DISCLAIMER: Janice Covington and Melinda Pappas belong to MCA, all other characters except for George Dasch are my own. This story is done for entertainment purposes only, without permission from MCA. I'm not making any profits from it. (But I will take e-mail at rachel1@ix.netcom.com.)
This story depicts two women being romantically involved,
if you don't like this type of story, or you're under 18 years old, please stop
now. If it's illegal where you live,
Historical note: Operation Paukenschlag, George Dasch,
along with the landings in
Last note: While not required to read, references are made to my other Mel and Janice stories 'The Aegis' and 'Terror in the Amazon' you may be a little confused if you don't read them, also 'The Aegis' starts off the saga of our two heroines relationship. (Hint: both are also good stories too.)
The Further Adventures of Janice and Mel
House on Redmen's Hill
By Rachel2
Prologue
"Diving Officer, make your depth fifteen meters," The U-boat captain called out, followed by "Raising periscope."
The quartermaster jotted into the ship's log the change in depth, along with the raising of the periscope. Then with the rest of the men in the control room held his breath.
A U-boat coming to periscope depth was a dangerous time; they were leaving the safety of deep water and thermal layers that hid the boat's noise. Going shallow, where an enemy destroyer could hear them, or they could be coming up under a fishing boat, it's engines off, and nets cast off drifting with the currents. Many a submarine had been damaged, even lost to such a collision, and far too many times with no survivors to tell the tale.
Only two voices were allowed to speak at this time, the Diving Officer calling out the change in depth, and the captain, spinning the periscope continuously in circles, his eye glued to the sight glass, calling out, "No shapes, no shadows." Tying to catch sight of a ship above them before they crashed into it.
"Scopes breaking," came the sudden cry, as SS Major Walter Rauter listened to the news that the periscope had broke through the ocean's surface. Waiting for the next words, knowing that they could mean the boat's death.
Spinning the periscope three full revolutions the captain after what seemed like an eternity called out, "No Contacts."
It felt like the crew let out a breath as one, as the men in what's been called an iron coffin relaxed. Smiling, Major Rauter returned once again to the mission at hand.
Operation Paukenschlag was to bring the war to
Snorting, Rauter guessed that within a week, two at most they all would be caught. He knew Dasch, and if he ever needed a buffoon for a job, George Dasch would be the first he would call.
After he heard that idiot was placed in charge of the saboteurs, he had insisted that his team remain secret from the others. Since their missions were so different Major Rauter had argued there's no reason for Dasch to know about his team.
He was thankful that the minds that put Dasch in charge thought that the less the teams knew about each other, the better. Soon, the attacks would begin, sabotage on land, and six U-boats off the American coast sinking merchants.
"Major Rauter?" came a voice that he identified as the captain's, "Major, we will launch the rubber boats in thirty minutes, please have your team ready."
Nodding, the SS major stood, heading to collect the three men who were to share this assignment. He still had his uniform on, and until they landed and made sure no one was on the beach, they would remain in uniform. Once caught in civilian clothes, he knew that he would be tried as a spy and face a firing squad, in his uniform, he would be treated as a prisoner of war.
Yes, he thought, it was time for the American's to start
paying the price for their war on
Chapter One
Janice grabbed the overhead handrail when the train swayed sharply as it rounded a curve. Her fingers tightened their grip on the two coke bottles in her other hand; she wanted to get back to her seat with her best friend. If only all these sailors would get out of her way she wished.
Breaking through the mass of bodies, she saw her friend, and of course she was not alone anymore. Without her to protect Mel, the beautiful raven haired Southerner drew men like a moth to a flame.
Pushing her way toward her now occupied seat, she secretly wished the old rhyme of men not making passes at women who wore glasses had been true.
Janice knew she was being selfish, but she could not help her feelings, she was in love with Melinda. She knew she should back away, and let Mel have a normal life with men, but every time she saw a man near the woman, her heart broke. She knew that sooner or later Melinda would find the man of her dreams and leave.
But a hard look replaced the smile she had; Janice intended the man to be nothing short of perfection, and the slop eared scarecrow, creature from a tar pit talking to her Mel now, was not it.
Melinda nodded and kept her smile pasted to her face, the
sailor was talking about going to submarine school in
The sailor thought he was on the right track when the Southerner's smile brightened, until he heard a cold voice over his shoulder. "Excuse me, but you're in my seat," Janice tried saying as neutral as possible, yet she was unable to keep an edge off of her tone.
Looking over his shoulder, the man felt a shiver run through his body, as a pair of ice cold green eyes stared at him. Swallowing hard, the sailor stood nodding, "Excuse me, ma'am, didn't mean to . . . to . . . I mean I didn't, huh . . ."
Falling into the seat, Janice passed a coke bottle over to Melinda ignoring the man, "Anything in the paper interesting Mel?" the blond asked while taking a drink from her coke.
His ego deflating, the sailor looked at Janice, then with a gaze of longing at Mel, turned away and lost himself in the crowd.
"Janice, that was rude," Melinda said as the man departed.
Rolling her eyes, Janice took another sip of her coke, looking at Mel, "Come on, he's not your type!"
"You don't know what my type is," Mel replied, though she was not upset, there was a thing called manners in her upbringing.
Raising a brow, Janice sat back into her seat next to Mel, looking at her carefully, "Ok, tell me your type, let me hear it."
Switching her gaze out the window at the
Turning away from those eyes, Melinda continued, "They have to be adventuresome, able to take care of themselves, yet kind and caring. Someone that I can talk to and feel safe around, but not take me for granted, and know I have a mind of my own."
"Anything else?" Janice asked.
Not sure, Mel thought she heard a slight quiver in Janice's tone, "Yes, they would have to romance me, flowers, dinner, dancing, maybe poetry?"
"Poetry!" Janice exclaimed.
Laughing, Melinda picked up her paper, "Yes, poetry, and they can't sell out their principles."
"Mel, don't start," Janice replied, anger just under the surface of her voice, "Stephen Leckey is ruined, he was fired for not saying anything about the deaths in the Amazon. And I was not planning on saying anything to anyone about it anyway. If the museum decided to offer me two years salary for not talking to the press, like I was already planning not to, I don't see the harm."
"Besides," the woman continued, "You
wanted to go some place and rest, and for me to heal from my concussion. What
else better to do with the money than go and spend a nice few weeks in a
Ignoring the Yankee, Mel kept reading her paper, the
headline proclaimed that six of the eight Nazi saboteurs had already been
executed. Their leader George Dasch had been the first to die in the electric
chair, the New York Times said that justice had been swift, less than two weeks
from the time the raiding parties arrived in
"Mel?"
"Yes Janice?"
"Why are you so pissed at me?" Janice entreated.
"Janice Covington, watch your mouth!" Melinda cried, not so shocked as she was when she first met the woman at her language.
Peeking at the crowded train of sailors surrounding her, Janice wondered if there was anything she could say that could be offensive to the men.
"Well Mel, why are you upset?" Janice asked once again.
Folding her paper, Melinda smiled at the woman next to her, knowing that since she got her injured friend back to the ship in Brazil, her had life changed forever, but she was not sure what to do about it, or how to let the woman know.
"You still insist on getting the motorbike?" Mel asked, her voice almost a whisper.
Pulling a cigar out of her shirt pocket, Janice clamped
her teeth hard on the cigar butt. She knew that Mel was against her getting the
Indian Four, but it was already becoming a classic, didn't the woman understand
she wondered. "Yes Mel, while we're in Mystic, I'll be running to
Opening her paper back up, Melinda purposely placed the pages between her and Janice, "Fine then, kill yourself, see if I care!"
"Jesus Mel, you act like we were married or something!" Janice shot back, "I won't kill myself." Not hearing anything coming from behind the newspaper, the woman looked around, hoping that no one was paying attention to what she was about to do.
Scooting closer to her friend, she was met with a turning of pages, and a shake of the newspaper, "Mel?"
"What?" came an icy reply.
Leaning closer, Janice voice took on a pleading demeanor, "Mel, I'll be careful, I won't get hurt." Pausing the woman listened for any sound coming from behind the paper, hearing none, she continued.
"Look Mel, you know how long I've talked about this motorcycle. With the war this may be my only chance to get an Indian Four. Hell, they've rationed our food, clothes, now they've rationed shoes. I may never get a chance for it again, come on Mel . . . Please?"
Lowering her paper, Melinda looked at Janice, she knew she had lost when she looked at Janice's attempt at making sad puppy dog eyes. "Promise you won't go faster than fifty miles an hour?"
Nodding quickly, Janice grinned, YES her mind was saying.
"And no stunts, it's for riding, not playing around?" Mel added as an after thought.
"I promise, cross my heart and hope to die." Janice replied as she used her right hand to make an X over her left breast.
Sighing in resignation, Melinda nodded, "Ok, get your motorbike or cycle, or whatever you call it."
Grinning wildly, Janice leaned over kissing Mel on the cheek, then sat back in her seat, looking like she just opened a Christmas present.
Touching the spot where Janice kissed her cheek, Mel thought that it tingled, and admitted it was a pleasant feeling. Issuing a small cough, to get the woman's attention as she reached for her purse. "You didn't forget your ration book I hope?"
Pulling a brown pouch the size of a paperback book out of the rear pocket of her pants, Janice waved it in the air. "No way, we best hit the market before we go to the cottage though, the agent told me that it's furnished but has not been occupied since the war started."
Nodding, Melinda looked out the window as the conductor
passed through the car yelling, "
"Why don't we go to the cottage first, check it out, then go to the market," Melinda asked.
Shrugging, Janice nodded, "Either way, just that I was told it was isolated, we can grab a taxi and have it come back to get us in an hour or so, how's that?"
Nodding, Mel lurched forward as the train started to leave the station, leaving the crowd of sailors on the platform surrounding a USO free coffee stand. "Did you see a picture of the cottage?"
"Nope," Janice replied, "But it had what we were looking for, near the beach, lots of room, and no people!"
Chuckling, Melinda looked back out the window as the
train crossed over the
Nodding her head in agreement, Janice grabbed Mel's hand giving it a gentle squeeze, "For once."
Chapter Two
"Mystic, five minutes, Mystic next stop, five
minutes," cried the conductor as he strolled down the now vacated aisle,
since most of the sailors departed at the
Standing, Janice smirked looking at the overhead luggage compartments. She hated this while promptly climbing on a seat in order to grab her suitcase.
"Janice," Mel said as she stood next to her friend, "I can get the suitcases, I'm not a weakling you know." She readily grabbed her baggage and set it on the floor.
Dropping down from the seat, the blond woman picked up her case and made her way to the swaying platform to wait for the train to pull into the station. "I know Mel, but for the past week you wouldn't let me do anything, I'm getting fidgety."
Walking over to join her friend, Melinda looked out at the ocean, "Well, you were told not to exert yourself; Janice a concussion is serious, and you need rest." Despite her calm exterior, Mel recognized just how serious Janice's injury was.
The doctor told her that while Janice displayed the symptoms of a mild concussion with the two heavy blows to her skull, the doctor had been surprised there had been no brain damage. Mel knew when Janice received both of them, the first was when the tent collapsed in the Amazon, and the blond was hit by falling debris.
The second was when Victoria Toller was about to shoot her, and Janice already suffering bouts of unconsciousness, woke up in time to sink her teeth into the woman's leg. Giving Mel time to fight back, but not before the now dead woman pistol-whipped Janice on the head.
She remembered the track through the jungle, Janice being carried by sling spending most of the journey dead to the world.
"Penny for your thoughts?" A pleasant voice interrupted her musings.
"Just hoping the weather will be good enough for laying on the beach," Mel replied, looking at the small woman next to her.
Nodding, Janice grabbed the handrail as the train jerked to a stop, and the conductor placed a step stool on the ground as the passenger disembarked from the train. A redcap was in front of Janice immediately taking her suitcase placing it on a baggage cart; soon to be joined by Melinda's suitcase as the two women followed the redcap to the taxi stands.
The Yellow cab driver was waiting for the redcap to bring him a fare. Brushing some imaginary dust off his uniform, the driver already had the trunk open, depositing the luggage inside, then briskly ran over tipping his cap and opening the door for the two women with a smile.
Digging into her pants pocket, Janice watched the driver run around the front of the cab, and get in picking up his clipboard. "Where to ladies?"
"999 Redmen's Hill," Janice sounded off, then sat back in her seat.
"Wooooo, lady! What do you want to go there for?" the driver exclaimed.
Surprised at the reaction, Janice shrugged her shoulders at Mel's questioning look, "Huh, cause we rented it?" the blond said slowly, while trying to figure out what was wrong.
Chuckling, the driver put the cab in gear, and drove off into light traffic, "Sorry, it's just people around here avoid the house, and the area in general," the man uttered over his shoulder while following the ocean front road out of town.
Leaning forward, Melinda adjusted her glasses, "And why do they avoid the cottage?"
"COTTAGE!" the driver said in surprise, "Listen, are you sure you got the right address, it's the Wurz place you want?"
Rubbing her temples, Janice could feel a headache coming on, "If the Wurz place is 999 Redmen's Hill, then yes. Ahaaaa can you let us in on what the big deal is?"
Getting comfortable, the driver grinned, "Ok, I know about it cause I grew up here in Mystic. The Wurz place is our spook house, you know haunted."
Turning to look at each other, the two women gradually shook their head, their expression of disbelief at their fortunes. "I don't believe this," Janice muttered under her breath. But aloud she asked, "Why do you say it haunted?"
Turning the steering wheel, the cabby drove onto a lonely stretch of dirt road, "Hey, it's not me Lady, just talk that's all, with it's history, and other folks staying there only a few days . . . people just talk."
Clearing her throat, Melinda leaned forward in her seat, eyes blazing with excitement, "What history? Have people been killed there?"
Looking astonished at her ecstatic friend, Janice sat back listening to the driver and wishing she had some aspirin.
"Well," the driver began speeding up the cab, "I can't tell you much; it was build by Henry Wurz bout a hundred years ago. He was a whaling Captain, and stories is that he was a hard one, and came to a bad end in the place."
Grinning Mel shifted in her seat, "What kind of bad end?"
"Not sure, you need to ask around the docks for that, they're big on telling stories, if you don't mind going to the bars down there." The driver called over his shoulder.
"Over the years," he continued, "the place kept changing hands, nobody stayed there long. Then just before the war, the new owners fixed it up with running water and got the city to run power lines to the place that's about all I know."
"Why do you say it's haunted then?" Janice asked.
"People say things, hearing voices, somebody walking about, you know things." Hesitating, the driver pointed out the window, "There she is."
"THAT'S A COTTAGE!" Janice nearly yelled into Mel's ear, as she looked out the window.
Situated on top of the hill, was an old weather beaten mansion, the once new coat of paint, was now a dull brown. As the cab rounded the long circular drive, both women gazed at the size of the house. Three stories, if you count the attic windows, placed between the sharp slanted roof. The front door faced the ocean, with a porch covered by thin screens to keep out the insects. The house looked almost like a medieval keep, a tower was located in the left front corner of the mansion. Long windows on the first and second floor, the top ending with a cone-shape roof.
As the car came to a stop, Janice not waiting for the driver, opened her door and stepped out; looking upwards as she finally had sense of the manor's size. "Janice," a voice called from within the car, "How much did you spend to rent this place?"
"I tell you Mel it was cheap!" the woman exclaimed, while the driver was already unloading their luggage. "Sweet Mary," was all that she could voice.
Melinda got out of the car searching through her handbag for her coin purse, "Can you come back in about . . . two hours, I'm guessing we'll need to head for the market." Mel added a large tip to help convince the cabby to come back.
Tipping his cap, the man nodded as he eyed his tip, "You bet Lady, no problem what so ever, see you in two hours." Then with a second tip of his hat to Janice he got into car.
"WAIT," Janice called coming out of her stupor, "Just one question, why do they call this Redmen's Hill?"
Starting the car, the driver put it in gear before looking at Janice, "Back went people first came to this area there was a big fight with the Indian's living here, the settlers killed them all on the hill, then threw the bodies into the ocean."
Shrugging, the man paused in thought, "I'm not sure whether it's cause of all the blood spilled, or all the Indian's killed here that gave it it's name." Inching the cab forward, he stuck his head out the window, "By the way, name's Leo, bye now."
