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Early Retirement

Janet Watson was walking back from the empty mailbox when she noticed a small moving van pulling away from an apartment at the end of her building. Passing, she noticed the door was open. She glanced in and found an older lady moving around using crutches because of a missing leg.

"Hey, I live a few doors down. Can I help?" Then, Janet introduced herself.

"Sure," Carol Olson said, then introduced herself. "My husband passed away a few years ago, and I just decided it was time to downsize."

Janet studied Carol and decided she might be in her late forties, probably ten years older than she was. Attractive, she thought, even with one leg, as if that could disqualify someone from being attractive. She had seen quite a few amputees in the recent years, mostly because of combat injuries now that women were allowed such duties. Of course, she had never actually known any amputees.

"Moving is the worst," Carol said, continuing. "Maybe that's why I waited so long to do something. The movers put most of it away for me. If you could take that box there to the kitchen; that would be great."

The box rattled some, probably silverware, so Janet set the box on the kitchen island and opened it. Yes, silverware. She opened a drawer and found a few other pieces so she finished filling the divided rack with the rest.

Carol wore short pants, and a plain white tee shirt, barefooted, with her hair pulled back in a graying ponytail. Her still shapely breasts, not large, not small either, were hanging free from any sort of bra, and the nipples sometimes pressed against the fabric in interesting ways. Janet caught herself looking more than was polite, but had not gotten caught, yet.

"There, that's enough for now. Thanks." Carol wiped her forehead with the bottom of the tee shirt and in the process flashed a breast, but said nothing. "Worked up a little bit of sweat."

"Must be a bitch doing that with one leg. What do I know, never known anyone who was."

"You get used to doing things in different ways. Been a while since I lost it. Not so bad, I guess, although some act like it's the worst thing possible. I guess I just rolled with the punch."

"If it happened to me, at least now I know it doesn't have to be. I'll get out of your hair and let you rest a bit."

"Stay if you want. I'd like the company. Can I get you something to drink...I have some cold beer."

Janet said that would be perfect. The day was hot and one of the last days of summer before things started cooling down. She leaned back against the counter and watched Carol suck down several long swigs. It was nice to see a woman so at ease with herself. She wished she could relax and let things go without getting so worked up over nothing. Clearly, Carol had pushed past losing a leg, and losing a husband, and appeared to not have a care in the world. Wow.

"Did you live around here?" Janet said.

"No, we lived in Southern California the whole time we were married. It was time to move elsewhere, and I thought living close to the ocean would be nice. I can't wait to go to the beach one day soon and wiggle my toes in the sand, show off some skin." Carol laughed. "Ever been to a nude beach, wicked fun."

Again Janet felt so uptight. She had never been to one or known where one was, or felt at ease enough to undress in front of strangers. And Carol was an amputee.

"Never had the chance." Janet sucked down a few swigs of beer. "Does your leg get in the way?" She shrugged, having no clue how that worked.

"I guess some amputees are ashamed of their stump and how it makes them look, as if they can do anything about that. You see women in spandex who have no reason to be within a mile of it, but they do." She chuckled. "We should all be happy with our own bodies." Carol rubbed a hand over where her leg used to be and the pants leg wrapped neatly round the hip as if there were nothing in the way. "The whole leg was amputated, and the surgeon did a nice job. Few scars, and it looks quite nice, I think."

"I've never seen a stump, so I wouldn't know a good one from bad. You're the first amputee I've ever met so I guess I could use some schooling." Janet laughed.

Without being asked, Carol pushed her short pants down enough they continued to slide the rest of the way to the floor withouts help. She took a quick hop out of them and picked them up and left them neatly folded on the counter. Thong underwear barely covered her parts, leaving little to the imagination, other than if her labia were neat or not. She obviously shaved between her thighs, or whatever that place was called when one or both legs were gone.

"I still have my pelvis." Carol rubbed a hand over the nicely shaped remains of what was left. "Some people still feel their missing limb, more so at the start. I was lucky and never had any phantom sensations or phantom pain. Sometimes it can hurt, but not often, usually just a few times a year for a few days at a time. With amputations like mine," she noticed Janet moving closer for a better look, "using a prosthetic leg is awkward at best so I have always used crutches."

"Wow. I had no idea it would look like that."

Carol could tell Janet wanted to touch it and said that would be okay. At first, it was tentative, followed by a soft rub, then more like a massage as she became comfortable.

"If I lost a leg, I would hope it would be as...nice...as yours. Is that proper to say it that way? I don't know. But..."

"Sure, why not. People say nice butt, or great boobs, so why not nice stump." Carol laughed. "Did you know that some people even find it erotic?"

