Iris and the staff put out their usual barbecue spread in the bar. “What the hell is this?” Billy asked holding up a Conch fritter. Chris leaned over and whispered in his ear before we could respond. “I’m not eating that shit!” He said as he dropped the fritter back onto the platter. I agreed whole-heartedly about the Conch, but I had better manners than to voice it the way he did.
Myra and Shelby exchanged amazed glances at how accurately Adrienne had described Billy and Chris. They watched the other guests intently to see if they were as she described. I giggled as each time they looked at each other incredulously.
Billy reminded me of an overgrown Harry Potter complete with the little glasses. He was a pudgy man with a boyish face. His belly protruded over his belt making him look like he was expecting a baby in a few months. I got tickled when I looked at his delicate little hands. They were so soft, I doubted he had ever seen a hard days work in his life.
Chris was the same height as Billy, but was in much better shape. He kept his thinning brown hair cropped short, unlike his lover who looked a little shaggy. Chris had a sweet boyish face with bright blue eyes. He looked like the typical kid next door.
Jerri and Richard Burke openly appraised everyone in the bar. They of course said that they were looking for some place different to vacation during casual conversation. They spent most of their meal ogling the women.
Jerri was a little taller than her husband. They made an odd looking couple. She was tall and slender with short dark hair, and dark eyes. Her husband Richard was a redhead with red freckles all over his body. He was short with a slightly muscular build. He had a tattoo of a spider on the back of his hand that looked like he had done it himself while drunk.
Brandon hung around the bar after most of the crowd had gone to their cottages. He asked a lot of strange questions about the Inn, that most guests did not normally care to know. I began to wonder if he was interested in buying and was considering our place as a prospect.
When we were finally alone in the bar Myra, Shelby, and I made a beeline for
Adrienne. We hit her with a barrage of questions like the paparattzi. We all bellied up to the bar to see if she learned anything new.
She swiped another cigarette from me, and I began to worry that this strange man was going to cause her to become a full time smoker. “I am sorry to disappoint you girls, but I still have nothing. I at least get a little something on everyone, but nothing on him at all.”
Myra giggled. “What do you get on me?”
Adrienne laughed.
“It doesn’t work like that. I cant just read your thoughts when I want to. Your thoughts flow through my head at random. I do know that you are excited about being able to live here and write computer programs for your customers back home.”
Myra looked astonished. “That is absolutely amazing!”
“Not really. You mentioned it the other night at dinner.” Adrienne laughed.
“I suppose it helps to have a sense of humor about it.” Shelby spoke up. “I am sure you learn things that you never wanted to know.”
“True. Sometimes it feels like a curse. I don’t really understand it myself, this gift. I find it hard to explain it to people, so I rarely tell anyone about it. I learned that lesson the hard way.”
Listening to Adrienne talk to Myra and Shelby made me feel even worse about how I reacted to Adrienne telling me of her gift. Especially, knowing how she felt about me even then, made me feel like a complete ass. I made up my mind at that moment to never chastise her for it, even in jest.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent sitting there in the bar with our new best friends, talking and getting to know each other better. I knew they would eventually have to return to the mainland to make their moving arrangements and I dreaded the thought. It was wonderful having someone around that we had bonded with so quickly.
At dinner that night we all paid special attention to Brandon, because we wanted to learn more about him, and the fact that we found it hard to make pleasant conversation with Billy and the Burke’s. He was quiet, and it was an effort to keep him talking. When it seemed he was becoming annoyed with our prodding we stopped harassing him.
“So what do you suggest we plan for tomorrow.” Madyson asked. She was little cutie. She looked very young with long blonde hair that she wore in a braid down her back. She was so tiny. I felt like a giant when I stood next to her.
Her girlfriend Emily was not much taller, and equally as petite. Her reddish brown hair hung just past her shoulders and accented her hazel eyes. I supposed she and Madyson were in their early twenties.