Watching the cab drive off with an open mouth, Janice looked at Mel, her eyes were shining as she took in the spectacle of the mansion.
"Mel," Janice spoke quietly, "You love this don't you?"
Laughing as she picked up her suitcase, Melinda walked up the porch stairs, "Come on Janice," she said, the thrill undisguised in her voice, "This will be fun, our own haunted house, I mean just look at it!" adding a sweeping gesture with her hand to make her point.
Grabbing her case, Janice followed her friend up the
step, "Yea, I'm looking at it all right, when
Smirking, Melinda tested the door handle, laughing with glee as the door swung open with a loud creak, "YES, I LOVE IT."
Shuffling her feet following, Janice shook her head, "Great, we'll both be killed in our sleep."
"Scaredy-cat." Melinda said playfully.
"Am not." Janice shot back.
"Are too"
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not," Janice said again as the door creaked shut behind her when she entered the mansion.
Chapter Three
The women stopped as the door closed behind them, they were in the entryway. An antique hat rack was to their immediate left, with an archway leading into the living room. Taking a half step, Janice grimaced when the wooden floorboards creaked under her.
"You know Mel, when we go to the market, maybe we should pick up a can of oil," Janice said with a roll of her eyes.
Laughing, Melinda sat down her suitcase, and walked with echoing footsteps into the living room, surprised at the dust free condition. "Come on Janice, this place has atmosphere, can't you feel it?"
Following Mel into the room, Janice looked around, as if expecting to be attacked at any minute, "Sure it has atmosphere, if you like Jack the Ripper."
Shaking her head with a smile, Melinda strolled around the room examining the furniture, "I have to say the owners have fixed this place up, there's even a radio here."
Pulling the fat rationing book out of her back pocket, Janice dropped it on the coffee table, "Good, I understand that Columbia is doing Dracula tonight, that'll fit right in."
Walking briskly, Mel entered the tower room, circular walls, with a pair of long windows. The only furniture in the room was a loveseat and a standup lamp, "Oh I love this room," Looking back out the entrance, Mel searched for her friend, "Janice?"
"What?"
"Come in the tower room and look at it," Melinda called, waiting until the blond appeared carrying a letter. "What do you have there? And look at this room, isn't it adorable?"
Looking up from the letter, Janice nodded, "yea, real cute . . ." lifting the letter, the woman turned her gaze to Mel. "It's from the travel agent, says the place has been cleaned, fresh ice in the ice box, to enjoy ourselves, and to watch for headless ghosts that will kill us in our sleep."
Smirking, Mel snatched the letter out of Janice's hand scanning the paper, "It say's nothing about ghosts!"
Grinning, the small woman put her hands in her pockets strolling back towards the living room, "Cause they got him before he could finish the letter."
"Janice, this place is a gem!" Melinda said as she walked through the living room, and entered the dinning room. The room was large, with a mahogany dinner table big enough to seat over a dozen people.
Entering behind Mel, Janice looked at the table with raised eyebrows, "Looks like the guy was a little popular," the woman commented as she continued on into the kitchen.
"Or he believed in big families," Mel answered before bumping into her friend, "Janice?"
"What the hell type of kitchen is this!" the woman blurted out.
Gasping in pleasure, Melinda almost ran across the room, examining the wood burning stove, "I don't believe it!" she called out in amazement, "Janice, I've not see a stove like this in years."
Marching to the sink in a daze, the small blond looked at the hand pump, then turned her gaze to Melinda, "Where's the faucets?"
Cackling in glee, Mel ran over pumping the water handle until fresh clear water spurted forth. "Oh this is so adorable!"
Looking at Mel like she had lost her mind, Janice walked over to the Icebox opening the door, and nodding in satisfaction that it was cold.
"Come on Janice," Mel said, "It's not like you've not been through much worse out in the field for months."
Opening a door, Janice looked down dusty stairs leading
to a dark basement. Nope she thought, not going down there. "I'm in the
states now Mel," she replied closing the door, "In
Smirking, Mel walked past Janice and winked, "Let's go upstairs and grab our rooms, then check out the bathroom."
Her face falling, Janice understood the meaning of her friends words, "Oh noooooooo . . . I'm not taking no cold showers or baths!"
Chasing after Mel, Janice grabbed her suitcase and ran up the stairs, "Wait up Mel, I read lot's of books, minute we're alone, the ghost will get one of us."
Smiling, Melinda opened one of the doors on the second floor, "Got my room!" she said quickly before Janice arrived behind her breathless.
The bedroom was huge, but was able to be dominated by an enormous canopy bed. "Damn," an awe struck voice said behind Mel, "What the hell size is that," Janice said, "Extra king size?"
"Janice . . ." Mel started.
"I know, watch my language," her friend said chastised, "But you could get six people in that bed Mel."
Taking in the room, Melinda guessed it had to be the master bedroom, a fireplace was centered in the wall to the door's right, with chestnut chiffonniers flanking both sides. A make-up table was opposite the room, with a tiffany lamp on one end, and a pair of doors on both sides.
Looking at each other, Janice shrugged her shoulders, and opened the door closest to the large window. The door lead to a walk in closet that Janice remarked could've served as another bedroom.
Walking through the closet, Janice opened a second door, which lead into another bedroom. Though not as large as the first, the woman claimed it, saying that a queen size bed would fit her small frame very nicely.
"Janice, come and see this." Mel called from the master bedroom.
"Just a minute," she yelled in reply, finishing unpacking, then throwing the suitcase under the bed.
Melinda was waiting outside the second door by the make-up table when Janice entered, "What do you want to show me?" she asked.
Nodding toward the open door, Mel gave a twisted smile, "Take a look at MY bathroom."
Raising an eyebrow, the small woman walked into the master bathroom, and whooped out loud. The bath had all the furnishings of a modern home, from a showerhead installed over the large tub, a sink with a faucet and porcelain handles to a toilet with an overhead storage tank. "Things are looking up Mel."
"What do you mean, looking up?" Mel said playfully, "This is my bath, you have to find your own."
Strolling out of the bathroom with a swagger, Janice, smiling, stopped in front of Melinda, then looked her in the eye, "Then are you ready to spend two weeks with a woman that will not be taking a bath, brush her teeth, or wash her clothes. SLEEPING in the room next to you, with the door open?"
Making a face, Mel let a shudder show, "Actually, I don't mind sharing."
Chuckling along with her friend, Janice turned for the hallway, "We best get ready for shopping." Throwing a pointing thumb over her shoulder, the woman had a puzzled expression, "How come that's so modern?"
Trailing after Janice, Mel took a last glance at the bathroom before entering the hallway, "Maybe they got that bath first when they fixed up the place. Bet we'll find a pump and water heater in the basement."
"You'll find it, I'm not going down there."
"Come on Janice," Mel started to wonder, "Are you really serious about ghosts?"
Looking down the long curved staircase, Janice wondered herself, she guessed she was over playing it, but. . ."I like ghost stories, and movies, guess I was letting my imagination run away with me."
"Good," Melinda said as she grabbed her purse, "Let's take a look outside while waiting for the taxi."
"Sure, just let me get my ration book," As Janice walked into the living room then slowed to a halt looking at the empty coffee table, "Mel," she called back to the entryway, "Did you grab my ration book off the coffee table?"
"No," Mel answered, her hand on the front door handle, "You sure it was the coffee table and not the dinning room table?"
"I put it on the coffee table," Janice yelled then muttered a curse, "I'll check anyway." She yelled out again before walking into the other room.
Coming into the living room as Janice went into the dinning room, Melinda started after her friend when Janice came back out rubbing her forehead, "It's not there, I know I put it on the coffee table."
"Maybe it fell on the floor," Mel started to say as she turned for the coffee table, only to come to an abrupt halt, "Janice, what's that on the table?"
Narrowing her eyes, Janice walked to the center of the room, seeing that her ration book was in the middle of the coffee table. "Mel, I swear," she started to stammer, "I didn't see it."
Moving over to grab the book, Melinda looked at Janice still rubbing her forehead, "Headache?"
Nodding, then realizing Mel's meaning, Janice jerked her hand away from her throbbing temple, "Mel, it was NOT on the table."
Knowing the quarrel she would have on her hands if she suggested Janice stay here and rest, Mel just nodded. Then gave a silent note of thanks when a car horn sounded. "Taxi's here, let's go."
Holding back the biting remarks on the tip of her tongue, Janice turned without saying a word walked out the front door.
When the cab pulled away from the house taking the women to the market, a pair of eyes watched from the attic window.
Chapter Four
Walking through the country store, Melinda was doing her best to stock up for the coming weeks. But glancing back and forth between her ration book and the food available she was already guessing another trip in a few days would be necessary. She only hoped that Janice was doing better next door at the meat market.
Strolling through the aisles and carefully picking out the supplies she and Janice would need, she could not help but think about her friend's headache, not seeing her ration book laying in the middle of the table. Maybe it was to early to have Janice moving around, she had thought when Janice suggested a few weeks get away to rest that it was a god send. She was so delighted at the idea that she didn't even raise an objection when Janice mention going to Yankee New England.
Janice will be all right she told herself, she has to be.
While in the butcher shop, the object of Mel's thoughts was arguing about the large bones in the pork chops she was trying to purchase. "Look, there's more bone than there is meat on them." Janice said, her voice raising.
"Look lady," the man behind the counter was saying, "You seemed to have forgotten there is a war on, so don't complain about the amount of bone in your meat while our guys are getting shot."
"Hell," Janice replied, then to the butcher's astonishment, pulled up the side of her shirt pointing to an ugly scar on her side. "Look, see that, got that in Africa a few months ago, I was shot by an Arab then a Gestapo agent dug their fingers into the wound for fun, don't tell me about the frigging war."
Dropping her shirt, Janice gave her best steely eyed
stare at the man behind the counter, "
Sweating, the butcher could not meet Janice's stare, he was afraid of what the woman may do to him if he were to say that her wound didn't qualify.
**************************
Walking out of the butcher shop, Janice was carrying a bag with what she hoped enough was meat to last a week. Sighting the display in front of the farmer's market, she was enthusiastic that she had finished her shopping before Mel.
Now she was praying that her courage wouldn't leave her as she briskly crossed the street pulling one of the items off the display. Hurrying to pay for her purchase, she kept throwing glances at the entrance to the country store. She wanted it to be a surprise, but she wondered who would be surprised, she was scared, even terrified, but she knew she had to take the chance.
She was so lost in her thoughts, she jumped when the woman handed her purchase to her. Hiding it in the bag, Janice almost ran back across the street, letting out a cry of relief when she got to the store's entrance and saw Mel standing in front of the counter paying for her groceries.
Trying to calm her wildly beating heart, the small woman smiled when her friend came out carrying her bag. "How did you do?" Mel asked.
Turning toward the taxi that they kept waiting, Janice grinned, "Petty good, got some good cuts here, you just have to know how to talk to these guys, how about you?"
Climbing into the open door, Mel sat her bag on the seat waiting for Janice, who set her bag on the floor away from Mel. "I did ok," Melinda said as she sat back into her seat. "Got some can goods, flour, eggs and such; also I was told the country store is the tin collection dump."
Nodding, Janice closed her eyes feeling the pounding in her heart reaching her temples. She was not going to say a word about headaches; she knew the cause of this one, fear.
***************************************
Carrying their burdens into the kitchen, Melinda turned for the pantry, while Janice opened the icebox and put away the meats, keeping the object she bought at the farmer's market in the bag.
Waiting for Melinda to emerge from the pantry, her mind was in a battle, bringing up every doubt and fear, every reason not to give her what she bought.
"Janice, lets check out the beach . . ." coming to a halt, Mel began to worry about her friend. The small woman had almost jumped out of her skin when she came into the room, "Janice what's wrong?"
Feeling faint, Janice knew she had to do it now, before her nerve left her. Reaching into the bag in front of her, she wrapped her hand around the stems jerking them out of the bag, offering a
bouquet of flowers to Melinda at arm's length.
Mel looked at the bouquet of flowers thrust in her face, transferring her gaze from the flowers, she looked at Janice, who had became absorbed in a spot on the floor. Leaning forward, Melinda sniffed the mixed bunch of daisies, dandelions and lilacs, "House warming gift?"
"If you want to just call it that . . . yes." Janice said as quickly as she could.
Mel felt her face flush; Janice was letting her feelings be known, and if she turned her down that would be it. They would remain friends Mel was sure, but Janice would never take this chance again.
Gods, Melinda thought, she wished she could be sure she was doing the right thing. Taking the bouquet, Mel let her hand linger a little on Janice's hand, bringing the blonde's head up to gaze at her.
Clearing her throat, Mel cradled the flowers in her arms, it felt like her legs were turning to jelly, "Huh . . . so when do we go to dinner?" try as she might, she could not keep the quiver out of her voice.
Swallowing, Janice looked at Mel as her vision blurred,
come on
"It's a date," Mel simply said with a smile.
Nodding, the smaller woman started jabbing over her shoulder several times, unable at first it seemed to speak, "I'm going upstairs, to . . . to." Nodding her head up and down Janice started backing out of the room, stumbling before quickly catching herself, "I meant to do that, yea . . . I'm just going upstairs, okay?"
Nodding, Melinda held back her smile, but her bright eyes took in Janice in all her delightful glory, muttering soon as the woman had left the kitchen, "Cute, she's so cute."
Once out of the kitchen, Janice did her best not to let out the scream she was holding inside, with a silent laugh, she bounded up the stairs, and practically flew down the corridor into her room.
Slamming the door shut behind her, she let out low scream
of joy, hugging herself and giggling she walked toward her bed and narrowed her
eyes in concentration. Sitting on top of the bed was her suitcase; "You
are losing it
Grabbing her case she was surprised at the weight, letting go she sat it back on the bed. Curious she unfastened the locks and open the case finding all of her clothes neatly packed inside.
Backing away from the suitcase as if it was a snake, she turned rushing over to the clothing cabinet pulling open the top drawer. Finding it empty, she slammed it shut and jerked open the second drawer also finding it empty.
Backing away from the cabinet, Janice turned and stared at the packed clothes, before sinking to the floor holding her head.
Chapter Five
Janice had lost all track of time sitting on the floor of her bedroom, her mind reliving the placing of her ration book on the coffee table. Then in detail sitting her suitcase on the bed and unpacking her clothes, placing them in the dresser drawers, then stashing her case under the bed when she was finished.
Then why
She'd had a headache all morning, she had thought she was over the effects of the concussion, but unless there really was a ghost that decided to pack her clothes, then she had imagined she did unpack. But most of all she knew she couldn't breathe a word of this to Mel, hell the woman even called her request for dinner a 'date'.
Or did she?
Filling with a sense of dread, Janice wondered if Melinda did accept her request, or did she just imagine it? How could she go downstairs and ask Mel if they were going out to dinner tomorrow night, and not let her know she may have hallucinated the whole thing?
And what counted more, can she believe anything she sees or does?
*****************************
Mel arranged the flowers in a vase filling it with water and placed it in the middle of the dinning room table. She was going through so many emotions she was not sure how to feel, happy, scared, or silly. She knew it was a huge step she and Janice were planning on taking with their friendship, but her heart told her it was right, but it was still a scary thought.
She needed to keep busy that was for sure and let Janice regain some of her composure. Grinning once again at the thought of her friend stumbling out of the kitchen once she had said yes, that left not doubt in her mind that she was right.
Tilting her head upwards, Mel looked at the ceiling wondering what Janice was feeling right now? Might as well explore the rest of the house she thought making her way into the living room, crossing the hallway and into the parlor.
The room was comfortable, and definitely had a woman's touch, too many flowery designs for a man, but Mel felt cozy here. A piano was in the corner, walking over she pressed a few keys listening to the musical tones.
She now wished she had paid attention to her piano lessons all those years ago. But they were with her Aunt Opal, and the woman would pick the time her father was on the porch with his friends telling stories. So in-between running away and sneaking onto the porch steps, or playing so badly that her aunt gave up, her lessons came to nothing.
Sighing at a lost chance, she strolled to the door in the back of the room, turned the knob and entered what she could only call the Captain's room.
All about her were the collections of a man that had spent a lifetime at sea. Paintings of ships filled the walls, from ancient roman galleys to whaling ships; so many that Mel wondered if the room's former master had painted them.