"So, I guess I might ponder a boob job or a stump and find men wanting me either way?"

"Or women, if you're into women." She snickered, but did not bother dressing.

Janet rubbed again, now over the whole legless hip - front and back. "Does that feel good to you?" She kneeled to look closer and could see the fabric of the panties was translucent, and she could smell the wonderful aroma that she had known only a few times in her life. She let her lips touch the stump briefly, and heard a muffled moan, so she kissed along the faint scar.

"Oh, yes-s," Carol moaned to herself, almost hoping Janet might hear. "There's only one thing that would feel better."

Janet knew exactly what that was. It had been far too long since her last female lover and there was something totally unique about this woman she wanted to know more about. Fingers rubbed over the panties, felt just how damp they had become. She rubbed gently, but wanted to rip the cloth away and dig deep inside and make Carol scream in orgasmic bliss, but there might be time for that later if she took her time.

"Please, I want to know what that's like," Carol whispered.

So Janet pulled the underwear down and looked for a brief moment before licking the entire length of the opening from the bottom to top and the took the swollen bud between her lips and rolled it about. She could feel Carol tremble as she held her by both buttocks, unable to squeeze her thighs together to prevent whatever Janet wanted to do, so she continued to just suck without penetrating with fingers.

"Am I the first?" Janet said when it was over, and she stood close by.

Carol pulled their lips together and kissed for a while, letting her tongue roam about inside her new friend's mouth. She could have easily done more - held a breast, pushed a hand under the skirt, humped her right there in the kitchen. Instead she simply kissed Janet. Soon, they parted slightly then stepped away.

"I'm sorry to say that you are," Carol said in response to Janet's question about being her first. "I guess I've dreamed about it, but never done anything more. I'm glad you did. Are you a lesbian, or was that the first for you, too?"

Janet rubbed her hands down her skirt, drying off the clammy wetness from the excitement of being around this woman. "No, I don't think of myself that way, but there was one other lady I used to have morning coffee with. We would mess around. It was the first for both of us. She was unhappily married, and I was just out of a relationship, so it probably was something we both needed."

"I once had a close girlfriend try to kiss me, but I was too up tight to accept her advances. Later I hated myself and talked to her about things, but the moment had passed. I had lost my chance. I swore I would never resist another woman." Carol paused. "I'm glad it was you."

Janet reached over and rubbed the stump again. There were other things she could have touched, but for some reason she chose that. Odd. She wasn't sure why, but it felt good to touch.

"You seem taken with it."

"I guess I am, and I don't know why. I hope that doesn't bother you."

"Your reaction could have been much worse and that would have been a loss for both of us. I think we will become best of friends, if not more." Carol kissed Janet again, this time for much longer.

The two women spent the next half hour in bed doing everything to each other. They could not get enough of each other. In the shower, they did it all again. And again on the bed. Finally, they were spent and exhausted. All they could do is sleep in each other's arms.

---oOOo---

Carol said she had something to do that she could not get out of, a meeting of some kind, so Janet returned to her own apartment. It was probably for the best because Janet knew she was falling for the older amputee lady, and she needed to step back for a moment before her heart took her places she did not need to go.

Sitting at her desk in front of the iMac computer Janet found several websites of pictures of amputee women. None were of Carol, but most were missing one leg, usually above the knee. Some were more like Carol - at the hip or a very short stump. Clearly she had been right about people finding amputees erotic or at least interesting. Is that what it was about for her, or just a woman who happened to be missing a leg?

It seemed there was more to it than just having met a wonderful lady that she then happened to share a bed with. The missing leg was definitely part of it. How could that be as exciting as a nipple or a breast? She wasn't sure, but now knew it was.

The Google search was simple. Want to be an amputee. It actually surprised Janet that she had written it, but the large number of responses surprised her even more. Both men and women had written about their desire to lose a limb, and sometimes had managed to find doctors to help. There was even a hospital in Colombia that offered the surgery on request for a low cost and without asking many questions. Wow. Really? Was that were this was heading?

She read one woman's story.

I had realized my leg shouldn't be a part of me when I was passing though puberty. I thought I was crazy at the time and did what I could to keep the thoughts out of my mind. Eventually, I was out of college and I did some research and found I was not alone, but there was nothing I could do about it.

I had been married a few years when it all came crashing down on me. The old feelings were intense beyond anything I could control or handle. I thought he was my soulmate and would understand, so I confessed everything and told him what I had to do. I was wrong. The divorce was quick, and I learned about the hospital overseas. There, my left leg was amputated at the hip.

