Clicking Stones

by Nancy Tyler Glenn

  Erica's eyes opened. "What are you doing?"

  "I was going to listen to the first part of the tape and erase the rest."

  Erica settled back. "I'd love to listen to the ceremony. It really was wonderful that you thought to record it, I never would have thought of a thing like that."

  Morgan brought the case from under the bed, opened it and rewound the tape. Played from the beginning, there were distant and haunting sounds of flute music.

  Erica listened, amazed, at the music she had played for Morgan. She remembered being lifted in the moment of playing. She began to drift into a half-sleep. Then, dreamily, Morgan's voice came through. Erica smiled. Morgan had looked so open, so sensual and eager and lovely in her kimono. She couldn't remember ever seeing anything so .

  Erica started. "What was that?"

  "I think it was our Stones when we Clicked."

  Erica sat up and leaned on an elbow. "I've never heard anything like it. Would you play that part again?"

  Morgan rewound the tape, hit the PLAY button, and then stretched out next to her lover.

  Erica listened carefully. Morgan's slow, easy voice revealing emotion... some crackling sounds... her own whispered yes and more crackling sounds. Suddenly she heard: Whoosh crash! "That's incredible. What are those crackling sounds?"

  "I think it's the fireplace."

  "What was that? It sounded like a gasp."

  "I think it was you."

  "No! But that groan - I recognize your voice."

  "I admit it."

  "What's that rustling sound?" Erica asked. "I think we're undressing each other."

  "I hardly remember getting our kimonos off," Erica said.

  "I remember." Morgan's voice was husky.

  "What was that thud thunk sound?"

  "We were falling onto the bed."

  Erica sighed. "I remember when I first looked at your beautiful, strong body. You were so open and inviting." She rested her hand on Morgan's shoulder. "But what really transports me is your voice. When you began talking to me I just went..."

  Erica was jolted by the sound of Morgan's voice. Her heart pounded wildly. When the voice caressed her again her fingers gripped Morgan's shoulder. "Oh, Morgan!" she gasped.

  Morgan heard Erica's gasp and then her moan. Her pelvis was filled with the surge of hotness. She covered Erica's hand with her own.

  Erica heard herself whimper.

  Erica whimpered and then moaned, "Morgan, come here."

  Morgan leaped

  she heard herself cry out.

  She pulled Morgan to her - her eyes pleading, she whimpered and

  to Erica's side and held her lover's face in her hands. "You

  she heard herself cry out in a long wail

  searched her lover's face. "Morgan, please..." she pushed

  aren't too tired? she begged. "I want you so!" she pulled

  she heard Morgan sigh, she heard Morgan speak

  the blanket and sheet down, and her pajama bottoms. She

  the blanket and sheet down, and Erica's pajama bottoms. She

  she heard herself

  was suddenly lighter than air. Morgan's soft warm mouth

  pulled Erica's hips toward her. Her mouth found Erica

  moan

  was on her. She had never felt anything so soft touch her.

  and slowly and softly began a caress. She moaned softly,

  She heard Morgan speak... and then groan

  Morgan's tongue was caressing her so slowly, so softly.

  reached up to caress Erica's breasts, then letting her hands

  Morgan spoke again, her voice was shaking

  Hands were caressing her and Morgan's satiny mouth tantalized

  trail down. Her tongue and lips moved teasingly, while

  she heard herself speak

  her. She felt Morgan's hands move under her and lift her, she

  her hands moved under Erica's hips and lifted, swaying them

  she heard Morgan gasp

  relaxed into Morgan's hands, moving back and forth in a rocking

  from side to side, moving counter to the rhythm of her tongue,

  she heard Morgan moan

  motion. Erica sighed, "Morgan... velvety... silky oh... your

  Morgan was transported by the sound of Erica's voice, she

  she heard Morgan moan she heard Morgan speak

  tongue... oh... delicate... you... oh... how... oh," she moaned.

  increased the cadence of her caress. Erica's voice

  she heard her voice caressing Morgan

  Morgan's voice transported her. Erica watched - amazed as the

  moved her deeply. She could feel Erica's orgasm beginning.

  she heard Morgan whimper

  whole valley seemed to light up. The lights all seemed to be

  She increased the rhythm of her caress and the pressure,

  she heard Morgan whimper,

  moving toward one focal point. She watched the final lights

  against Erica's clitoris. Erica's legs were trembling

  she heard Morgan cry out

  converge into a brilliant sun. She felt the muscles in her

  as her body arched. She released her hold under Erica's hips

  she heard Morgan gasp

  buttocks begin to tighten. The feeling was so intense. She

  and the pressure with her mouth, moving her head,

  she heard Morgan whimper she heard Morgan speak

  reached out to Morgan, tears streaming down her face.

  mouth caressing counter to the rhythm of her tongue. She

  she heard Morgan cry out

  She whimpered, she moaned - she cried out.

  moaned, she whimpered, she whimpered - she cried out.

