Vivian Laaning Ch. 14

At the beginning of her sophomore year at UW, Vivian decided that if she was to have a sexessful* (*her own concocted word) year it behooved her to be more friendly. Since her two main and only lovers of her freshmen year were no longer on the scene she knew she would have to be more outgoing than her normal want.

Accordingly one Thursday morning at the beginning of October, she donned her jet black thigh high boots with innumerable lacings up front. She also wore a woman's sweatshirt with the words "Wisconsin's Finest" printed on it, positioned so as to fit snugly across and over her breasts for a blatant come on message. Her somewhat provocative attire did not really raise any eyebrows amongst the jaded students but Vivian did detect an occasional interested stare from some male passers-by.

At noon Vivian went for lunch at one of the school cafeterias and sat down alone at a table with capacity for four. As she was enjoying her meal, a tall extremely handsome black student approached her and asked if he could join her. She offered no objection, but she wasn't particularly inviting despite her resolve of the day to be more friendly. Undaunted he sat down at her table and introduced himself:

"Hi then. My name is Nigel Koeninger."

"Charmed I'm sure! I'm Vivian Laaning..."

As Vivian was caught off guard by this intrusion she reverted back to her usual caustic self with her reply. She inwardly groaned as it was contrary to her otherwise resolve for the day. Ignoring Vivian's not so friendly greeting Nigel simply replied:

"Yes, I know your name."

"Oh? Have we met before?"

"We haven't actually been introduced but I've seen you before. One of my close friends here, and my last year's room mate was John Jay Hooker. I was at the party last semester where you two first met and he mentioned to me afterwards that he had a hot time with you and that you were a terrific girl. And he kept singing your praises thereafter."

"Very kind of him to say so. I'm glad that there are good reports about me circulating around. It's a welcome reversal to what I was subject to when I was in high school."

"Yes John had advised me about your trials and tribulations at high school and I was intrigued by the dichotomy of his praises to your negative reputation. I had enough of a glimpse of you at the party to stir my interest. John reiterated your merits throughout the ensuing weeks, and a couple of times he pointed you out so that I have come to recognize you. Naturally with him gone, I formed a desire to eventually meet you. Spotting you here today has been my first chance to satisfy my curiosity and I did not want to miss the opportunity."

Vivian reacted warmly to this speech which had melted her initial icy resistance. She was, therefore, happily disposed to continue the conversation. She responded:

"I commend you for a most riveting introduction much superior to the mundane common pick-up lines we females are usually subjected to when greeted by persons of the male persuasion. Bravo Mr er...Koeninger!"

Nigel laughed and was thrilled by her language. He was impressed that she could so quickly turn from reserved to inviting on a dime. Most of all he appreciated that she did not deign to talk down to him. So he replied:

"Call me Nigel! And bravo to you as well Ms Laaning for assuming I can converse above the ghetto level. Unfortunately I encounter much condescension amongst a lot of you white folks despite the fact I'm a legitimate engineering student not even requiring the benefit of affirmative action nor am I here at UW on an athletic scholarship."

Vivian replied:

"Well you can call me Vivian and thank you for the complement. I hate to be thought of as a racist. Aside from the obvious abhorrence of holding such a contemptible stance I'm aware it is the unforgivable sin of a cosmopolitan sophisticate. And I so desire to achieve such a high societal level if only so I could finally overcome my humble roots as a farmer's daughter."

Now Nigel laughed even harder at Vivian's extravagant observation. He now fully comprehended Hooker's continued praise of her wit in addition to his delight in her sexuality. As he regained his composure he assured Vivian:

"Trust me Vivian. We black folks can spot a racist within seconds. And I can unequivocally declare no black person would or for that matter could accuse you of racism."

"Well that's good to know, but Nigel that brings to mind a question I have which I hope you don't mind enlightening me. It has to do with your name...It does not seem to be...er...blackish."

Nigel chuckled and said:

"John Hooker warned me about your tendency to focus on origins of names. He told me that you grilled him about his famous ancestor and the peculiarity of his last name."