I told people that it had been necessary while on a trip overseas, and everyone believed me. There was no reason for anyone to know the truth. I haven't even told my second husband, although I believe he's a devotee. I find it strange that some devotees do not approve of what I did, and I fear he might be one that doesn't.

I'm happy with how I am. Life is good, and I have no regrets.

Janet leaned back and stretched, then sat with a foot under her hip. She rubbed her knee as if it were a stump and thought about all she had recently learned, especially what the woman had written. Would she ever feel so strongly about anything, even going so far as to have an amputation?

---oOOo---

The knock on the door interrupted Janet and brought her back to reality. That was sad in a way because she was actually enjoying imagining herself without a leg. It had taken most of a few hours to reach that point, but there she was walking around on crutches unashamed of what she had done, or how she looked. It was just a fantasy.

"Hey, come in," Janet said to Carol, then hugged her for a long moment.

Carol wore a short dress and a single high-heel shoe. She was beautiful, but Janet already knew just why she felt that way, still her clothes were nice looking and added to the appeal.

"At last, I'm free. I came here first to see whether you wanted to get dinner."

"I know what I would like to eat." Janet snickered and nibbled her lower lip.

"Tempt me, will you." She laughed and kissed Janet. "You make me feel like a horny teenager again."

"Yeah, like me, too; maybe for dessert."

It was early when Janet and Carol walked though the burger restaurant. The crowd was still small and most tables were empty. They asked for a table were they could speak more privately and were seated in a booth with high back that went to the ceiling. They might have been in a private dining room.

"Did you get everything taken care of?" Janet said.

"Yes, I hope these are the last papers I have to sign. All related to his passing."

"Sorry."

"Yes, but he was older, and I knew we wouldn't have much time together. It was fantastic while it did." She shrugged. "How was your afternoon?"

Janet blushed. "I read up on amputees, devotees, and even learned about wannabes. I had no idea."

"Yes, another world. What do you think now that you know?"

"Not sure I'm ready to lose a leg just yet. I guess."

"Is this something new for you?" Carol sipped beer from the bottle and rubbed her only foot, now bare, against Janet's lower leg.

"I don't know why you lost yours, but let's just say I wanted that," Janet paused, "how would you feel about it?"

"Why should I get a say in the matter? It's your body. What if I wanted to a split tongue, or all my teeth out, or to gain fifty pounds, should you get a veto?"

"No, but maybe the desire wasn't so strong that I couldn't just give it up."

"I shouldn't try to influence you one way or the other. Losing a limb, any limb, isn't for everyone. Just look around at the new amputees who think their life is over, that no one will love or want to be around them, that they won't be able to do all they used to do. It can be devastating."

They began to eat their cheeseburgers and drink more beer. Janet found herself letting a foot rub against Carol's and then rested it in the space where the other would have been.

"What about those things you mentioned...like the split tongue and all?"

Carol finished the bite and wiped her lips with the cloth napkin. "Just things I have fantasized about over the years. I think it's rare that people are happy with their bodies just as they are. Why else would women have implants or change their hair color?" She laughed. "Did you know there are fat wannabes? Especially women, they eat tens of thousands of calories a day to put on the pounds. Have you ever gained some weight and thought, wow, I should keep on eating. I love my new belly." She laughed again.

"No, but now that I've read about amputee wannabes, I guess I can see how that might happen. Is that why I see so many larger women these days?"

"I'm sure some are, but how would you know?"

"Man. Fat or an amputee, which will I be?" Janet laughed. "Have you been fat? It surely doesn't look as though you've ever weighed more than a few pounds more than you do now."

"I'm flattered, but I...now this is going to sound weird, but weird is such a relative term...I have some pills that I sometimes take. Each gives me fifty more pounds for half a day then I return to normal. It all forms in the belly giving me a big roll of belly fat."

"Nothing wrong or weird about that." Janet nibbled her lower lips, trying to imagine how Carol would look after one or two pills. Probably not so bad she decided. "How often?"

"He was into chubby ladies and told me about the pills, so I would do it for him. Only I found that I liked it, maybe more than I should have. It's been a while since the last time."

"Too bad there isn't something like that to have a stump for a while." Janet chuckled.

"There is, but it's injected instead of a pill, and lasts one to twelve hours. I have some at home."

"Wow. But, why do you have some?"

Carol finished the last few bites of burger and said how good it had been before wiping her lips with the cloth napkin. She rubbed her hands over the condensation on the glass then wiped her hands.