“There are a lot of interesting sights on the island. The porters are native islanders and are very knowledgeable of all the points of interests. If the weather is clear tomorrow I would suggest a trip to Mt. Alvernia. On a clear day the view from the mountaintop is breath taking. We can have Iris and her staff pack lunches for anyone who goes, and you can make an afternoon of it if you wish.” Adrienne looked at me with an approving glance, after my little speech.
“That sounds perfect.” Madyson said, as Emily nodded in agreement. To my supreme delight the Burke’s, Billy and Chris liked the idea as well and said that they would enjoy going too. The rest of the group opted to spend the day on the beach. Brandon did not express a desire to do either.
After dinner we went into the bar where the Burke’s and the overgrown Harry Potter looking Billy and his lover played poker. The lesbians of the group bonded together and we all sat together talking and drinking. Brandon sat alone, and kept looking down the drive, as if expecting someone to arrive.
“I invited that Brandon guy to come and sit with us, but he said he would rather not.” Abigail said as she glanced over at Brandon. “I kind of feel sorry for him. Billy stayed on his case on the flight to the island. He kept asking him all kinds of questions, and berating him for no reason.”
“I wonder why he came here alone. He doesn’t seem to want to mingle with anyone, but just sit there by himself. Doesn’t his behavior strike anyone else as odd?” Shelby commented.
I listened and watched as the girls discussed Brandon. It was going to be a little easier committing the current guest’s names to memory. I liked Abigail and Sandy. They were closer in age to Adrienne and I, and we shared a lot of the same interests.
Abigail reminded me of the redhead that played Scully on the X Files, with the same hair color and style but slightly taller than the actress. Personality wise she was upbeat and very friendly, with a pretty wicked sense of humor.
Sandy was friendly as well but significantly more reserved than her outgoing partner. She had a unique little birthmark on the side of her neck that resembled a little cat paw, which I thought was adorable. Her hair was curly and long like mine, but light brown in color. Her green eyes sparkled like emeralds in contrast to her dark hair.
Abigail sighed. “He looks so sad. I wish he would join us, at least he would have someone to talk to.”
“I think he’s a little weird if you ask me.” Annie interjected. “I don’t like the way he stares at us, and I don’t think he’s shy just unsociable.”
Annie and Liz had to be in their early twenties. Both of them had multiple body piercing, and I shuddered to think of the other things they may have pierced as well. It hurt me just thinking about it. Both of them wore tops that showed off their midriffs, and had matching tattoos around their belly buttons.
Annie got on my nerves and seemed to irritate Shelby as well. Annie was the type of girl who needed to be the center of attention. She was louder than the rest of us, and was constantly doing things to draw attention to herself. Seated next to Myra, she would often lean over and hang all over Shelby’s lover.
I remembered Adrienne saying they had only been together six months, which explained why they seemed to be joined at the hip. When one got up to go to the restroom the other was sure to follow. They stayed in there a little longer than normal each time they went. I figured they were either having sex or do
ing drugs. Neither would have surprised me with those two. Of course we all had to talk about them when they were gone.
“What’s up with the multi colored hair?” Madyson asked.
“Its then in thing. I’m thinking about getting a pink stripe down the middle of my head.” I said causing Madyson to stare at me in disbelief before she realized I was kidding.
“You know, I am only in my mid thirties but I feel so old next to them. Maybe I should get something pierced. You have any suggestions Hayden?” Adrienne said wiggling her eyebrows at me.
“Get your tongue pierced.” Liz said as she and Abigail rejoined us at the table.
“I don’t think I could handle that. It looks way too painful to me.” Adrienne grimaced.
Annie flicked her tongue out at us. “It doesn’t hurt all that bad. Have any of you ever had a woman go down on you with a pierced tongue?” She asked unabashedly.
I had, but there was no way I was admitting it to the group. I smirked remembering that encounter. I have to admit there is something to be said for that little steel ball coming in contact with
“
“Hayden?” Adrienne disturbed my reminiscing.
