but soon that wouldn't matter. I'd noticed that the girl I was replacing had been sitting back with her legs dangling over each side of the seat, not very lady-like. In contrast to her, I slid up to the front of the seat and let my legs hang out over the front. I turned slightly to my right, crossed my left leg over my right one and folded my hands in my lap.

The dunk tank is open for business, I loudly exclaimed. There hadn't been a crowd before. We were going to remedy that.

I was waiting for just the perfect target, I heard a familiar voice say. Jim was putting his wallet away after buying a bucket of balls. Three balls were three dollars, but you could get a bucket of ten balls for seven dollars.

No worries, I said. I'll be high and dry for a while if he's the best you've got!

I think someone needs a bath, he shot back.

Well I doubt it's going to be you to give it to me!

Jim wasn't the best ball player in the world, but the target wasn't the tiny kind you usually see and with ten shots, his odds were pretty good. However I'd seen him throw and he usually took a few to warm up and get his aim right. This time was no different because his first throw went way wide to the right.

I laughed through my cuffed hand. Ball! I yelled. Somebody send in a new pitcher!

Keep it up, darlin' he said. Although you might want to save your breath for holding it. You're going to be under water a lot.

Not with pitches like those! I shot back.

Jim's next pitch also went to the right, but not quite so far. His third went left by about the same amount. One more like that and you'll walk me, sweetie! I yelled. Coach will take you out of the game!

You're going down next time, Mrs. Sutton, he said confidently.

Uh-huh, I'll bet, I said.

Our little exchange, and my outfit, were starting to attract attention and a line started to form. Jim took the fourth ball from the bucket and wound it up. He let it go and it looked pretty good. It nicked the right side of the target. I braced myself for my first dunking, but the seat only shook a little. The crowd that was forming let out a collective Awww.

Ooooo, got a piece of it that time, I teased. Guess I'll have to call that one a strike.

You'll be calling yourself 'all wet' with the next one, he said with even more confidence.

Didn't you say something like that about the last ball? I asked. I'm still high and dry up here! I put my arms up for emphasis.

He didn't say anything. He just winked. He was getting warmed up all right. It was about ninety-three degrees today and I was sitting in a black dress. He'd better get warmed up soon and cool me off.

Jim took his fifth ball out and wound it up. Somehow I knew by the expression on his face when he let it go that it was going to connect. I kept my eyes fixed on him and didn't look at the ball's trajectory, but I knew it was right on target by the smirk on his face. I heard it hit the target with a loud bang, heard the bell ring and felt the seat give way beneath me. I threw my legs out straight in front of me and my arms over my head. I felt my butt hit the water and in an instant it was bouncing off the bottom. I could hear the laughing and cheering even under water. Instead of coming straight up, I swam up to the large window in the front, let my air out so I'd stay under, and got on my knees with my hands on my hips looking annoyed.

I surfaced and heard Jim shout, What was that about 'high and dry'? Looks more like down and drenched!

Ooooo, how long did it take you to come up with that? I asked making my way to the ladder inside the tank. I made sure my dress stayed down and carefully climbed back up and assumed my lady-like pose, although now very soggy. My dress glistened from the water in the sun. My wet fishnet stockings tickled my legs. It was such a relief to finally be soaking wet in this hot sun. I hoped Jim was good and warmed up now and wouldn't let me stay up here.

Jim missed the sixth throw, but nailed me with seven, eight and nine. The sun was hot and I was glad he was on a streak. However he pitched his last ball and it just missed.

Water dripping from my dress, hair and high heels, I began to heckle him: Awww, couldn't connect on that last one could you? Well I'll tell you one thAhhhh!

My voice trailed off into a scream as the seat fell out from under me. I surfaced to the laughing crowd and saw Olivia standing next to the target and doubled over.

So that's how it is, eh? I said, splashing water out at her that only a few drops of connected. Well remember you get your turn up here next!

