Clicking Stones Read online

  Erica looked doubtful. "I don't know if I'm going to pass French."

  "Maybe we should study together," Marty suggested. "We could coach each other."

  Erica brightened. "That would be great."

  Marty opened the door to her apartment. "Please excuse the mess, my roommate is moving out. We've been divvying up all the stuff we bought together."

  "Did she graduate?" Erica asked, looking around at the clutter of boxes and stacks of books and records on the floor.

  "No." Marty explained. "She's moving in with someone else."

  "Didn't you get along?"

  "Not lately," Marty said quietly. "I'll get you your medicine."

  She came back with two frothy glasses of beer and handed one to Erica.

  "Cheers." Erica lifted her glass.

  "To our friendship," Marty toasted.

  * * * *

  October 21, 1957

  Dear Kelly,

  Our correspondence comprises about ninety percent of my social life. I just don't make new friends easily.

  I hope you're not pregnant. Is TERRamYcin the father? You know rabbits die for all sorts of reasons.

  I haven't seen Morgan lately, and only a couple of times this summer. She was with Britt both times. She has really changed. I wonder if she still has the stone I gave her - the one with the M on it.

  I don't date much. I get very bored listening to guys talking about themselves all the time (do they really think we're that interested?) I've had sex a few times but don't know yet why people think it's so great. Maybe I'm frigid.

  I spent some time with my dad this summer. He's still writing and grows vegetables and fishes a lot. He's growing marijuana between his tomato plants. Do you think he's a drug addict?

  Mom just sold the house. She and George Avery finally got married and he is being transferred to Boston.

  My stone is cold. I haven't clicked since we were at Nelson. I think about it a lot but haven't had any opportunities. I'm too shy to even talk to people much less ask them to click my stone.

  I don't like college. I guess I was expecting it to be like Nelson except with more freedom.

  I have a new friend, Marty. In some vague way she reminds me of Morgan.

  Hope you make it to L.A. for Thanksgiving or Xmas? If so, you know, mi casa es su casa.

  Love,

  Erica

  * * * *

  On the way to Marty's Erica stopped at a liquor store where she knew she wouldn't be asked for her I.D. and bought two quarts of beer and a package of Viceroys.

  Marty was on the phone, a one-sided conversation, with Marty doing all the listening.

  Erica pulled one of the bottles out of the sack and mouthed silently, "Want one?"

  Marty smiled and nodded. Their eyes locked for a moment. A sensation she had never experienced before washed through Erica's body. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  Marty lit two cigarettes she had taken from an open package of Spuds on the coffee table. Erica took one, drew in the smoke and exhaled slowly. As her eyes met Marty's again, she felt a tingling sensation in her body.

  Marty spoke into the telephone, "I'll call you back later." Her voice sounded huskier than Erica had remembered.

  Marty got up and gracefully moved to the record player. She selected several 45's. "I hope you like Rhythm and Blues."

  Erica took a drag of her cigarette and mashed it into the ashtray. "After living in a dorm for two years I've learned to like all kinds of music."

  Marty sat next to Erica. "I almost got kicked out of a dorm. I talked my way out of it."

  "I sort of talked my way into it." Erica laughed. "I cussed out my housemother."

  Marty raised her eyebrows questioningly, and Erica explained about Morgan, and Jesse's death.

  "I probably would have done the same thing myself."

  Marty took another cigarette and offered the pack to Erica.

  She leaned over and lit Erica's cigarette. "Are you still seeing Morgan?"

  Erica shook her head gloomily.

  "Is she living with anyone now?" Marty asked.

  Erica shrugged. "I don't know if she and Britt are living together."

  Marty continued to probe, "Are you... involved with anyone yet?"

  "No. I've gone out a few times but nothing has come of it."

  "I don't know about that." Marty was sympathetic. "It's hard finding anyone. You're too young to go into the bars, aren't you?"

  "Yes, but I'm not sure that's where I'd like to meet someone anyway." Erica felt warm. She took a long swallow of beer.

  Marty went into the kitchen and came back with the bottle. "What have you been doing all weekend?" She filled both glasses.

  "Studying, mostly. What about you?"

  "Goofing off." Marty stretched. "I went out last night and had a horrible hangover this morning."

  "Aren't you worried about your grades?"

  Marty gazed at her. "Everything is under control."

  Their eyes locked once again. Phrases from their conversation started tumbling in Erica's thoughts: living with, involved with, I understand, are you seeing... Morgan, Britt. They had been talking about two entirely different things. Marty was a...

  Marty touched Erica's face.

  Erica was fascinated. She pressed her cheek against the caress and then turned her head to touch her lips to Marty's fingers.

  Marty moved closer, encircling Erica in her arms. "You're so beautiful," she murmured.

