“You’re incorrigible.”
“Thank you. And you’re foxy as hell and I can’t get enough of you.”
“That’s mighty nice of you to say.”
“It’s true.”
Tommy rolled over on top of Dolly again and kissed her.
“You taste like me,” she said.
“I hope that’s okay,” Dolly said.
“Yes, it is.” Tommy ran her tongue all over the inside of Dolly’s mouth, and Dolly felt the instant moisture between her legs. Tommy was so damned sexy and so damned talented. It took no time at all before she was dripping in anticipation.
Tommy lightly ran her hand down Dolly’s body and played her like a fine musical instrument. Dolly was useless to try to protest. Not that she’d want to. The idea that Tommy wanted her and only her was heady indeed. She relaxed and let Tommy have her way with her.
Tommy added a little more pressure to her touches, leaving no doubt that she and Dolly were on the same page. There was no mistaking the passion in Tommy’s touch. When she slipped her hand between Dolly’s legs, Dolly was throbbing.
“You’re killing me,” Dolly said. “Just take me, for God’s sake.”
“Patience, my love. All in due time.”
“It is time. Please.”
“Sh. Just relax.”
“I can’t. I think I’m about to explode.”
“Good,” Tommy said. “I plan to help you do just that.”
Tommy moved her fingers inside Dolly to stroke her special place and Dolly clawed her back as she screamed. Tommy didn’t stop, though, and Dolly cried out over and over again, until she lay spent on the bed.
“Holy shit,” Dolly said. “I didn’t know it was possible to have that many orgasms at one time.”
“Anything’s possible when you’re in love,” Tommy said.
“Aw. That was so sweet. You really do love me, don’t you?”
“I sure do. I don’t know why, but I do.”
“Well now, that wasn’t so sweet.” Dolly laughed.
“You know what I mean. I should hate you and all you stand for. And sure, you’re beautiful, which was enough for one night, but you’re compassionate, intelligent, and beautiful. That’s a winning combination for me. I love how smart you are. And while I don’t like that your compassion is directed toward baby killers, I still dig your ability to be compassionate. So, yeah, I guess I do know why I love you, even though I know why I shouldn’t.”
“You were doin’ great there until the last few words.”
“Sorry. I just had to say them.”
“Tommy, I’m glad you find those wonderful traits in me. I think you’re pretty far out, too. You’re good-looking, smart, and worldly. I like those traits. But the fact that you’re worldly means you have very strong opinions of what’s happening in the world. And those opinions don’t necessarily coincide with mine.”
“No, they don’t.” Tommy pulled Dolly close.
“I’m scared.”
“Don’t be. We’ll make it.”
“I hope so. I’ve never felt like this before, Tommy.”
“Neither have I, baby.”
“It’s overwhelming.”
“It is, but we’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“Okay. I will.”
“Now, how about some food?” Tommy said.
“That sounds good. I’m ravenous.”
Dolly got out of bed and pulled Tommy with her. They took a shower where Tommy pleased Dolly yet again.
“I didn’t think I had another orgasm in me,” Dolly said as she toweled off.
“I knew you did. I could see it in your eyes.”
“You could, huh?” Dolly laughed.
“Yep.”
“That’s good to know. I didn’t know that showed in my eyes. I’ll have to be careful. Do you suppose a stranger might read that?”
“Okay, funny girl. That’s enough. Just get dressed and let’s get out of here. I know a great little French bistro I want to take you to.”
“Oh, that sounds delicious. I’m almost ready.”
They finished dressing and headed out. The bistro was quite charming with its arched entranceway and latticework fence.
“How do you find these places?” Dolly said.
“From exploring. I figure since I chose this place to live, I should look around and get to know it.”
“And since money is no object for you…”
“Exactly.”
“Do you ever bring people from the commune with you?”
“You saw us at the club that night. That’s about it, though. I don’t take them to restaurants or anything like that very often for a couple of reasons. First, I don’t want them to know how much money I have. Secondly, sometimes I just need to get away. That’s usually when I explore, when I need to get away and have some quiet time. But I do bring them with me once in a while.”
“Why do you do it, Tommy? Why not buy a place and settle down?”
“You mean give up my activism? Then what would I do? It’s what I live for, Dolly. It’s my passion. Imagine if I asked you to quit caring for people.”
“Okay, but at least live comfortably. That I don’t understand.”
“I never know how long I’ll be in one place. I move around. Not like every day or anything, but after a while, it’s time to move on.”
Dolly was about to reply when she heard her name.
“Samson?”
She turned to see Lieutenant Martinez looking from her to Tommy and back.
“Hey, Martinez,” she said. “How’re you doin’?”
“Not bad. I thought I saw you at the amusement park today, but I wasn’t sure. Now I know it was you. I recognize your friend.”
“Tommy, this is Carlos Martinez. He also serves on the ship with me.”
“Nice to meet you, Carlos.”
“Yeah,” he said. His dark eyes hardened. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“Have you been enjoying liberty?” Dolly asked, although she didn’t care. She just wanted him to leave.