“Huh?”
“What do you say? Should I go for it and get my tongued pierced?” She asked with a mischievous grin.
“No my love. There is no need to mess with perfection. That tongue of yours has many skills.” I said with a grin.
“Hey I have an idea!” Abigail spoke up. “This will help us all to get to know each other a little better. Everyone at the table has to agree to tell about their first sexual experience with a woman. You have to disclose how old you were and with whom. Is everybody in?”
We all kind of looked at each other awkwardly. “Okay I’m in Adrienne said and winked at me. My love would do just about anything to please our guests. I rolled my eyes at her, but when Myra agreed to it I knew I was stuck.
“Um okay, who goes first?” I asked looking at Shelby.
“Not me! I think since Abigail came up with the idea then she has to go first.
“No problem Abigail said with a grin. “I was fifteen.”
“Wow!” I was more interested in basketball at that age. I guess I led a sheltered life.” Shelby retorted. Myra rolled her eyes. “Please continue Abigail.”
“My best friend and I were inseparable. We talked about everything, and one day we got on the topic of sex with another woman. For a while we just talked about it in general. Then we got more specific like what it would be like between us. One afternoon after school we decided to give it a try. Her mom wasn’t feeling well and came home early from work. I have never moved so fast in my life.”
Abigail broke into a fit of laughter. “I put my shirt on inside out. When her mom came into the room we looked so guilty. She demanded to know what we had been up to. My best friend Kelly was the best liar in the world. She told her mom that we had been trying on her clothes. I don’t know if she really believed us, but it got us off the hook. I didn’t try that again till I got into college.”
“Oh I would have just died.” Myra laughed. I would have fainted the minute I heard her mother come into the house.
“Alright, since I went first I get to pick who goes next. I pick Adrienne.” Abigail said with a mischievous grin.
Adrienne cleared her throat. I got tickled at the fact that it made her nervous to be put on the spot. Served her right for agreeing to this stupid game. I laughed to myself.
“I was seventeen. I had a huge crush on a girl the girl next door. We walked to school together everyday, and I had to suffer through listening to her talk about all the cute boys she had classes with. We were both seniors and for senior skip day, we went to a guy’s house for a pool party. Needless to say we got totally smashed. She and I went into the bathhouse to change out of our swimsuits. I remember I was so afraid to take my clothes off in front of her, so I wrapped myself up in a towel and tugged my wet suit off.”
I watched Adrienne in amusement. Her face had turned completely red, and she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear. She stared off into space as she talked reliving in her mind the events as she told them.
“When I had finally gotten the undressed which took a little while because I was clutching the towel so tight keeping in wrapped around me, she grabbed it and ripped it off of me. There I stood completely naked in front of the girl I secretly drooled over. I was so shocked I just stood there with my mouth hanging open. The next thing I know she just leaned in and kissed me. I took a minute for it to register just what was happening. I lost my virginity on the floor of the bathhouse in some kids backyard. Then I went home and threw up jungle juice for the next two days, and that was it.”
“Wait, didn’t you two do anything after that? Madyson asked.
“Nope. She lost interest in me after that and pursued someone else. It was my first time I am sure I wasn’t that impressive. I was heartbroken for a while, but I eventually got over it.”
“Awww Adrienne that’s kind of sad.” Myra said reaching across the table and patting her on the arm.
“Yeah well I didn’t miss out on much. Seems she was a little on the loose side. She dated her way through the football team and got pregnant before she graduated high school.” Adrienne laughed.
“Now I get to pick and I pick Shelby.”
“Ah you would you little fart.” Shelby grimaced.
“I was in my first year of college. I shared a dorm room with the cutest girl. She was so young and innocent, so I thought. We started going places together and just hanging out. We had a lot in common. I had really gotten attached to her, but I had no idea how she felt about me. One night we were bored and drove around town looking for something to do. We ended up just sitting in the car out by the lakes at school and talking.