  Erica felt a shock wave of pleasure pulse through her. She turned her face upward. Her lips trembled when soft lips touched hers. She went limp in the warmth of Marty's arms.

  This was a moment of understanding. A piece missing from the puzzle.

  She heard herself gasp with pleasure as Marty caressed her. Joy eclipsed panic. The mystery unfolded. Her mind argued that such amplified sensations were impossible.

  A voice entered her dream. "We could get more comfortable."

  Marty helped her to stand. Her legs were shaking as she allowed herself to be led into the bedroom.

  The time it took to undress was agony. They moved onto the bed together.

  "Come here." Marty reached for her.

  As their bodies came together Erica felt the sudden warmth and softness of Marty's skin, and an urgency she had never known. For a moment she questioned that such a thirst could be quenched. "Oh, now... please... now, please," she moaned.

  She felt Marty's fingers trail down her body. She drew her legs up slightly and let them fall open, pushing her hips up to meet Marty's touch. She heard her own hoarse whisper: "Yes..."

  Erica felt Marty's fingers enter her and experienced a moment of desperation as she realized that the act did not satisfy her torment but only increased her need.

  She moved her hips against Marty's thrusts, aware of the mouth kissing her face, her throat, her breasts. Her frenzy mounted as Marty's tongue trailed downward. She gripped Marty's shoulders and cried out as warmth engulfed her, her sensations increasing even in orgasm.

  She was aware of Marty hovering over her, and reached up and traced the lines of Marty's mouth with her fingers. "Kiss me," she whispered.

  Marty's lips brushed Erica's teasingly, then hungrily. Uncertainly Erica began to caress Marty's silky skin. Marty lifted her head. "Your touch is so lovely," she said dreamily.

  "I want to..." Erica whispered.

  "To what?"

  "To make love to you." Erica's dilemma was in her voice.

  "What's the problem?"

  "I... don't know how," Erica sputtered.

  Marty groaned. "You mean this is the first time you've been with a woman?"

  Erica nodded sheepishly.

  "But when we were talking, didn't you imply... wasn't Morgan..." Her voice trailed off.

  Erica shook her head.

  Marty slipped an arm under Erica's shoulders and rolled over, bringing Erica with her. "You're very sweet."

  Erica could feel her heart pounding, or
was it Marty's? She moved closer, Marty's breasts pressed against her own. She was enticed by the fragrance of Marty's skin.

  "You feel so good," Marty whispered.

  Marty's voice intoxicated her. Erica was suddenly aware of her need to touch. Her fingers glided, exploring softness that caressed her fingers.

  Breathing became audible, sometimes in whispered sighs, sometimes in quiet moans.

  Marty's face became lovelier as her excitement increased, the pulse visible in her throat. Erica bent down and kissed it. She looked into Marty's eyes.

  Marty took Erica's face in her hands. "Your fingers are like tiny flames, I feel so...

  Something wild came alive in Erica. She needed to touch the woman responding with such urgency. She trailed her fingers downward. When she found the wetness the shock of pleasure continued to wash through her as she reached into softness. Marty's body had leaped to meet her entrance, then moved, guiding her.

  Erica looked through the blur of her tears. She caressed Marty's breasts with her face.

  She wanted to taste the wetness. The distance seemed insurmountable. She felt clumsy as she moved between Marty's legs.

  Marty's ardor seemed to quicken as Erica's mouth found her. Moans of joy turned to gasps of frenzy as Erica's lips and tongue caressed her.

  As Erica was transported she prayed: Never let this moment end. But Marty's body arched, and then relaxed.

  She rested for a moment between Marty's legs, and then allowed herself to be drawn into an embrace. Marty's arms tightened around her. "Are you sure this is the first time you've ever made love to a woman?"

  "I've never made love to a woman even in my mind."

  Marty lit two cigarettes and handed one to Erica. "What are you thinking about?"

  Erica smiled seductively. "More."

  Later, as passion turned to drowsiness, Marty said, "I just thought of something terrible."

  "What?" Erica asked sleepily.

  "When you came over tonight my mother was giving me hell for joining the army. I enlisted last week. I have to go to Anniston, Alabama for my basic training in June."

  Erica's eyes opened and her arms locked around Marty. "I won't let you go."

  Marty groaned, "How could I have known I would find you?"

  * * * *

  November 14, 1957

  Dear Kelly,

  I was thrilled to hear you aren't P.G. I'm too young to be a godmother.

  I don't know how to tell you this but I think I might be a lesbian. The new friend I mentioned in my last letter - we have been lovers since the night I wrote to you. I can't believe how much I love Marty.

  The first time she kissed me I finally knew who I really was.

  She enlisted in the army before she met me and I'll be away from her for six whole months. After she gets her permanent assignment I'll move to wherever she is.

