"Can I pour you another cup of tea?"
"Yes, please," Ella said pushing her cup across the table to the raised tea pot.
"So are you ready to tell me what has brought you here at such an ungodly hour on a Sunday morning?" Janet knew her friend; she knew that Ella didn't show up unannounced unless something was really upsetting her.
"I...I...well." and the tears started again
"Is this about Aaron?"
"Yes, he's not happy. He says there is no.... 'excitement' anymore."
"Oh, and what do you want to do about it?"
"I want to make him happy," Ella said trying to control the sobbing hiccups that followed this last crying jag.
"What have you tried so far?"
"I bought some pretty lingerie, a silky nightie, and crotchless panties. I've tried to be receptive to things he wants to try. I don't think I'm very good at the things he likes."
"It's all about practice, sweetie," Janet said coming around the table and hugging Ella's shoulders. Janet knew Ella had been a virgin on their wedding night. She wondered sometimes how someone so attractive could still be 'untouched' at their age. Ella's high standard was her only explanation.
"Practice?" A quizzical look flashed across Ella's face.
"Okay, let's start at the beginning, what have you done? And try to be specific?" At the question, Janet knew she was biting off more than she wanted, but she couldn't bear to see her new friend so distraught.
"We hug, kiss and have intercourse. What else is there?"
Janet barely stifled the laughter that threatened to break the surface. Not wanting to hurt Ella, she covered her upturned lips with her tea cup, hoping the distraction would quell the urge to giggle. Janet knew Ella was inexperienced; it never occurred to her that Ella was clueless as well.