"He was more into women missing multiple limbs. I guess I was super curious what that was like, and let him inject my other leg so that I was completely legless. Like being fatter, not having legs was, how to say this so I don't sound insane, interesting." Carol laughed. "I had a wheelchair for those times I didn't want to use crutches, so it was easy enough to use that without my legs. We would go out in pubic where no one knew us, and I would roll around for him."

"Is that something I could use?"

"Sure. I have a little left, and need to order more, but enough for now."

"Oh, wow-w. I can't believe that I'm considering this, but I really want to know what it's like." Janet finished her burger and drank the rest of her beer, and then reached across the table to hold Carol's hand. "I'm really happy we met," Janet said.

---oOOo---

During the drive home Janet and Carol discussed the time at the restaurant and how nice the company had been. Janet asked about crutches, and Carol said she had a few extra pairs. It took just ten minutes from the restaurant to be inside Carol's apartment.

"Do you have work tomorrow," Carol said, "if you want you could spend the night here. I didn't know whether you would need to get a change of clothes for tomorrow morning?"

"I'm between jobs, and considering retirement." Janet laughed. "A relative recently passed away and I was the sole beneficiary of their estate. I'm working with my financial planner to decide if I can. She thinks I might."

"Goody. We can play tomorrow."

Carol sat on the bed and undressed, folding her clothes neatly, getting up to hang things in the closet, put the single shoe away, and then returning wearing nothing. Janet was undressed, sitting watching, and playing with the vial of potion that would make her an amputee for a while.

"What limb and how much would you want to keep?" Carol said, taking a seat beside Janet, then giving her a quick peck on the lips.

"A leg. I looked at some pictures and most seemed to be missing the left leg with a short stump, I don't know why, but it seemed the most common."

"I think the left is amputated more than the right, but I don't know why. I also understand that for devotees it is preferred, too. At the hip is down the list, probably because there is no stump to move about. It probably doesn't matter until you decide to have an actual amputation." Carol smiled.

It was simple enough. The marks on the special syringe were in hours. Fill it up to the desired mark, then plunge the needle straight in where the stump should end. Janet had decided on a spot just above mid thigh and stabbed herself. The leg vanished instantly.

"Oh, my God-d," Janet softly moaned as she stared at the new stump. She fondled it all over. "I love it."

"It's easy enough to have a real one, you know."
"So I've read. I don't know whether I'm ready to sign up for this full-time. I haven't even walked around with crutches."

And so Janet stood for the first time and put the crutches under her arms, then took a step, then another. It wasn't as easy as she had expected, but soon the awkwardness began to vanish. She kept watching her foot swing between the crutch tips and land, then the tips move forward, and another step. It was actually exciting knowing the leg was gone, if only for about an hour more.

"I think I have the hang of walking around here. What else?" Janet laughed.

"Do you mean other than getting in the shower, carrying things, walking up stairs?" Carol chuckled. "It took me over a month until I was doing everything without having to think about it. And now it's just like before...normal. Maybe that's why new amputees almost give up."

Janet stopped in front of a tall dressing mirror and studied the reflection, twisting back and forth, seeing herself from different angles. Watching from the side, she patted her belly, flat and nicely proportioned, and always like that. She pretended to grab a handful of fat and move the roll up and down, imagining what that might be like.

"You'd look nice with a handful," Carol said, stepping up behind her and wrapping both arms around her waist, kissing her on the neck. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Just don't vote me off the island." Janet laughed and turned around on the single foot without using the crutches, then she kissed Carol's mouth with a little passion.

"Darling, I think we are the only ones left."

"Darn. I think we need to celebrate."

---oOOo---

Neither Janet nor Carol had expected Janet to inject her leg again, but she had and this time for twelve full hours. The stump was similar - left leg and short. It wasn't too late to change her mind, at least the next time, but this was as good as any length. The sun had been blasting though the blinds for at least an hour, an hour Janet used to contemplate all that was happening, and an hour she used more to rub her stump than to think. God, it felt nice. And that amazed Janet. Never in a million years could Janet have ever imagined having one leg could be this nice, or that she would wake up feeling this way about sleeping with another woman.

Before going to sleep, Carol had taken one fat pills and offered Janet one as well. How much worse would it be - fat and and amputee? Maybe it wasn't as sexy, and maybe she wouldn't do it often, but it seemed to help the bonding with Carol, and that was important.

Carol began to wake and rolled over enough to kiss Janet, and grab at the roll of belly fat before pawing at the stump.

"Jesus, you are a treat," Carol muttered and then kissed Janet.

"I might need to buy a new wardrobe."

"Yeah, you might if I have any say in the matter."