"I wouldn't say I 'grilled' (here Vivian made the quotation sign when uttering that word) him I was merely curious that's all. Are you then dodging my question?"

"My paternal grandfather was a German who as a young adult immigrated to the United States to escape the consequences of living in Nazi Germany during the rule of Hitler. He met and fell in love with my vivacious grandmother who was black. To his credit he had the fortitude to marry her at a time and in a state where interracial marriage was actually illegal. They had a son who married a black woman and those two became my parents."

Vivian smiled at that recitation and sighed:

"Oh my what a romantic and heroic story of your grandparents! So that explains your surname, but what about your first name? That certainly does not sound blackish either."

"My mother had rather eclectic tastes. At the time of my birth her favorite television show believe it or not was a British comedy titled: 'Yes Minister'. From all accounts it was quite a humorous show about British politics, but not one which one would suspect would have any appeal to African-Americans. But I guess my mother marched to the beat of her own drummer."

Vivian chuckled as she remarked:

"Wow! A paraphrase of a cliché. I can only applaud that since I can speak cliché fluently. But how does her love of a British comedy factor in the choice of your name?"

"One of the star actors in the show was a Nigel Hawthorne and my mother fancied that name. Mind you she had a fight over it with my father who favored 'Homer'. To keep peace my mother compromised with my father to allow 'Homer' to be my middle name. So at least then one third of my full name is as you say 'blackish'."

Vivian chuckled at the story and felt she had to clarify:

"It's not that I censored you for not having a typical African-American name; I was really just curious. As the saying goes 'curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back'."

Nigel laughed again as he was exceedingly enjoying Vivian's company. He then remarked:

"Wow Vivian! You weren't lying when you said you speak cliché fluently."

"Well I haven't really made a study of it. It just seems to come naturally to me. But thank you Nigel for what I take as a complement. I like to pride myself in being considered an interesting conversationalist."

At this point Nigel knew he was very attracted to Vivian, and so he decided on a tack of issuing some sexual double entendres to ascertain her feelings towards him. So he replied:

"I don't think you have anything to fear on that score; to say that you are an interesting conversationalist is an understatement to be sure. To change the subject I wonder if you care to explain if the words displayed on your chest actually ring true."

By this time Vivian was totally susceptible to seduction. Nigel Koeninger was proving to be absolutely irresistible. Recognizing the signal he was giving she felt that she had no option but to flirt back with him. So in her lowest sultriest sexiest voice she breathed:

"Well Nigel, I think if you play your cards right you just might be able to determine the truthfulness of those words by direct inspection and you can come to your own personal conclusion."

During the last academic term, John Hooker had recounted to Nigel in full detail of his first encounter with Vivian. Thus Nigel recognized that Vivian was using a similar trite expression in her flirtation that she had used with Hooker. Nigel wondered if it was her normal affected teasing manner or whether it was truly an independent spur of the moment dialogue comment. He endeavored to find out by paraphrasing what Hooker had told him of Vivian's conversation and said:

"But Vivian, what if I don't play my cards right? What if in fact I've lost all of my cards and can't play them?"

Vivian did not recall her initial conversation with John Jay Hooker on this point; actually he was not at all in her mind during her repartee with Nigel. Thus Nigel's remarks did not provoke a déjà vu moment in her mind, but instead her reply was genuinely spontaneous. In her ongoing sultriest voice she whispered so as not to be overheard:

"Oh Nigel I confess that in your case I have set the bar of resistance very low. If you need visible proof to dispel any doubt as to the accuracy of my shirt's proclamation all you have to do is ask and I'll be happy to oblige...actually...er... why hell you don't even have to ask at all...see"

While uttering these remarks, Vivian had unobtrusively reached behind and unhooked her bra. As soon as she had finished talking she lifted up the front of her shirt as well as her bra and flashed him. After a full five seconds of exposure of her splendid tits, during which time Nigel's jaws were wide open contemplating the view, she returned her shirt in position to cover herself up. During the exposure she had positioned her arms in an effective protective way to mostly conceal her brazen action from incidental view so that no one present in the cafeteria really was the wiser. Noticing Nigel's reaction, Vivian giggled and merely asked:

"Satisfied?"