Walking around the room, Melinda had notions at times that she was in a museum. The vast number of scrimshaw teeth and bones astonished her; every nook and cranny was filled with the engraved art. Everything but the desk that is, situated away from the wall, with it's back to twin windows was a aged oak desk, with a oil lamp sitting in the corner, and much to her surprise and some relief, a telephone.
Picking up the earpiece, she held it to her head while clicking the cradle several times, waiting for the operator, and letting the woman know she was just testing the phone. Setting the earpiece back down into its cradle, she took another look around spying the almost hidden door.
Opening the door, she found herself at a back staircase leading upwards. And another door upon opening she found herself back in the kitchen, curious at this discovery, she stepped into the kitchen shutting the door, amazed that it formed almost perfectly into the wall.
"Well I'll be . . ." Mel muttered, "A hidden doorway." Feeling around the wall, she felt a slight bump about waist level near the icebox, pressing it the doorway popped opened, she could not wait to tell Janice about her find.
Mel spent the rest of the day searching through the house, finding a downstairs bathroom, and two more bedrooms upstairs, a sewing room, and another bathroom off the hallway. The only place she didn't go was the attic, and the basement, mostly because the light knob for the basement didn't work. And she was not about to use one of the lanterns in the pantry to explore the darkness.
Several times she wondered about what Janice was doing, but guessed the woman may be asleep, and she was not about to disturb her needed rest.
Noticing the lengthening shadows, Melinda knew what she wanted to do now, heading back to the kitchen she couldn't wait to try out the wood burning oven.
**************************
The dinner went much to Mel's surprise very quietly, Janice seemed preoccupied with something, and only managed to say that she liked the smoked favor of the pork chops. Even later when they sat down in the living room to listen to Baby Snooks on the radio Janice had said few words.
Janice knew she was not being fair to Mel, but she did not trust her senses. She wondered when Melinda told her about the rooms she explored, or about the secret door, if it was Mel or her own illusions that she was hearing.
With a worried look, Melinda stood and strolled over to Janice kneeling next to her, "I guess I'm going to bed . . .Hey, you feeling okay?"
Fastening a false smile on her face, Janice nodded, "Yes, just doing some thinking for once, you know how that makes smoke come out of my ears."
Returning the smile, Mel stood heading for the staircase, "You staying up for awhile?"
Standing, Janice pulled a cigar from her shirt pocket; thank god I've not forgotten them she thought, "Just going to have a smoke, night Mel . . . get your rest we have a big day planned tomorrow."
Pausing Mel stood under the archway nodding, "I'm looking forward to it, I'm going down to the beach in the morning did you bring any books with you?"
Lighting her cigar, Janice threw the match in the cold fireplace answering between clutched teeth holding her stogie in place, "Yea, there's a couple on top of my dresser."
"Night Janice." Mel said as she headed up the stairs.
"Night sweetheart," the woman replied as she watched her friend climb the stairs and disappear. Rolling the cigar between her fingers, Janice walked out of the living room and opened the front door stepping out onto the cool porch.
Janice was not sure how long she stood there; her mind was not focused on any one thing. She took in the cool night air, relaxed for the first time since she started to admit her feelings for Mel. Leaning against the door with her hands in her pockets, the only light came from a lamp in the living room. She had to confess this place was peaceful despite its appearance, the night air, smell of the ocean, sound of the wind with a touch of the waves breaking upon the rocks at the bottom of the hill.
While trying to catch the sound of the waves, did it finally register in her mind the creaking of the floorboards behind her; turning expecting to see Melinda, she was surprised to see no one. House settling, or her mind was starting to play tricks on her again she thought. Taking a last drag on her cigar, she walked into the house closing the front door before heading into the living room
Tossing the cigar into the fireplace, Janice turned off the lamp plunging the room into darkness. Blinking several times, Janice waited until her eyes adjusted to the black night before she slowly made her way to the staircase.
Once at the foot of the stairs, she heard the floorboard's creaking again, but it sounded more like someone walking rather than the house settling. Hesitating, the woman finally shook her head knowing she had to check, she had to be sure it was just her mind playing tricks.
Following the sounds of the creaking steps she stepped into the parlor and halted, straining her ears listening for any sound, until she heard a slight creak coming from the door leading to what Mel had called the captain's room over dinner.
Cracking the door open, Janice paused once again, until slowly she entered the room; right away she noticed the chill in the air, the room felt more like a cool winter's day than the summer night outside.
Moving about carefully, Janice could barely see, the windows for some reason were not letting in much moonlight. Groping around for a light switch, Janice heard the floorboards squeak; spinning around she saw a white mist forming in front of her.
Eyes widening, the woman stepped back looking at the haze, she could see it clearly despite the dark. The mist slowly took the shape of a man, crooked with age and a full beard covering his wind withered face. He was wearing a long overcoat, with some type of hazy cap upon his head.
Her breath coming in gasps, Janice closed her eyes tight, then opened them again, the mist was still in front of her, but the details of the man were now even clearer. A look of pain seemed to emulate from his eyes, yet he was unmoving.
"It's all in your mind
Switching her gaze from the ghostly hand back up to the misty face, she once again locked on to the specter's eyes, filled with it seemed a river of sadness.
Shutting her eyes once again, she yelled out,
"YOU'RE NOT
Opening her eyes once again the mist was gone; the room was brighter as the moonlight illuminated the room through the pair of windows. Janice could feel she was trembling, her first thoughts were it was because of the cold, then she realized the room was in fact quite warm.
Turning around the woman ran out of the room slamming the door behind her, running through the parlor, she bolted up the stairs heading for Melinda's room. She had just grabbed hold of the doorknob when her mind finally took control back from her emotions.
Pulling her hand away from the doorknob, Janice took
several deep breaths, and ran her hands over her face. Noticing for the first
time she was drenched in sweat, "Calm down
Her mind checked over her body, trying to pacify the heavy breathing, her racing pulse. "Calm Janice, you can do it, no need to worry Mel about anything, you just need some rest." Taking one more deep breath, she opened the door to Mel's room.
Entering, she grew more relaxed once she saw the woman was in a peaceful slumber. A smile crossed her face while she watched Melinda, then feeling as if she was intruding now that she was sure Mel was safe, Janice tiptoed across the floor, heading to her room and she prayed sleep without nightmares.
Chapter Six
Janice opened her eyes; sunlight was streaming through the window. Sitting up she ran her hands over her hair trying to chase the sleep away. Thank god she didn't have any nightmares she thought as she got out of bed wearing only her boxer shorts while padding to Mel's room.
Melinda was already gone much to Janice's surprise, one of the few times Mel had actually woken before her. Walking into the bathroom to freshen up, she played over in her mind the appearance of the ghost.
She had been alone, when she unpacked she was alone, maybe her mind needed to be kept occupied. Looking at herself in the mirror while brushing her teeth, she decided no matter how much she hates the beach she was going down and join Melinda.
After she had finished, Janice walked back to her room pulling on a pair of British khaki shorts, picking up her bra she shrugged and tossed it aside only donning a men's white cotton tee-shirt, knowing Mel would be scandalized at her appearance.
Grinning, Janice knew Mel called her a nudist, she just replied that she was not ashamed of her body, besides they spend over ninety-nine percent of their lives with clothes on, she only wanted her body to breathe.
Disregarding shoes, Janice strolled over to the dresser looking for the book she'd been reading 'The Big Sleep,' no one could write a detective novel like Raymond Chandler could.
Then she remembered Mel asking to borrow one of her books, Janice looked around the dresser not sighting the other. Chuckling, the woman wondered if Mel really knew what the book she took was about?
Walking downstairs, Janice made a quick trip to the kitchen grabbing a glass of milk, on her way back out she noticed that the flowers on the dinning room table were already wilted. Figures you'll buy a bunch that was about dead already, she told herself as she walked out the front door.
Looking around from her vantage point on top of the hill she could not see the beach, but as she strolled toward the ocean, she did notice a dirt path. Once on the downwards sloping path Janice saw the beach area, a small area that was sandy thank gods, but the rest of the area was mostly rocks and gravel.
She could see Melinda below her; the woman was laying face down on a beach towel reading. Her bent legs swaying back and forth.
Janice held still, admiring Mel in her swimsuit, it was daring for Melinda. A red one-piece that showed plenty of leg and a large floral-print hat, praying a silent thank you to Betty Grable for her pin-up picture that had millions of women wanting to imitate her, Janice thought Mel had Betty beat all to hell.
"Morning," Janice called out, causing Melinda to look up from her book with a blush, "Morning Janice," Mel replied then saw what her friend was wearing, "Janice! You're positively indecent, why don't you have a shirt on?"
Laughing, Janice walked over toward her friend pulling on the tee shirt, which exposed the tops of her breasts, "I thought I was wearing a shirt?"
Shaking her head, Mel closed the book watching her friend, "Janice what if someone comes by?"
"Mel," Janice said as she spread her arms wide, "Look around, the only ones on this beach is us, and it's a mile to the nearest building other than our house, who's going to come around?"
"Besides," Janice continued as she sat next to her friend, "Why would they look at me when they should be staring at your legs."
Looking over her shoulder at her legs, Melinda shrugged, "They're okay I guess."
"Okay! Mel, you're under rating yourself, you have great legs,"
Smiling softly, Mel picked up her book and opened it back up, Janice was always flirting with other women, but this was the first time she had flirted with her; and her mind was telling her that she loved it.
Remaining in place Janice spied Mel's suntan lotion; "Need some oil Mel?"
Melinda almost said no, since she had put some on about five minutes ago, but decided that she could use the extra protection, "As a matter of fact, I was just about to put on a fresh coat, do you mind? I don't want to get oil on the book."
Pouring a large amount of oil in the palm of her hand, Janice only grinned before she spread the lotion from Mel's thigh down to her foot enjoying the silky smooth texture, "What do you think of the book?" she asked while massaging the ointment over a perfect thigh.
Almost not hearing the question while lost in the sensation, Mel shook her head to clear it, while making a point of looking at the book, "I was surprised by it, I mean when I saw the title, I thought it was not your type of book."
Arching an eyebrow, the thigh beneath her hands momentarily forgotten, "Oh and why'd you think that?" Janice asked in a questioning manner.
"Well, 'The Well of Loneliness' didn't sound like one of your detective novels, more of a love story, I just never seen a book like this before," Melinda confessed.
Snorting, Janice shook her head before switching to Mel's
other thigh, "I'm not surprised, the book was banned in the states for a
few years, hell it's still banned in
Quickly realizing what she said, Janice froze gripping Mel's thigh, cutting off the woman's reply, "I know-I know, watch my mouth." Continuing when Melinda gave a short laugh, Janice massaged her friend's calf muscles, "Besides, would any southern bookstore sell that book?"
"Uhhhhhhh,
Moving her hands to Melinda's shoulders, Janice poured more lotion into her palms and worked the ointment into her skin, "Read some for me . . . please?"
Sighing in pleasure at the attention Janice was reaping upon her, Mel couldn't say no, picking out a passage, "**You're neither unnatural, nor abominable, nor mad; you're as much a part of what people call nature as anyone else; only you're unexplained as yet you've not got your niche in creation.**"
"So what do you think?" Janice asked.
"It's different, first time I've heard it said that you could be born that way." Mel responded before continuing to read the book out loud.
The two women spent the rest of the day taking turns reading to each other, while the other rubbed sun tan lotion over the reader. Janice told Mel that she was a lifesaver by bringing a lunch with her in her tote bag. While Melinda turned a deep scarlet when Janice took off her tee shirt and sun bathed topless, flirting with Mel to spread the cream on the front side of her body, then apologizing when the woman became flustered.
Neither one of them wanted to leave the beach, more so Janice who admitted that spending a day at the beach was not that bad after all.
After getting back to the house, they both went to their rooms. Janice going to the hallway bathroom to clean up, while Melinda used the master bedroom.
Janice beat Mel downstairs, she was wearing her best gray slacks with suspenders and a black man's shirt with a tie loosely hanging from the collar; and of course her brown fedora. She was nervous, constantly checking the time though they had no reservations, also she had not seen anything all day, so why should she be nervous she wondered.
Plus she added she was finally going out on a date with Melinda! Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, now she knew why she was nervous.
Hearing a small cough, Janice opened her eyes looking at what she thought was an angel descending the staircase. Melinda was wearing a light blue jacket dress, with a satin trim bodice and cuffs with a wide darker blue belt. Janice admired the skirt, which ended right at the knees, showing off Mel's gorgeous stocking clad legs.
Adjusting her glasses, Melinda smiled to herself enjoying Janice's reaction; it made her feel quite warm inside. "You look very nice Janice, but one day I will get you into a dress!" Mel said in a teasing tone.
Shaking her head with a smirk, "Only way you'll get me into a dress is to hold a gun to my head," Leaning closer Janice sniffed the air around Melinda, "You smell good, not like you normally smell."
Seeing Mel's raised eyebrows, Janice immediately stepped back stammering, "I mean not that you normally smell bad! I mean that you smell different, not that I smell you a lot, just that . . . Uh, I like your perfume THAT'S what I mean!"
With her lips forming a smile that radiated from her sky
blue eyes, Mel leaned forward kissing Janice on the cheek and took her hand,
"It's alright Janice, I understand. It's something that I got in
Wiggling out of Mel's clasp, the small woman linked her arm around her date's arm, escorting her outside onto the porch and she hoped, an enjoyable evening.
---------
** Text from 'The Well of Loneliness' by Radclyffe Hall. @1928
Chapter Seven
The ride into Mystic was quiet; Janice was mentally
kicking herself. Unable to think of anything to say she just made comments
about the weather. "Come on
Once in Mystic, they started to stroll down the street hand in hand, but Janice feeling that Melinda was feeling slightly uncomfortable with some of the looks they received, shoved her hands into her pockets. She was used to the stares, you can't wear men's clothing and not expect to be stared at she found out early in life. But Mel was new to this, don't want to spook her too bad her mind said.
Since it was still early, and at Janice's insistence they
took in the movie playing at the Echo. As she told Mel, one does not pass up a
movie with Humphrey Bogart, and '
Sitting in the darkened theater, Janice reached out once again taking Melinda's hand in a firm grasp, her heart skipping a beat when she felt Mel squeeze back. Through the newsreels, and the previews, neither woman said a word, just took comfort in the touch they were sharing. Though Melinda whispered that she wanted to come back in a couple days after the preview for 'Song of Bernadette' finished.
Throughout the movie, the two women were conscious of each movement, every cough the other made, every brush back of the hair. Janice almost jumped out of her skin when a soft caress breezed across the back of her neck, only to discover it was someone taking a seat behind her.
Once the film finished, they made their way through the early evening crowds, stopping at several restaurants before deciding on eating at the 'Captain's Locker.'
Seated at a table with a view of the fishing boats, they each ordered fish since meat was so hard to get due to the war, and settled down with their drinks. Scotch on the rocks for Janice and Mel her wine, sipping slowly while looking out the window.
"Janice." Melinda spoke up unable to bear the silence. "Mind if I ask you a personal question?"
Pausing ever so slightly as she sipped her scotch, Mel's short companion shrugged her shoulders, "With all that we've been through together Mel, you can ask me anything."
"Well," Melinda started off then hesitated before plucking up the courage to go on, "It's really two questions, why do you wear only men's clothes, and have there been any men in your life?"
Sitting back as their dinner arrived, Janice waited until the waiter left them alone once again, "Well as for the clothes, since I was able to walk my dad had me wearing boy's clothes, only thing for a kid going from dig to dig. And I guess you can say I'm so addicted to men's clothes, I just don't want to wear what other's call normal.
Seeing Mel nod at her explanation, then take a bite of her swordfish, Janice hastily added, "Not that I don't mind seeing women wearing them, I think you look beautiful in them, but dresses are not for me."
"Thank you," Melinda said, inwardly feeling delighted that Janice thought her beautiful, "And men?"
Cutting into her fish, Janice thought how to word her reply, "I just don't feel no attraction for men, I did it once with a guy and . . . and I didn't care for it."
Looking down at her plate, Janice tilted her head turning her gaze back to Mel, "And you?"
