Love on Liberty

by Mj Williamz

  Tommy eased up on her elbows and buried her face between Martina’s legs.

  “Oh, Tommy,” Martina cried. “How am I supposed to concentrate?”

  “Do your best.”

  Martina went back to working on Tommy while Tommy continued to enjoy her feast. Tommy was so close, she could feel her muscles tensing up and knew she would come soon. Still she tried to focus on Martina who finally came, sending Tommy soaring over the edge after her.

  Martina curled up in Tommy’s arms and they lay together trying to catch their breath.

  “What a way to spend an afternoon,” Martina finally said.

  “No kidding. That was my kind of fishing trip.”

  “We’ll have to go again sometime.”

  Tommy felt her gut tighten. She enjoyed the free love of the compound and didn’t want to be tied down to anyone. Martina was no exception. But did Martina think there was more to it than just a fun fuck?

  “Hello?” Martina said. “Was it that bad that a repeat wouldn’t be fun?”

  “Oh, no. Nothing like that. It was a lot of fun. But it was just fun, you know?”

  “I know. I’m not asking for anything more. I’m practically Jack’s girl anyway. I’m not asking you for a commitment or anything.”

  “Oh, good. Then, hell yeah, we could do this again.”

  “Do you think our clothes are dry yet?”

  “I doubt it, but I don’t necessarily want to go back to camp half naked.”

  “It’s not like most of the women haven’t seen you like that already,” Martina said.

  Tommy laughed.

  “Touché.”

  “Have you ever been with a man?” Martina asked.

  “Nope.”

  “Then how do you know you don’t like them?”

  “I like them just fine. I just don’t want to fuck one.”

  “But how do you know?”

  Tommy thought about it. How do you explain it to someone who sleeps with both men and women?

  “I don’t know. They just don’t do anything for me.”

  “I guess that makes sense. How long have you known you were a lesbian?”

  “Since high school. I used to make out with my best friend.”

  “When was that, Tommy?”

  “Oh no you don’t.” Tommy laughed. “No one asks me how old I am.”

  “No? Why not?”

  “Age doesn’t matter, does it? It’s just a way for society to try to control us. They make us think if we’re a certain age, we should be doing certain things. In reality, age doesn’t matter. We should all be free to do what we want, regardless of how old we are. Don’t you think?”

  “I do think that. I just wondered.”

  “I suppose we really should be getting back to camp,” Tommy said.

  “Or we could fish some more.”

  “Fish? Or fuck?”

  “Either way works for me. But I really meant fishing.”

  Tommy stood and helped Martina to her feet. They brushed each other off and found their underwear. Their pants were still damp, but they put them on and hit the creek again.

  Their timing couldn’t have been better. They each caught three more fish, which they put in the cooler to take back to camp. They walked back together in peaceful silence. When they got to the dining hall, Tommy went inside to drop off the fish for dinner and Martina walked back to her camp.

  Tommy whistled quietly to herself as she made her way back to her tent.

  Chapter Three

  Lieutenant Dolly Samson just finished mopping up one yeoman’s vomit when she was called to mop up someone else’s. Sick bay was full, and the stench of vomit mixed with the screams and groans of men in pain combined to threaten her own stomach’s fortitude.

  As she walked by one young man, he reached out and grabbed her hand.

  “Sing to me, Samson,” he said.

  “No time right now, Dalton.”

  “You come back when things calm down?”

  “I’ll see. There’s lots to be done. We should be docking soon. We’ll get you boys off this ship and into a regular hospital.”

  Dalton dropped her hand, and she set about her business. She cursed the war that hurt all these young men, boys really. Barely old enough to drive, they were sent into this cruel new world called Vietnam and told to give their lives for what? Well, to keep communism from spreading. That was a worthy cause, anyway. Still, she hated to see these boys destroyed.

  After cleaning up the various spots of vomit, Dolly decided to mop the whole floor. It was clean and smelled of antiseptic, a smell she absolutely loved.

  “They say it looks like a large group of people will be meeting us on shore,” Tawny Mitchells said.

  “Really?” Dolly’s heart sank. The only thing worse than all these sick and injured kids, were the protesters that hurled vile and hateful comments at them as they were taken off the ship.

  “Maybe they’re family and friends,” Tawny said.

  “I doubt it.”

  “Yeah, me, too.”

  They took their places in preparation for docking.

  “What are you doing with your liberty?” Tawny asked.

  “I don’t know. Probably just hang out in town. My family’s not near here.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  “Maybe we should get a room together somewhere,” Dolly suggested.

  “That would be nice.”

  “Okay, we’ll do that. As soon as the ship is empty.”

  The ship docked, and Tawny and Dolly joined the other nurses in making sure the wounded and sick got off the ship in a careful, orderly manner. There were ambulances on the dock waiting for them. Dolly worked as a guide, directing patients to one ambulance or another, depending on the intensity of wound or illness.

  As she worked, Dolly tried to ignore the loud, ugly yelling coming from a group of young people just off the dock. Some were chanting, but most were just yelling obscenities at the group returning from Vietnam.