But, it wasn't until Janet took the second pill and added another fifty pounds that she really saw results in the belly. Janet had never weighed more than one-thirty, and usually stayed closer to one-fifteen, and usually wore a size four. Just the other day she had stepped on the scales and weighed one-eighteen and was thinking she needed to go a diet. The roll of belly fat was huge, the kind she usually looked at the person and thought they needed to swear off Krispy-Kreme. She looked at herself in the mirror and instead of feeling disgusted, suddenly was as aroused as the first time she saw herself with one leg. Oh, my God.

"I usually take two," Carol said. "One is good, but doesn't make my belly look like that. Wow."

"Maybe I should have gotten some clothes first. Now what?"

"Heavens. Don't you think I might have something to wear?" Carol took a second pill and then searched though the closet before handing Janet a dress and a pair of shorts for her to choose from. Next she found a pair of shorts for herself.

Janet pulled on the short pants and tried to stuff the belly inside, but gave up and let it hang over the waistband. She muttered about how it was the best she could do, and Carol helped adjust the roll of fat some, still with it hanging over. She handed Janet a long blouse and said it would cover things enough. Next Carol dressed with similar results.

"What do people do?" Janet complained.

"Get bigger clothes or not worry about how it looks. Think about it. When you go to the pool or beach, will you be able to hide your stump? No, and the same for a fat belly. So don't worry about it."

"No one will recognize me. I guess that might be a good thing."

"Yeah."

---oOOo---

Janet and Carol walked around the Walmart where many customers looked as chubby, only with two legs instead of one. No one seemed to notice either their weight or that they were amputees. It was as if they were anonymous. Janet was the first to notice and said it felt liberating. Carol agreed and headed for the clothing section with a shopping cart.

It was harder walking while this heavy and Janet wondered just how long she would be able to continue walking with the crutches. She thought it might be something that would become easier with practice. Thinking about the way her belly hung under the blouse and the missing leg both were too exciting to give up. Almost overnight she had transformed her ideas of what beauty might mean for herself.

Looking at clothing sizes that she didn't know existed Janet found skirts, dresses, and jeans that would fit. She took them to the dressing room and tried each on and found most fit, and a few were still too small. Next she looked at tops - blouses, tee shirts, and even halter-tops. The shopping cart now had a few things she could wear while being this size. How often would she take two pills, or even one. She put a few things back and kept four outfits.

"How often do you...are you larger?" Janet said to Carol.

"Enough to make it worth having clothes that fit either one or two pills. I've never tried three." She chuckled. "I did learn you could take half a pill and get half the gain. Maybe you could crush them and weigh out just what you'd need for a specific number of pounds. I haven't tried."

"A hundred is almost too much, and fifty isn't enough."

"That's what I've found. At first, an extra hundred was hard to walk with, but I've done it enough to get used to it."

"I thought I was the only one."

"No. You know you don't have to be fat for me to want to be with you. Put those clothes back and just borrow mine when you choose to take the pills."

"But I think that I like being this way...both the weight and leg. It's all so new."

"Give it time and eventually you will find how you should be. Maybe that is just one or the other, or neither."

Janet knew there wasn't any question about how she should be, not anymore. The questions were more about how long a stump and how much should she weigh. Yes, those were the questions.

"Need anything else while we're here?" Janet said, not putting anything back, and letting Carol start to push the cart in the direction of the cashiers.

They stopped at a burger place, and Janet ordered two large chocolate milk shakes and several cheeseburgers. Carol had one burger and a diet drink.

"There's no reason to gain any weight," Carol said. "I thought about it more than a few times, but in the end taking the pills is enough for me. I went a few months taking one or two, never being my normal weight. It was addicting, and I had trouble giving the pills up. I kept falling off the wagon. I still do. Maybe I need to be this heavy. I don't know what it is about it, but I love it."

"I've never been heavy. A few extra pounds would drive me crazy. So, I don't know what's gotten into me."

"You look good either way."

"Likewise."

Janet finished one shake, and one burger then tossed the rest into the trash. Carol asked why. Janet didn't have an answer.

---oOOo---

For the next week Janet continued to use the potion to have one missing leg. Walking with crutches, doing things that way, all became easier. She spent time alone and with Carol, their friendship growing closer all the time. She found it odd that even when alone she still wanted to be missing the leg, and even began going out in public that way, not that she had any friends, and very few acquaintances. Sure she knew people, but only to say hello.

At the grocery store the checker asked about the leg, and Janet told her that she usually wore a prosthetic leg, but it needed to be repaired. The lie was easy to tell, and that surprised her. It was more surprising that the checker believed her. Could she use any excuse and get away with it? Probably.