  Morgan rested her head on the warm soft throbbing mound between Erica's legs and sighed.

  Erica reached down and buried her fingers in Morgan's hair. "I really did feel tired - but then I changed my mind."

  Morgan smiled contentedly. "I think you were probably more tense than tired. It's been a very full day."

  Erica lifted an arm and let it drop to the bed. "No tension there. I'm so relaxed I can't even move." Suddenly she tensed. "Oh, Morgan! What about you? I can't move and you must be-"

  "I'm fine," she murmured. "I feel very relaxed and sleepy."

  "I don't believe you," Erica challenged. "You couldn't be. You were very turned on."

  Morgan pulled her hand from between her own legs where it had been resting. "Here," she placed her damp fingers in Erica's palm. "I anticipated you would be very relaxed, so..."

  Erica squeezed Morgan's fingers. "You really do think of everything, don't you?"

  Morgan's eyes darted to the attaché case sitting on the floor. "Hmm," she smiled.

  ~ Chapter 38 ~

  "Do you want to watch me work?" Erica asked.

  Morgan looked at the computer. "It would be fun, but what if there is something personal or-"

  "If it's for my eyes only, the computer will tell me. Please stay. I want you to learn to use it. Why don't you switch it on," Erica suggested.

  Morgan went through all the steps until the monitor showed the picture of the touchplate and hand. "It's all ready to go." She beamed.

  "Put your hand on it," Erica directed.

  Morgan looked doubtful but placed her hand on the touchplate. "I can't talk to a machine. What will I say to it?"

  The display changed - a round circle with eyes and a mouth appeared. A voice said, "Well, how nice, a new user. I don't have your ident on file here. Would you tell me your name? You know I never forget a touch."

  Morgan looked at Erica helplessly.

  "Tell it your name."

  Morgan made a face at Erica and gave her name to the computer.

  "I've heard a lot about you," the little lips told her.

  Morgan was incredulous. "What - who..."

  "You started on our mailing list in nineteen sixty-nine. That was in New Mexico. Then in n
ineteen eighty-three you moved to Topanga. In our inventory I see that you are the artist listed for most of the art purchases. My my - you are expensive. I also see in my Supporter file that you have been very generous over the years."

  Morgan looked at Erica. "How do I stop this thing?"

  The circle answered her. "Just lift your hand off the touchplate - but please don't go. You have such a nice, interesting voice. Are you from the Midwest?"

  "Yes, I am." Morgan was surprised. "How did you know?"

  "I am programmed for subtleties," the little lips admitted. "Do you speak any foreign languages?"

  "French," Morgan told it.

  "I speak many languages - so if you ever need any coaching please don't hesitate to ask," the little lips invited.

  "Thank you."

  "How may I assist you today, Morgan?"

  "That's all right, I really just came in here to ask Erica what she likes to eat. I'm making a shopping list."

  "Why didn't you say so?" the little lips chided. "Erica likes most foods, but you can't go wrong if you avoid things like fried chicken and apple pie. Her digestion isn't what it used to be. Also, she has an aversion to okra and hominy grits. She doesn't eat enough fresh vegetables and fruits."

  "Thank you. What does she like to drink?"

  "No hard liquor. Sometimes she has a glass of wine. Lots of juice, diluted with a little water. She likes tea, and in the morning she likes coffee - black."

  "You've been very helpful," Morgan said. She lifted her hand from the touchplate and the circle disappeared.

  Erica smiled. "That wasn't too difficult, was it?"

  "I still can't believe it. I never suspected we had the technology for a machine like this."

  "This model won't be generally available for a year or two. We're one of the first test groups."

  Erica put her hand on the touchplate.

  The circle appeared. "Well - Erica..."

  "Cut. I'd like my requests now."

  The little lips smiled. "Mike requested you meet with his friend, Serena Knight. She is the sex kitten on one of the big evening soaps, Garden of Paradox. He says she is very anxious to Click you."

  "No, I'm only Clicking with Morgan. Please update my file."

  Morgan asked, "Why does it say 'Hmm?'"

  "It's working. 'Hmm' means it's storing information."

  "Hmm," Morgan said.