My turn on the hot seat continued with it getting busy for a while. Adults and kids alike sent me down for swims in my little black dress. Kids got to throw from up close and since I was already wet, I told Meredith to go ahead and let them push the target if they never connected. I also posed under the water behind the glass for pictures if the parents wanted to have their kid stand next to the glass. Some of them would share the picture with me and just as I'd hoped, if being soaking wet didn't look ridiculous enough the cheap makeup was running down my face in streaks and my eye shadow made a cute blue raccoon mask.

By the end of my half hour, the crowd had died down since everyone who had wanted to dunk the girl wearing the dress had taken a turn. However Jared had used me to warm up on. He bought one bucket of balls and dropped me five times straight starting with his sixth throw. Jim got a second one and sent me swimming seven times. Jared was my last customer with another bucket and was eight out of ten. Good thing I like water so much!

Time to get up there, I teased Olivia once I was out of the tank.

I know' I know, she said and headed up the ladder.

I turned down a towel. It was so hot that I wanted to stay soaking wet as long as possible. The sun would dry me out soon enough. I wondered how Meredith could stand to be out here with so many people being able to get cooled off and not her. My pumps squelched as I walked over to the chair to sit down and comb out my wet hair. Jim was taking video of me like he had been ever since his first turn was over. Have I ever mentioned that he likes seeing me all wet? How can I blame him? I look fantastic that way. Oh, and I love the water! Have I mentioned that already?

Jared had already paid his money and reserved his spot in line in order to be Olivia's first customer. He stood tossing his first of ten balls up and down in his hand impatiently as she carefully scooted her way onto the dunk seat. Taking my cue, she slid out to the front and crossed her legs.

He's already got a lot of practice on me, I teased. You'd better get used to swimming!

Olivia got a silly worried expression on her face. Jared wound up and let go of his first pitch. It nicked the target on the right side. Olivia screamed and grabbed the seat when it shook making us all laugh. Then she grinned wickedly at her husband.

Is that the best you can do? Close but no cigar! she teased.

This time, Jared replied.

Yeah, I'll bet, Olivia said. She looked like she was having fun.

Jared wound up and threw. Much like the first time Jim connected, Olivia seemed to know she was getting dunked. She tensed up long before the ball got there. It hit the bull's eye dead center and Olivia's scream drowned out the bell. She didn't kick her legs out in front, but she folded them up under her when her seat disappeared. Same difference. She disappeared under the water still screaming. She didn't come up right away. Instead she swam to the front window and made the most ridiculous pouty face you've ever seen. Then she surfaced.

Lucky shot! she yelled over her shoulder as she waded carefully on her high heels to the ladder.

I hope you like water a lot! Jared shot back.

She climbed back up on the seat and resumed her lady-like pose only now her mascara was beginning to run. Jim stared at her, but I never got upset about that sort of thing especially when I notice why he would. She looked damn sexy up there. Her auburn hair literally shined as the water reflected the sunlight. Her dress was shiny and clung tightly to her, showing off the outline of her bra and when she was coming up the ladder, her boy shorts. The black hose glistened like they were coated with oil. Olivia was smiling. I'm glad she was having fun. I hoped she would have as much fun in a wet wedding gown weighing her down.

Miss! Miss! she shouted when Jared let go of the ball.

Clang! Ahhhh! Splash!

Olivia surfaced with her hair thrown up over her face. She flung it back over her head with a silly annoyed look on her face and spit out a mouthful of water. Jared was wearing some rather tight shorts and it was obvious he found dunking his wife exciting.

She went into the tank with his fourth and fifth throws too. I'll make a deal with you, she said after surfacing for the fourth time. You turn in your balls and I'll just stay down here and swim around!

A crowd was forming and they all began to laugh when she dived under the water and started swimming laps around the dunk tank. She surfaced and looked at Jared who simply pointed to the seat.

Fine! she exclaimed. I was simply trying to save us both a lot of trouble.