Nigel was momentarily stunned, but soon he recovered his speech, and said:

"Well even if they're not the absolute finest they are certainly close enough that you need not fear a charge of false advertising."

Vivian giggled some more and replied:

"Oh Nigel you do say such lovely things. I believe I'm beginning to fall in love with you."

Recognizing that Vivian's words were mere flirtation not to be taken seriously, still he realized she was signaling that she was willing to get in bed with him. So to be coy he asked:

"Are you just saying that or is it that you just want to determine what they say about black men is actually true?"

"And what is it that 'they' (here Vivian made the quotation gesture again) say about black men?"

"That we have big feet."

Since Vivian had grown up in an almost total white environment, not only did she not harbor any prejudices, but she was also oblivious to myths and gossips generally directed at African-Americans by whites. So she had no clue as to what Nigel was implying and so she asked:

"Huh? What the hell are you talking about? Why in the world would I be interested in whether you have big feet or not?"

"But Vivian those are code words. It means that we black men are reputed to have big cocks."

"Oh really? And do you?"

"Well none of my love partners have complained about my size or have accused me of being small."

"Oh is that so? Well then you don't mind if I check out your claim...or boast..."

And with that said, Vivian quickly scurried underneath the table and spread his thighs. She unzipped his trousers and deftly freed his cock and placed it into her mouth. She bobbed up and down along his shaft causing it to transform from flaccid to fully erect. Once he was rock hard she deep throated him and held his cock in place for a few seconds.

Then unceremoniously she released his cock from her mouth, and scooted out from underneath the table to resume siting on her chair. Although there was no tablecloth hiding her presence while under the table, still she was able to suck on his cock virtually unnoticed. Luckily for her no one was paying any attention to their table in any case.

Then in the most nonchalantly manner she could affect, she declared:

"Well Nigel I have to concede that you certainly are big. Not just long but also wide. This definitely bodes well for a terrific 'romantic' (making the quotation sign again) experience."

Nigel thought in his mind: 'Oh my God what a skank. I can't believe what a slut she is. But I got to have her! I must fuck her.' And so he said:

"I believe this needs further exploration. Unfortunately I've got a class starting soon as well as other classes the rest of the afternoon. I'm also tied up for this evening. However would you be available for say an early movie around 6:30 and dinner afterwards?"

"Not only am I available, but I would be delighted."

Thereupon they exchanged telephone numbers; Vivian of course gave him her card: which had a prominent heart displayed on the left side of the card and on the right her name followed by the words "For a good time call" and her phone number.

Nigel chuckled as John Jay Hooker had shown him his copy of her card. Nigel wondered how many more cards Vivian had passed out, but he said nothing. Arrangement for the date was finalized as each of them looked forward to it with high expectations.

Vivian had dressed with great care. She wore a casual simple dress, that afforded a generous view of her cleavage. Despite its ordinariness the dress just looked fabulous on her. Her make-up was perfect and she felt pretty and desirable. Just like her first dates with Luke and John, she vowed to herself that if she wasn't to have sex at the end of this date; it wouldn't be as a result of any reticence on her part.

The movie was an innocuous and forgettable light comedy. They held hands and leaned towards each other. However since the theater was fully attended they were circumspect in not indulging in some public groping. For dinner after the movie Nigel had picked out an upscale steak house.

They had a wonderful time as they enjoyed each other's company immensely. Their conviviality was not spoiled by the occasional disapproving glances directed at them by other patrons in the restaurant. From Nigel's perspective, he discerned that although race relations had noticeably improved since his grandfather's day still the sight of interracial couples attract consternation in the minds of some in both races. He also saw that Vivian was either oblivious to the muted hostility displayed against them or she did not give a damn; and he was delighted with either case

There were so many pluses in Vivian. Not the least of which aside from her racial indifference, was her physical beauty. She was a striking woman who stood out in any exclusive crowd of females. There would invariably be prettier women than Vivian by any objective standards. Still she had a femme fatale look to her that would bewitch any man coming under her spell; Nigel sensed that he definitely was not immune from her allure.

