Conveniently, in the local shopping plaza, they’d found a Dominion they liked and next door to it, a liquor store. Unfortunately, for beer, it was still necessary to go across to Yonge and Avenue Road, but the hassle was more over parking than distance.
Tonight they’d invited their landladies for dinner and to help the evening along, Reine and Thea would be here to lend support where needed. Wanting to return their hospitality for some time now, this had presented as the perfect opportunity. The seating arrangements weren’t the greatest; an assortment of chairs and stools had to be pressed into service. However, if the company were having a good time, they reckoned the rather primitive facilities would be overlooked. Despite this, Sid and Ten had made their apartment very cosy, investing in interesting scatter rugs and oriental Afghans to cover the jaded upholstery. The dining table was from the thirties so it could be extended to seat six, but it had come with only four creaky chairs. Sid and Reine would each have to cope with a stool. Handsome pot plants now filled the corners of the living room and either side of the fireplace. In front of the hearth were two colorful, large cushions, just perfect for lounging.
‘I think we’ve covered the basics, Babe. If we spot anything else on the way round we’ll pick it up then.’ Sid looked well satisfied and ready to get the show on the road.
‘Okay, cool,’ Ten agreed promptly, back to her old self, her worries put to one side. ‘I’ll leave this …’ she indicated the remains of lunch, ‘ …and get my purse.’ Sid picked up the keys and checked her wallet.
* * *
‘Look Sid, they’ve got jeans on sale.’
They had successfully purchased the items on the list, plus six artichokes Ten had spotted in the gourmet section and couldn’t resist. Sid had never eaten fresh ones but, if Ten wanted her to try them then she wouldn’t say no. She herself had splurged on a balsamic vinegar. She loved making her own dressings, especially since they ate so many different types of salad now.
They were on their way to the car, Sid pushing the cart.
‘You’ve been hoping for a new pair. Why don’t we go in and you try them?’ Sid checked the store that had caught Ten’s attention: Jordache. She liked their stuff. The store was still selling off old stock ahead of the fall arrivals. The prices were right. She hated spending on clothes, but if she could find a ‘bargoon’ then she was more reconciled, having learned the value of money too early in life. Seeing her mother struggle to make ends meet had cut deeply into her psyche. Now her feeling of security had to be propped up by solid financial backing. With others she was generous to a fault, but herself … Ten on the other hand could be frivolous, but she felt she needed to encourage Sid to loosen up; some self-indulgence was good. She didn’t get many opportunities, but it looked like she’d scored a winner here. She was not one to shop for clothes on her own, but with Ten by her side, she quite enjoyed it.
Ten took the cart and they strolled in. Sid went to check for her size, but returned disappointed and ready to leave. The sales assistant came up and after their explanation suggested a pair of corduroys. She frowned thinking: ‘Here we go, the usual hard sell,’ but Ten followed her. The cords were also at the sale price. Looking better. And when she saw them, she was hooked. There were a variety of colors, but a champagne brown appealed the most. They would go well with her forest green sweater. Also, cream featured a lot in winter. She tried them on. Ten thought she looked fantastic. They hugged her ass just right, then draped over her thighs without that annoying twist the legs can sometimes get. Sid was pleased; the Jordache cut had always suited her body type. Of course she’d have to turn up the hems, the legs were always too long.
Facing Ten: ‘What do you think …’ and was about to say, ‘ …Darling,’ but bit her tongue. The sales-girl looked young enough not to mind, but she didn’t want to parade if it might upset Ten and she really didn’t know how she felt about being out. So – ‘play it safe’ would be the order of the day.
‘I think you should take them,’ was all she said. Later she’d go into raves and give those buns a lovely feel. This unexpected purchase put them in a good mood and Sid drove over to the beer store with rather reckless abandon, jolting Ten’s heart when she only just made the lights.
Back at the apartment, Sid busied herself with cleaning and tidying whilst Ten put away and began preparations for dinner. They had embraced vegetarianism, but were not vegan, and still consumed eggs, cheese and milk. Ten regretted the passing of seafood since she loved the crustaceans. But morally she was much happier, knowing her lifestyle was not contributing to the rape of the sea by dragnet fishing and under water explosions. When she looked back on her dad’s fishing, albeit, on a small scale and just for recreation, she did feel somewhat uneasy.
