He began to caress her hips again and his manhood came to life again. They soon brought each other to orgasmic fury and shortly after another loving display of shared pleasure, they re-discovered that time did indeed have a message for them. They had to get Bonnie to the airport.
They showered and dressed, and during the entire time of preparing to leave, they talked very little, yet they remained in very close proximity of each other and continued to touch and smile and glow with the neon light of Love.
On the way to the airport they continued to be disinclined to talk, Hank said he thinks it is because they wanted to continue to savor the weekend that was just behind them.
He said he often thinks of songs that titillate the psyche on such occasions and that time was no exception. The one that came to mind most readily was a little tune performed by Nancy Wilson a few years ago titled, “In a Long White Room.” The line that seemed to stand out in his mind was something like, “we age just a little ‘cause we touch a lot.”
Suddenly, Bonnie said, “Guess what?”
Hank said, “What?”
She looked at him and smiled. Then she said sheepishly, “I forgot my luggage.”
It hit him suddenly and he chuckled, “I forgot them too. No problem, I’ll pick them up tonight and send them to you tomorrow from Cincinnati.”
They arrived at the airport parking lot about fifteen minutes prior to boarding time. Hank parked the car in the short-term parking and proceeded to exit the car, but before he got out Bonnie grabbed his arm, looked him in the eyes and said, “I Love you, I Love you, I Love you!” Before he could say a word she had gotten out of the car.
He got out of the car, locked the door and said, “Hey, that wasn’t fair,” as he walked around to the other side of the car.
She was waiting for him with her hand outstretched. She said, “Come on you big bruiser, you wouldn’t want me to miss my plane would you?”
He grabbed her hand and they proceeded toward the check-in area for her flight. The line wasn’t very long and they were able to check in shortly after they arrived. They assumed a position at the end of the line and as they approached the plane they kissed briefly and she said simply, “I’ll listen for your call.”
Many people are aware that the human mind responds to stimulation, and that among the greatest and most powerful of all stimulants is the sex urge. Hank thought the days of powerful sexual activity were over for him, especially since, in addition to his advanced age, he hadn’t been sexually active for quite some time. In fact, the last time he attempted to engage in sexual intercourse, he was subjected to abject failure. But Bonnie sure made him feel virile and potent.
Hank said he knows in many instances people his age attempt to submerge or eliminate sexual stimulation to a great degree. He said he believes that is just the opposite of what should happen. The emotion of sex is unquestionably an irresistible force: it calls for recognition regardless of age or gender.
When he left the airport he returned directly to the party. Frank and DiJana, Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Hazel, plus his cousins Gwen and Bettye Jean were still there.
As he approached the table, each of them acknowledged his return with a nod. Frank said, “We were just talking about Love and happiness, and I asked DiJana if she thought she needed Love to make her happy.”
DiJana said, “And I was about to respond, so I’ll do it now… To answer your question, Frank, I think happiness is a state of non-contradictory joy: a joy without penalty or guilt, a joy that does not clash with any of one’s values. However, happiness cannot exist unless a person recognizes the fact that the unreal is unreal and can have no value, that neither Love nor any other value can exist if obtained without the accompaniment of a standard of value.”
She went on to say that “happiness is the goal and reward of life and value is the standard of life. However, it cannot be achieved by satisfying whatever irrational whims one may attempt to indulge.”
“I agree,” said Frank, “that Love is an expression of one’s values, and that it is the greatest physical reward one can earn for the moral qualities achieved in one’s character and person. Plus, I guess one might say: it is the emotional price paid by one person for the joy received from another.
“However, I would in no way classify my sexual escapades as irrational whims. The women I sleep with are good, clean, wholesome women. I don’t Love them, but I do Love the way they make me feel, plus, they understand me, there is no phoniness in our relationships. Are you saying that is wrong?”
DiJana said, “Feelings are neither right not wrong, feelings are just feelings.”
Aunt Charlotte responded to his question completely, she said, “We said it before you left, Hank, and I think nearly all of us agreed that, sex is one thing and love is a different thing. One can exist without the other. Maybe you don’t remember what DiJana said before you left, but how do you think prostitutes maintain their image of self? They simply take advantage of the person who tries to gain self-esteem from a sexual adventure. The paradox is that in many instances the person ends up losing some of his self-esteem because the brief emotional high was bought rather than earned.”
Frank was quick to jump on that one, “Yeh, but American society is hypocritical. Our society attempts to establish a set of customs to regulate relationships and prescribe modes of behavior, regardless of the devotion to truth, which is the hallmark of morality. In practically the entire country, prostitution is illegal and considered immoral. I’m not really hung up on that one, but a lot of people consider what I do is immoral too, just because I’m not married.”
Aunt Charlotte countered by saying, “Look, Frank, morality pertains to the discernment of that which is ‘good,’ and that which is ‘evil.’ Right?”
“I can’t argue with that one,” said Frank.
“I’m not here to argue, Frank, but you didn’t answer my question.” Obviously, Aunt Charlotte was poised for the attack, “Morality pertains to the discernment between good and evil. Right?”
“I agree,” said Frank.
