"I have to get down there sometime this week," Julie remembered. "We're almost out of Amazonite and Glorystones. Those gay guys come in and buy Glorystones by the dozen."
* * * *
Erica picked up a fried shrimp and dipped it into the catsup and hot mustard. "What's the first thing on the agenda?"
Becky looked at her list. "I'd say the mail. Your desk is ready to collapse."
Erica raised her eyebrows. "What mail?"
"Mike's pre-Clicked Stone mail order stuff forwarded from San Francisco."
"Oh, shit!" Erica pushed back in her chair. "I forgot about that. Return the money and refer people to their local center. Do a mimeographed letter and explain we aren't doing pre-Clicks anymore. A small donation to their centers will be sufficient. Let the centers know too, so they'll be prepared. What's next?"
"Mike," Becky told her. "He's pissed about the restraining order."
"What restraining order?"
"Alicia, our new lawyer, is preventing him from using our Trade Mark - Click Stones - until we set up guidelines for our centers. You might want to schedule a meeting with her ASAP," Becky urged.
Erica nodded. "Write your recommendations for new ground rules. We'll meet again in a couple of days."
"I'll need help with the mail," Becky said. "I'll call some Tenders tonight."
"One more thing," Erica directed, "no more gibberchatter and no more click cliques. Please announce it in an official bulletin."
"What is gibberchatter?" Julie laughed.
"Gibberchatter is Tender, Aurotic, Duke, Wit, Lantern, Lamp, and Scan."
"What about the term FIAT LUX?" Becky asked.
"We can keep that," Erica stated. "I was the one who thought it up."
* * * *
Erica was at her desk reading a communication from the Toledo Stone Clicking Center when Julie burst into the office, her face drained of color, her eyes wide and unblinking. "Emma is on the phone," she managed to say. "Mrs. Murdock contacted her about buying her mare Celeste and a filly that was foaled last night. She wants to know if you want to come up tomorrow and take a look at the foal."
Erica tried to control her excitement on the drive to Topanga. When she got the address Mrs. Murdock had given her she realized it was the same house that was being built when Maudeen died. A dog barked from behind the fence as she made her way up the steps.
Meredith Murdock opened the door and called to the dog, "Quiet, Brigham!" She smiled at the approaching figure. "Are you Erica?"
Meredith led the way. "You can look at her from the window in the den. We wouldn't sell her for anything, but Marvin needs money to go back home on some family matters."
Erica peered out the window at the golden brown chestnut foal. She laughed at the tufts of mane and little rabbit tail. Erica followed Meredith into the corral.
Meredith held Celeste's harness while Erica examined her daughter. Erica touched the softer than velvet pink nose. "Are you my Maudeen?"
The foal pushed against Erica's arm with her nose and then kicked up her heels and ran back to her dam.
A few minutes later Meredith said, "Here are the registration papers. Her dam is Celeste and her sire..."
"Jasper," Erica guessed.
* * * *
September 18, 1969
Dear Kelly,
Julie said she saw you at Woodstock and told you about Maudeen coming back to me. Now her name is Undine. I spend most of my spare time at Emma's watching my filly romp with a kid Emma bought from the Murdock's.
I'm stuck here at Central today. Becky is on vacation and Julie is out with a real estate agent, looking for a big house to set up as a shelter for abused women and children.
I'm going to take over the Lesbian Click tonight as Julie wants to spend some time with Suzi Jun Wook from our Korean Center. I didn't even know there were lesbians in Korea.
I'm glad you're involved with our Seattle Center. Is that where you met fLUKE?
When is your book about the farm workers going to be published? I read about your meeting with Caesar.
Guess what - Morgan is back in the States. My mom said she has been back for a few months and is living in New Mexico. I was disappointed that she didn't try to contact me - but why should she?
Beginning with Alicia (our lawyer) I have changed all my professionals to women. I have a woman dentist, gynecologist, chiropractor and auto mechanic. It was hard at first. I admit to not seeing women in these roles. It was just habit though, because now I'm very comfortable with them. I like the way they treat other women - like we have some intelligence. At Central we use women for plumbing, carpentry, and gardening. Now we get things done when they're promised - and I've seen a new level of excellence.
Julie told me your new name for me, EsoteRICA. Very funny.
Love,
Erica
* * * *
October 13, 1974
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for the beautiful polished Ammonite from Morocco. I really treasure it.
This seems to be my time for collecting treasures. I went to Morgan's exhibition (her new work). I couldn't believe the transformation. Leona, the gallery owner, said the exhibition represented the last four years of her sculpture - it looked more like thirty years of work; she must never sleep! I was hoping to see her there but Leona said she never comes to the openings of her shows.