For tonight they had decided on Thai dishes from the new recipe book. Sid had not, as yet, been so moved as to dip into it, but Ten enjoyed experimenting. She was going to prepare Gaeng Liang Fak Tong, which translated to pumpkin and coconut cream soup. She sprinkled the pumpkin with lemon juice, then let it stand for twenty minutes. The recipe called for fish sauce and shrimp paste, but she omitted them and instead sautéed the onion with ground cumin and coriander paste. She added two fresh chopped chillies. While all that was softening and blending she used soy milk to dilute the coconut cream in a large saucepan, then added finely chopped lemon grass, sugar, freshly ground black pepper and brought it all to a boil. Transferring the onion mixture to the pot, she added the pumpkin and set it to simmer gently.
At one stage Sid came into the kitchen, nose sniffing the air. ‘Mm..m, something smells good. What is it?’ Just to tease, Ten had replied: ‘Gaeng Liang Fak Tong.’
‘Don’t be rude.’ Sid had kissed her, laughing. Now she lifted the lid and took a look. ‘Just as I thought, pumpkin soup,’ she confirmed, nodding sagely. ‘I came in to ask if I could put a plant in the bathroom? I’ve finished in there. I put the white guest towels out, then I thought the maidenhair fern would be pretty on the vanity.’ She looked quizzically at the chef.
‘Whatever you like, if you think it looks good, go for it,’ she affirmed distractedly. Her mind was really on the main course: Yam Yai. They had selected a varied salad, so her work was cut out to get everything prepared. That was the only trouble with Thai food, the time it took getting it together. Often the cooking part was minimal. This one needed Bok Choy, bean curd cubes for protein, tomato wedges, sliced cucumber with skin sections for color, blanched broccoli florets, strips of red pepper, shallot curls and peeled and halved hard boiled eggs. She would use coriander leaves for garnish. Yam Yai had been their choice since there would be no last minute cooking required and Ten could relax. The guests knew they would be eating vegetarian, so they just had to be sure it was tasty.
After Sid’s chores, she would make the dressing. Ten had thought it prudent to begin with artichokes, fearful of people leaving the table still hungry.
‘We’re probably going to have too much now,’ Sid observed, as she began to assemble what she needed. She would put in heaps of garlic and use her new vinegar. ‘Still, as you say, better that than to run short. The baguettes should fill any hollow legs that remain, otherwise there’s always Malibu Jacks down the road, when they leave,’ she added for devilment.
‘Oh Sid, no.’ wailed Ten. ‘They wouldn’t have to come to that, would they?’
‘Just kidding,’ Sid assured her light heartedly, happy in her work. This was the first time she was part of a duo, inviting friends for a proper dinner-party that wasn’t just ordering in. If not exactly doing it in style, at least they were giving of their own hospitality. It felt good.
By six o’clock everything was well in hand. It was time to get ready, being sure the ladies wouldn’t be late. Sid stripped down then jumped into the shower. Soon she heard Ten’s voice asking if she could join her. Opening the shower curtain she said simply: ‘Come on in.’
She put her wet hands round Ten’s waist and helped her step into the bathtub, then closed t
he curtain behind her. Laughter erupted spontaneously from Ten as she fell against Sid and soon was as soapy as she. ‘Turn round, I’ll do your back,’ she instructed. It felt wonderful to get a stimulating scrub all over her back. She was standing there enjoying it when Sid put down the loofah and used her hands.
‘Mm..m, I like it,’ she sighed contentedly.