The craze over being chubby waxed and waned, and gradually went away as quickly as it had begun. When Janet had given it up, Carol did as well. Maybe it would return. Neither was certain.

That did not last long for Janet because she looked at some pictures Carol had taken, and then found pictures of an equally chubby amputee model. The feelings all came back in a hurry. No matter what Janet told herself, it didn't matter. She swallowed three half-pills and waited the short amount of time for the gain to be finished. It was a new bottle, and she had broken each pill in half after finding this produced a better result. Who cares how I look if I want to be this way? She walked undressed around her apartment and enjoyed herself and her new appearance.

She found a skirt and blouse and dressed, not bothering to tuck her belly in, but instead leaving it hanging over the waistband. The blouse did little to hide the roll of fat. She had seen plenty of pictures of chubby models showing off by dressing this way, and she looked just as nice.

"I can't help myself," she said, walking into Carol's apartment.

"You'll get no complaints from me." Carol sucked on Janet's mouth for a long moment. "I need you in my life."

---oOOo---

Janet's appointment with her financial planner was at nine, and she had not slept well because she could not decide how to be for the meeting. It was Carol's advice that she just go the way she had been for days - three half-pills, and one leg, and that it was clear it was how she wanted to be. Finally about three in the morning Janet gave in and took the advice, and slept until the alarm went off. The two had spoken about if Carol should come with her, but both had decided it was best if Janet went alone.

"Janet Watson, for Dorothy Parker," she said to the new receptionist. "Where's Margaret?"

"Not sure, but she no longer works here."

Janet took a seat and waited a few minutes before Dorothy arrived in the lobby. Her expression said it all, but she was silent on the matter and escorted Janet to her office and closed the door.

"Big changes I see."

Dorothy adjusted herself in the chair and shuffled some file folders on her desk. She was an older woman, probably even older than Carol, with short, curly brown hair, and a little thick throughout her body. Janet wondered if she might be a lesbian, but nothing had ever been said, and there were no pictures in the office of anyone in Dorothy's life.

"Uh-huh. Not sure how to explain things." Janet chuckled. "It's all good, I promise."

"That's all that matters." Dorothy opened a folder, but continued to look at Janet. "The leg is new since a few weeks ago, right?"

"And the weight gain, too. Things are healing well, but some of the medicines are causing me to put on a little..." Janet patted her belly, and smiled. It was then that she noticed that Dorothy did not have any teeth, and Dorothy realized she had.

"While we're confessing our secrets," Dorothy scoffed, "I had mine out last year, but had dentures. Now, they aren't fitting so I have to go without until I get new ones."

"I almost didn't notice. You still look great."

Dorothy blushed, and then thanked Janet. "So, I've been going over the numbers and thinking about how to make this work for you." She turned two pages so Janet could read them. "This," she tapped the first page, "is a budget, and the other is the balance over the rest of your life. See, the balance never really goes down much. I ran several simulations with varying monthly amounts, and this is the range that I think you could sustain." She circled two numbers

"Wow. Even the low one is more than I currently have for income."

"If you wanted to buy a house, you could do a withdrawal for the down payment." Dorothy tapped several numbers. "Down, and monthly payments. The housing market seems strong, and this might be one way of controlling your housing costs, but not as an investment."

"That might be enough to buy an older place east of here, away from the tourist areas, but near the beach."

"Don't forget storms and hurricanes, but yes you are right. I can put you in touch with a real estate lady I know. If you know someone, maybe you could split the costs and have a roommate."

"Great idea. I've recently started seeing a neighbor, and maybe she would be interested." Janet saw the sparkle in Dorothy's eyes.

"Nice. If this sounds like what you'd want to do, I can set up automatic deposits into your checking account, even withhold money for taxes. I can run some numbers and see whether we even think you'll have to pay any. Some years we will have carry over capital-gain losses that will offset what you owe."

"Yes, I'm ready to stop working."

Janet put the business cards for a mortgage broker and real estate agent into her purse, and then started to stand.

"Thanks for saying I still look okay without dentures. I'm a little self-conscious about how I look. I figured you might have some of the same issues because of, you know."

"It was weird going out in public at first, with all the stares and strangers asking what happened, but now I'm over it."

"Is the weight gain going to last?"

"Probably. I'm off those medicines, but the weight isn't going away."

"You look good. How does your girlfriend feel about it?"

"She's into chubby amputees." Janet laughed. "Good thing since that's the new me."

"She's a devotee?"

"You know about that?"

"I guess because I'm one. Have been all my life. My first girlfriend was missing a leg. We stayed together although high school, until we went to different universities. I dated a few more over the years. I hope this doesn't bother you."