“I have. Well, we were just leaving. I’ll leave you two to your dinner. See you soon.”
“See you.”
“He seems like a real asshole,” Tommy said.
“He is.” She groaned. “He’s the last person I would have wanted to see me on a date with a woman. He is the most prejudiced man I’ve ever met.”
“But he’s Mexican.”
“Doesn’t matter. He hates blacks and I’m sure he hates homosexuals.”
“Well, again, two women having dinner together doesn’t mean they’re homosexual.”
“You saw the way he looked at you,” Dolly said.
“I did. He is filled with hatred.”
“Yes, he is.”
“Oh well. Seriously, what’s the big deal? So he doesn’t like that you’re gay. No biggie right?”
“I hope not. I can’t imagine him using it against me. We’re the same rank, so it shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Good. Now can we order dinner?”
They chatted as they dined, and Dolly felt her apprehension about Martinez slowly dissipate. She didn’t know if it was the company, the food, or the wine, but whatever it was, she found herself relaxing and enjoying her meal.
She watched Tommy’s lips move as she spoke and fought the strong desire to lean over and kiss her. Later, she told herself. Later, she would have her way with her.
“Are you listening to me?” Tommy said.
Dolly blushed, a deep red that started at her chest and quickly moved upward to cover her face.
“Whoa,” Tommy said. “What did I interrupt?”
Dolly just blushed deeper.
“Well, now. I guess if you’re not going to listen to me, at least you fantasize about me?”
Dolly finally found her voice.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“I was talking about what we can do tomorrow. But I’d rather hear what you were thinking.”
“Sure you can. No one’s listening to us. Simply lower your voice and say, ‘I was thinking about devouring you again.’ Simple, really.” She laughed.
Dolly’s blush deepened further. She didn’t know if she’d ever blushed that hard before.
“It was something like that, right?” Tommy pursued the subject.
Dolly nodded.
Tommy smiled a devilish grin.
“I knew it,” she said.
“Anyway,” Dolly said pointedly. “About tomorrow. What do you recommend?”
“I thought we would just wander around town. Maybe hit the aquarium. How does that sound?”
“Sounds wonderful. Our last day together should be special.”
“So, tomorrow is your last day of liberty?”
“Yeah. Had I not mentioned that?”
“No. You never told me when it would end.”
“I guess I was hoping it never would,” Dolly said.
“Me, too.”
They sat in silence for a few moments. Dolly felt the weight of her leaving heavy in the air.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“For what?” Tommy said. “It had to happen. I wish you’d have given me a little more notice, but maybe it’s actually better this way.”
“You think so?”
“Sure. No time to ponder and worry about that day. At least not for me. You’ve had to fret about it on your own, which isn’t really fair, but that was your choice.”
“I just kind of wanted to pretend liberty wouldn’t end and we’d live like this forever.”
“I get that, but reality is setting in. We need to face it.”
“I know.”
“But not right this minute. There’s still tonight and tomorrow.”
“And we’ll make the most of them, right?” Dolly said.
“You’d better believe it.”
“Speaking of making the most of them, shouldn’t we be getting back to the motel?”
“I love the way you think,” Tommy said. “I really do.”
“I can’t help it. It’s like a constant craving.”
“Oh, I’m not complaining. And I get it, believe me. I’m right there with you.”
“I’m glad. It wouldn’t be fun if this was one sided.”
Tommy laughed.
“No. It wouldn’t be fun at all.”
Tommy paid and they went back to the motel. She sat on the bed and pulled Dolly down next to her. Tommy held Dolly’s hand in hers and sat playing with the antique ring she’d bought her.
“I’m not gonna lie. It’s not going to be easy to say good-bye to you.”
“I know this.” Dolly felt a cold fist in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t want to think about that horrible moment when they had to say good-bye.
“I just want you to truly understand that. I’m not just saying words. I’m sharing feelings here.”
“I know.” Dolly couldn’t think of anything intelligent to say that wouldn’t make the waterworks start.
“And we have to think long-term. Every day of my life isn’t like the past few. I’m an activist, Dolly. We’ll likely live on a commune and go to protests. You have to be able to do that.”
Dolly let Tommy’s words sink in. Could she do that? She didn’t even know what life on a commune was really like. Was it all free love? Would she have to share Tommy with other women?
“Well, when the war’s over, you won’t really have anything to protest, will you?”
“There’s always something, baby. Land rapers are always at the top of my list.”
“And what about life on the commune? Is it all about free love?”
“Free love’s everywhere, baby. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Dolly didn’t like the sound of that. She didn’t want to share Tommy. She couldn’t imagine sharing her with anyone else. She didn’t even try to stop the tear that rolled down her cheek.
Tommy wiped it away and tilted her face so she looked into her eyes.
“Baby? What are you thinking? Talk to me.”
“I don’t want to share you.” Dolly started sobbing. The reality of life on a commune hitting home with full force. She felt nauseous from the force of her crying.