This innocent little thing looks over at me and asks out of the blue. “Shelby when are you going to kiss me?” I nearly swallowed my tongue. That first kiss landed us in the backseat of my car. I still have the car to this day; I just couldn’t part with it. Every anniversary me and Myra take it back to that same spot on the lake.”
“You are kidding me! Myra was your first?” I asked in surprise.
Myra grinned from ear to ear. “Yep and she was my first, so now you all know my story. So shall I pick the next victim?”
I knew from the gleam in Myra’s eye that she intended to pick me. She stared at me for a moment making me squirm. She stared into my eyes knowing that I wanted to choke her and said. “I pick Madyson.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Aw shit!” Madyson exclaimed in embarrassment. The little blondes face turned crimson red. She immediately began to chew her thumbnail, and her better half reached over and grabbed her hand.
“That’s disgusting baby.” Emily laughed. “Now spill the beans.”
“Shit! All right! Um, I had a big crush on my gym teacher in high school. Everybody knew she was gay, and they always made terrible comments behind her back. I never told a soul I had the hots for her. After I graduated I started working at a grocery store and my old gym teacher came in there every week. She always came to my register, and we made casual chit chat.”
Madyson grabbed the bottle of rum in the middle of the table and filled her glass, which she quickly emptied before continuing. “Anyway, one night she came in kind of late. I had just finished my shift and was about to make the two block walk to my apartment. She offered me a ride. I was so nervous my knees knocked the whole two blocks. In the interest of being polite I asked her if she wanted to come in and she accepted
“
“Yeah right.” We all chimed in and ribbed her mercilessly. Adding to her embarrassment making her blush all the more, after another glass of rum she finally agreed to continue.
“We talked for a while and had a few glasses of wine. One thing led to another and we ended up in bed together. Now in school we always referred to her as “Miss Stafford.” In the heat of the moment I made the fatal mistake of screa
ming out. “Oh Miss Stafford!” Needless to say, that was a real mood killer for her.”
I had a mental picture of the story that Madyson was telling. I could only imagine the look on that woman’s face when she heard Madyson address her as Miss Stafford. I laughed so hard I couldn’t catch my breath. In return Madyson picked me next.
“My first experience was in high school with the principles daughter. We went to a party got smashed and did it on the floor of the bathroom. I went home with her underwear around my neck and a half dozen hickies on my neck. End of story.”
My brief and to the point story caused me to be chastised by the entire group at the table. Details were demanded and I was forced to elaborate. “I remember making the first move, but I was too nervous to kiss her right off the bat. I walked up behind her and stared kissing the back of her neck. My hands were shaking so much I barely got her pants unzipped. I think I had her completely naked before I ever worked up the nerve to actually kiss her. Now you freaks! That’s all I am telling!”
“That is so funny! Shelby and I had no idea what we were doing. It felt great ya know, but I think we were together a year before either of us had an orgasm. I was like WOW what was that?” Myra said.
“Myra! They don’t need to know that!” Shelby said in embarrassment, which made it all the funnier.
“Well its true! I mean really, when you’re that young you’re just fumbling around. I don’t know how guys ever figure it out! At least we know what feels good.”
“Myra! Have mercy!” Shelby said as she put her hand over her mate’s mouth to shut her up.
“I know what you mean!” Annie spoke up. “The first time I brought home toys, Liz totally freaked out.”
“Bloody hell woman shut up.” Emily said as she buried her face in her hands.
“Admit it Emily you like them once you got over the initial shock.” Myra laughed.
Emily giggled. “I did. After that I couldn’t look at the kitchen appliances the same again. I looked at the egg beater and thought hmmm?”
I was slap assed drunk and laughing like a fool. Abigail was right we did get to know each other much better. At times a little too well. We never noticed when the rest of the guest turned in for the night.
Gloria's Inn Page 12