Besides her beauty, there was no denying her intelligence. In Nigel's mind, Vivian was clearly the sharpest woman he had ever encountered and such list included female university professors. At this point Nigel was a little non plussed by Hooker's accounts of her apparent unpopularity in high school which was confirmed by Vivian in their initial meeting. He supposed that part of her unpopularity had to stem from her self assurance and her arrogance; traits in a female that are sure to have a negative impact on those she comes into contact.

They engaged in a more substantial conversation than is the norm on first dates. Vivian revealed herself to be a truly impressive woman. Notwithstanding her outrageous behavior on their first meeting, Nigel no longer considered her simply as an immoral libertine but merely a vibrant women with a healthy appetite for sex. Even those of her characteristics that by objective standards would be deemed dishonorable or ignoble; there were mitigating factors that would render such negatives into a positive.

For example despite her ill disguised self pride and a tinge of arrogance the same was tempered by a curious oxymoron trait of unpretentiousness. It was obvious to Nigel that Vivian did not put too much stock upon her apparent superior abilities as she merely attributed the same to be the natural outcome of the life she had led. Her actual arrogance only stemmed from her disdain of others not taking full advantage of opportunities afforded them in life.

Vivian would naturally concede that those with physical limitations did have a handicap that could hinder them from achieving success and happiness. However in her view there is no excuse for an able bodied individual to succeed in the United States. And born to poverty definitely was not a bar to success as far as Vivian was concerned. That is why she was charmed by the story of Nigel's paternal grandparents.

They were shunned by both the white and black communities in North Carolina as well as most of their acquaintances and her family. Yet they persevered and succeeded against all odds to lead a middle class lifestyle. Nigel's grandfather whose name was Rolfe, was a skilled carpenter and he was able to establish a dependable business and income. Nigel's father whose name was Carl was their only child and he thrived under their influence. Carl became a doctor and Nigel's mother was a high school music teacher who also gave out piano lessons on the side.

As a result Nigel grew up in a model affluent mixed neighborhood in Charlotte NC and he was never tempted to join a gang or to associate with unsuitable companions. He and his brother Rod were successful students in high school. Rod was a star athlete and was recruited as defensive cornerback for the UW Badgers. He was such a good player in college that he was drafted into the NFL and was now in his second year with the Miami Dolphins.

Nigel was not an athlete but he was a brilliant student so that he was able to win some academic scholarships to defray his educational expenses. Since his brother had gone to the University of Wisconsin he did likewise. Nigel admired Rod and subconsciously wanted to emulate him, although he never could be as athletic as Rod.

At UW, Nigel had enrolled in the chemical engineering program and that is how he met John Jay Hooker. They roomed together in the past two years and they became fast friends as a result. And that is how Nigel became first aware of Vivian.

Vivian for her part had a similar compelling story to relate about her paternal grandfather. Axsel Laaning also immigrated to the USA from Germany, but he was not a German. He was an Estonian who graduated from a military college in Estonia. His graduation coincided with Germany's invasion of Russia in 1941 and its resultant occupation of Estonia. The German military immediately recruited Vivian's grandfather into the Luftwaffe.

Although a somewhat successful fighter pilot, Axsel Laaning's plane was shot down in France near the end of the war. He was captured and was briefly a prisoner of war in an American prison of war camp. After the war he was released to return to Germany and he settled with other displaced Estonians in Stuttgart. There he met an Estonian girl, Klaudia, and married her before immigrating to the USA.

They arrived in Lydiaville, Wisconsin as the Lutheran Church in the town sponsored them. Axsel Laaning immediately found work as a farm laborer. Klaudia was able to find work in cleaning houses. Together the couple worked hard that within ten years they were able to purchase a small farm. Vivian's father, Toomas, the only child of Axsel and Klaudia was born within a year of their arrival in the US. As soon as Toomas took over the farm he purchased more of the adjacent land so that the Laaning farm became one of the largest and certainly the most prosperous farm in the area.