"No, we've had long conversations about both devotees and wannabes. It's all good."

Someone stuck their head in the office and told Dorothy her next appointment was waiting in the lobby. Dorothy cleared her desk and put folders away while Janet put her crutches under her arms.

"Thanks for the help," Janet said.

"And thanks for looking like that." Dorothy snickered.

---oOOo---

Janet walked to the parking lot satisfied that she had passed the first major test with her new body. Not only had Dorothy not seemed to care, she was actually lusting. Wow. Janet had never expected that kind of reaction. She was also happy with the news that retirement was an option and that there would be more money a month than from her last job, which was much more than she needed to live. Living near the beach seemed like a dream, it always had, but now she was a step closer to having the dream come true.

She stowed the crutches in the backseat and took one hop so she could sit in the driver's seat, something she had done often enough it no longer felt foreign. It was not quite normal, but close.

"I can retire," Janet said to Carol just after the hug ended. "Better yet, she thinks I should buy a house by the beach. Known anyone who wants to join me?" She snickered, than fondled Carol's legless hip.

"Really? Wow. When?"

"Right away. I have the names of mortgage and real estate agents. I will make some appointments."

"Are you serious about having me live with you?"

"If we split the costs then we could afford a better place. Isn't that one of the reasons you moved here, to be at the beach?"

They sat at Carol's kitchen table and made a list of things that the house should have - one-level, secluded, on the beach, accessible, three bedrooms, two baths, parking, air conditioned, nice kitchen, updated, swimming pool. The list was long and had things that were not requirements, but everything was desirable.

---oOOo---

Janet had seen a picture of Lori Abbott, the real estate agent, but it was just of her face. She was a stunningly beautiful woman in her early forties. The woman had a list of reasons to choose her that included ten years of experience and had sold over ten millions dollars in residential listings. They spoke briefly on the phone and agreed to meet. Now, Janet and Carol were getting out of the car, ready to go inside Lori's office.

It could have been a high powered legal office with a richly appointed decor. Clearly Lori and her two other partners wanted their clients to know they were quite successful. Janet knew there were three because of the three names on the company - Abbott, Fisher, & Morgan. Maybe the names were just alphabetical, but Janet suspected Lori was the senior partner. A dozen agents were busy at their desks, clearly not partners, but just people working for the three.

"I'm Janet Watson for Lori Abbott," she said to the smiling blonde with the whitest teeth she had ever seen. It was almost blinding, especially after having seen Dorothy without any, something that still intrigued Janet.

"Yes, she's expecting you. Follow me please."

They followed the leggy blonde with a form -fitted-skirt that showed off wonderful hips that left Carol speechless. Lori was seated, facing the corner of her office, speaking on the phone, but as soon as she heard them enter she ended the call and stood with one hand on the desk to balance instead of use the crutches leaning against the wall. The two women muffled their surprise that Lori was missing a leg.

"Have a seat," Lori said, pointing to two chairs if front of the large wooden desk.

"Dorothy told me you were an amputee, but I didn't know that you both were. How interesting we are all in such a select club."

"Years for me," Carol said. "Not so bad, you know."

"Yes, I find there are more pluses than not. I understand it's recent for you, Janet."

"Uh-huh," Janet muttered, unable to get a real word out of her mouth.

"Don't be shy with me, no need. I'll be up front with both of you. Honesty is important to me. That's one of the reasons I'm successful in the business world. I had BIID and then had my amputation two years ago. Before that, I lived with one leg by using a potion I found that when injected creates a wonderful stump."

"That's what I'm doing, for now," Janet said. "The body is a result of taking fat pills. Neither I had wanted before, but now have become part of me so much that I can't stop. I don't totally understand it, and for a few days gave up being this fat. Guess it didn't last very long." Janet laughed.

"That's fantastic. I know about the pills and have used them." Lori looked at Carol. "Do you use either?"

Carol had not for the past few days and looked as slender as the first day she met Janet. "I have, but this is a real amputation."

"Very good. I assume you are happy about it."

"No regrets."

"Great. I don't usually tell new clients, but when Dorothy called and told me about Janet I knew I needed to make an exception. Anything for a good friend, you know. There's a large inventory of homes for sale, so let's talk about what you are looking for." Lori opened a legal pad and made a few notes before looking at Janet.

Janet said what the budget was then rattled off the top items on their wish list while Lori continued to write.

"There are quite a few homes facing the water within your budget, especially if you're willing to be somewhat remote, away from the crowds."
"Seclusion is important," Carol said. "I wouldn't mind being a nudist."