  I showed Marty my stone and we clicked. She couldn't see the light, but she felt energy coming from the stone even two days later. She knows about a Metaphysical Study group that investigates different kinds of energy. She told one of the guys about my stone and he wants me to come to the group.

  I read the story you sent with your letter and was amazed, as always, at your talent.

  Marty moved in with me. I love being with her every day and every night.

  Tell me more about DANcer. I hope you're as happy with him as I am with Marty.

  Love,

  Erica

  P.S. Marty suspects that Morgan is gay and that she and Britt are lovers. I think that would be too much of a coincidence.

  ~ Chapter 10 ~

  Marty parked in front of a stucco house with a well-manicured lawn. Erica took a deep breath. "I'm nervous as hell."

  "Mike said he'd take care of everything. All you have to do is be here." Marty reached over and squeezed Erica's hand. "You'll do fine. I wish I could kiss you."

  "You have my permission." Erica tilted her face toward Marty.

  "No, someone might see. Now let's get in there before I'm tempted."

  Mike answered the door. "Oh," he gleamed, "you look wonderful. Come in, give me your coats. I'll get Guy, he's fixing the refreshments."

  When Mike left, Marty warned, "Guy's his lover, but don't say anything about it, Mike doesn't want anyone to know he's gay."

  Guy came out of the kitchen with long strides. "Hi," he said enthusiastically. "Mike's told me so much about you." He took Erica's hand.

  Erica liked him immediately. "Hi, do you know Marty?"

  Guy flapped his hand in the air. "Know her? We're practically sisters. She's the one who introduced me to that hunk." He waved in the direction of Mike's exit. "Hi, Mart." He bent over and gave Marty a peck on the cheek.

  Marty grinned. "Nice to see you again."

  Guy threw both hands in the air. "Oh, I forgot my cookies, Mike will kill me if I burn them. I've been baking all afternoon." He fluttered out of the room.

  "I thought Mike didn't want anyone to know he's gay," Erica whispered.

  Marty shrugged. "Just don't mention anything."

  Mike came back into the room. "We've got just enough time to go over the logistics. Guy will put out the refreshments and then he'll be available to take the money as people come in. The suggested donation is one dollar." He turned to Marty. "Keep your eyes open. If you see anything that needs to be done just let me know. I'll greet people and see that they're comfortable."

  "What will I do?" Erica asked nervously.

  Mike patted her arm. "Just relax and be available. Once the meeting starts I'll introduce you and you can begin by telling the story of how you got your stone. We'll open it up for questions and then you can click everyone. After that we'll take a break for refreshments and then we can have a discussion."

  Erica looked doubtful. "It's not much of a story. How am I going to answer questions? I don't know much more about stones than you do."

  "Don't worry. If you get stuck I'll help out."

  Erica watched nervously as the guests started arriving. She was over at the refreshment table sampling Guy's cookies when Marty made her way through the crowd from the other end of the room. "Are you OK?" she asked.

  Erica nodded. "Just don't leave me alone. How am I going to face this crowd?"

  Marty tried to calm her. "I've been to Mike's groups before. Everyone was very nice."

  "Who is that man going around putting his stone up to everybody's ear?"

  "Nero, a friend of Mike's - he can hear sounds from the stone."

  When the group was finally assembled, Mike introduced Erica.

  She stood in front of them and allowed her eyes to sweep the room. She felt herself smile as she looked at the open faces. She looked at the people sitting on the sofa and chairs. She looked at those sitting on the floor, she looked at Marty, Guy and Mike. She was filled with a sense of well being, even euphoria. She began slowly, "When I was seven years old..." She could hear herself speak, but her attention was on the faces. She was fascinated watching the eyes reach out to her. Finally the sound of applause reached her ears. The faces were smiling.

  Mike came up and stood next to her. "Erica will answer a few questions, and then demonstrate stone clicking."

  A hand went up. "Yes, Bob," Mike said.

  "What sensations do you feel when the stone lights?"

  "I..." Erica started to say, but Mike took over. "It's different for every person. Later during the discussion we can go into that."

  Another hand shot up. Erica nodded acknowledgment. "Who do you think the old woman was?"

  Erica looked at Mike, who addressed the question. "Erica's guide."

  A voice called from the corner of the room, "Then why did she say Erica wouldn't see her again?"

  "There was no reason to see her after she gave Erica the stone, but she is with Erica constantly, guiding her. How many of us ever get to see our guides?" he asked rhetorically.

  Mike called on another person.

  "Has the stone ever been tested in a lab
oratory?"

  Mike again answered, "Inquiries have been made from several universities. We are waiting to hear what tests they propose." Mike caught the expression on Erica's face. He looked at his watch. "I think it's time to move on. If you would like to take a stone-" He indicated a basket on the coffee table "-and form a line, Erica will click each of you."