Now seeing it was her turn, Melinda took a quick bite,
thinking about her own answer while chewing, "There was one, his name was
David Horn, he was a friend of my daddy. While arranging a trip for him in
"I'm sorry," Janice replied setting her fork
down. Great
Noticing the change of mood in her friend, Mel thought she better try to lighten things, "It's okay Janice, it was his time, and I found out that happens more often than I would've imagined."
"What did your father think of you and . . . huh . . . your friends?" Melinda got around to saying after she attacked her vegetables.
Laughing, Janice thought back to the time when her father
found out, "I was nineteen, on my summer vacation from school when I
joined my dad on a dig in
Chuckling at Mel's blush Janice wiped her mouth with her napkin, "Right it was dad, he saw the two of us, and turned right around without losing a step. I still remember the look on his face."
Wide eyed, Melinda shook her head in shock trying to think how her father would've reacted, "That's it, he didn't say anything more?"
"No," Janice said as she felt her father's loss once again, "That night he told me to be more careful, if the South African police knew I was taking natives to bed they would kick us out of the country."
"She was a Negro you mean?" Mel stated simply.
Taking a gulp of her Scotch, Janice been wondering about
the subject, though Mel never said anything about her affair with the brown
skin Kehlia when they were in
Melinda's smile turned into a tight frown, feeling the heat raising to her cheeks, "Janice, from the time I was born, I was taught that everyone is a human being, and that it does not matter what the color of their skin is." Holding her hand up to stop Janice's protest, Mel went on, "I know how things are in the south, and I hate it. But I also hate that people think since I'm from the south, that I'm a automatic card carrying member of the Klan."
"I'm sorry," Janice said as she stared into her drink, "I should know better than put you into a stereotype, when everything you've said and done shows you're a woman with a mind of your own."
Watching Janice, Melinda felt her annoyance dissipating at the sight of the woman's remorse, "It's all right Janice, We're not perfect and I do understand that sometimes stereotypes fill our minds over facts, but at least you came out and asked."
Finishing her drink Janice felt a weight coming off her shoulders, "How was the whitefish?"
Taking the last bite, the southerner ate it with a contented look on her face, "Very good, you know I'm going to have to take you to Charleston for some catfish, that is really a bit of heaven on earth."
Dropping her napkin on her plate, Janice asked Melinda if she was ready to go and finish the rest of the evening. Suspicious at what the woman was planning, Mel nodded and followed Janice out the door, after the woman paid for the dinner, and left a tip that the waiter would not forget.
Melinda was again surprised when once out of the restaurant Janice signaled for a cab to take them back home. Even when Mel asked Janice what she was up to the woman kept silent except for a smirk, which caused Mel to be a bit more nervous.
Her suspicions increased when Janice had the driver stop at the end of the drive to the mansion for them to get out, "Janice Covington, what are you planning," Mel asked following the woman out of the taxi.
Taking Melinda's hand, Janice lead her down the path to the beach stopping at the bottom of the hill to take off her shoes and roll up her pant legs, while Mel followed her example by removing her high heels.
Holding hands the pair ran into the surf, letting the cool water play around their feet until Janice grabbed Melinda in a tight embrace spinning her around. "Okay Mel," Janice started by saying, "Flowers, dinner, and I believe you said dancing?"
Smiling, Melinda looked around at the moonlit shores taking Janice's hand in hers, as the small woman took the lead. "What about music?"
Blushing, Janice looked down at the sand then back up to Mel, "Okay, this is the only song I know all the words for." Moving Melinda gently across the lapping waves, Janice knew what heaven could be like, as her soft voice carried over the water.
**What'll I do,
when you are far away, and I am blue what'll I do,
What'll I do, when
I'm wondering who is kissing you, what'll I do,
What'll I do, with
just a photograph to tell my trouble to,
When I'm alone with
only dreams of you, that won't come true,
What'll I do?**
As if in a dream the couple moved around the shore until they came to a stop holding each other, Janice her head on Mel's breast could hear the calm steady beat of her heart.
"You still owe me a poem," Mel said quietly, "But I think I'll let you off the hook."
Gazing at Melinda's face in the soft light of the moon, Janice shook her head, "No, you said poetry and you'll get poetry . . . at least it'll be the best I can do."
Moving her hands, Janice reached up to caress Mel's face with her fingertips, delighted at the closed eye response it received, "Here goes, Roses are red."
"Janice!" Melinda said with a mischievous tone, her eyes opened and looking at the woman in her arms.
"Hey," the woman protested, "Listen to the whole thing first." Clearing her throat, Janice started again.
"Roses are
red,"
"Your eyes are
magic blue,"
"I thank
god,"
"For the day I
met you."
"Well?" Janice asked while searching Mel's face for her reaction.
Embracing the small woman tightly, Melinda felt her eyes brimming with tears, when she could talk, it was in a choked voice, "I think it's silly, and one of the most beautiful poem's I've ever heard . . . thank you."
Tilting her head down, Mel found herself staring into a pair of green eyes; she was not sure how long they gazed at each other. Then finally Janice moved, softy touching her lips to Mel's, before drawing back with raised eyebrows, "Well?" the woman asked.
Melinda didn't want to upset her friend, but . . . "I guess I expected more."
Surprised at the admission, Janice hesitated, then pulled Mel's head lower, meeting her mouth in a more forceful kiss, her tongue darting forward to snake it's way into the southerner's mouth as the taller woman's arms tightened her embrace.
Twisting her head, Janice kept her lips firmly planted against Melinda's lips. Her tongue exploring the woman's mouth until she suddenly broke the kiss, and looked at the southerner, "And now?"
"Oh my!" Mel cried out, feeling a tingling from the top of her head, to the tips of her toes, and a strange new warmth around her sex that felt very good.
The smile that started to form on Janice's face was wiped away by the sound of a explosion ripping across the ocean. As they turned their heads seaward, they saw the end of a bright fireball raising in the sky, until only a pillar of flames was left.
"What the hell was that?" a shocked Janice
called out, as Melinda watched the dying flames, "I don't know," she
replied taking a few steps into the water, then pointed toward the fire,
"Janice, see it! A light flashing, maybe someone is sending a
Dropping Mel's hand, the small woman turned heading for the path back up to the house, "I'll call the police and let them kno . . ." Her words were cut off as she stared at the house then rubbed her eyes before looking back at the mansion.
"Janice?" Melinda said quietly, "Janice are you alright?"
Coming out of her stupor, the small blond nodded and ran for the house, "I'm calling the police." As she raced up the hill, Janice kept telling herself that she was seeing things again, that she didn't see a light flashing from the attic window.
-------
**Text from, 'What'll I do' @1927
Chapter Eight
Melinda rushed into the house calling out her friend's name, then followed the answering bellow to the captain's room just as Janice hung up the telephone, "Well?"
Walking to the window, the small woman gazed at the fire, now just a small spot on the horizon, "Well, they're receiving calls from all over the area, we're not the only one's that saw it."
Joining her friend by the window, Melinda placed her hand on Janice's shoulder, leaning over to follow her gaze at the dim fire, "What do you think, a ship?"
Letting out a breath, Janice nodded, "Yes, but I don't think we'll hear anything more tonight." Turning around, the blond softy kissed Melinda on the lips and smiled, "Guess our evening ended with more of a bang that I thought it would."
Grinning, Melinda blushed looking at the floor, then kissed Janice on the forehead, "I'm going to bed I guess, thank you for a wonderful night Janice." Reaching out Mel took her friend's hand, using her thumb to caress the back of the blonde woman's wrist, "I hope this is not our last date?"
Feeling a tingling run through her body, Janice could not help but grin widely, "How about I join you on the beach tomorrow after I pick up my Indian?"
Mel's face turned serious as she gripped Janice's hand, "Remember your promise, no stunts and no faster than fifty, okay?"
Once again Janice stood on her toe's flicking her tongue across Mel's lips, before kissing her deeply. The kiss lasted a full minute until Melinda broke off and backed-up, a crimson flush coloring her cheeks.
"Goodnight Janice," Mel managed to stammer out, the warmth that she felt between her thighs down on the beach was back, but now there was a nice aching accompanying the feeling.
Strolling over to the rear door, Janice went through the double doors entering the kitchen and poured herself a glass of milk. Things had gone better during the evening than she could have ever imagined; Mel had been responsive to her. Hell Janice thought with a grin, she even kissed her back.
Putting the glass in the sink, Janice walked to the icebox and punched the hidden door switch, heading up the back staircase. Marching down the corridor the woman considered using the bath in the master bedroom, but dismissed it, she wanted Melinda to have some breathing room tonight.
Opening her bedroom door Janice was thinking that life
could not get better when she heard the creak from the ceiling. Looking up, the
woman stared at the ceiling listening as the creaking moved,
Then the creaking shifted; moving along with the sound
over her head, Janice walked back down the corridor. Are you sure
Knowing the answer to her own question, Janice followed the creaking as it moved around the ceiling. Nearing the back staircase the woman started to shiver, it was getting cold her body was telling her, cold just like the night before.
All of a sudden a bright light flared in front of her, bringing her hands up to shield her eyes, Janice took a couple steps back before the darkness returned.
Lowing her hands, Janice felt her body shaking, in front of her was the swirling mist in the form of the sea captain she encountered the previous night.
"You're not real," the woman spoke to the mist, which showed no reaction. Stepping forward, Janice's face took on a harsh look, she was getting angry with herself for fearing a figment of her imagination.
"You're not real," she repeated while stretching a hand out towards the apparition until she touched the wispy mist then jerked back her hand with a cry of pain.
Bending over, Janice clutched her hand as a sob escaped pasted her lips. Her fingers were paralyzed, trying as much as she could, the fingers on her right hand would not move. It felt like a thousand needles were pricking them as she backed away from the specter.
Shaking her hand in an attempt to get the feeling back into it, Janice looked to make sure the ghost was not advancing upon her, and was astonished that the specter had vanished.
Stepping forward hesitantly, the small woman would've thought she had imagined the entire thing if not for her paralyzed fingers. As if proving it to herself, she was once again baffled to see her fingers wiggling back and forth with no feeling of the pain she had felt just a minute earlier.
Backing up, Janice's head swiveled around looking for any evidence of what just happened; spinning around the woman ran to her bedroom slamming the door behind her.
At the sound of Janice's slamming door finished echoing through the corridor, the door by the rear staircase leading to the attic slowly opened with an unearthly silence, before a dark figure emerged and crepe it's way downstairs.
************************************
Janice woke up before dawn; not that she had much sleep, she wondered if she was going insane, or if there was such a thing as ghosts? She met a god that was supposed to have never existed by the name of Ares, then she met Callisto, a woman that had been alive for three thousand years, so she thought why can't there be such a thing as ghosts?
Climbing out of the bed Janice started to dress, she needed to go to a few places today, and picking up her Indian would make things easier. Donning pants, shirt, and motorcycle boots, she topped it off with her leather jacket before grabbing her brown fedora.
After checking on Melinda to make sure she was all right, the small woman raced down the stairs hurrying to the captain's room, she knew she'd find the paper she needed. Not worried too much about Mel since it was now light she scribbled her note on the stationary before reading it over.
Dear Mel,
I'm going to
Love Forever
Janice
Gods,
Pausing to call for a cab, Janice stood with the note
walking across the room, through the back door into the kitchen. Now
Glancing around the kitchen, her eyes settled on the icebox, moving closer she opened the door, and shut it with her letter trapped between the door and the frame knowing Mel could not miss it there.
Leaving the kitchen Janice headed out the front door to wait for her cab to the train station.
After the front door closed, the door to the basement in the kitchen opened and a dark figure silently slithered out heading for the icebox grabbing the letter. Reading it over several times, the figure grabbed some food out of the cool refrigerator then punched the button opening the door to the captain's room, heading for the telephone.
***************************
The train ride to
More than once she discouraged a sailor from trying to pick her up; Jesus her mind was telling her, be a woman and alone, and the whole world thinks you're available.
Walking out of the terminal once the train reached
Her first sight of the motorcycle had her falling in love, from the instrument panel set in wood grain, to the colorful Indian chief's headdress etched on the gas tank, she loved it!
Not even trying to bargain she paid the two hundred dollars, and kicked started the bike, her mind was overjoyed, a 1939 Indian Four was hers!
With a final wave to the former owner, Janice kicked up a cloud of dust as the motorcycle roared off from the filling station heading back to Mystic.
*****************************
Melinda entered the kitchen and opened the icebox, she had intended to have some leftovers for breakfast, but found the ham already gone. Must be Janice, she thought, the disadvantages of have a wood burning stove, her mind continued as she threw wood into the holding pan.
Turning to walk into the pantry, Melinda noticed the basement door swing open, "Janice?" she called out, "Janice are you still here?" Moving to the basement door, Mel opened it wider while flipping the light switch. Sighing when the light didn't come on she took a step down staring into the darkness, "Janice?"
Flicking the light switch a couple more times, Melinda walked back into the kitchen and shut the door, guessing that the door had just not been closed all the way.
Down in the basement a figure stepped away from the furnace looking up at the light sneaking from under the door. Tonight the figure was thinking, it'd be over tonight. Her friend will be taken care of at the docks, later tonight it will be her turn; then he'd have the house all to himself again.
Chapter Nine
Roaring down the road, her long wind swept hair flying behind her, Janice felt alive. The power of the motorcycle between her legs, and the sense of freedom was almost overloading her senses.
Feeling that nothing could overcome this sensation, the woman opened the throttle a bit more, increasing her speed. Then the back of her mind reminded her of a promise, with a quick look at the speedometer the blond woman eased back on the gas. She knew she was wrong as much as she loved the feeling of sailing down the road; there was a kiss last night, several kisses in fact that told her there was a sensation more deep, and caring that she could never get from this metal machine.
The trip back to Mystic didn't take long, and she admitted to herself that she was happy that she was going to the docks. Even Melinda would be able to guess how fast she drove the bike if she got home too soon. Downshifting the motorcycle upon coming to the dock area, she was not really sure where to go, it was just past noontime and all she had was a taxi driver telling her to check out the docks for more information on Henry Wurz.
Pulling into a parking space she turned off the Indian's ignition and waiting for the vibrations to settle in her body. Her mind turned to some immoral thoughts about what she and Mel could do on the bike, and was startled at the idea. It was not the first time she ever fantasized about making love to her Mel, but it was the first time she ever thought it could happen.
Getting off the bike with a wicked grin, she reached inside her leather jacket pulling out her fedora and placing it on her head as she stepped on the wooden boardwalk.
Walking down the docks, her ears listened to her footsteps, as they pounded along the weather-dried boards, glancing from tavern to tavern until she would feel in her gut which one to go into. Preoccupied with her search, she failed to noticed two men hop out of a sedan and follow at a discreet distance.
*********************************
Major Rauter had waited until the ravened-haired woman took her breakfast into the dinning room. He could follow her around the kitchen by listening to her steps from his hiding place in the basement.
Stealing up the basement steps, he stuck his ear to the door, alert for any sound. Hearing nothing, once again he cracked open the door, he had almost been caught earlier this morning, and was ready to take care of the woman. But she didn't come down into the basement, so for a time she brought herself a short reprieve, at least until he heard that the other woman had been removed from this life.
The house was supposed to have been empty, no one been in it for years, and the view from the attic could let him monitor merchant ships for miles. Then when that man showed up, he just thought the intruder was a caretaker and didn't bother him. Later the women showed, luckily he was in the attic at the time doing his monitoring, and they only stayed for short time.
He searched their luggage while they were gone, but didn't find much but for the pistol. Now after reading that letter the small woman left behind, he wanted to get the weapon just in case.
Gliding out of the basement, Rauter moved across the kitchen opening the hidden door, closing it just as Mel came back into the kitchen to clean her breakfast plates.
The SS Major, placed his feet carefully as he went up the stairs, he had come to hate the creaking floorboards, they had almost given him away several times. He was ready last night, he knew the blond woman was on the other side of the attic door, but once again the woman's luck was with her as it was the night before. She didn't follow past the seafaring room, and for some reason she didn't open the attic door last night.
Moving down the hallway, he listened for the tall woman, the long corridor was his most vulnerable moment if she saw him he would have to kill her. But he made it to the short woman's room, advancing swiftly to the dresser, he silently pulled the drawer open feeling under the pile of boxer shorts, until he touched the cool metal.
