When the evening concluded and the last guest had left, Mike picked Erica up and swung her around. "You were sensational - they adored you! We have a real winner here!"
Marty beamed. "You were wonderful."
Guy had started to clear the refreshment table but then ran back to Erica. "I almost forgot, would you click this for me, darling?" He held up a ring with a large translucent opal.
A cloud momentarily passed over Erica's eyes. She glanced at the ruby ring on her finger, then at Guy's open face. "Of course." She tapped the waiting stone.
Guy's eyes gleamed as the stone burst into light. He turned to Mike smugly. "I told you it would work, smarty!" He kissed Erica. "Thank you, you've made me very happy."
Mike turned to Erica. "How was the evening for you?"
Erica hesitated. "It... it was wonderful, I loved talking to the people, but... I wasn't very comfortable with the question-and-answer period."
"We can drop that out of our next meeting," Mike agreed.
"The last part of the evening was really interesting," Marty interjected, "when people were talking about experiences they had after clicking. I wonder why some people can see the light or sense it or feel the energy coming from it the way I do - and others get nothing."
"They said it helped them anyway," Erica reminded her.
Mike was counting the money they had collected for the evening. "Twenty eight guests at one dollar apiece," he said with satisfaction. "Fourteen for you and fourteen for me."
"Really?" Erica looked surprised. "I didn't expect that much, I thought it would be more like five or six dollars."
"This is just the beginning," Mike proclaimed. "Wait until we really get rolling. I tell you this is a winner!"
* * * *
"I got so turned on watching you tonight." They were in bed. Marty pulled Erica to her.
Erica kissed Marty lightly. "My head is swimming. I don't think I could concentrate on making love tonight."
Marty teased, "You mean the honeymoon is over?"
Erica laughed. "One night without making love and you're ready for divorce."
"We'll make love twice tomorrow." Marty hugged her.
"Hmm." Erica snuggled closer. "That sounds like a wonderful idea."
Erica tried to sleep but her eyes wouldn't close. Long after she could hear the even breathing of Marty's slumber, she lay staring at the ceiling.
She finally got up and sat alone in the dark, turning her ring around and around on her finger. Several times she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and whispered, "Morgan."
* * * *
December 21, 1957
Dear Kelly,
Marty and I are going to a gay party tonight (my first).
The Stone Clicking meetings were unbelievable. I'm capitalizing Stone and Clicking because Mike has applied for trademark protection for me.
Forty people came to our second meeting, packed in like sardines. Mike turned people away from the third meeting and scheduled an extra meeting to handle the overflow. Also he is scheduling a big Pic-Click - or is it Click-Nic?
I get very depressed when I think about Marty leaving for basic training. She says it's because she is my first lover. I don't think she knows how much I really love her.
Thanks for my new name ERotICA. Marty says it suits me.
Love,
Erica
~ Chapter 11 ~
Erica was drinking the day's first cup of coffee when the phone rang. She hurried to pick it up so it wouldn't wake Marty.
"Hello, Erica, Merry Christmas."
"Mom," Erica beamed into the phone. "Merry Christmas."
"Did you like your presents?" Paula asked. "George loves the Meerschaum pipe you sent. He's breaking it in right now. My necklace is beautiful, but you shouldn't have spent so much money."
"I had the money, Mom, no problem. I got your package but we haven't opened," Erica flinched when she realized she had said we.
Her mother hadn't missed it. "We?" Paula asked. "Is your father with you today?"
"He's in New York. Mom, I... I've met someone."
"That's wonderful, dear." Paula sounded pleased. "I hope it's not too serious, though. You know your education is very important. How nice that you're spending the day together."
Erica took a deep breath. "Mom, we spend every day together, we live together."
"Oh," Paula started. "I don't want to sound old fashioned, but I hope at least you're being careful. Do you have a... a diaphragm?"
"I've been wanting to tell you for a long time, Mom. I'm in love with a woman."
Finally, after a long silence Paula said, "I want to take this upstairs, just a minute dear."
Erica listened to the sounds, and in a moment a masculine voice said, "Merry Christmas, thanks for the pipe."
"Merry Christmas," Erica said as cheerfully as she could. "I'm glad you like it."
"I couldn't help overhearing," George confided. "So you have a boyfriend. Who's the lucky guy?"
"Mom will tell you about it," Erica promised.
Paula picked up the phone. "George, I'm on now. You can hang up." After the phone was safely on the cradle, Paula continued, "Erica, you know I respect your right to live your own life, but I must ask you not to mention this in your letters and never speak of it to George. He's very... funny about these things."