Sid felt intoxicated by the feel of the beautiful curves now under her soapy hands. Soft flesh, firm and rounded, sliding hot and wet. “What a body this woman has.” She luxuriated in her sensuality. Ten felt Sid’s body against hers. Her hands began to slide under and over her breasts. Then to her belly and round to her thighs; back up and round again. She felt herself leaning more heavily against her, not wanting the caresses to stop, but knowing they didn’t have any time. ‘Sid …’ Her voice came in a husky whisper. ‘We don’t …’
‘Sh.. it’s OK. This won’t take long, I can tell.’ Sid’s voice was barely audible above the splashing of the shower, but she spoke to Ten’s ear, then nibbled it as she slid her arm around her waist and under her breasts, lifting them slightly so they rested on her forearm. She could see the nipples erect and eager. She let her right hand glide down between Ten’s legs, to the soft, full lips, hot with longing, as her gentle fingers probed and parted the silky folds. Supporting her weight, she began slowly to slide back and forth along her slit. Ten felt the intensity of her passion burn into her, like a molten heat. She went weak at the knees, but Sid kept her up. She raised her arm to the wall to keep herself still and then let herself be driven by Sid, as her clit demanded more and more. She brought her legs together and squeezed Sid’s hand so tight that at last only the vibration of her touch remained. Raised to the height by so much sexual pleasure, its intensity suddenly split apart and quickly she plummeted, over the edge into a vortex of sensual feeling. Groaning softly as her body was flooded by exquisiteness, she shuddered helplessly.
Losing all track of time, Ten leaned into her lover, still being sluiced by the warm water. At last she turned herself to face Sid and put her arms around her neck, once more able to use her legs.
‘What a lover you are …’ she murmured into her shoulder, ‘ …and very naughty. How could you take this defenceless woman so wantonly when she has no time for this?’ She moved back to look at Sid whose flushed face radiated an incandescent air of self-satisfaction. She began to kiss her streaming face and neck, returning eventually to her lips. The kiss was deep and lingering, affirming for them both, the sincerity of their love.
‘I’m outta here.’ Sid pulled away and smacking Ten on the bottom screwed up her face into mock concern: ‘Unhand me woman, I’ve guests to see to.’ She leaped out.
Ten was dragging her chain; the limbs just didn’t want to move. Eventually she appeared, having washed her hair too. Not the original intention, but since it had gotten soaked … Sid was already dressed looking very sharp in the new cords and her cream silk shirt. She smelled divine too. A waft of ‘Aramis’ melted her all over again. She heard Sid in the kitchen getting things organized for drinks, and the strains of Geri Halliwell singing, LIFT ME UP. She could have happily lain on the bed and just luxuriated there, listening to the music.
“Get on, Ten” she scolded, frowning: “They’ll be here soon and you only dressed in two towels.” She chose a practical outfit for the evening … if she had to keep jumping up … Just a black, sleeveless top, no bra would make Sid happy, and a tailored, undyed linen skirt featuring buttons down the front, the lower half of which remained undone. The hair? Tie it back in a scrunchie and let it dry in its own time. For a moment, as she looked in the mirror, she remembered how she used to dress her hair for dancing. A pain of regret shot through her. She must develop resilience; reconcile herself to the fact she would probably never dance flamenco again. She began on the eyes, then looked down at her left leg, now wasted. The bulk of the calf muscle had disappeared. She had been shocked when she first saw that thin, dry, scaly leg, like a stick. The skin was back to normal, but would the muscle ever get to the size of the other one? Right now the toes were puffy because she’d been on it too long. She couldn’t put her foot up tonight either, not ’til bedtime. How she hated all this.
Voices. She checked her watch. Yes, Moira and Rani were right on time. She heard Sid saying that she, Ten, wouldn’t be long. Quickly she finished her eyes and decided to be jewelryless. She’d taken to wearing her leather thongs at home since they left her toes free and encouraged her to get her heel down. Quickly she slipped them on and went out to greet the women.
‘Ah, here she is,’ observed Sid as she emerged from the other room. Moira was struck by her radiance. There was a bloom about her and a definite air of satisfaction.
She and Sid were nursing beers. Rani had opted for a white wine spritzer. She looked beautiful in a midnight-blue sari, edged with silver and gold filigree. Elaborate, dangling silver earrings set off the perfect oval of her face. As she moved, silver bangles tinkled on her wrist and her evening slippers reflected shafts of silver and gold.
‘What for you, Ten?’ Sid enquired, giving her a special look of intimate appraisal that made her glow from the inside.
‘A spritzer would be fine for me too, thanks.’ She looked hastily down, too covered in confusion by the traitorous tug of her feelings. Sid smiled.