"And I'd love to see that." Lori licked her lips. "Our home affords me the chance to lounge around in the raw, and I love doing just that. My husband loves it when I do." She snickered. "He's a serious devotee, so I'm almost afraid to let him know about you two."

"Oh, my-y," Carol muttered. "My late husband was as well. Janet is filling those duties nicely."

"I have a girlfriend that I spend a little time with when I need some real lovin'." Lori snickered. "I know of ten properties off the top of my head, any will fill all of your requirements nicely. Most of them the owners are away so we can see those today. If we don't find anything, then we can cross that bridge another day."

---oOOo---

Lori's Bentley was large and plush. Neither lady had ever been in a car so fine. Lori acted as though it was nothing special as they drove from one beach house to another. It was the fourth one before Janet felt as though she had found the perfect one.

"The owners are a great couple. She's missing both legs and uses a wheelchair, and that's the reason for the ramps and paved paths out from the patio to the water's edge," Lori explained. "All the countertops are a few inches lower, perfect for shorter people or anyone in a wheelchair. If you're a basketball player then you're out of luck I guess." She laughed. "They found it a good compromise."

The floors were all solid surface - wood and tile. Large windows offered grand views of the surf. Special culverts and drains and walls would help keep the storm surge from flooding the house without blocking the views. Roll down shutters would protect it from high winds and blowing debris. The kitchen was designed for a chef. All three bedrooms were master suites with their own bathrooms. The patio wrapped around a lap pool with a chairlift to aid a wheelchair user in and out of the water.

"Wow," Janet said for the millionth time, dragging her fingers across the marble countertop in the bathroom. "Must have cost a fortune."

"It did, but the owners are motivated, and I know because you are wannabes, would be willing to let it go for a price you can easily afford."

"If I cut my other leg off, would that help?" Carol said.

"Maybe. Something you are interested in doing?"

"Not lately, but I used to spend more time without legs than with just one. I can't believe how perfect this house is for living that way."

"They are spending time in the Cayman Islands at their newest house, so they won't have a chance to meet you. But, I'll make sure they know what a special couple you both are, and I'm sure we can work out a good deal."

"I can't still believe I can afford something like this," Janet said.

"Normally, you wouldn't...and not by a mile. That's why I showed you the other homes so you'd have a feel for what you could. This is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"What hurricanes has it faced so far?"

Lori listed the last five storms, one a category four. "And there was zero damage. Your nearest neighbor is three miles in either direction. If you wanted to give away all your clothing, you could getaway with never dressing again. I doubt any tourist ever drives this far out. They said they have seen only a few people use the beach the whole time."

"I'd like to have this house," Janet said. Carol added her interest as well.

"Listen, I know what your financial's are like, and what you are after, and you'll be happy. Go walk out to the water and I'll make a call. Maybe they are available."

Janet and Carol walked along the paved path from the patio to the edge of the surf at high-tide. The day was warm, almost hot, with a little breeze. It couldn't be better weather for a day at the beach. The only sound was the surf and a few seabirds flying overhead waiting to find some fish.

"What do you think?" Janet said.

"I'm speechless," Carol said. "This is something you see on those house shows on HGTV that no one can afford."

"It's accessible, too. I thought of you when I saw how much it was."

"I appreciate that. Yes, I did as well. I can't believe how lucky that I am, to have you in my life."

"And I'm in love with you. You have given me so much to be happy about."

The two women hugged and kissed for a few minutes, feeling the salt air swirl around them.

"It's a big commitment," Carol said. "Are you sure?"

"I assume you mean am I sure I want to share this house with you." Janet laughed. "More than anything."

Lori carried the single shoe hanging from a finger as she walked along the same path. She looked pleased, and Janet prepared herself for the verdict.

"Well, it took a little more than I expected, but they finally agreed to your offer. The closing can be as soon as the loan can be arranged, and the papers prepared don't see any problems, so the house is yours."

They three took turns hugging and congratulating each other.

---oOOo---

The papers were signed, and now Janet and Carol were the proud owners of a beachfront house worthy of a spread in a high-end home magazine; the kind most readers believe no one could ever own. The offer included all the furniture, and since neither woman owned any, it was a good thing. Lori helped sweet-talk a few hunky men into helping to pack and move a few boxes. Janet bought pizza. It was too bad the men had dates and did not stay to eat. Both Janet and Carol had a little lust in their hearts.

The evening cooled down, and Carol lighted the gas fire pit, then joined Janet for bottle of beer, wearing nothing. They cuddled and played footsie, happy with their new life together.
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