  Dolly didn’t understand the vehemence with which they screamed. She couldn’t fathom what made them hate these young men so. They were only doing what their country had asked them to do. Nothing more. Nothing less. There was no reason to yell at them like this.

  The wounded and sick had all been loaded into ambulances and sent to various area hospitals. Dolly breathed a sigh of relief. It was over for now. She was looking at her feet, seeing blood splatters on her white nurse’s shoes. She wondered which poor kid they’d come from. She was lost in her thoughts and didn’t see the woman with the long braid walk up to her.

  “How dare you?” the woman said.

  “How dare I what?”

  “How dare you perpetuate a war that is wrong? You serve on this ship; you betray all that is right.”

  The woman was right up in Dolly’s face, and she momentarily feared for her safety. The hatred and anger in the woman’s blue eyes shook her to her core. She finally found her voice.

  “I help young men who are hurt and sick. They need someone to care for them. How can I turn my back on them?”

  “They shouldn’t be there in the first place.”

  “I agree.” Dolly tried to sound calm. “They are much too young to be fighting in this war, but they are and I’m proud to help save their lives.”

  “It’s not our war. Those boys have options. They don’t have to fight.”

  “But they do fight. And I’m here to help put them back together when they get injured.”

  “You’re as guilty as the rest of them,” the woman said. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  Over the rants of the woman in front of her, Dolly could hear the crowd. Their chanting and screaming had been replaced with singing. They sang “Blowing in the Wind,” a known political protest song. It made her skin crawl. People should be there greeting the wounded veterans with cheers. Not with heckling. Dolly was just about to respond to the angry woman when a superior officer called to her.

  “Sam
son. Fall in. Now.”

  She turned away from her tormentor and joined the rest of the crew in formation. She stood there waiting to be dismissed and wondered what her leave would be like. She imagined having a few drinks, maybe meeting a nice girl. She smiled inside. She could enjoy herself for a few days.

  Finally dismissed, she followed the rest of her group as they left the ship. The braided woman was nowhere to be seen. She must have retreated into the crowd which was now singing “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” The singing was better than the obscenities, to be sure, but their choice of songs left much to be desired.

  Dolly and Tawny carried their duffel bags to a nearby motel and checked into a room. They showered and changed into their civilian clothes.

  “What now?” Tawny asked.

  “I could use a drink.”

  “That sounds good.”

  They made their way down the noisy streets filled with sailors on leave. They found a little bar that looked like a hole in the wall.

  “These usually have the best martinis,” Dolly said.

  “Lead the way.”

  Dolly walked in and waited a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. There was a bar along the back wall with a mirror behind it. Round tables filled the small room. A few tables were occupied, and there was a small group sitting at the bar. She led Tawny to the bar and ordered a martini, dirty, with an extra olive.

  She waited while Tawny ordered then led her to an empty table.

  “This is delicious,” she said.

  “You sure know what you like,” Tawny said.

  “That I do. What are you having?”

  “A margarita. It just sounded good.”

  “Right on. Well, cheers.” She lifted her glass and clinked it against Tawny’s. They sat sipping their drinks, and with each new one they ordered, the room around them got louder. On her fourth martini and feeling quite buzzed, Dolly turned her attention to the fun-loving group at the bar. There were six of them and they seemed to be having the time of their lives. They were laughing and relaxed. Dolly was jealous. Her life was so regimented. But she’d chosen it and didn’t regret it. She was just a little jealous at the moment.

  She kept her focus on the group and soon was drawn to the leader, a woman with a sensual voice and an easy laugh. She had a braid of thick brown hair draped down her back. When Dolly caught her face in the mirror, she was shocked to see it was the woman from the pier. She didn’t seem so terrifying now. She looked like any other young woman out with friends. Against her better judgment, Dolly approached the bartender.

  “The woman with the braid,” she said. “What’s she drinking?”

  “Jack and Coke.”

  “Please send her one from me.”

  Dolly sat back down and resumed talking to Tawny. In just a few minutes, the woman with the braid was at their table. It was clear she didn’t recognize Dolly at first. She was all smiles and charms.

  “Thanks for the drink,” she said. “To what do I owe this?”

  “Let’s call it a peace offering,” Dolly said.

  “A what?” Then the flicker of recognition passed in her eyes. Her body tensed and Dolly was terrified she’d made a horrible mistake. “Oh. It’s you. I didn’t recognize you outside of your baby killing outfit.”

  “I don’t kill babies.”

  “Our troops do.”

  “Sorry. Forget I bought you the drink. You can leave now.”

  The woman turned, but hesitated. She turned back and extended her hand.

  “Okay. Truce.”

  Dolly looked at her hand for a moment, wondering if it was a trap. But she finally took it and shook.

  “I’m Tommy,” the woman said.

  “Dolly.”

  “What the hell kind of name is Dolly?”

  “What the hell kind of name is Tommy?”

  “It’s an old family name.”

  “So’s Dolly.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “This is my friend Tawny,” Dolly said.

  “Nice to meet you. I’d introduce you to my friends, but I don’t think that would be such a good idea.”

  “No. Probably not.”

  “So, should I sit? Or will we end up killing each other?”

  “I think you should sit.”