Bowls of nibblies: nuts, potato chips and olives had been set out and they sat, ill at ease now they had no business to discuss. The silence was unsettling. Ten and Moira began to speak at the same time just as the doorbell rang.
‘That’ll be them,’ Sid acknowledged in relief, jumping up from the cushions. The others continued to sit in silence, not looking at each other, letting their eyes wander about the room, aimlessly. Suddenly the air exploded as Reine came striding in, filling the doorway with her bulk, then the room itself with her overflowing energy, as she boomed out her hearty greetings. Ten, who had risen at her appearance, was now clasped in a warm embrace as she declared: ‘Pretty as a picture. How are you?’
She stood back, holding her hands at arms’ length. ‘This good for nothing friend of mine taking care of you properly, eh?’ she asked, her face taking on a lecherous cast. ‘If she’s not, you send her to me. I’ll soon tell her which end is up,’ she leered, guffawing at her own humor. No one else followed suit, leaving Ten blushing to her hairline. Thea felt she should step in and introduced herself, in an effort to for-stall any further lascivious outbursts.
‘Now I was coming to that,’ Sid looked aggrieved: ‘It was just Reine here took over and didn’t give me a chance.’
Introductions proceeded on a more formal basis and then drinks were dispensed. Both Reine and Moira wore light colored shirts and tailored pants. Whereas Reine had a contrasting vest over her shirt, Moira wore the suit jacket to complete the ensemble. Thea, as usual, was in a colorful outfit, a loose over blouse and flowing dark red skirt. Her eyes, behind her glasses, took in every detail of Rani and were impressed.
Quickly conversation began to flow and the process of ‘getting-to-know-you’, got under way. The first area of exploration: their work environments. Ten was glad to see they had been able to bypass the weather. Not contributing at this stage, she was very much enjoying listening, but when Sid suggested refills, took the opportunity to excuse herself.
‘Need a hand?’ Thea enquired.
‘No thanks. Everything’s assembled. I only have to cook it.’ As she made her way towards the kitchen, Reine asked how her leg was coming along.
‘Oh, not too badly, thanks Reine. I still have to take time to put it up to keep control of the swelling … which is a bit of a bore. But the pain seems to be on the decline, so I can’t complain.’
Ten’s idea to begin with the artichokes was a great success. It was a tasty novelty for some and they enjoyed sharing the melted lemon butter pot between two. Sid had split up the couples in the seating arrangements and everyone got on famously. They were there to have a good time and this they did.
&nbs
p; No dessert was served, instead the women could select from a cheese and fruit platter which Sid had put together. They need not have worried over the meal being vegetarian, the guests all declared themselves well satisfied. By this time in the proceedings, conversation was flowing freely. Topics had been many and varied, but the one under current discussion was the insistence by the French to pursue nuclear testing in the Asia-Pacific Region. Rani was of the opinion that the whole exercise was pointless.
‘They have a right to be able to defend themselves,’ Reine pointed out reasonably. ‘Not that I condone testing anywhere but in their own back yard, mind you.’
‘But that’s the point, Reine,’ Rani contended. ‘If the French need to defend themselves it will most likely be from an attack by their neighbors. This being the case, will they use a nuclear bomb and run the risk of killing or inflicting suffering on their own people?’
‘Just like Bosnia Herzegovina,’ Sid interjected. ‘Too close to home.’
‘Exactly,’ Rani nodded as she turned to acknowledge Sid’s observation. ‘Now if they won’t use nuclear warheads for attack purposes and they can’t use them for defence, what is the point of all this?’
Thea began to speak slowly. ‘I wonder if, since all this started after Jacques Chirac was elected and there was no demand from the French people that this testing take place, if Chirac is fulfilling a promise. Perhaps paying his dues to the Military?’ She looked around at the faces of the women gathered at the table. All were pursuing her argument with interest. ‘See here. If they helped elect him, then …’
‘It’s too bad someone couldn’t come up with a face saving solution for him,’ Ten pondered. ‘Some way to get him off the hook. It’s obvious the French are not wholeheartedly behind him.’
‘It’s interesting too, how silent the English are being on this contentious issue,’ Moira noted. ‘I wonder what power is holding their tongue?’ Since no one had an answer to this, they lapsed into silence.
Outing of the Heart Page 79