“You’re not going to share me. Baby, what are you talking about?”
“Free love.”
“What about it?”
“I don’t want you with other women.”
“Oh, baby.” Tommy stroked Dolly’s hair. “I’m with you. You’ll see a lot of free love, but I’m committed to you. I won’t be with other women as long as we’re together. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Oh, thank God.” Dolly leaned into Tommy’s chest and burrowed against it. She felt Tommy’s arms around her. Tommy would be with her and only her. That was a relief. She slowly quit crying and was able to sit up.
“I need to go splash some water on my face,” she said. She went into the bathroom and wet her face with cold water. She felt better, but her face was still splotchy and red.
When she walked back to the other room, Tommy was still seated in the same place. She rose and took Dolly in her arms.
“Baby, please. Always talk to me about your fears. That’s what I’m here for, okay?”
“Okay. I’m sorry I got so upset. I was just so scared.”
“You feel better now?”
“I do.”
“Good.”
Chapter Thirteen
Tommy led her back to the bed again and gently pulled her down so she was sitting beside her.
“There’s lots about commune life you don’t know, but I figure it’s probably not all that different from military life in some respects,” Tommy said.
“How do you figure?”
“Well, everyone has a role. And if they don’t perform their duties, the commune won’t run efficiently.”
“I suppose that’s true. I always just pictured a commune as a big free-for-all.”
“Nope. At least not ours. There are people in charge of meals, for example. If they didn’t do their jobs, half the commune members would starve.”
“Only half?”
“Yep.” Tommy laughed. “The other half would make do or not care enough to even notice.”
“That’s funny.”
“But seriously. A commune isn’t just a giant orgy. I don’t want you thinking it is.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Hey, I know. Maybe tomorrow we could go by the commune. You could meet some people and see the place. It wouldn’t be so scary then.”
“I don’t know,” Dolly said.
“What’s not to know? I think it’s a great idea.”
“It’s our last day, Tommy. I’d rather just spend it with you.”
“You would be spending it with me,” Tommy said. “Only we’d be in a place where we can openly hold hands and show affection for each other.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I really don’t.” Tommy was beginning to get frustrated. She thought if Dolly met some of her friends, it would make the separation easier for her. She didn’t understand why Dolly didn’t see it.
“I mean, I don’t want to share you with other people. I want tomorrow to be like these last few days, where it’s just been the two of us.”
Tommy understood what Dolly said. And while it would be nice to have another day of just the two of them, wouldn’t it be better if Dolly met some of her friends?
“I get that. I just thought it might be good for you to meet some of the people I normally hang out with.”
“I’m sorry. Will you be terribly disappointed if we don’t?”
Tommy took a deep breath. The truth was, any way she got to spend her last day with Dolly, she’d take.
“No, baby. I just want to enjoy our last day together.”
“Good. And if there’s enough time at the end of the day, then maybe we do go to the commune, but I don’t want that to be a pr
iority, okay?”
“That’s cool.”
“Good.”
Tommy accepted Dolly’s suggestion as a possibility they’d actually make it to the commune the next day. This improved her mood substantially. Still, she felt emotionally drained. She grabbed a joint and lit it. After taking a deep puff, she handed it to Dolly. Dolly stared at it and then handed it back to her.
“What’s up?” Tommy said.
“I don’t want to get all paranoid and stuff again.”
“You shouldn’t. We’re not going anywhere. We’re staying in for the rest of the night.”
“Okay,” Dolly said and took the joint back from Tommy. She took a long drag and gave it back to Tommy.
Tommy took another hit and motioned with the joint to Dolly, who shook her head. Tommy exhaled and put the joint in the ashtray. The nice, mellow feeling settled over Tommy. The angst of the conversation was washed away, replaced by a muted serenity. She sat on the bed next to Dolly again.
“You sure you don’t want another hit? It’ll make you feel good.”
“I’m sure. I feel just fine right now.”
“Yeah? You feelin’ free and easy?” Tommy said.
“I am.”
“Right on. I love the groovy feeling getting stoned gives you.”
“Me, too. It washes away all the tension and stress.”
“Yeah, it does.” She sat silently for a moment. “I wish I could protect you from all tension and stress.”
“Thank you. I wish you could, too.”
“Someday I’ll be able to.”
“You really believe that, don’t you, Tommy? You really believe that someday lesbians will be treated the same as everybody else.”
“Of course I do. I have to. Equality for everyone. I’ll die fighting for that.”
“Do you think it’ll happen in our lifetime?”
“I do. I don’t think it’s that far off. We just need to educate the bourgeoisie that it’s normal and natural, not some sort of aberration.”
“And you think people will believe that?” Dolly said.
“Don’t you?”
“I guess I do.”
“What do you mean, you guess? You don’t think there’s something wrong with you, do you?”
Dolly sat silently looking at her hands.
“Oh my God. You do think something’s wrong. You think you’re a freak or something, don’t you?”
Love on Liberty Page 12