Pocketing Janice's gun, he started for Melinda's room, intending to search it one more time, when you find one gun, you just may find two he was thinking. He was halfway in the walk-in closet when the door to Mel's room opened. Quietly he hid behind the closet door, pressing his face to the small crack between the doorframe and the door panel, he watched the tall woman walk around the room.
Mel wished Janice would get home soon, already she was missing her, her mind still lingered on the kiss they shared on the beach. Then with a blush she picked up her swimsuit, well she admitted more than one kiss as she proceeded to unbutton her blouse. The fire between her legs surprised her; she never experienced a sensation like that before, not even her first and so far only time with David.
Undressing until she was only in her slip, Mel paused looking around, it felt like she was being watched. Shaking her head with a laugh, she guessed that Janice's talk the other day about ghosts was finally getting to her. Stripping off the last of her clothes, she touched the dark patch between her legs thinking of Janice and her kiss. The warmth she felt last night returned immediately, flushing a shade of pink she donned her swimsuit trying to calm her quickening breath.
She hoped Janice would return soon, this warmth felt so good that she knew that it couldn't be bad, and her mind and body were telling her that Janice could help her with this new found pleasure.
Adjusting the straps of her suit, Melinda walked over grabbing her sun hat and book. Checking the bookmark she knew her reading wouldn't last long, remembering Janice's other book, she turned heading for the walk-in closet.
********************************
Closing the door, Janice looked around the 'Paddy's Anchor' nope she thought, it's not a tourist bar. The light was dim, and the place had an old feeling to it, more of a bar for locals to hang out, and from the looks she was receiving, strangers were not welcome.
Strolling across the floor, she hopped up on a barstool nodding to the bartender, "Scotch, neat." The man behind the bar looked at the small woman as if in judgement, then with a nod he set a shot-glass in front of Janice and slowly filled the glass, "Take your drink and leave Miss, this here's private, locals only."
Downing the shot without an expression, she set the glass back on the bar, "Hit me again."
Raising his voice higher, the bartender glanced around, "Lady, I said this place here is private, why don't you leave before you get hurt?"
She could feel the change in the room, it was the middle of the day outside, but inside it could've been pinch black for all the light there was. Cigarette smoke hung heavy in the air, then swirled around in circles telling her someone was coming up behind her.
Spinning slowly on the stool Janice came face to face, or face to chest. Tilting her head back, she looked at the face of someone who's nose had been broken so many times, that it was bent at a permanent angle to the left, his eyes in the dim light looked black. "This place is private lady," the man said in an coarse Irish accented voice, "Means ya pay fer the drink and leave."
Hopping off the stool, Janice was now staring the man in the stomach. Reaching into her jacket she noticed the man tense-up, so she slowly pulled out a cigar placing it between her clenched teeth, lighting it before looking up with her eye's narrowing on the man's face. "I came in to drink and talk, and no Irish Mick that can't pour piss out of a boot with instructions on the heel is going to tell me different."
The huge man moved closer staring at the unblinking green eyes, then threw back his head letting out a laugh, before clapping Janice on the shoulder. "Great one that is Miss never heard that before," as he turned Janice back toward the bar, "Thomas, two mother's milk."
Janice hid the sigh of relief as she climbed back up on the barstool and extended her hand, "Janice Covington."
Her hand almost disappeared when he clasped it in his huge paw, "Heni O'Brien, and tis please to meet ya."
"HENI!" Janice couldn't help letting out her surprise.
Rolling his eyes, Heni nodded in sorrow, "I know, hell of a name for an Irishman, named after a great uncle I was."
Picking up her glass of whiskey, Janice raised it toward the huge man, "To the Irish." Then gulped it down in one swallow.
"The Irish," Heni repeated following Janice's example and swallowing his drink, "I have ta say, I didn't expect a little thing like ye ta puff up her feathers ta me."
Taking a long drag on her cigar, Janice blew out several smoke rings before answering, "Well, I'm so used to nobody taking me serious cause I'm short, that I learned long ago that I have to put-up or shut-up."
Chuckling Heni sat back on the stool, "Bet that's why ye little folks are a bit feisty ta times, so what di ye want ta talk aboot"
Waving to Thomas, Janice ordered a beer, she didn't need to get drunk. "Know the Wurz place on Redmen's Hill?" Seeing Heni's nod, she continued, "Well, I and a friend are staying there right now and. . ." pausing, Janice looked at the looks of astonishment on Heni's and Thomas's faces.
"YOU'RE LIVING AT THE WURZ PLACE," both men said in unison.
"Is that bad?" Janice asked, already thinking that she may not be liking the answer.
"Tis not good Janice's," Heni replied looking a little uncomfortable, "Strange things happen there tis true, ta place has a dark past."
"Because this Henry Wurz was a . . . hard man I hear?" Janice hoped that she was not letting her imagination run away with her, but then she looked once again at the bruises on her fingers.
Shaking his head in disgust Heni waved for Thomas to refresh his drink, "Nay Janice, ta man was a whaling Captain, tis be a hard life, and ye have ta be firm ta get ya crew home afta a year long voyage."
Halting to sip his drink the Irishman continued, "He was hard but just, and many a man back then would lok ta sail with Captain Henry. Tis easy ta say that te man was hard and that tis being punished than a good man left tis world in grief"
Drinking her beer, the woman was getting a bit confused, "Then why does the house have a dark past?"
"Well Janice, Captain Henry had ta good wife, two sons ta daughter, and while tis was out at sea they were murdered, till tis day no one knows why. But when the Captain came back he blamed himself fer not being there to protect them." Taking a breath, Heni nodded at Janice's unasked question.
"Ye, they were killed in various rooms of the house, aboot seven days after he got back, Captain Henry killed himself. Now folks say that Captain Henry is still there, unable to forgive himself for not protecting tis family." Shaking his head, the huge man stared at his drink.
Closing her eyes, Janice hoped she had not been seeing things, "Has anyone said anything about seeing him?"
"Aye," the Irishman replied downing a shot, "All though te years, folks talk aboot rooms being cold in summer, things disappearing in one room, and coming back in another. Even seeing te Captain himself in his seacoat and cap."
Drinking the rest of her beer, Janice looked at Heni with a smile, "Thank you, that answered a lot of questions, now I need to head home, but I hope to come back if you don't mind?"
Grinning wide, Heni's face took on a pleasant look despite his crooked nose. "Aye Janice, tis be pleased ta have ye back, if ye lives in ta Wurz house and not run, you be a brave lass."
Waving to Heni and Thomas, Janice walked quickly out the door, into the glare of the mid-day sun. Blinded she walked closer to the pier railing letting her eyes adjust to the light, and her head clear of the alcohol.
Okay her mind was telling her; there's maybe a ghost, hell you met Ares remember. But her mind asked would Mel believe it since only she had seen it, or could she just be hallucinating after all?
Great
Since she was not expecting any trouble, nor knew of anyone that was after her, Janice didn't pay any attention to the footsteps fast approaching until they were on top of her.
Turning as she felt hands reaching for her, Janice jerked her head back just as the blow grazed her temple stunning her. While she was being lifted in the air, her mind wondered why people liked hitting her in the head before her body was thrown over the railing into the water below.
Chapter Ten
Melinda was almost at the door to the walk-in closet when a loud banging came from downstairs. Halting with a puzzled glance at the hallway, she turned around heading for the door, "Janice?" she called out as she left her room and paused in the corridor.
"Janice is that you?" Mel called once again, then heard more banging coming from downstairs. Her puzzlement was starting to turn to concern, her mind thinking of Janice on her motorcycle speeding down the road. Moving swiftly down the stairs, she paused once again, then jumped as the banging came from in front of her, opening the front door, she saw the screen door bang shut and slowly open again.
Irked that her imagination had run away with her, Melinda crossed the porch and closed the screen door. It didn't seem that windy to her as she looked outside, but that faded quickly as her mind turned to the road, wishing that a short woman that hated to wear dresses would come home soon.
Catching her breath, Mel leaned against the porch frame as a wave of dizziness swept over her. Oh my she was thinking, the warmth she felt from Janice's kisses was returning, but this time she only had to think of the woman. She wondered why she never felt like this with David, he was strong, funny, appreciated her mind, yet she never had these . . . she tried to think of the word, feelings, warmth, desires?
What would her daddy say if he were alive she wondered? Would he give his blessings that she found someone that could make her feel this way just by thinking about them? Or would he be distraught that she was in love with one of those women that he had warned her about?
Love, her mind fastened on the word, is this what it is? She knew that she loved her father, and that she had loved David, but this feeling was something she never felt for another person. "Okay Melinda that's enough," she said out loud.
Turning back for the front door, Mel put her hand on the handle and pushed it open. Yes Mel, her mind said, time to go to the beach, clear all of your thoughts and just wait for Janice, but first things first and go get your books.
Entering the house Melinda's eyebrows raised immediately, lying on the steps was her sunbonnet and both of Janice's books. Moving over to the stairs she reached down grabbing her hat and books, gazing at them confused, then turned her head looking up the stairs, she didn't remember bringing the books down with her.
Shaking her head she put on the sun hat and walked back out to the porch grabbing her tote bag. It must be love she thought, can't even remember fetching the books.
Upstairs, Major Rauter watched Mel walk toward the beach path as he put Janice's gun back into his pocket. He was glad that the woman didn't come into the closet, the view he saw of her body would have made him regret killing her so soon.
Turning around he strolled out of Melinda's room heading for the attic door; tonight he may have a little fun before he kills her, at least her friend should be taken care of by now. Grinning, Rauter opened the door to the attic thinking that maybe he should call his men and bring them to the house tonight, by morning the mansion would be his once again.
*******************************
Janice's mind cleared as soon as her body hit the water, sinking slowly she kicked with her feet swimming back up to the surface sputtering out the water that had filled her mouth. Gasping for air she swam over to the pier pilings clutching for a purchase in the waterlogged poles.
Then a large splash came from behind her, followed by an arm wrapping under her shoulders, "Let go Janice, I got ye," a gruff Irish accent said in back of her.
As Janice let loose of the slick wood Heni swam toward the floating docks pulling Janice along with him. Once reaching the water level pier, he turned the woman around, holding her until she gripped the dock and started to haul herself out of the water.
Sitting on the dock, Janice body was racked again by a series of coughs allowing her to spit-up more water. Her eyes turned to Heni as the dock sunk down into the water when he pulled his immense weight up beside her, "Thanks Heni, I owe you."
Nodding, the Irishman wiped the water from his face grinning, "Ye can buy me ta drink next time ye come stop by, boot ye best watch how much ye take Miss. Don't want ta falling off ta docks anymore now."
Jerking her head around, Janice looked at the man as if he was crazy, "FALL!" she exclaimed, "I was thrown over the railing, didn't you see the men that did it?"
Heni's expression turned to one of concentration as creases formed across his brow, "Nae I didn't, I came out and heard ye splashing around."
Pointing to the bruise she could feel forming on her
temple, the woman had a sense of momentary panic. NO
Standing, Heni held out his hand, "I didna say I don't believe ye, I said that I didna see them, ye are a wee bit small ta go over the rails without help."
Using the man's hand to help pull herself to her feet, Janice looked around the empty docks, "Then why did someone throw me into the water?"
Leading the woman toward the ladder up to the pier, the huge Irishman climbed up scanning the area while waiting for Janice, "Robbers tis be I have ta say, they throw ye in and wait till ye drown."
Joining Heni on the docks, Janice looked back down to the water, "Why drown me, why not just take my money?"
"Ye got a way home?" Heni asked, waiting to see Janice nod, he motioned her on, "I'll go with ye until ye are safe, these men that would do tis, they would pull ye body out and strip ye of everything. Then take ya car if ye had one, and go ta ya home and strip that."
Janice walked down the docks listening to Heni, as her wet boots squished with each step. Her thoughts turned to Mel and the danger she could've been in, and that made her more angry. "Guess I better report it to the police, that way they'll be on the lookout for this type of thing."
Following until Janice got to her motorcycle, Heni shook his head, "Ye go home and get into dry things, I take care of tis, these docks belong to ta fishermen, not a cowardly bunch of thieves, we'll find them."
Sitting on her bike, the woman looked at the ground seeing that she was already leaving a puddle of water. "Okay, I'll head home and change," reaching out, she gripped Heni's meaty hand in hers, "Thanks again for saving me."
"Tis welcome, you go on home, and I'll alert the fishermen to watch fer ta men that did tis." Backing away from Janice, Heni watched her kick start the motorcycle and roar off. Turning to look around the dock, he walked over to the railing before coming to a halt, and leaned against the railing, keeping an eye on the docks.
The men that had thrown Janice over the railing watched the huge Irishman; they would have to stay in their hiding place under the docks until the man left before they could go after the woman once again.
************************
Janice pulled up the drive and parked her Indian, the wind had dried off her clothes some, but a shiver ran through her body. She guessed that Mel was on the beach, but was unsure whether to change clothes first since her appearance would be sure to cause concern.
Feeling her head, Janice was glad there was no pain, pulling her head back had saved her from a worse blow. She'll have to explain the bruise she knew that, and she would feel better knowing that Melinda was safe. Besides as she got off the bike walking toward the path to the beach, she thought with a grin, she might get some sympathy.
Melinda finished 'The Well of Loneliness' and was into the second chapter of Janice's detective story when she heard her name being called. Looking up her smile briskly turned to astonishment then to concern, "JANICE," she practically screamed, "What happened?"
Hiding her grin, Janice watched Melinda jump up from her beach towel and run to her. She felt a little guilty for doing this, but she admitted she loved the attention, "Two guys threw me in the water while trying to rob me, I'm drying out now."
Pulling Janice over to the beach towel, Mel told the small woman to sit as she untangled the wet boot laces, "What do you mean two men tried to rob you, and why didn't you go to the house and get out of these wet things?"
Reaching down to help only to have her hands swatted away, Janice started feeling more guilty for the anxiety she was putting Mel through, "I came down here cause I was concerned about you, and I . . . wanted some attention, I'm sorry."
Pulling off one boot, Mel looked up at Janice, surprised at the admission, "Well you got my attention, now tell me what happened while you take off that jacket."
Her hands worked on the Jacket, while she kept her eyes on Melinda as she unlaced the other boot, "Like my note said, I went to the docks in Mystic to see what I could find out about why they say this place is haunted."
"What note?" the southerner asked after removing the other boot, then pulled off Janice's socks, "Janice your feet are cold!"
"The note I left on the icebox, didn't you see it?" Janice asked, only to see Mel shake her head. "Well I left one, said I was going to pick up my Indian, then stop down at the docks in Mystic and find out why they said the place was haunted."
Moving around behind the blond woman, Mel stripped off her leather jacket, then reached around unbuttoning her shirt, "Janice, I didn't see a note, maybe it dropped to the floor, anyway what did you find out?"
As Janice told Melinda about Captain Wurz, Mel proceeded to strip her down until she was only left with her boxer shorts. Grabbing a towel from her tote bag, the raven-haired woman started to rub down her friend's legs and feet. "I swear Janice, I thought you had more sense than this, walking around wet, I'll be surprised if you don't catch cold."
Already the woman was not regretting her play for attention, here she was almost naked, with Melinda wearing only her swimsuit toweling her off, "Don't worry Mel, I'm feeling very warm."
Focusing her eyes on the task at hand, Mel didn't want Janice to know she was feeling warm herself. In fact as she rapidly blinked her eyes, she was feeling very warm indeed, moving behind Janice once again she started to rub the towel over her back. Her soft back, a back that feels like smooth silk Mel was thinking as she ran her hand over the surface.
OH GOD, the small woman's mind screamed, her friend's touch was almost driving her crazy, "Mel?" Janice spoke softly.
"Mmmmm?" came the reply before she realized that she was caressing the smooth flesh, "OH my, I'm sorry Janice," she called out picking up her towel again.
Turning around, Janice took the towel from Melinda's hands, her eyes locked upon her friend. Ever so slowly Janice's lips inched towards Mel's giving time if she wanted to pull away. Yet Melinda kept her head still until Janice's lips met hers in a kiss that sent fire down to her toes.
Feeling Mel's arms wrap around her neck, Janice shifted around before she lowered the woman down to the sand, keeping her lips locked in place.