“To answer the question of morality then,” continued Aunt Charlotte, “would you say that one must first define ‘good’ and ‘evil’? My definition of good is simply that which promotes growth: conversely, evil is that which destroys, or promotes destruction.”
“I think most people would agree with that definition,” said Frank. “However, sexual intercourse in and of itself is neither good nor evil. The fact that my partners are supportive of my actions, and that, indeed, my actions enhance those relationships, implies that they should be placed on the positive side of the scales of morality, wouldn’t you say.”
“That’s clearly debatable,” said DiJana.
Frank had appeared to previously been addressing his remarks directly to aunt Charlotte, now he was directing them to DiJana and the rest of the group, “Look, in the case of my sex partners, I don’t select them merely for their value particularly, I simply choose to share sexual experiences with them. Heightened sexual awareness is my goal.”
Then he looked directly at DiJana and said, “Love has nothing to do with it: value has nothing to do with it. I am fully cognizant of the significance of sex without accompanying love; however, the encounter with my sex partners has always been pure and simply the enjoyment of raw physical pleasure.”
Uncle Hazel said, “Right on. Now, what’s wrong with that lady?”
The ladies appeared to be almost in shock. Gwen was the first to speak, she said, “From my point of view there is nothing wrong with it. It’s just that it seems to be such a waste of time, as well as a sin against humanity. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be a Miss Goody Two-shoes, but if you will recall, sex was designed by the Creator to be for procreation. Apparently that’s why He made it so pleasurable.”
Betty Jean said, “That’s an excellent point, Gwen. What would happen, Frank, if one of your lady friends happened to become pregnant?”
“To my know
ledge,” said Frank, “that has never happened. I have given it some thought though. I’m sure I would do the right thing.”
“And what may I ask,” said DiJana, “in your mind, is the right thing?” “Abortion, of course,” replied Frank. “I would pay for all expenses and support her in every way through her abortion.”
“How about you, Hazel,” said Aunt Charlotte, “is that what you would do too?”
Uncle Hazel replied with a confident smile, “You got it lamb chops.” “
But, what if the woman didn’t want to have an abortion, “Aunt Charlotte said to Frank, “What then?”
Frank said, “I would still support her as best I could, but I would let her know that I could not support her decision, and that I would not be responsible for the consequences.”
“Well, let me ask you this question, Frank,” DiJana asked intently, “How important is life to you? No, no. Let me rephrase that question.
“You obviously are pro-abortion. Right?”
“Right!” said Frank and echoed by Uncle Hazel.
“How about the death penalty for criminals convicted of taking the life of another person?” DiJana was obviously attempting to make an essential point, “I guess you are a proponent of that too, is that correct?”
“Absolutely. Not unconditionally, but without reservation,” said Frank.
“What is your position regarding the killing of new-born babies,” continued DiJana, “I would imagine you do not support that one, or do you?”
“Right again, I do not support that one. Why is it I get the impression you are taking me someplace I don’t want to go? But take me, I’ll follow you anywhere,” Frank said with a smile.
DiJana scratched her head and looked somewhat perplexed and said, “I guess the question that is somewhat obscure then is when is a life a life. Many people believe that a life begins as soon as a man’s sperm fertilizes a woman’s egg, I happen to be one in that group. So, I guess my question to you is, in your mind, when is a life a life?”
“That’s an easy one,” said Frank, “the answer is, as soon as the baby is snatched from the mother’s womb. At least that is what some people believe… and that makes it convenient for a great number of people. As for me, I think life begins for a potential person as soon as a sperm fertilizes a potential mother’s egg. So you see: we are on the same wavelength.”
DiJana, Gwen, Bettye Jean, and Aunt Charlotte began to speak at the same time, but Frank raised his hand and intervened. He said, “Now hold on all of you, don’t get all sassy and smart. I think the point you are all missing is that the woman’s body is sacrosanct and should remain such, and unless a part of her that exists can exist outside of her body, without her assistance, then she should be allowed to do with it as she desires.”
Gwen was the first to speak. She said, “The problem with that is that people begin to devalue all life, not just the unborn child, and that is a crime against humanity. In fact, until recently, people never killed others and then took their own lives: even if they had a grudge against others, at least, they valued their own lives!
“I admit, that’s a good point, but what’s with this ‘people’ bit,” said Frank, “why do ‘people’ need to know anything. An abortion should be between a woman and her conscience, no one else. On the other hand, when a fetus has progressed to the point that it can exist outside the mother’s womb, and the mother elects to abort it, I say it should be treated the same as killing a person: and the potential mother, plus anyone who aids her in such a process, should be punished accordingly.”
“You make a lot of sense,” said Bettye Jean, “but you are inconsistent. A life is a life is a life. And, a life by any other name is still a life.”
Frank replied, “That’s a cute little saying. I’ll use the same one: a person by any other name is still a person. What if a person has cancer or an ulcer growing inside him, are you saying someone else should decide what to do about it?”
Aunt Charlotte said, “The things you are citing are different than that of a fetus. A cancer, an ulcer, or anything else akin to that, is destructive of the body. Under normal conditions a fetus is not in the same class.”