"OK, Mom," Erica said quietly.
Paula changed the subject. "How is school?"
"Fine, Mom." Erica tried to keep her voice light.
"I think this... thing is just a phase you're going through, but if it's not you'll have to prepare yourself for a career. It's hard for girls who don't have a man to support them. Are you taking any business machine courses?"
"No, Mom." Erica lit a cigarette.
"You ought to think about it. George says secretaries make good money now, or there's nursing or teaching."
"I'll think about what you've said, Mom." Erica suddenly felt very heavy. "I've got to go now. I have a lot to do."
"Have a nice Christmas," Paula said stoically.
* * * *
Erica went into the bathroom and bathed her eyes in cold water. She looked with dismay at her swollen eyelids and red nose. She patted her face dry and went back to the kitchen.
Marty was still in her pajamas at the stove, pouring a cup of coffee. She put the coffee pot and cup down. "You've been crying." She put her arms around Erica. "What happened?"
She put her head on Marty's shoulder. "I just talked to my mother, I told her about us."
"Oh, no!" Marty groaned. "I warned you."
"It just slipped out."
"Now you'll get the letter," Marty predicted. "It's our fault, what did we do wrong, have you thought about getting psychiatric help..."
"She wouldn't dare!"
"I'll bet on it," Marty said.
"I'll bet she doesn't write the letter," Erica said with equal confidence. "Whoever loses has to cook every night for a week."
"You're on, I'll give you a list of my favorite dishes," Marty teased.
* * * *
January 18, 1958
Dear Kelly,
Congratulations! I knew your story would be accepted. When you're famous I can say I knew you when.
This has been a hell of a week for me. I really got behind in my studies over the holidays and besides that, I lost a bet with Marty and had to cook dinner every night this week.
Marty took me to a gay party over the holidays. It didn't turn out very well. I had a hard time with the way they related to us, like Marty was a man and I was the little woman. No kidding, one girl even called me that. Marty says if one is taller, has shorter hair or is older - everyone assumes that one is butch. I told her I was going to get a haircut and grow a beard. That should confuse them.
It was logical (at a gay party) but it took a while for my mind to accept men dancing with men and women dancing with women.
Tuesday is our third monthiversary. Marty wanted to have some of her friends
over to help us celebrate, but I'm not comfortable with them. I'd rather we just have our own celebration.
Marty is having her regulars over to play cards Monday night. She doesn't come to the meetings anymore.
Mike has stopped introducing me at the meetings as Erica Demar. He thinks just plain Erica is more elegant, and when he said "Erica" it sounds more like a title than a name.
Nero (the guy who hears sounds from Clicked Stones) has been bringing people with the same ability to the meetings. They call themselves Aurotics - and there are two different kinds of Aurotics - Strads and Pipes. Before the meetings and during breaks you can usually find them in some corner moving different sized Stones around and making their own kind of music. Apparently, the smaller the Stone, the higher pitched the sound. Nero asked if I would have a meeting one night just for Aurotics. I can't get too interested in it. I don't hear any music from Stones.
People who can't see the light from the Stone or hear sounds or sense or feel the energy, are called Tenders because they tend to things. They always come early to set up the chairs and prepare the refreshments, and they stay late for clean-up. Mike has a special Tender (his name is Mark) who does personal things for him (polishes his shoes, drives him places, picks up his cleaning and those kinds of things). Mike claims that Mark is very close to a breakthrough and needs to spend as much time in the light as possible. Mike calls him a Master Tender and he is the captain of the other Tenders at meetings. Maybe Mike knows something I don't know, but I think sometimes he has a tendency to take advantage of people.
Write soon, I love your letters.
Love,
Erica
* * * *
June 28, 1958
My dearest darling Marty,
Just got back from the airport. I'm rattling around the apartment bumping into things. The place is so empty without you. How will I be able to sleep without your arms around me for the next six months?
My hands ache to touch you, my lips are hungry for you. I have your picture sitting in front of me while I'm writing this.
Please excuse the tears splashing on the page. I just can't help it.
Guy called and asked if I wanted him to come over to be with me but I want to be alone for a while. I just want to spend the rest of the day thinking about you and remembering all the lovely tender moments we've had together.
What do gays do at times like these? I can't even call my mother. The straight people at the airport were all kissing and hugging. When I realized I couldn't kiss you goodbye I felt angry and cheated.
The only thing that makes it bearable is knowing how much you love me.