The work itself is overwhelming. I stood with tears streaming down my face when I saw it. My reaction was more than just seeing the power and beauty of her work. It's as though she didn't just chip away at stone, but reached into the heart of it with both hands.
The documentation of her art bears this out. There was a wall covered with photographs of her, working. The love, intensity and sensuality are all there. The way she touches stone makes me wish I could be a block of marble.
I bought three large sculptures for the garden here at Central and one for our women's shelter. I also bought a smaller one which I have here in my bedroom. It's by the wall covered with the photographs of her (I had Leona get me copies of the entire documentation). It is wonderful having her presence so near, though I admit to feeling jealous of the stone, to think it has experienced the joy of being loved by her.
She is more beautiful than I ever imagined she could be. Her face looks like it was carved by a master, and her body has an easy grace and power that shines like a Stone. The strength in her arms and back shows through the cloth of her shirt, and her hair is wild, as though she is plugged into electrical current.
She is thirty-six now (as are we all) and added to her beauty is that look I've only seen in women who spend a great deal of time out of doors, and have a strong bond with nature. I feel that bond when I'm sitting on Undine bareback.
I read your book on prison reform. Our own prison program was turned down. The warden asserted that the prisoners would use Stones as weapons. We didn't tell him that Clicking has been going on in prisons for more than ten years.
Our women's shelter has been operating for about six months now and is always full. I had no idea the need was so great. Becky works almost full time trying to find other shelters for the women we have to turn away.
Mike is in trouble. He endorsed a book claiming that Clicking cures cancer and the FDA may shut him down. It would be a blessing. Alicia says we aren't vulnerable but I may be called to testify.
The AHOT's have a new album called I Have A Stone To Click With You. I hear it playing all the time at the shelter.
I saw you sitting in the press box during the Watergate hearings. Was that VIRGInaL sitting with you? He looked very sweet.
Love,
Erica
* * * *
Becky looked exhausted. "I've called every private shelter in town. Nobody has a bed. I'm going nuts!"
"Why haven't you tried Social Services?" Erica asked.
"I can't. For one thing they're closed. The other thing is, her father is..." Becky bent over and whispered in Erica's ear.
&
nbsp; "Holy shit!" Erica sat down. "If she's found here he could cause us a lot of trouble. Have you called Alicia?"
Becky shook her head. "The woman is scared shitless. She says if her father finds her he'll send her back to Argentina and put her in a convent. We've never run from trouble before. We have to help her."
Erica looked at the young woman sitting at the far end of the room pretending to read a magazine. Her long hair was coal black, and her skin the color of cinnamon. Erica found herself staring at the soft features and full, sensual lips. "What's her name?"
"Isabela. She's called Isa."
Isa looked up when she heard her name and saw Erica looking at her. She smiled, but her large, soft, black eyes revealed fear.
Something moved in Erica. "She can stay in my guest room for tonight."
Becky protested, "We agreed never to impose on you in this way. You have enough responsibilities. You need your rest."
"Don't be silly. It's just for tonight. Tomorrow you can find a bed for her."
* * * *
Erica was propped up in bed reading The Lesbian Tide when there was a soft knock on her door.
Isa poked her head in and said tentatively, "Are you sleeping?"
Erica was enchanted with the rich contralto voice and ever so slight accent. "No. Are you having trouble going to sleep?"
Isa nodded shyly. She looked tiny, and a little lost in Erica's pajamas.
Erica patted the bed next to her. "Do you want to talk?"
Isa sat on the edge of the bed with her hands in her lap. "I need ice cream."
"I told you to help yourself to whatever you want from the refrigerator," Erica reminded her.
Isa bounded from the room, almost tripping on the legs of her pajamas. She came back with two heaping dishes of ice cream and handed Erica a dish of Rocky Road.
Isa ate her ice cream hungrily and put the dish on the table next to the bed. "What is Rocky Road?"
Erica handed her a spoonful. "Try it."
Isa tasted the ice cream but her eyes were looking at Erica's mouth. She reached out and caressed Erica's face. "Que hermosa."
Erica had never felt such a soft touch - the touch of butterfly wings.
Isa took the dish from Erica's hands and put it on the table, her eyes never leaving Erica's face. "I want to stay with you tonight." She slipped under the covers.
Everything in Erica's logical mind shouted No, but she did not resist the trembling form in her arms.
* * * *
When Erica awakened she looked at the sleeping woman beside her, awed by her beauty.
