Allison on the Beach

From Cosabella Lingerie at La Petite Coquette. Allison was disappointed. She'd gone out on a date with a guy she really enjoyed but she didn't know if he liked her. They were so different from each other, from such different backgrounds. She was frustrated by her lack of sensitivity to social cues. Mostly introverted and absorbed by her studies (working on a degree in biology at Sweet Briar College, but what could she do afterward since only unmarried women could teach and she wasn't planning on being an old maid, and chances of her breaking into a scientific career were slim), she could only tell if a guy were interested if he directly said so or tried to kiss her. But even the guys who tried to kiss her weren't truly interested, curses upon them! She’d make out with a guy in the shadowy back corridor of the dance hall, only to never hear from him again.

Where would a girl be without gal pals? After a good dose of shopping therapy where she picked up a cute little swimsuit with a sweetheart neckline, ruched corset waistline, and a swingy flirty polka dot skirt, she and fellow biology buddy Nancy headed off for the summer at Nancy's parents' beach house on the Outer Banks. A whole summer of sun and laughter, swimming, boating, and playing, gradually she'd forget about that guy...

Minnie in the Chevy

Perched on the back of the truck, Minnie could see for miles across the flat lands of the Mississippi delta. It was late afternoon and Zack was taking her out to dinner for jambalaya and blackened catfish and to hear a local zydeco band play on the other side of the parish. There would be dancing under the stars with colored lanterns strung among the live oaks. Minnie just bought the dress of her dreams -- a russet silk organza gown with embroidered gold dots -- she felt like an Indian princess. Underneath she wore a simple shell pink silk corset, the tightness of the steel wires making her feel acutely sensual. All seemed like it was going well. Her brother Little John (all 6 foot 5 inches of him) didn't give Zack a hard time for once, grudgingly nodding as they waved goodbye, the wooden screen door slamming on the way out. Zack was in a good mood, laughing and joking, holding her hand except when he had to shift gears. Then, 5 miles out of town, there was a clicking, a sputtering, a cloud of black smoke, an ominous shudder and then nothing. Thank heavens for the breeze blowing away the mosquitoes.

Florida Ruby

Ruby escaped the hot sultry sun when she slipped into the shade of the Spanish moss and cypress trees. Smiling when she saw the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, she was relieved that she wouldn't have to go to the golf course this afternoon with her fiancé Fred. It was so deadly dreary, following the links with him, having to fake laughter when Ronnie his law school buddy told his jokes and listen to that same old story that she was so sick of hearing, about how he snuck a fish in his cousin Patricia's purse because she wouldn't go out on a date with pimply-faced bumbling George. Ronnie thought he was so clever and charming. Ruby was content to have the rest of the afternoon to wear her new flowered red dress with her new bright blue satin underbust corset. She'd change into a more proper ladylike corset when she dressed for dinner this evening. She decided to hop in her daddy’s motorboat and drive across the swamp to pick up Darlene and head over to the Last Catch Café where handsome Jack spent his days. He was the proprietor and said he’d buy her a mint julep the next time she visited. His dark tan, muscular physique and dashing smile made her feel all tingly inside.