“Okay, okay. I get it. And yes. I admit, I’m more than mildly curious. It’s not your place I’m worried about. It’s the people. And you know that.”
“I promise to tell you if we run into someone I’ve slept with, okay?”
“Okay. That’s fair.”
“All right, then. Let’s go.”
“How will we get there?” Dolly asked.
“We’ll walk. It’s not far.”
“Okay.”
They started out across the motel parking lot, then cut through some trees. Dolly tried to memorize the path they were taking, but soon gave up and simply followed Tommy. Eventually, they came to a large clearing filled with tents.
“Welcome to my home,” Tommy said.
Dolly took it all in. She thought it would be incredibly uncomfortable to live in a tent full time. She stood on the edge of the clearing and watched the people milling about. They seemed perfectly happy, though. And Tommy certainly enjoyed it. Although, she admitted she went to town on occasion to get a break from it all.
“Come on,” Tommy said. “I’ll show you my place.”
“Okay.” Dolly braced herself, unsure of what was to come.
Tommy took her hand and led her through the maze of tents until they came to a spacious red one.
“This is home.” Tommy held the flap open and Dolly walked in.
The tent was somewhat neat, though not nearly as spic-and-span as Dolly’s quarters on the ship. Her sleeping bag was on a cot against the far wall. On the near wall was a long table with propane apparatuses on it—a coffee maker, a grill, and the like.
There was a trunk against another wall that was open with clothes spewing forth.
“Looks like you left here in a hurry,” Dolly said. She motioned to the trunk.
“We were going out. I just rummaged through until I found what I wanted to wear. I figured I’d clean up the next morning. Little did I know I wouldn’t be home for three or four days.”
“That makes sense. I like your little world,” Dolly said.
“Thanks. It’s not much, but it’s home. And it’s how I like to live.”
“You’re lucky you get to live how you want,” Dolly said.
“Hey, baby, you’re the one who chose to go into the navy.”
“I know. I shouldn’t complain.”
Tommy put her arm around Dolly and pulled her close.
“It’s okay. You can always complain around me.” Then she said, “So, have you ever made love in a tent?”
“Oh my God, Tommy. Don’t you feel like you’re making love in front of the whole commune when you do that?”
“Not necessarily.”
“I would.”
“I’d close and tie off the door so no one could interrupt us.” She kissed Dolly.
“Seriously. Then they’d know for sure what we were doing.”
“So? It’s natural, baby. It’s all about love. No one would think a thing.”
“I can’t, Tommy. I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, too. You look so cute here among my things. I really want you again, but I’ll wait. Come on. Let me show you around the commune.”
Dolly felt the familiar discomfort return.
“We don’t have to look around,” she said. “I’ve seen your home. That’s the important thing.”
“Baby, these people are my friends. My family. It’s important to me that you meet them. Now, come on.”
She took Dolly’s hand and led her out of the tent. She crossed the commune with her until they came to the dining area.
“I suppose this is what you’d call a mess hall,” Tommy said. She took Dolly into the main area and then behind it to show her the kitchen.
“Hey, Tommy. Where’ve you been?” a woman asked.
“Trinity, this is my girlfriend, Dolly. Dolly, Trinity.”
“Nice to meet you,” Trinity said. “So someone finally snared Tommy, huh?”
Dolly shook hands with Trinity, but raised her eyebrow at Tommy. She’d finally snared her, huh? She wondered anew just how many women Tommy had been with. Clearly she had a bit of a reputation. Dolly felt a twinge of unease. Had Trinity been with Tommy?
“Very funny,” Tommy laughed. “It’s not so hard to believe.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you anyway, Dolly,” Trinity said and turned back to her work.
Tommy took Dolly outside again.
“Hey, baby,” she said in a low voice. “If anyone asks what you do, tell them you’re a nurse, okay? Don’t mention the navy or anything like that.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t. So, have you slept with her?”
“Who?” Tommy looked around.
“Trinity.”
“No.”
“Okay.”
“You really are going to worry about every woman you meet, aren’t you?” Tommy said.
“I said I would.”
“Fair enough. But you don’t have to.”
“I will, though, just the same.”
Tommy led Dolly throughout the commune and they ran into several people. Most of them were men with long hair and beards and a serious lack of deodorant. When they were out of earshot, Dolly finally said something to Tommy.
“How can you stand the smell of these guys?”
“Not everyone cleans up regularly. We don’t judge them.”
“You may not judge them, but how can you stand to be around them?”
“I suppose we get used to the smell,” Tommy said.
“I can’t imagine.”
Tommy laughed and they continued their tour. The back of the commune opened up on a beautiful creek.
“I spend a lot of time fishing here,” Tommy said.
“It’s beautiful. I wish we’d have brought fishing poles. I’d love to try my hand at it.”
“We can go back and get them.”
“No. We don’t want to be late for this fancy dinner you have planned for us.”
“True,” Tommy said.
They cut back through the trees until they arrived at the commune again.
“So what do you think of my home?” Tommy said.
Dolly was silent as she thought of just how to answer the question. What did she think about Tommy’s home? She actually found it somewhat barbaric. The lack of basic sanitation was too much for her. She could never live on a commune. That was for sure.