She went back up and took her place. This time she sat upright on the edge with her legs together and her arms folded in front of her like she was annoyed. Jared connected again and Olivia didn't react. She just let herself fall, arms still folded and went completely under. She let out her air to sink to the bottom and sit there for a second still not unfolding her arms.

Jared dunked her with his seventh, eighth and ninth balls. While she was under the water, Jared said something to Jim and he started over toward me. Olivia didn't notice him and yelled, Do you think this is any way to treat a lady?

It is if she looks good wet! he replied.

Jim whispered to me, Jared wants to know if you want to get even for her dunking you when I missed the last time.

I don't think she'll care at this point, but go ahead, I replied.

Jim nodded at Jared. Olivia spotted that as she was getting into position. What are you conspiring about? she demanded.

Nothing ma'am, Jim feigned. Just complimenting my wife on her appearance.

Did I mention that I was a wet wreck? Although the sun was beginning to dry me out a little. My hair felt like dry straw on top.

Liar! Olivia teased.

Jim headed out of the booth and Jared wound up. He purposely let it go high and missed.

Ha! Olivia shouted. Couldn't come through on the last one I see! Well you're going to

Her voice trailed off as she fell from the collapsing seat and went under the water once more. She fell feet first this time since she was not expecting it and her skirt flipped up to give a very brief shot of those lacey boy shorts I'd picked out for her.

Guess I deserved that! she said looking at me once she surfaced. I was still leaning on the target. She splashed me and I just stood there and let it soak down my front again.

Well my protreally put on a show for the crowd that came to dunk her. Again we let kids stand up close and let them punch the target if they still missed. Olivia posed for pictures with the kids who dunked her. Jim and Jared kept her busy taking bath after bath once the crowd died down.

Meredith's cell phone rang. She answered and said, That is too bad. I may have to close up early then.

What's wrong? I asked when she hung up.

My last person who was due here when Olivia is done is sick, she replied. I may have to close up or get up there myself.

I'll stay up here! Olivia said. This feels so much better than when I was sitting down there.

Oh thank you, Meredith said. My protwas definitely ready to drown her gown.

Do you think that bench would hold both of us? I asked.

I'm sure it would, Meredith said.

What do you think, Liv? Should we give them 'two for the price of one'?

Climb right up here with me, Darcie, Olivia said. I don't know why we didn't do this before!

Olivia and I spent the rest of the time the carnival was open getting dunked together. It sure felt a lot better than sitting there in that black dress in the sun. We went down together as soon as I got up there with the very next customer who bought three balls and dropped us with all three. However the carnival crowd was thinning out. Jim and Jared tried barking to drum up more business, but their idea of that was standing next to the target and punching it every time someone walked by.

For the last ten minutes or so, we ended up in the water more because of the guys than customers. Olivia and I were sitting on the seat when Meredith said, I think that's about all the business we're going to have today. You can go ahead and get down.

Jim and Jared were still standing next to the target. Go ahead! Olivia said and Jared sent us under one last time. I was reminded of a certain street behind a certain sorority house and Beth and me telling Jared and Robert they could splash us with mudfor the third time. If there was one woman that I thought didn't have an ounce of clown mode in her when I first met her, it was Olivia. Boy, was I wrong!

Meredith hugged us both even though we were soaked. Thanks so much for staying, she said.

We were happy to, I replied. Do you need any help tearing down?

No, the company that we rented this from will be here soon to take it away, she said. Go ahead and head back to the trailer to change.

Now I would just as soon have ridden back this way, but Jim was particular about his Suburban. If we'd driven the Blazer it wouldn't have been a problem, but then Olivia might want it back and fat chance of that!

As we changed, I asked, Think you're ready to take on 'drown the gown'?

Olivia smiled. I think so. I hope Jared likes it.

I'm sure he will, I said. Let me set it up with my photographer. She's great!

Well I am going to cut it off here. I could tell you how after dinner all four of us ended up soaked again in the pool at our motel until way past its official closing time, but this chapter is already long. I'm going to be back soon though to tell you all about Olivia's photo shoot and how she continues to be full of surprises. See you then!