  Tommy sat, and Dolly was drawn to her deep blue eyes and easy smile. She was infinitely attracted to her and wondered if she stood a chance at even a night with her. She had no idea if Tommy was attracted to women. And then there was Tawny. She couldn’t very well take Tommy back to their room. She cautioned herself that she was getting way ahead of the game. She needed to just relax and enjoy a drink with her for now.

  “So what do you do, Tommy?” she asked.

  “I’m an activist.”

  “What else?”

  “That’s about it. No time for anything else. I’m really dedicated to the cause.”

  “That can’t pay the bills,” Dolly said.

  “Not a lot of bills to pay on the commune.”

  “Wow. You actually live on a commune? What’s that like?”

  “It’s cool, you know? Living in a community with like-minded people is where it’s at.”

  “I can’t imagine. I need the finer comforts of home, I think.”

  “And you get that on a ship?”

  “True. I meant when I’m not on the ship.”

  “How do you do it, Dolly?”

  “Do what?”

  “How do you see kids blown to bits all the time and not lose your mind?”

  “If I was a nurse in a regular hospital, I’d see terrible things too. It’s not that different. I just think of our sick bay as a burn ward and wound ward all wrapped into one.”

  Tommy shook her head.

  “Damn, the things you must see.”

  “I’d really rather not talk about it. I’m on liberty and would like to forget my job for a few days.”

  “Fair enough. So, where’s home for you?”

  “Atlanta. And you?”

  “I’m from the East Coast.”

  “That’s a broad statement.”

  “New York City, if you must know,” Tommy said.

  Dolly raised her eyebrows.

  “New York City? My, that’s a far cry from a commune.”

  “And now we’re changing the subject again,” Tommy said. “I don’t like to talk about my past.”

  “Fair enough. No past for you. No work for me. So, what shall we talk about?”

  “What’s liberty look like for you? What do you like to do?”

  Dolly fought the urge to say exactly what she’d been hoping for, a few drinks and a nice woman.

  “Have a few drinks. Maybe meet people. Check out the local sites. Typical touristy things.”

  “There’s lots to do around here. Have you seen the zoo?”

  “Liberty just started today. I haven’t had time to do anything but have a few drinks.”

  “And you met me. So that’s another goal checked off. But I was thinking maybe I could take you to the zoo tomorrow.”

  “Are you sure? I mean, I’d love it if you really mean it.”

  “I do mean it.” Her voice softened. “You seem like a really neat woman, Dolly.”

  “Thanks. So do you.”

  Dolly could swear she felt the air thicken in the room. She looked at Tommy and thought she surely had seen a desire in her eyes. Was it the martinis? Or was Tommy interested? It was so hard to tell. And Dolly had to be careful. She could lose her job if anyone found out she was gay. Tawny knew because she was gay, too. But Dolly couldn’t be too blasé about who found out.

  They finished their last drinks and Tommy stood.

  “That’s enough for me. Are you going to stick around for more or shall I walk you back to your motel?”

  “It’s late and I’m exhausted,” Tawny said.

  “Fair enough. I’ll walk you back to your place.”

  They got back to their room and Tawny unlocked t
he door.

  “I guess this is good night,” Dolly said.

  Tommy leaned on the doorframe, looking at ease.

  “It doesn’t have to be.”

  Dolly’s heart skipped a beat.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, if you like, you and I can get our own room and continue the night.”

  “Do you mean that?”

  “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t.”

  Dolly was speechless. She stared into Tommy’s eyes and realized it was desire she’d been seeing all night. It wasn’t her imagination. Tommy wanted her as much as she wanted Tommy.

  She moved into Tommy’s arms and felt them tighten around her.

  “So is that a yes?” Tommy said.

  “It’s a yes,” Dolly whispered.

  Tommy went to the office and got them a room for the night. Dolly enjoyed watching the soft sway of her hips as she walked off. She found herself trembling, even though the night was not that cold. She looked at Tawny who smiled at her.

  “Have fun,” Tawny said, then closed the door.

  Tommy was back and took her in her arms again.

  “You’re shaking,” she said.

  “I don’t know why.”

  “Are you scared? Having second thoughts? We don’t have to do this.”

  “No. None of those things. I want this, Tommy. I want this so bad it hurts.”

  “Well, let me take the ache away,” Tommy said.

  She pulled her head up and looked into Dolly’s eyes. Dolly looked up and saw passion burning in Tommy’s. Her stomach did a somersault. She wanted Tommy desperately. But what was she thinking? Tommy was almost as much of an enemy as the Vietnamese. She shook her head. No, she must not think like that. She needed to focus only on the throbbing between her legs, and that throbbing was growing by the moment.

  “Please do,” Dolly said.

  Tommy eased Dolly onto the bed. She got on her knee and took off first one shoe, then the other. Next, she peeled off Dolly’s socks. Dolly sat watching these simple gestures and her arousal grew.

  “I can take off my own clothes,” she offered.

  “I’m sure you can. But I enjoy doing this, so please don’t deprive me.”

  “Then, by all means, continue.”

  The air was cool on Dolly’s feet, and she felt ill at ease, not sure what to do with herself, but she told herself to relax and enjoy the experience.