DiJana jumped into the fray and said, “That’s right. Remember what we said about morality, and how we defined the ‘good’ and the ‘evil’? Remember that?”
Before Frank could respond she continued, “We defined the ‘good,’ and, if I’m not mistaken, you agreed, as that which promotes growth: conversely, we defined ‘evil,’ as that which destroys, or promotes destruction. I think any reasonable person would agree that a cancer or ulcer, destructive as they are, would not be in the same class as a potential child. Does that sound reasonable to you?”
“I… Yes, that sounds reasonable,” said Frank, “I admit, I hadn’t reasoned it out before now. But I would think that with technology advancing as rapidly as it has in the past few years, the medical world will perfect a means of extracting a fetus beginning day-one from a woman without adversely affecting her health… and grow that fertilized egg to maturity. You think that might be possible?”
“Frank, you are absolutely amazing,” said Aunt Charlotte, “Yes, I think that might be possible.”
“It seems to me,” she continued, “the important thing in this matter of abortion is to change the perception that terminating a life is a simple solution to complex life-choices. That belief infects and affects our society in a negative way to an alarming degree.”
For the first time in memory, Aunt Charlotte seemed to be fumbling with words to express her meaning; nevertheless, she continued, “Look, Frank, I’d be the last to preach to you about anything, especially involving your freedom of choice; however, the issue of abortion is an issue of choice for a full fledged human on the one hand, and on the other, the unborn.”
She was fidgeting somewhat and admitted it: “This might not be the time to raise such a contentious issue as abortion; nevertheless, there is no right or wrong time to talk about things that have such a serious and impactful affect on our lives. Abortion clearly fits that mold.”
It seemed obvious that she felt an intense desire to bring this element of discussion to a close, she added, “Let me just close by saying, it has been proven beyond a shadow of doubt that the unborn is a life: the difference is that it is not a fully independent life. What that means is, there is a chasm between the born and the unborn that must be filled: the unborn has no power to support its wants, needs, and/or desires unless someone steps up to the plate and moves forward. Let me ask you this: in your mind, what do you think should be done about abortion laws?”
Frank looked at each of them, paused, and said, “I hadn’t given it a great deal of thought, but it would seem to me, if the unborn is a life, and I agree that it is, then there should be no law other than the one already on the books.”
Aunt Charlotte said, “You mean Roe versus Wade?”
“I mean,” Frank said with emphasis, “the law already states, taking of a life without cause, other than accidental and/or defensive measures, is homicide. What that means is, if you support an attempt to abort a life, you are complicit to homicide; which further means, if proven, there are severe penalties to an individual who does it and the individual who supports it. The government’s role is to enforce the law, not to add more wording. Remedies to the problem of abortion, such as Roe versus Wade simply cause confusion.”
“There will always be exceptions,” he added, “Many individuals say they are against abortion except, then they name exceptions: the exceptions seem to have boiled down to ‘rape, incest, and where the life of the mother is in jeopardy.’ I say the law should carry no exceptions: where there are mitigating circumstances, let the person doing the destructive measure prove it in court among her peers.”
So as to close it out, Frank said, “Let me just say this: I totally agree that a woman’s body is sacrosanct, the government should make no law abridging her right to do with it as she wishes; on the other hand,
if there is a viable life inside that sacrosanct body, that life is totally innocent, and no person has the right to take that life under any circumstances. The unborn should have the legal profession on his side to represent his/her interest in an effort to continue to exist.”
No one in the room looked at anyone else: each of them seemed to look inside her/himself.
Frank’s affirmation to the assertive women seemed to calm everyone down. However, before the dust was allowed to settle, Gwen asked, “Frank, what religion are you? No, no; forget I said that, let me back up. Do you believe in God?”
Frank said, “Why do you ask that question?”
Before she could answer, he continued, “That is a very personal question; on the other hand, I guess it is no more personal than the rest of what we have been discussing, so I guess I…”
“You are absolutely right,” DiJana burst in, “that is a very personal question, and I, for one, am extremely interested in your answer.”
“Actually,” Frank replied to the entire group, but he looked directly at DiJana, “I am kind of… well, I guess you might say, I am somewhat… let’s just say, I’m pleased that Gwen asked that question, because I have given the answer a great deal of thought.”
Then he looked at the entire group and said, “I’m also pleased that the question was asked because I think it is important, considering my morals are on parade here, that I express myself right here and right now.”
“I asked myself that question a few years ago and after much soul searching I discovered a major problem in my attempt to formulate an answer to it. I say that because a major reason for the problem of belief in God is a simple one made complex by improper semantics.”
“What do you mean, ‘improper semantics?’” said three of the women in unison.
“What I mean by that is, most people use God and religion interchangeably, or at least they think of the two words in the same context. Actually, God and religion are in conflict with reasonable synonimity - - I was trying to think of the proper word to use, and I’m not sure ‘synonimity’ is the one. What I mean is ‘togetherness,’ or ‘continuity,’ or maybe ‘sameness.’
End of the Rainbow : There Lies the Portrait of My Love Page 8