Isa's long eyelashes fluttered for a moment and then her eyes were wide open. In one movement she threw her body across Erica. "I want to stay with you."
Erica stroked the raven hair. "You're so young, you should be with someone your own age."
Isa pleaded, "Don't send me away. I'm going to have a child."
Erica looked at the wall and whispered, "Yes, I know."
~ Chapter 22 ~
Erica was frantic. "I can't reach Victoria anywhere.
Damn her, she knew how close Isa was. Damn! You better get over here. If Victoria isn't here in ten minutes I'm taking Isa to the hospital." She slammed down the phone.
Isa groaned. "No, mi vida. No hospital." She squeezed Erica's hand.
The phone rang and Erica snatched it off the cradle. "Victoria?"
"No," a voice said. "This is Val over at the shelter. We have an emergency."
"Handle it yourself. We can't reach Victoria and Isa's in labor."
"So is Jessica," Val said.
"She's not due for two weeks."
"She's having pains every five minutes. She refuses to go to the hospital."
"Shit! Get her over here. If Victoria isn't here by the time you get here we'll take them both to the hospital. I don't give a fuck what they say."
Becky burst into the apartment. "Victoria is on her way up, she says to get lots of boiling water."
"How can you be so calm?" Erica asked Victoria a few minutes later.
Victoria laughed. "If I got as upset as you every time a baby was born I wouldn't last long. Don't worry, they're both doing fine."
Erica looked at both women on the bed. They didn't look fine, they looked exhausted.
Isa cried out in pain.
"I think you had better come here," Erica said. "I think it's coming."
"You'll have to catch it yourself. I've got my hands full here."
"Catch it!" Erica's voice was shrill. "I don't know how to catch a baby."
Victoria didn't answer. She was bent over Jessica.
Erica watched as the head came through the opening and reached down to support it.
"I've got you," Victoria said to the little thing in her hands.
"What do I do with this?" Erica was holding Isa's baby.
"Put it on Isa's stomach, I'll be right with you." Victoria worked rapidly.
Erica heard a wail and a few seconds later Victoria handed her a bundle. Within moments she heard a second wail.
* * * *
Becky tiptoed into Erica's study. Erica, stretched out exhausted on the sofa, sat up. "Are the babies OK?"
Becky whispered, "Jessica is gone."
Erica followed Becky into the living room. "What do you mean she's gone?"
"I mean she left, what do you think I mean?" Becky's voice was hysterical. "I called the shelter, Jessica sneaked in and got her things."
"She shouldn't even be out of bed. Did she take the baby?"
Becky shook her head.
* * * *
May 2,1975
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for the beautiful gowns. We are going to have a ceremony Sunday. Both babies were Clicked almost right away but Sunday will make it official.
We had to put both babies on formula right away. Isa didn't have enough milk.
When Jessica left we gave the baby her name. Isica got her name from Isabella and Erica. Isica is dark with dark eyes and delicate dark eyebrows and beautiful long eyelashes. Jessica is blonde with blue eyes. Both will be raving beauties and both are so smart. They're both unhappy if they are separated for any reason.
Isa is with Julie, planning a celebration for the end of the Vietnam War. We had to rent a hall. Our big meeting room has been sectioned off into smaller rooms for a long time. People would rather meet in small homogeneous groups than come to a big Click.
I'm glad Isa got a chance to get out. She's been a little depressed.
Mike is in jail for contempt of court. I saw him on TV going into court with his entourage. His beard is very long now and he wears long robes. He is on a hunger strike, which should be good for him.
I gotta go now. I hear a little stirring in the nursery.
Love,
Erica
~ Chapter 23 ~
"Erica, maybe it's none of my business but you haven't been to any of our groups for over a month."
"You're right, Becky." Erica looked up from the stack of bills. "The last time I went to the Lesbian Click no one there was over twenty-five. I'm forty-five." She handed Becky an invoice. "What's this?"
Becky studied it for a moment. "Rental of a film on genital herpes. I learned a lot from it."
"Is this an appropriate expenditure for a Stone Clicking Center?"
Becky stiffened. "We're supported by people who have interests above and beyond Clicking Stones."
"Another thing," Erica said, "I don't think white with black polka-dot hair projects a positive image for a Center Manager."
"I didn't ask you to make me Center Manager. You asked me after Julie left with Isa.
Erica turned her face toward the wall, determined to conceal her suffering. When she was able to speak she said, "I've been thinking about taking a trip. Mark's been asking me to come to New York and help him with his center. Also I want to check out our new center in Martins Ferry, Ohio. They've had an unusually fast growth rate and I want to see what they're doing right."
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