“I think it’s an interesting way to live. I think I’d have to spend a few days here in order to really get a feel for it,” she said.
“I suppose that’s true. You can’t really get the whole experience just wandering around it one afternoon.”
“No.”
“Okay, well, let’s get home so we can get ready for dinner.”
“Home?” Dolly laughed.
“Back to the motel. You knew what I meant.”
“I did. Okay, let’s go.”
They held hands until they came to the border of the commune. Then Dolly gently pulled hers away from Tommy and they walked the rest of the way in silence.
“So how fancy is this place we’re going tonight?” Dolly said.
“Fancy enough for you to wear that dress and fit right in.”
Dolly thought for a moment, before deciding to apply a little makeup to dress herself up more. She opted for mascara to bring out her eyes, a slight brushing of blush, and some pink lipstick. She looked in the mirror and was satisfied, but when she turned to face Tommy, she knew she’d made the right decision.
Tommy’s face was lit up.
“Oh, my God. You’re gorgeous,” Tommy said.
“Thank you.” Dolly blushed.
“No. I mean it. You are unbelievably gorgeous.”
Dolly felt the blush deepen. She didn’t know what to say. She stood there looking at her feet.
Tommy lifted Dolly’s face so she could see her. She lowered her mouth to kiss her, and Dolly let herself forget everything in the world except that kiss. There was no commune, no tomorrow, no nothing but
the feel of Tommy’s mouth on hers.
The kiss finally ended, and they were both breathing heavily.
“Now I need to reapply my lipstick,” Dolly said.
“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’d be lying.”
“You’re so funny. Okay. Let’s go, Dapper Dan.”
“Dapper Dan, huh? So, you like the suit?”
“I do. You look very handsome, if that’s okay to say.”
“Sure. I don’t mind being considered a handsome woman.”
“Good. Because I think you’re the handsomest woman on earth.”
“Handsomest? Is that a word?”
“It is now.”
“Fine,” Tommy laughed. “Let’s hit the road.”
They took a cab downtown to a nondescript looking building. They got out and went inside. There was a line by a stand over by the elevators.
“I’ll go put our name in.”
Dolly looked around as she waited. Nothing, not a thing, about the place seemed special. Though, she did note that everyone was dressed as formally as she and Tommy. It was a strange sensation to have people all dressed up in a lobby of what could be any business building downtown.
Tommy was back.
“He said we have about a twenty-minute wait. He did say there are seats at the bar, if you want to wait there.”
Dolly looked around. She saw no bar. She saw no restaurant. She also saw no place to sit where they were, so she figured an imaginary bar would be better than where they were.
“Let’s go to the bar,” she said.
“Great,” Tommy said. She led them through the few couples waiting and pushed the up button on the elevator.
“Ah, this makes more sense.”
“What does?”
“Getting on the elevator. I was beginning to think you all were delusional there.”
“Very funny.” Tommy laughed.
The elevator arrived and Tommy pushed the top floor. The elevator sped past the intermediate floors until it came to a gentle stop. The doors opened and Dolly was transported into a wonderful new world. It was a dark room, done in navies and blacks. The lights were muted, the music low. But the view!
“What an amazing view,” Dolly said. “I can see forever out the windows.”
The windows went all around the floor, so the view of the city was available no matter where you looked.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It really is,” Dolly said.
They pushed through the crowd at the bar and Tommy ordered their usual drinks for them. They sat in some soft chairs at a low table and sipped them.
“I love this place,” Dolly said.
“Good. I knew you would.”
Dolly looked out the windows in front of them and could see the docks. She saw what she assumed was her ship waiting for her to depart on the next day. The thought made her sad, very sad. She felt the tears in her eyes and fought to keep them from spilling over. The last thing she wanted was mascara running down her cheeks.
“Are you okay?” Tommy said.
“Yes.” Dolly took a napkin and dabbed at her eyes.
“Why are you sad?”
“Just thinking about tomorrow.”
“No, no. Please don’t. Not now. We’ll worry about that tomorrow. Let’s just enjoy the night.”
“I do so wish I could be more like you,” Dolly said.
“No,” Tommy said. “You need to be you. Because that’s who I love.”
“Now you’re going to make me cry again.”
“No more tears.”
“Okay. I’ll try.”
They were called to their table, which was on the other side of the restaurant. It afforded them a completely different view of the city, though just as stunning. Lights twinkled off in the distance. Dolly was captivated.
“I can’t get over the views from this place.” She sipped her second glass of wine.
“I knew you’d love it.”
“I really do.”
The waiter took their order and they ordered more drinks, too. Dolly was getting a good buzz going.
“I suppose I’d better slow down on these drinks,” she said.
“Why? You deserve to go out with a bang.”
“I can’t show up to the ship hung over.”
“Why not?”
“Seriously, Tommy. That wouldn’t go over very well with the higher-ups.”
“You know how I feel about the higher ups.”
“Unfortunately, they run my life. And that life starts again tomorrow, whether I like it or not.”
“I can’t imagine living my life taking orders from someone else,” Tommy said.