Melinda moaned into Janice's mouth, she could feel the woman's tongue flicking around her own tongue and teeth. The sensation was nothing like she ever experienced before, pulling her arms tighter she felt Janice's weight on top of her. The small woman's breasts brushing over hers, with stiff nipples touching her flesh over the top edge of her swimsuit.
Twisting her head from side to side, Janice breathed into Melinda's mouth, the hot air increasing her appetite for the woman under her as they clutched at each other. Janice's hand started to move down Mel's side stroking the fabric of her swimsuit, until it settled on her rear, pulling Mel closer to Janice's body.
Melinda felt her legs part, with one leg wrapping around Janice's waist, the warmth within her loins becoming an inferno, then to her regret her mind picked up the sound of a car horn blaring from the direction of the Mansion.
Pushing gently against Janice, Mel was finally able to break the kiss, "Janice . . . Janice, there's somebody at the house."
"Who cares," Janice moaned before raining kisses along Mel's jaw, till she felt Melinda stop moving under her. Raising her head Janice looked into a pair of blue eyes, and nodded with a groan, "I'm going to kill who ever it is!"
Holding still as Janice rolled off of her, Mel's face started to turn bright red, realizing just how close Janice came to taking her right on the open beach. But as she watched Janice quickly donning her pants, Mel knew that Janice had not been taking her.
Standing, Melinda knew she had been giving herself to Janice, there had been no taking. Hearing the horn once again Mel started for the path, discovering much to her embarrassment that the crotch to her swimsuit was soaked, the damp cloth standing out like a signal.
"
Bending over Melinda reached into her tote bag and pulled out a red sarong that had a flower pattern that matched her sunbonnet.
Well, she thought, what do you do now? Mel felt the fire raging within her body, just the thought of Janice kept it going, no she thought, she didn't care what anyone says, or what her daddy told her, Janice's touch left her feeling things like she could never imagine.
Tying the sarong around her waist, Mel started to pick up Janice's jacket, smelling the wet leather. Melinda knew that there was a fire in her burning; burning for a certain blond archaeologist.
Chapter Eleven
Trudging barefoot up the hill Janice spewed forth a series of curses to whoever was honking the horn and interrupted her and Mel. But she admitted a part of her was happy, she knew she loved Melinda, it hurt just being away from the woman, but making love to Mel had to be special, not some fumbling on a beach.
The horn blared once again as the driveway came into view revealing a parked police car and a uniformed officer standing along side the car, his arm thrust through the open drivers window.
"I
"Was just about to give up on you," he called to her in a bored tone, his eyes examining the barefoot woman walking toward him; her shirt was only half buttoned and covered with sand. Her pants hung low on her hips, and she didn't even have the decency to button her fly closed, If he'd see her in town he would've hauled her in for vagrancy.
"Are you the one that called last night about the explosion?" the officer asked as he opened notebook.
Nodding Janice came to a halt folding her arms across her breasts while leaning back on one leg, "Yea, that was me, and my friend, we heard the explosion and looked out to sea and saw something burning."
Writing down what Janice was saying, the office paused looking at her, "You said that you also saw blinking lights right?"
"Yep, came from about three maybe four degrees west of the fire, do you know what it was?" the woman asked suddenly curious about why the man was here.
"Can't say, just supposed to get your statmen . . ." Janice watched as the man sputtered to a halt, his eyes fixed at something over her left shoulder. Turning to look she saw Melinda had just arrived from the beach, with her red swimsuit and matching sarong billowing in the light breeze showing off her long legs, Janice thought she looked breath taking.
"Hello," Mel called out, her southern accent seemingly more pronounced as she approached the police car.
Pushing his way past Janice, the officer walked up to Melinda tipping his hat, "Good afternoon Ma'am, officer Patrick Lang at your service and you are?" he asked in a tone that tried to ooze charm.
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Melinda Pappas," Mel answered stretching out her hand which officer Lang shook gently replying, "Miss Pappas, huh . . . it is Miss is it not?"
"Yes, it is," An icy voice came from behind him, looking over his shoulder, the police office nodded toward Janice then turned his attentions back to Mel, "Now Melinda, may I call you that? I understand you also seen this flashing light, could you make out any patterns to it?"
Shaking her head, Mel tried to step around the man, feeling that she would be safer next to Janice, but he kept moving in front of her, "No, I didn't detect any pattern, do you know what the explosion was?"
"Yes ma'am, a merchant ship was torpedoed and sunk, they were lucky though, the crew managed to get off with only a couple men injured." Officer Lang said as he once again stepped in front of Mel.
"And the flashing light?" Janice asked.
"Now Melinda," the police officer asked ignoring the question, "Just about where were you when you saw the light?"
Moving faster than she thought possible, Mel dodged around the officer grabbing Janice's hand just before the small woman was about to seize the man around the throat.
Following Melinda around, Officer Lang caught a glimpse of the southerner pulling Janice's hand down to her side holding it tight, with a wide smile on her face. "I was on the beach with my friend here," Mel replied as she patted the top of Janice's hand, "Do you know what the flashing light was?"
Returning Mel's smile, the cop tilted his hat back on his
head, "Not sure what it was, just the naval base in
"Well don't let us keep you too long," Janice said with clenched teeth. Turning around with her hand still holding tightly onto her friend, Mel was pulled abruptly and towed along.
"Wait!" Lang called out following, causing Janice to pause still holding tightly onto Mel.
"WHAT?" the small blond asked testily.
Ignoring the irritating blond, the man nodding once again to Melinda, "I was wondering is you'd like to have some coffee with me later on?"
"NO SHE
"JANICE!" Melinda cried after she pried her hand loose and started to shake it up and down, trying to get the circulation back into her fingers. "Honestly Janice, don't you think I can speak for myself?"
Peeking out the window, the archeologist was glad to see the car drive off, "Come on Mel, don't tell me you were actually thinking about saying yes?"
"Of course not," Melinda replied, shocked that Janice would even think that she could kiss her on the beach, then accept an invitation for drinks five minutes later. Then with her eyes widening, Mel looked at Janice in astonishment, "You're jealous!"
Crossing her arms over her breasts, the small woman looked up, "Why should I be jealous of that . . . that idiot."
Grinning, Mel leaned over kissing Janice on the forehead, "I think it's cute, but you listen to me Janice Covington, I'm not some flirt that'll kiss you and turn around and head off on a hayride with somebody else. If you want me, you just better be ready for me to latch onto you, got it!"
"Got it," Janice answered with a silly grin on her face before standing on her toes and softly kissing Melinda on the lips, "I hope you know that goes for me, I know that I . . . I'm a flirt, among other things." Looking up into Mel's eyes, Janice never felt so vulnerable before, "but I plan on latching onto you, okay?"
"Okay," Melinda looked down at the woman, and felt her heart soaring, "Janice," Mel said before she kissed those hard to resist lips.
"Mmmmmmm?"
"Janice," Mel called once again her voice a whisper.
"Yes Mel?"
"Your fly is open," Mel replied suppressing a laugh.
Rolling her eyes, Janice looked down at her still damp trousers, "Guess I should go change?" looking back up at Mel, she gave the woman a wink, "Want to help me, or start throwing wood in the stove?"
Gripping both of Janice's shoulders, Melinda turned the woman around until she was facing the stairs then gave her a pat on the behind, "You go up and take a hot shower and put on some dry clothes, I don't want to nurse you."
Laughing as she walked up the steps, Janice called over her shoulder, "All right, but it would've been more fun having you nurse me."
"Janice!"
Running up the steps, Janice felt on top of the world as she turned for her room. Something that at first she never thought possible was happening, Mel was attracted to her! Throwing off her clothes as she entered her room, she wondered what the night would bring, the thought was keeping her feet planted on the ground, what IF they ended up in bed?
What if she didn't satisfy Melinda? What if she was too nervous, what if Mel was too nervous? What if she does something that Mel finds offensive?
Walking naked into Melinda's room heading for the bathroom, Janice sighed, now that they were past the first hurdle she found herself facing another one even more scary her mind thought as she stepped under the shower.
*********************
After they had finished dinner, Janice now wearing a pair of loose slacks and a brown wool shirt with the sleeves rolled up, as she did the dishes and watched Mel move around the kitchen.
"Janice," Melinda said as she shut the door to the icebox, "If you keep watching me, you'll never finish washing dishes."
Rinsing off a pot, the small woman shrugged her shoulders, "But you look so good in that summer dress, blue is really your color, but if you want me to hurry, why don't you help me?"
"Huh . . . no, remember I cook you clean," Mel said teasingly. "I'm going to turn on the radio and find the news." Heading for the dining room door, the tall southerner halted her face flushed a light shade of pink, "And when you're done you can join me, I . . . I'll be sitting in the love seat in the tower room."
Janice gawked at Mel as she left the room, then hurriedly started to wash the dishes. She was hating the hand pump, Melinda may think it's cute, but heating water to wash dishes, then working the pump handle for rinsing was too much work. Of course Janice thought, she could cook herself, but after cooking liver and onions for breakfast that one morning, Mel fired her from that task.
Setting the last of the pots in the drying rack, Janice started to wipe down the counters and stove. She didn't know what Mel's problem was with liver and onions for breakfast, it's food and filling. Hearing a creaking sound, she turned her head to locate the source of the noise and seeing the basement door swing open. Blowing hair out of her eyes, she turned back to the stove thinking they were going to nail that door shut to keep it from opening all the time.
She finished cleaning the stove and threw the washcloth in the sink when she was grabbed from behind; soon as she started to struggle a sweet smelling rag was placed over her nose and mouth. Inhaling the syrupy aroma the woman immediately started to feel tired, her struggles with the arm wrapped around her body lessening until her eyelids fluttered and her body fell limp.
Holding onto Janice's motionless body, Major Rauter glanced toward the dinning room door; he had been quiet, but there was always a chance of being found. Not hearing any sounds, he trudged back for the basement dragging Janice's body with him until he was able to close the basement door with a soft almost inaudible click.
Chapter Twelve
Mel looked toward the dinning room door for the fifth time wondering what was taking Janice so long. She had the radio tuned onto a station playing Glen Miller live from the West Coast, only one light was on in the living room, and the view of the ocean out the tower windows was spectacular.
She had to admit she felt a bit embarrassed at the setup, but she longed for those kisses of Janice's that made her feel so warm, so light-headed, so much in love. So now Melinda her mind was telling her, it looks like you're one of 'those' women, so how does it feel?
Sitting back in the love seat, Melinda realized for the first time just how it felt. She was in love with a woman that was all, she loved her father, she still believed in her faith, she loved the south, and she was as normal as the day she first met Janice, only now she knew that she loved her.
Smiling, she realized what a ninny she had been, all those questions she asked Janice about her loving women. All those times after she first discovered Janice's sexually sneaking peeks at her trying to see what was different about the woman, as if she was some type of freak.
Glancing over her shoulder once again at the dinning room door, she guessed she could give Janice a hand cleaning up. Getting out of the love chair, Mel strolled toward the kitchen, besides she reasoned, the sooner Janice was done cleaning, the sooner she'd feel warm.
Entering the kitchen, Melinda was stunned by two things, one was finding it empty, the second was how cool it was. Checking to make sure the icebox was closed, she looked around the room once more, where was Janice she wondered when the basement door started to creak open.
"Janice?" she called out softy making her way to the door, then the lighting went off plunging the room into darkness. "JANICE!" Melinda cried out as it became pitch black, unable to even see a hand in front of her face. "Janice, is that you?" Melinda called out when icy fingers pulling her back toward the living room suddenly grasped her hand.
Startled, Mel allowed herself to be towed along, her first concern was about Janice's cold hand, "Janice," she called out, yet her voice sounded strangely muffled, as if the room air was closed tight around her. "Janice, what's wrong?" she called once again as she momentarily stumbled, then staggered onward with the fingers incessantly tugging upon her hand.
Melinda was past being confused, the number of turns and climbing of stairs, combined with the surrounding blackness, she was lost. Then the icy fingers let go of her hand, and as quickly as the darkness had surrounded her, it slowly started to fade away, until moonlit shadows stole through the window in a room that Melinda had never seen before.
Glancing around the dim lit chamber, Melinda couldn't help but notice that dust was everywhere, even on the floor like a thick carpet that deadened her footsteps. The place was small, if she stretched out her arms she would be able to touch both walls, yet she didn't see a door leading out of the room.
But first things first Mel, her mind started to say to her now that her initial panic was subsiding. You got in here, so you can get out, Melinda continued to tell herself, but who brought you in here, and where's Janice?
As her eyes adjusted to the dark, the southerner could make
out a room that looked like some type of workroom, the shelves were filled with
dusty bottles. Her confused mind lit upon a sea faring uncle who had told
stories of sailing the
"A home laboratory," she whispered under her breath, amazed at the find, grinning thinking that Janice must have found it, and was playing some sort of game with her. Glancing around the small room, Mel jumped when a loud bang that her mind identified as the slamming of a door came from behind her.
Turning around, she stared at the wall in front of her listening to footsteps moving over creaking floorboards. At least she knows which side of the wall led to freedom now her mind told her. She wondered what Janice was up to as she prepared to call out, only to halt when she heard a man's voice starting to speak German?
Pressing her ear to the wall, Melinda could hear the low mutters of German, but not any answering voices. Several minutes passed until Mel once again heard the sounds of creaking floorboards and then the shutting of a door.
When she thought the source of the noise was gone, Melinda started to feel around the wall for a hidden switch like that in the kitchen when her ears picked up a new sound from behind her.
Turning around, she felt a shiver run through her body as a small bottle inched its way across the shelf until it came to a sudden halt.
With eyes wide, Mel looked around looking for the reason that the bottle moved, "Janice," she said with a trembling voice, "Janice if you did that, it's not funny, in fact it's scary!" Hearing no response, Melinda reached out and grabbed the bottle and read the label that simply said, 'Tree Frog Poison'.
Keeping a tight grip on the bottle, the tall southerner thought about what she knew about the poison. Come on Mel she was thinking you just came from the Amazon, the Indian's use it to . . . to what, Mel wondered as she tried to remember. To . . . knockout . . . stun monkeys! That's it her mind told her, they coat arrows and shoot monkeys with it, the monkey looses conciseness and falls out of the tree.
"Great Mel," she said to herself while looking at the bottle, "Now I just need to find a monkey and shoot it with an arrow." Before she placed the bottle back on the shelve.
Turning back around, she felt once again around the wall until she touched a bump that felt like the hidden switch down in the kitchen. Pressing it, the wall in front of her clicked open in the shape of a doorway, pushing it further, she guessed that she was in the attic.
How did I get up here her mind asked while venturing into the pale lit attic? Moving closer to the attic window, she was granted a breath-taking view of the ocean. She could see for miles even without the aid of binoculars, reaching out to touched the glass plane her foot kicked a box on the floor.
Bending down she discovered that the box was a short-wave radio, well that takes care of who the voice was talking to she thought. But why a radio, and who was the man Mel wondered, thinking over the past months with Janice and their attraction for trouble, she knew it was not anything good.
Straightening back up, Mel hurried into the secret room grabbing the bottle of poison, before she turned and carefully as possible made her way down the stairs without betraying herself with creaking floorboards.
Opening the door at the bottom of the steps, Melinda found herself on the second floor, wondering what to do. There was someone in the house she didn't know, Janice was missing, and a bottle of poison had moved across a shelf by itself, great! She told herself gripping the bottle, first how can I protect myself she wondered, before her eyes lit-up.
Moving silently to the balcony, Mel looked downstairs making sure no one was down there before she started to make her way to the captain's study room.
***************************
"Not the head!" Janice complained groggily as a hand slapped her across the face.
"Then wake up," a harsh voice replied, holding back another slap, then smiled before delivering the slap across the woman's face with his hand. "Wake up, before I get angry."
Opening her eyes, Janice locked onto a man squatting before her, he looked tall even though he was kneeling in front of her. Thin but looks tough she thought while appraising him from the light of a lantern, "Who the hell are you?" she asked as she tried to move only to find her hands tied behind her around a wooden beam.
Smirking, the man slapped Janice again, feeling a sense of pleasure at her returning glare, "You're not in a position to ask me anything, but for now you will call me major."
"Listen Majo . ." her remark was cut off by another slap to her face, shaking her head to clear the last of her dizziness, Janice wanted to do nothing more than to rip the man's throat out.