  "I have a request from Wanda Fyte," the little lips told Erica. "She is the program director for Beat Your Match. The show host, Noah Wynerz, would like you to debate Jeremiah Schlafer."

  "Decline."

  "Hmm, I have a request from Mrs. KIasch and Mrs. Stryph of Mothers Against Clicking. They would like to discuss with you the dangers."

  "Please refer them to Billy."

  "One thing that puzzles me," Morgan said, "is how I could get a computer installed that would hook up to your Center?"

  "Anyone can," Erica said. "The computer bills automatically for time use."

  "But what about confidential records?"

  Erica said to the computer, "Would you tell me how much money is in Isa's savings account."

  "I don't know, Erica," the little lips said.

  "Would you tell me how much money is in my checking account."

  "You are overdrawn thirteen dollars and thirty-five cents."

  "Try Billy at Martins Ferry."

  The circle changed to a half moon.

  Morgan asked, "If it knew how much was in Isa's account would it tell you?"

  "It does know," Erica said. "If Isa had asked it would have told her. It didn't know how to tell me someone else's business."

  "What if someone called and said they were Morgan Janus, I mean before it got my ident, it would have given them all my personal information."

  Erica shook her head. "It would know they were lying. Don't forget it measures pulse rate and skin temperature, just like a lie detector. That feature helps a lot in counseling too."

  "Martins Ferry Stone Clicking Center, how may I assist you?" It was Billy's sweet and gentle voice.

  "Hi, Billy. It's Erica. I'm canceling my request. There has to be a better way. We can talk about it when you get here in June."

  "Thank you, Erica."

  Erica was disappointed. "I apologize for my tone in speaking with you the other day."

  "I accept your apology, Erica. See you in June."

  "Bye." Erica was still disappointed.

  "What's wrong?" Morgan asked.

  "She agreed to a request I made the other day," Erica told her. "I requested that she not call me mother. I liked it when she called me mother."

  The circle reappeared. "Would you like your complaints now?"

  "Yes, please give me the legitimate complaints before the piss-and-moan."

  "I have only one legitimate complaint. You promised to send the girls' outgrown clothing to the shelter by Wednesday. Val is very upset."

  "Please apologize and tell her I will have them there by Monday."

  The little voice sighed, "Piss-and-moan?"

  "Go ahead," Erica instructed.

  "The usual." The little voice sounded tired. "The light is out in the women's restroom. The faucet leaks in the kitchen. The parking lot is littered with beer and soda cans. The pay phone is out of order. The Stone vending machine is out of Amazonite. The floor in room five is-"

  "I have an idea," Erica said. "Why don't we program a response to all piss-and-moan complaints?"

  "My pleasure," the little lips said happily. "Hmm, go ahead, program - response - piss-and-moan."

  Erica smiled at Morgan. "What can I do?"

  "It won't work," the little lips told her. "It's saying the same thing twice. I ask people how may I assist them and when they tell me, I respond by saying what I can do for them."

  "Debug?"

  "Hmm, go ahead. I'm ready."

  "What can you do?" Erica corrected.

  "Sounds good to me." The little lips smiled. "Hmm."

  "This setup is backwards," Erica complained. "The touchplate is on the right side. I'm right-handed, so my hand isn't free in the event I need to use the calculator."

  "What can you do?" asked the little voice happily.

  "Hmm." Erica lifted her hand from the touchplate, placed the telephone receiver back in its cradle and pushed the big red button marked OFF.

  "It's my fault it's backwards," Morgan said. "The kid that set it up asked if I was right-handed and I told her no. I didn't know why she was asking."

  Erica looked surprised. "I didn't know you were left-handed."

  Morgan was incredulous. "How could you not know I was left-handed? We've known each other almost forty years."

  "I don't know," Erica confessed. "I really just never noticed. I did notice how good you were with your left hand, though - because I'm terrible with my left hand."

  "I'm glad you're right-handed," Morgan admitted, "because I'm not very good with my right hand."

  "Now that I think about it I realize you are left-handed," Erica continued, "because when we Click our hands never cross over our bodies and when we sit across from each other at meals-"

  "I just can't believe you never noticed," Morgan told her.

  "I just never thought about it."

  ~ Chapter 39 ~

  Erica was propped up in bed reading the latest issue of Brain Mind Bulletin, idly fingering her Stone.

  Erica looked up. Morgan was watching her. Morgan smiled and held up an egg-shaped Stone. "I built a little shrine in the garden for Jesse. I was thinking about Undine and the things you said about reincarnation. I wanted to do something to let Jesse know how much I would like to see him again."