“It’s actually a lot of someone elses, not just one.”
“That’s even worse.”
“Tommy, let’s not talk about that. Not now.”
Dolly found herself frustrated by Tommy’s attitude. She should respect what Dolly did, even if she didn’t agree with it. But she knew that wasn’t going to happen. And she asked herself if she respected Tommy’s calling. Not really. What was she thinking? How could this relationship last?
“Whatcha thinkin’?” Tommy asked.
“Nothing,” she said. “Just pondering reality.”
“Ah yes. Reality. I thought we agreed not to worry about that tonight.”
“We did. But sometimes I think.”
“You think too much, baby. Relax and enjoy the evening.”
“I’m trying.”
But Dolly couldn’t shake her unease. The very basis of a relationship was trust. Did she trust Tommy? Somewhat. Not really. Not on the commune with other women and free love. The other basis was respect. That was something neither of them had. She was beginning to wonder if they were making a grave mistake. Maybe they shouldn’t try to make it last.
She sipped her next glass of wine and made herself stop her silly way of thinking.
“Do you ever get out of town? You know, travel anywhere?” she said.
“Random,” Tommy said. “But yes, I do. Depends where I need to protest. If there’s a big development that’s cutting down lots of trees, I’ll be there.”
“Even if it’s your dad’s company?”
“Especially if it’s Dad’s company. He’s made enough money. He doesn’t need to kill any more trees.”
“Wow. I can’t imagine feeling that way.”
“Well, your father probably hasn’t been able to set up a never ending trust fund for you, has he? How many servants do your folks have? How many houses and estates?”
“I guess I see your point. We only have the one house I grew up in and we have no servants. And God knows I don’t have a trust fund.”
“Yep. He’s got more money than God. He doesn’t need to keep raping the land.”
Their dinner arrived and they chatted while they ate.
“I bet your folks are really down to earth,” Tommy said.
“They are.”
“They did a really good job raising you.”
“Thank you. I think your folks did a great job raising you, too. I really like you.”
“I really like you, too.” Tommy laughed. She signaled for the waiter and ordered two more drinks.
“How can you not be sloshed?” Dolly said.
“I can hold my booze okay. How are you doing?”
“I’m getting drunk.”
Tommy laughed again.
“No harm in that, like I said. I think you should relax and be totally at ease tonight.”
“Well, I don’t want to be too drunk for later, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, you won’t be.”
Chapter Sixteen
They finished their dinner and Tommy hailed a cab for them. The night was warm, made warmer by the large amount of bourbon she’d drank. She looked over at Dolly, whose breasts were barely held in by the fabric of the dress, and her hormones surged. She couldn’t wait to get back to the motel and have her way with her. She noted that Dolly was rather inebriated an
d wondered what drunk lovemaking with her would be like. Would it be sloppy? Frenzied? She had no way of knowing. She smiled to herself. The unknown was often quite enjoyable.
They got back to the motel and Dolly smiled at Tommy.
“So, how long do I have to stay in this dress?” she said.
“Not long,” Tommy said. “Not long at all.”
She ran her hands up and down Dolly’s arms.
“You’re so soft, so smooth,” she said.
“Thank you.”
She brought her hands up to gently stroke her cleavage.
“So very soft.”
Tommy kissed her then, tenderly, her tongue lightly running along Dolly’s bottom lip. Dolly would have none of that, though. She put her hands behind Tommy’s head and pressed her into her. She plunged her tongue into Tommy’s mouth.
Tommy went along with it, her own passion flaring. If Dolly wanted it fast and furious, then that’s how Dolly would get it. She unzipped Dolly’s dress and lifted it over her head. She stared in amazement at Dolly’s breasts.
She hastily stripped off her own shirt and undershirt and stood, feeling Dolly’s breasts against hers. They stood nipple to nipple and the connection was almost too much for Tommy to bear. Dolly was kissing her frantically again and digging her fingernails into Tommy’s back.
Tommy wondered if the sex might be rough that night. She’d not had rough sex with Dolly yet, but she’d not had drunk sex with her either. Maybe that’s just how Dolly got when she got drunk.
Tommy stepped out of the rest of her clothes while Dolly did the same. They lay on the bed and Dolly straddled Tommy. She ground into her while she played with her breasts. Tommy thought she might short circuit from her arousal. Seeing Dolly teasing her own breasts was making her crazy. She was kneading them and twisting her nipples. She finally bent over and sucked a nipple into her mouth.
“Oh dear God. That’s so fucking sexy,” Tommy said. She moved under Dolly and felt her pelvis coated with Dolly’s juices.
“You like that, huh?” Dolly said.
“Shit yeah. You’re sexy as hell.”
Dolly leaned forward so her breasts dangled over Tommy’s face.
“You want these?” she said.
The sight of them dangling there was too much for her to take. Tommy grabbed one with both hands and pulled it to her. She sucked greedily, as if her life depended on it. She moved her tongue over it as she sucked it further into her mouth. She released the one and repeated her actions with Dolly’s other breast. She was soaking wet and needed more.
Love on Liberty Page 15