When you go to sleep every night, just know that I am holding you, kissing you and loving you.
Write to me every day. I want to know every single thing you do.
I love you,
Erica
~ Chapter 12 ~
Erica drove the car into the parking lot of Pacific Rock and Gem Company. Mark took several small boxes from the trunk and followed her into the building.
They walked past the display counters of semi-precious gems and jewelry findings to the enclosed patio that held barrels of tumbled stones.
Erica was disappointed. "I was hoping they'd get a new delivery. We've been through most of these before."
She rummaged through the Sapphire Blues, discarding most, depositing the few she selected into the box Mark held for her.
"I don't know why you don't let me take care of this job for you," Mark lamented. "Mike says..."
Erica looked at him sharply. "I don't care what Mike says. I enjoy doing this myself." She immediately felt guilty and touched Mark's arm. "I'm sorry, I really appreciate all the help you've given to Mike and me." She turned to the barrel of Moss Agates. "All my life, looking for Stones has been one of my favorite pastimes."
He watched quietly as Erica sifted through the Adventurines, Botswana Agates, Coral Quartz and assorted golden, red and blue Tiger Eyes, ready with a new box each time she moved to a new barrel. When Erica was satisfied with her finds Mark followed her inside with the boxes.
Julie came in, her eyes sparkling. "Hi, Erica. It's nice to see you again." She weighed the stones and wrote up the bill. "I'm sorry we didn't have much of a selection today. We were expecting a shipment last week." She indicated the young salesman standing in the background. "Henry told me about your meetings and," she held up a lighted Stone, "I was wondering if I could come some evening?"
"Of course." Erica was pleased. "Be sure to let me know you're there."
In the car, Mark asked, "Does Julie always take care of you at the gem store?"
Erica nodded. "I like personal contact with people. I get lonely sometimes."
Mark looked surprised. "With all the people around you all the time, how could you be lonely?"
"I don't know," Erica confessed.
* * * *
Erica was preparing dinner when the doorbell rang.
The bushy-haired redhead standing in the doorway was holding a Stone. "Click me," she demanded slyly.
"Kelly!" Erica shrieked. She threw her arms around her friend. She picked up Kelly's backpack and dragged it into the apartment. "How did you get here?"
Kelly stuck out her thumb.
"Oh, god!"
"Don't worry," Kelly assured her, "if a fierce pudgy look won't hold him off I had my trusty jug." She pulled a gallon of Red Mountain out of a sack. "I can out-drink any man."
Erica looked at the bottle. "Perfect. I was just making spaghetti."
"I'll drink to that," Kelly agreed, "but first I'd like to spritz off. I've been on the road forever."
After dinner the two got down to the business of serious drinking.
Kelly lifted her glass. "To inebriation. This is my last big fling before I marry STAllioN."
Erica took a swallow of wine. "You're really in love this time?"
"I don't know," Kelly admitted. "I get horny just thinking about him."
"I just get horny," Erica confessed. "Since Marty has been gone I've been half out of my skull all the time."
"How long has it been?"
"A little over a month," Erica groaned, "and she writes these damned sexy letters every day. I have to be careful what I write because she's afraid the army will read her mail."
"Why would they?" Kelly was surprised.
Erica shrugged. "Marty says they have witch hunts to eliminate gays from the service."
Kelly filled Erica's glass. "Why doesn't she just tell them she's gay, they can kick her out and she can come home."
"She was thinking about it but her damned Commanding Officer talked her into going to Officer's Candidate School. Now she's all gung-ho to stay in."
"That's awful," Kelly sympathized. "What do you do with your time?"
"I stay pretty busy. We're having a Click tomorrow."
"Oh, good, I'm looking forward to seeing Nero and his gang. Maybe they'll play something for me," Kelly joked.
"Please," Erica giggled, "don't encourage them. They're disruptive enough as it is."
Kelly stretched. "I've decided on a science major. Maybe one day I'll test Stones in a lab."
"I thought you'd decided to be a writer."
"I have, but I love looking through microscopes and mixing little concoctions in test tubes. What about you? Have you decided on your major yet?"
"I really don't know. I'm not even sure I want to finish college. The only classes I really enjoy are my math courses. But what would I do with a degree in mathematics?"
Kelly put her glass down and began somberly, "You could become..." She tried to keep a straight face. "You could become a..." She leaned forward and then threw herself back. She rolled over. "A... Stone... Clicker," she howled.
At first surprised by the laughter, Erica quickly joined in. "Stop it," she begged, holding her sides.
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