"You will speak only when I say so," the man said before delivering another stinging slap, "now you will tell me the names of all the people you've talked to today?"
Janice looked at the man without saying a word; her eyes piercing the major's flesh, as she tasted the blood flowing down from her nose.
Looking at the silent woman, major Rauter slapped her once again, grinning as a trickle of blood ran down from her lip, "Just tell me who you talked to at the docks, and then everything will be all right."
"Go to hell," Janice replied before her head was snapped back by another hard slap to the face.
Grinning, Rauter ran a finger down Janice's jaw, caressing her neck as it wandered down to the collar of her shirt. His face showing delight at the woman's revulsion, "I know what you are, in Germany we know how to treat your kind, we have work camps for your type, and the women wear black triangles to show that they are degenerates."
Standing, Rauter looked down at Janice as he hooked his thumbs in his belt, "I can't take you back with me when I leave, but I will go and call my men, when they get here we'll show you how a degenerate like you can please a man."
Turning for the steps, the major stopped and once again looked at Janice over the light of the kerosene lantern, "And when we're done with you, we'll have fun with your friend."
Pulling at her bonds, Janice kicked out with her feet staring at Rauter, "Touch her and I swear I'll rip your heart out." She snarled, not noticing the drop in the room's temperature.
Watching the man walk up the stairs, Janice rubbed the ropes binding her hands against the beams praying that the major would try finding his entertainment with her first. But knowing whatever happened he'd end up dead even at the cost of her own life.
Minutes pasted as Janice worked the bonds waiting for the major to return; working the ropes up and down the beams she felt icy fingers clutching her hands.
Chapter Thirteen
Melinda turned at the bottom of the stairs heading into the parlor when she heard the dinning room door open, her first instincts was to call out Janice's name. But quickly changing her mind crouching down behind a chair in the parlor, because of the continuing darkness she couldn't see who it was, but the sounds of the footsteps didn't make her think it was Janice.
Hurrying into the captain's den, Mel grabbed the telephone, lifting up the earpiece, she proceeded to click down the cradle wishing the operator would hurry and answer. After several more clicks with no answer, the southerner hung up the phone, looking around the room at the engraved pieces of scrimshaw until she sighted the one she noticed the other day, picking it up, Melinda raced over to the desk and started to search through it.
Melinda knew that luck was with her after finding the fountain pens in the second drawer she checked. Breaking down the pens Mel was pleased to find that the ink sacks had been removed, being careful not to bend the brass tip, Melinda pulled them from the barrel of each of her three pens until she had the nibs on the desk in front of her.
Testing to tip of the nibs with her finger, the southerner nodded on satisfaction, with a little force behind them, the sharp points will break the skin. But looking at the long piece of Scrimshaw in her hand she needed something light to help plug up the hole in the whalebone and give her the pressure needed, but what she wondered, and where was Janice?
****************************
Major Rauter moved through Melinda's room with Janice's gun in his hand wondering where the woman was hiding. He almost had her in the kitchen then the power went off and she got away, the woman must know he was in the house, but where could she be?
He checked under the beds in both rooms, but there were more to check, and while he looked through those rooms she could sneak out the door and run for help. Damn his men for failing to drown the woman, he thought, but it did give him an idea, after they were done with the pair, they'd dress them in swimsuits and drown them in the ocean. People would think it a tragedy and he'd have the house all to himself once again to spy on the shipping lanes.
The U-boat captain last night had been foolish, he was supposed to have followed the ship like he had the others, away from the area then sink it. Now the police was investigating his signal light, the operation was now in jeopardy because of the U-boat not waiting to clear the area.
Coming back to his own slight problem, if he didn't find the other woman the mission would also be in jeopardy. Best thing to do was go downstairs and wait for the arrival of his men, then conduct a search of the house. And after they found her, well the tall woman would be his, the others could amuse themselves with the woman in the basement.
**********************
Janice was trying to control her breathing, she could not help but shiver as she felt the icy fingers work on the rope holding her captive. "Captain Wurz?" she said with a slight tremor in her voice, knowing she hit the mark when the activity behind her stopped for a few precious moments before starting up again.
Come on
The silence was starting to get to the small woman, she could feel the tugging at the ropes binding her hands around the beam, but couldn't hear anything except for the sound of her own voice. "And last night, when I followed the creaking coming from the attic, that was the major up there and you stopped me from walking right into him?"
"And packing my clothes was a signal," Janice said leaning against the beam finally understanding that she'd not been imagining things. "But why just me . . . unless Mel has been seeing things also and not saying a word like me!" laughing at her reasoning the woman felt the ropes loosening.
Pulling at the bonds Janice felt the knots slipping, tensing her muscles, the woman clenched her teeth and jerked forward feeling the ropes loosening more, until she was able to work the bindings off her wrist. Standing Janice spun around looking at a empty basement, then she noticed that it was warmer than before as she made her way to the stairs, listening for the telltale sounds of approaching footsteps.
**********************
Melinda carefully pushed the nib she had taken off the fountain pen through the piece of cloth she ripped from her dress; it made a perfect dart as far as she was concerned. Placing it on the table with the other two darts she made, Mel froze in place listening to the creaking floorboards signaling someone coming down the steps.
Hurrying her pace, Mel took the stopper off the bottle of poison hoping that it still held its potency. Being careful not to touch the odorless liquid, the southerner dipped the sharp tips of her darts into the fluid with a slight swirl to coat the darts, then set them back on the desk to dry to a sticky paste.
"Okay Mel" she whispered to herself, "How much to knock a man out, and how long for it to take effect?" Thinking of the size differences between a man and a monkey, the woman looked at the darts and applied a second coating. She knew she'd have to hit bare skin, and that only the bare tip would penetrate for a second or two. But from what she heard, the poison was supposed to be very toxic, at least she hoped it was.
Gathering up the darts and the whalebone, Mel made her way to the parlor door, slowly opening it until she heard movement coming from the living room. Unexpectedly as car horn started sounding followed by the noise of a vehicle pulling up in front of the house.
Gods Janice where are you, her mind asked as she listened to the footsteps walk towards the front door, please be safe, god, I can't lose Janice now that I just found her.
Meanwhile the object of Melinda's concern was cursing under
her breath as the basement door creaked open, next time you go into town, you
will get some oil for these damn doors
Rauter walked around the car nodding to the man getting out of the drivers side, "Jon, where are the others?"
With a sense of panic, the man turned looking back down the road he just came before turning back to the major, "Carl and Oscar been arrested for attempted robbery."
"WHAT!" Rauter shouted in shock, his own eyes looking down the road expecting to see a series of police cars.
"They failed in trying to kill the woman you sent them after; the fishermen around the docks heard about it and started to search the docks, some huge Irishman found them hiding under the docks." Catching his breath, Jon looked at the major, "They think they're common thieves right now, but once the police start checking into their backgrounds . . ."
Slamming his fist on the hood of the car, Rauter knew that his men were captured, their fake identity papers would not hold up to careful scrutinizing. "Jon did you see anyone walking along the road?"
"No major, I didn't see anyone." The man replied smartly.
Nodding, Rauter turned looking at the house, "Good, if
Carl and Oscar keep their mouths shut, we'll be able to head for
"The women that live here have to be eliminated, I have one tied up in the basement, the other is hiding somewhere in the house, I'll search upstairs, but I want you to keep a watch downstairs so she don't slip out." Nodding his head, Rauter headed for the house hearing Jon following close behind.
Melinda ducked behind the chair she had used earlier when she heard footsteps climb up the porch steps. Peeking from behind her hiding place, she watched as two men entered the dark house whispering to each other. Keeping absolutely still she observed one pull a gun from his pocket before heading up the steps.
Only one there Mel, she told herself as she placed one of her homemade darts into the long hollowed-out whalebone. She hoped not only would the poison work, but that she had taken time to practice with her blowgun. Placing the tube between her lips, Melinda placed her tongue over the hole and said a short prayer before she added air pressure and lets loose.
Jon turned hearing a hissing noise, then felt something thud against his jacket. Peering toward the direction where the sound came from he only saw pitch-blackness, as the room suddenly became cooler. Running his hand over the spot on his jacket where he felt the impact, he touched something clinging to the fabric.
Pulling it off, his face took on a baffled expression as he gazed at the sticky metal object, bringing it up to his nose Jon sniffed it several times as he tried to decipher what it was. Looking back in the direction of the parlor, Jon noticed that the room was becoming darker, and he briefly wondered why the major didn't have the lights on.
Turning his attention back to the small object, Jon sniffed it once again, not smelling anything, before he stuck out his tongue to taste it, quickly grimacing as he tried spitting out the bitter flavor.
Janice watched the man that had walked in with the major, something seemed wrong with him as he swayed back and forth; to her it looked almost like the man was drunk.
Shaking his head Jon couldn't feel his tongue; in fact his whole mouth was numb. Looking at the piece of metal he was holding in his hand, the man flung it to the floor, get the major his bewildered mind was saying to him, get the major.
Melinda watched the man stagger towards the staircase when a shadow detached itself from the living room and grabbed the drugged man, easing him to the floor. Hastily loading another dart, Mel wondered how long the other person has been lying in wait; knowing that her hiding place was in danger, she brought the blowgun to her lips and sent a dart at the second figure.
Chapter Fourteen
Janice jerked around staring at the parlor when she heard a hissing sound, then felt something hit her wool shirt. Feeling down her shirt until her hand touched a sticky piece of mental, bringing it up to her nose the woman sniffed the odorless paste then glanced at the man lying at her feet.
"Mel?" she said in a whisper, dropping the dart and wiping her hands on her slacks. "Mel, is that you?" she called out softly as her eyes stole a glance up the stairs.
"Janice?" Melinda called out after hearing the shadow cry out her name. Creeping forward, Mel kept her eyes fixed on the shape in front of her, until she was close enough to see the profile of the woman she'd been worried to death about.
"JANICE!" she cried in a loud whisper before engulfing the woman in a fierce hug, delighted that she found her safe and sound. Just as Janice started to return the hug, Melinda's eyes bolted open in alarm, pushing the woman back, she held her at arm's length, "Are you dizzy? Did you just feel a small sting right before you saw me?"
Surprised at the alarm in Mel's voice, Janice started to shake her head side to side, then remembered it was hard to see in the blackness. "No, A small piece of sticky metal hit my shirt but I tossed it on the floor after seeing this guy on the floor."
Blowing out a breath in relief, Mel knew she would not forgive herself if she had darted her friend. "Good, that was a dart I made for my blowgun, it's dipped in tree frog poison, but it should only knock you out for a little while."
Feeling her jaw drop in disbelief, Janice was momentarily unable to speak; finally with a shake of her head, the woman leaned forward softly kissing Mel, "I'm glad I love you for your brain as well as your body."
Touching her lips, Melinda looked closer at her friend's face, "Janice why is your face wet . . . you . . . you love me?"
Touching her lips, Janice had forgotten than her nose and lip were still bleeding, and that reminded her that they were still in danger. "Yes Mel, I love you, I love so much that it hurts sometimes, but we need to cut this short, there's still the major upstairs so we don't have much time."
The darkness hid the grin on her face, but could not keep the feelings she felt out of her voice, "Janice . . . okay I understand, but I want to say that I love you also." Pausing to let her words sink in, Mel knew it was time to get back to saving their lives, "Now who's the major and who are these men?"
Melinda's words had taken a heavy weight off of her shoulders, she knew that no matter what happened, they were finally in love with each other. "Hel . . . uh, heck if I know, all I know is that one guy is calling himself the major, and he wanted to know who I spoke to today."
"I heard one of them speaking German," Mel added, "And there's a short-wave radio up in the attic."
Both paused momentarily pondering the information of Germans, radios, U-boats, blinking lights and a newspaper headline proclaiming an execution before in unison they blurted out, "Spies!"
"Jon?" a man's voice called from the top of the stairs.
Grabbing Melinda's hand, Janice pulled her toward the dining room; her ears listening for creaking floorboards, and the back stairs. If she could just get to her gun in the dresser she was thinking, of course they could make a run for it, but that means outside in open ground with no place to hide while armed men hunted them. Shaking her head, Janice knew their best chance was getting to her gun.
"JON!" Rauter shouted as he ran down the step and knelt next to the unconscious man shoving him roughly, "Get up, get up you idiot!"
****************
"I'LL KILL YOU!" The major shouted, the echo of
his voice reverberating throughout the house as he stood over Jon's body, he
was a major in the SS,
Control your breathing, he berated himself, remember what you are and what you know, use the house major, use the house. Taking deep gulps of air, Rauter started to calm down then opened his senses to the silent house.
Normal people would have run his mind reasoned, but these two are corrupt, and the small one had the eyes of a fighter. Slowly his head turned looking up the stairs, he thought he heard a creak, but was not sure, inching his way toward the staircase, the spy carefully and soundlessly made his way up the stairs.
"Where is it!" Janice said in a harsh whisper, as she pulled her boxer shorts out of the dresser and tossed them on the floor. She threw a quick glance at Mel who shrugged her shoulder with a shake of her head.
"Are you sure you put it in the dresser?" Melinda asked in a low whisper, her head only inches away from Janice's.
"I know I did, I remember putting it under my boxers Mel, I can even picture putting it there." The woman replied fiercely, upset that she was now upstairs without a gun to protect Melinda.
"Looking for this?" a male voice asked from the hallway door, raising the gun slightly when it looked like Janice was about to rush him, "Now I would not recommend that," Rauter said in a louder tone, "I would then have to shoot your companion, then chase you."
"You're going to shoot us any way," Melinda stated in her southern drawl.
Advancing into the room, Rauter stayed far enough away so that he could get several shots off if they rushed him, "Ahhhh, but it's how quick you die is now the subject." Turning the gun towards Janice, he could see the dark splotches around her nose and mouth, "Blood looks black in the moonlight as you've found out, now tell me who you talked to today, or I'll shoot your friend in the stomach."
Turning her gaze toward Janice, Mel gasped as she realized what the wetness she felt earlier was; wishing that Janice had told her initially, Melinda shifted her stare back to the major, feeling anger starting to raise from the depths of her soul.
"All right," Janice said hurriedly, already judging the distance between her and the major, she'll be hit no doubt about it, but she was not going to allow him to hurt Mel. "I went to a bar on the docks called the Paddy Anchor, and asked about why this place was haunted, that's all."
Shivering, Rauter looked over to see if the window was open as the room took on a sudden chill. "And that policeman that was here earlier?"
"He asked if we knew anything about the flashing light
coming from the ocean, and I told we thought it was the ship sending a
"That's all?" Rauter asked, surprised at the smile on the woman's face, she was up to something his mind warned him. Then he saw the man in white standing by the closet, shocked at not hearing the man enter, the major swung the gun around firing at him.
Janice sprung instantly, leaping not at the major as he would've expected but at the hand holding the gun. Arching her body around the pistol as it fired once again, then she sank to the floor, her body still curled around the .44.
"JANICE!" Melinda screamed as she watched the woman fall to the floor, before turning to stare at the major as he stumbled back off balanced. Releasing the anger that'd been rising within, Mel pounced on the major swinging around with a right cross that tagged him on the chin.
Rauter felt his head snap back from the hard blow, not wanting to believe that the punch came from a woman. Slamming into the wall from the force of the blow, he looked up in time for a jab from Melinda to break his nose.
Mel followed the screaming man around the room, delivering blow after blow, she almost took pity on him until she remembered Janice's body falling to the floor. With that in mind, she brought her knee up savagely into his groin; as he bent over with a cry of anguish, Melinda grabbed his arm swinging it up then down in a circle, hurling the major into a flip which landed him painfully on his back.
Mel's breath came hard, her shoulders raising and falling with each intake of air, when she heard a soft clapping. Looking over at Janice, she saw the woman sitting on the floor grinning at her. "JANICE!" cried rushing to the woman's side checking for wounds.
"I'm okay Mel," the small woman said with a smile, "He missed me, I'm not shot."
Eyes wide in astonishment, Mel collapsed sitting next to the woman she loved, before pointing at the motionless major, "Why didn't you help me with him?"
Grinning, Janice wrapped her arm around Melinda's shoulder pulling her close, "Because you didn't need help, and remind me never to pis . . . uh tick you off."
Groaning in relief, Melinda tilted her head until it was laying on top of Janice's hair, "I guess we can use the radio to call the police?"
They both froze, then slowly turned to look at each other stunned, "Why didn't we do that in the first place?" both said in unison, then let out a laugh in relief.
"God, I'm grateful you're safe, but what was he shooting at?" Melinda asked while keeping a watch on Rauter.
Turning her head, Janice looked toward the closet and grinned, "Melinda Pappas," the small woman started off as she pointed, "Meet Captain Henry Wurz."
Furrowing her forehead, Mel turned in the direction of Janice's finger, and felt her mouth drop to the floor as she looked at a swirling white mist formed in the shape of a man. Unable to make a sound, Melinda almost swore she could see the face break into a contented smile before he faded away.
Turning to stare at Janice, Mel could only shake her head at the woman.
"Oh," Janice said with a grin, "This place IS haunted, you see I started to notice it the day we arrived when . . ." Melinda could only nod as her friend relayed the events that happened to her over the pass several days.
Chapter Fifteen
The police car drove up the drive and came to a stop in front of the mansion. Opening the door, Janice climbed out and waited for Melinda with an exhausted sigh. "Nothing like spending the day at a Naval Base talking to the FBI to just fill you full of . . ."
"Good patriotic feelings," Melinda finished for her friend as she stepped onto the drive and stretched looking at the setting sun, "I didn't expect it to take this long." She observed.
Nodding to the driver, Janice gave a diminutive wave as he drove off before turning her attention back to Mel, "Well, it's not everyday that we get to bust up a spy ring, and you really busted the major up."
Wrapping her arm around Janice's they strolled toward the house, "I thought you had been shot, I was scared, angry . . . I don't know how to describe it, I thought you had been taken away from me."
Opening the door for her southern friend, Janice nodded in understanding, "I think I understand what you're saying Mel, I feel that way every time I see some guy talk to you."
Stopping fast in her tracks, Mel looked at Janice in astonishment, "Janice, how could you think that?" Looking at the face framed by blond hair, Melinda had to reach out and touch the soft strands. "Janice Covington, I love you, I would've died along side with you last night if it had came to that, I need you in my life Janice as surely as I need air to breathe."
It was Janice's turn to look at Melinda in wonder, her ocean blue eyes, the raven hair, the slant of her mouth when she smiles, "I love you Mel," she whispered, "I love you more than life, and I'll be your air surrounding you if you'll have me?"
Afraid to speak, Melinda looked at the petite woman, then leaned down catching her in a kiss that built in it's intensity. Pulling back, Mel looked at Janice, the woman's eyes were still closed with her head tilted upwards as if savoring the lingering touch of their lips.
"Janice, uh . . . do you think the captain is still around?" Mel asked looking around the foyer.
Blinking at the change in subject, Janice had to shake her head in an attempt to regain control, "The captain? I . . . I don't know, he could be, or maybe now that he helped us he joined his family."
Taking Janice's arm, Melinda led her up the steps in quiet contemplation, steering the quiet Janice into her bedroom and shutting the door behind her. "If he's still here, I'm sure he's a gentleman."
Nodding in agreement, Janice was puzzled until her face lit up in understanding; pulling Melinda close, she stood on her toes to kiss the woman she loved once again before stepping back and reaching for the buttons on Melinda's blouse.
Mel tried to still her shaking, as Janice removed her blouse and looked her in the eyes. She was scared she admitted it to herself, but she realized it was not from Janice being a woman, but if she could really love her the way Janice deserved.
Taking Mel's hand, Janice without a sound but for their breathing led her soon to be lover over to the huge bed, pausing long enough to unbutton Mel's skirt and let it drop to the floor. Feeling her breath quickening, Janice drunk in the sight of her Mel clad only in her slip and stockings.
Intercepting Janice's hands as she reached for the straps of her peach colored slip, Melinda smiled at the hunger she saw in the woman's eyes, "Your turn." Mel said, her voice barely above a whisper. Melinda's fingers trembled uncontrollably as she reached for Janice's shirt; unable to clasp the buttons she let out a exasperated groan.
Clasping Melinda's hands, Janice led her to the bed, sitting her down on the mattress before backing up watching Mel's eyes. Unbuttoning her shirt, she saw Mel turn her head to the floor, then slowly raised back up only to moan in disappointment at seeing Janice's tee shirt.
Mel could feel her pulse accelerating as she watched Janice
pull off her boots. She'd seen the woman almost naked many times; she made it a
habit of walking around their
Unbuckling her pants, Janice let them drop to her ankles before stepping out and kicking them under the bed. Her eyes remained locked on Mel's when she pulled the tee shirt over her head, freeing her small breasts, the nipples already stiff from anticipation.
Reaching for her shorts, the woman was momentarily alarmed when Mel held up her hand stopping her, "Huh, Janice, can you just leave them on for a little bit longer?" Melinda asked softly.
Seeing Janice's nod, Mel felt a slight reprieve from her nerves, she had not felt anything close to this with David. In the split second it took her mind to reflect, she knew that none of the love or desires she was experiencing now even came close to her first and only time.
Turning her head as Janice advanced toward her, Mel crawled back onto the bed then sneaked a peek at Janice. "You're so beautiful," she couldn't help but say; looking at the woman climbing onto the mattress and scoot closer to her.
Sitting next to Melinda, Janice could feel her heart pounding in her chest, "You're my goddess Mel," she whispered before kissing those exquisite southern lips. Pushing Melinda slightly the pair laid back on the bed, their heads cushioned by pillows, just holding each other close.
Janice made the first move when she moved her head up to deliver a series of kisses along Melinda's jaw, shifting cautiously down her neck. Her hand caressing the tall woman's shoulders then slid the straps of her slip down Mel's arms.
Tilting her head back, Melinda relished the kisses Janice rained down her throat, swallowing when she felt her lover lowing the straps to her slip. Melinda moved slightly pulling her arms up, freeing herself from the straps, then felt a rush of air as Janice pulled down the top of her slip releasing her breasts from the cloth confines.
"Oh god," Janice couldn't help saying as she freed Mel's breasts, the dark nipples were surrounded by half-dollar sized areolas.
"What?" Melinda asked looking at Janice staring at her breasts suddenly concerned.
Tugging Mel's slip down to her stomach, Janice brought up her hand, lightly running a single fingertip over Mel's left breast, delighted at the woman abrupt intake of breath. "They're perfect Mel," Janice whispered as she kissed the tip of the right nipple, then rolled the palm of her hand over the left nipple.
Melinda gasped when Janice twirled her tongue around her stiffening tip, while her hand fondled her other breast. The heat she had been encountering from the woman's kisses were nothing compared to the warmth and aching she was feeling now.
Janice never thought she could have this much pleasure from touching, caressing, making love to a woman's breasts. She had always preferred graceful rears before, but Mel's breasts were in a class all there own. She was lost in the sensation she found in Mel's bosom, they were a little larger than she had imagined, the silky texture, the scent of her skin, the contrast of pale sun hidden skin to the dark nipple.
Closing her eyes Mel ran her fingers through Janice's hair, before biting her lips to keep from crying out when the blond switched her exquisite tongue to her other aching breast. With her hips raising up and down, seeking some type of relief, Melinda didn't realized that Janice had stopped her loving of her breasts, and was kneeling over her.
Lost in the passion, the southerner couldn't make out what her lover was saying at first, then when she grasped what Janice was saying, her face turned deep scarlet, yet raised her hips for the woman to pull her slip off.
She felt dizzy looking down at her Mel wearing only a pair
of cotton panties and her stockings. Stroking the smooth silk clad legs of her
lover the blond woman shivered at the touch, making a mental note to see her
black-market connection back in
"Lift up once more," Janice said in a raspy voice, filled with love and desire waiting for Mel to lift her hips; then with gentle tugging, she pulled the woman's panties down, her breath coming up short as she gazed at the black curly patch between Melinda's legs.
"Oh Mel," Janice breathed quietly lying down on the bed, as she parted Melinda's legs depositing kisses on the smooth thigh next to the top of her stockings.
Melinda, covered her face with the palms of her hands, she could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks as her lover knelt between her legs. JANICE her mind screamed, what are you doing? But what ever the blond woman was planning on doing, Mel was not going to stop her, it just felt too good.
A groan escaped pasted her lips when Janice kissed her thigh; the aching within her center was burning in a fire she never experienced before. Pushing her hair back over her face drenched in perspiration, Melinda looked down at Janice sniffing her sex with a look of pure lust.
Intoxicating as Mel's scent was, Janice held herself back
from ravishing the dark patch with her mouth. Easy
Moaning louder Mel licked her lips after Janice kissed her mount, one hand stayed at her face wiping away the continuing flood of sweat. The other reached down to clutch the top of Janice's head just has her body contorted from Janice's darting a tongue over her lower lips.
Pushing Mel's thighs back, Janice delighted in the woman's spasm when she tasted Melinda's sex. Like a flower Melinda's sex opened itself too Janice's prying eyes, drinking in every fold and dimple until she mapped it in her heart. With a smile, Janice tilted her head licking the length of her lover's vulva, elated to hear the responding moan and quiver of pleasure.
Pulling at Janice's hair, Mel arched her back as Janice's tongue plunged deep into her. The feeling was unlike anything that she had felt before in her life, her moans of ecstasy filled the room as each stab of the woman's tongue brought the aching fire in her loins closer to the surface.
Holding onto her twisting lover, Janice placed her forearm against Mel's thighs to hold them back, then used the thumb on her free hand to stroke the hood protecting Melinda's clitoris. The resulting scream from the southerner's lips and the shaking of her body told Janice that her lover was close to release.
Melinda's voice cried out louder urging Janice on while her legs flexed back and forth with each thrust of her lover's tongue. Releasing Janice's head, she clutched the blankets tightly in her hands before she started to repeatedly shout Janice's name at the top of her lungs.
Janice thrust her tongue deep into Melinda's tunnel one final time, feeling the walls of her lover's sex constrict around her tongue. The sound of Mel screaming her name as she climaxed was a sweet euphoria to the woman that had only before fantasized this moment.
Releasing her death grip on the blankets, Melinda's moans became softer until she felt Janice release the hold on her thighs before slowly crawling up on top of her until she touched her lips with hers.
"I have you," Janice whispered as she laid on top of her lover, playing with the hair pasted to Mel's forehead, "Are you okay?"
Chuckling, the southerner's body had never felt this okay; looking up into Janice's green eyes, the smile left her face to be replaced with a look of tenderness, "I . . . I'm not sure what to do, I . . ."
"Shhhhh," Janice murmured placing a finger on Mel's lips, "You don't hav . . ."
Interrupting Janice, Melinda looked at the woman, "But I want to please you, please." As the taller of the two lovers caressed the other's cheek.
Nodding, Janice rolled off of Mel, bending over and pulling her boxer shorts off and tossing them on the floor. Lying on her back she held out her hand to Melinda smiling, "Give me your hand."
Turning on her side, Melinda placed her hand in Janice's open palm, her eyes roaming over her new lover's body, seeing her completely nude for the first time. She could not help it as her vision was drawn to the blond patch of hair between Janice's legs.
Licking her lips, Janice laid Mel's hand on her throat, then turned her gaze back to the woman at her side, "Explore Mel, just feel."
Looking down at the body by her side, Melinda traced Janice's collarbone, taking in the exceptionally smooth feel of her lover's skin, "I didn't know it would feel this soft," she said in a whisper.
Keeping her hands at her sides, Janice barely nodded, her pale nipples were already stiff, as Mel's touch raised goosebumps along her arms. "I think you'll be surprised at what you'll find Mel, keep going."
Tracing her fingertips lower, Melinda knew what she wanted to experience, and didn't want to wait any longer as her hand cupped Janice's left breast; pausing at the intake of breath from the small woman, Mel leaned closer examining her lover's reaction.
"Oh god," Janice muttered under her breath, she didn't expect a response like this from Mel's explorations. Already she was wet, feeling a tickling sensation as her dew slid down her thigh soaking the blanket underneath her.
Moving down the bed, the southerner moved her fingers around the stiff nipple, swirling around and around until she reached the outer reaches of Janice's diminutive areola, then reversed moving in circles back to the hard tip.
Seeing Janice's breasts rise up and down with her increasing breath, Melinda leaned over touching the right nipple with her tongue, delighted with her lover's answering moan.
Deciding that it would be okay to touch the raven hair, Janice moved her far hand to caress the silky raven colored tresses. Gasping abruptly when Mel used her teeth on her nipple, "Did I hurt you?" Melinda asked a bit distressed.
"Just surprised me," Janice answered, then added a request "but just a little softer." Hissing when Mel bit a little softer, then looked at her expectantly, grinning at her nod, "Yes, like that, feels wonderful." The woman added trying to ignore the ache in her loins that wanted her to roll over and show Mel how to do it.
Come on
Melinda looked up wondering what she was doing right as she caught sight of Janice nodding slowly with a smile, true happiness on her face, "Janice?" she called softly.
Opening her eyes, Janice looked at Mel, hoping she could show the love she was feeling for the woman.
Rubbing her hand over Janice's stomach, Melinda blushed avoiding her lover's eyes, before taking a breath and turned to meet her gaze, "I'm not sure what to do now . . . how do I . . ."
Shifting her arm around Mel's back, the woman pulled her closer and laid her other hand on top of the one on her stomach, "I'll show you," she whispered before guiding Melinda's hand down to her damp curls.
Mel could feel the heat raising from Janice's sex, the blond curls were damp, no not damp her mind told her, they were soaked. Sliding a finger down Janice's labia, the southerner could not get it out of her mind that it felt like soft velvet. She had touched herself for her personal hygiene but touching Janice's felt so different.
Janice's breath quicken as Melinda explored, so deft was Mel's exploration that she wished she would never stop as she spread her legs wider; gasping in shock and rapture when her love slipped the tip of her finger past her folds. "Yessss," she said hoarsely, "Keep doing that Mel."
Watching as Janice's hips started to rise upwards as if to take in more of her finger, Mel licked her lips and inserted her finger deeper, gratified to hear her love moan while Janice's arm around her back gripped tighter.
Panting, Janice opened her eyes wide when Melinda started to rub the palm of her hand over her clit. The maneuver taking her completely by surprise causing her hips to push her mount harder against Mel's hand.
Swallowing, Melinda beheld Janice's increased breathing, her flush face, and she could feel the heat in the woman's sex as she pumped her finger in and out of Janice's folds. Then her lover's body started to spasm, with teeth clenched tight, the arm circling her back tightened its grip, relaxing when a volley of groans exploded forth from the small body she was holding.
Turning on her side, Janice gripped the hand still thrusting between her legs pulling it away, "Mel," she gasped, "Hold it, please I . . . let me recover." Shutters racked her body once more as Janice took deep breaths.
"Are you okay?" Melinda asked, concerned that she may have done something wrong.
Laughing, Janice brought Mel's hand up to her face, looking over the fingers soaked with her juices, "I'm very okay . . . love." The woman replied then proceed to lick Mel's hand clean digit by digit.
"I love you, Janice."
"I love you, Mel."
***********************
Hours later found them still cuddled together in bed, Janice's head resting on Mel's shoulder, her leg wrapped around her lover's. Sighing as Melinda twisted a lock of her blond hair back and forth, "You know Mel, I've been thinking."
"I guess we're in trouble then," the southerner teased.
"Funny, ha-ha" Janice replied in a deadpan fashion, but her eyes betrayed her laughter, "I was thinking about how long it took for the little part of us that is Xena and Gabrielle to get back together, three thousand years is a long time."
The hand stroking Janice's hair paused, then continued, "Who said that they've waited that long, maybe they've never been apart?"
Turning to look at her lover, Janice narrowed her eyes in thought, "What do you mean?"
"Well, starting with Xena and Gabrielle three thousand years ago gives a lot of time to make ancestors we've never even heard of, maybe their spirits have always been together all this time?" Turning her head, Melinda gazed into her lover's eyes.
Grinning, Janice kissed Mel then laid her head back on Melinda's shoulder, "A love so deep that it never dies, and follows their descendants through all time." Pausing to think it over the small woman nodded and pulled her lover close.
"I guess it's nice to know we'll always be together," Janice said as Melinda covered her hand holding it tight.
"Always," the southerner replied before the pair fell asleep.
The End