Scene Thirty-Eight
Saturday morning had a similarly refreshing feel for Alice as she snatched that weekend's release to turn inwards on her own feelings of satisfaction with her own life, as opposed to her concern with the lives that she dealt with as a social worker. She told herself that she had a perfect right to be as selfish as such a warm-hearted woman would ever let herself be when she was off the job. George knew that very well and this, above all else was why she loved Alice. The other reason that came to mind was that somehow, Alice's presence freed George to be the woman she wanted to be.
Right now, Alice lay stretched out in their double bed and saw her beautiful girlfriend brush her hair in front of the mirror. She loved the elegance of the way her arm arced up to run the silver brush through the shoulder length blond hair and the lines of her shoulder blades. Her statuesque figure was barely concealed by her skimpy nightie. In the mirror, Alice could see the broad smile of self-satisfaction on George's face. In that second, Alice's mind was decided. She slipped out of bed, delicately took the brush out of George's hand and carried on the rhythmic motion between them.
"I thought you'd never come, darling," she murmured in her most seductive tones, tilting her head back. With infinite gentleness, Alice gently stroked the brush through that fine gold hair and the other woman luxuriated in the feel of being ministered to. Alice loved the feeling of being so up close to her partner that she couldn't help the fingers of her left hand from caressing George's shoulders. Eventually, it dawned on Alice that her partner's hair was brushed to perfection and she placed the brush on the table, moving alongside George.
"Is this how you like it, babes?" Alice asked in a husky tone of voice, the delicious feelings of desire rising up inside her.
"Why don't you finish off what you've been starting, darling?" came that exquisitely seductive invitation from her lover. That was enough for Alice as she drew George up to her level and kissed her deeply. This was what they both really wanted, their murmurous voices were saying as they gently caressed each other, Alice ruffling her lover's hair.
"It doesn't matter darling. I'd far sooner make love to you than worry that much what I look like. I'm not that narcissistic." George laughed softly as she ran her fingers around the contours of her lover's breasts.
They disrobed what little they were wearing and soon, Alice lay at angles across her lover while her fingers trailed down her lover's stomach, gently working downwards. Already George's hips were starting to move as Alice's skilful fingers teased her with the prospect of what was to come. The fair haired woman ran her hands through her lover's long tresses with joyful feelings of desire and tasted her lover's soft skin. Heightened feelings rippled through George as she felt her lover's fingers slide into her and expertly coax her to her first orgasm of the day. This was one of life's delightful starters to the day. The rest of the weekend promised whatever they wanted it to.
"So how do you think your 'coming out' event worked out, darling, because the brethren's event was partly about us, wasn't it," Alice whispered into George's ear as they lay curled up in bed together in a moment of blissful relaxation.
"You chose your timing well, sweetheart," George said tenderly, divining that Alice knew that George needed to mull over the whole experience for a few days before before being certain of her perceptions." As it happens, I think that at least those who are our friends, accepted me as who I am, who we are together. Those who looked at us as a freak show don't matter. We did the right thing."
"And some of your lawyer friends are actually pretty accepting of us. If you're up for it, I'd certainly enjoy being flaunted as your partner next time."
"That's the ultimate object of the exercise," drawled George as she slid on top of Alice. She stared down at her lover and figured out that they really couldn't leave their bed without making love one more time. From the look in Alice's eyes, she knew that the dark-haired woman felt the same.
"I can't believe I've earned enough money to splash out on some clothes and makeup after all this time," said Karen breathlessly later on that day. What was surprised her was she didn't feel at death's door after last night's strenuous and lengthy love making but then again, Beth looked pretty perky. She shrugged her shoulders in acceptance of life as she lived it right now." I've felt better in my mind in working at the hospital and getting back to what I'm good at."
"It's about time you treated yourself, darling. You've every right to," Beth said softly as she got into Karen's green MG sports car. She knew that giving a little control to Karen in this way would do her good. Certainly, she had a satisfied grin on her face as her shoulder length hair flicked back in the wind as she turned the wheel to get their car on the road. It felt like fun to Beth as it seemed to lie snug on the road so Karen powered it all the way into the town and manoeuvred it smartly into a parking space. It took them no time at all to enter the precinct, which displayed a bewildering array of shops of all kinds and shapes. The blond haired woman blinked in bedazzlement. She was only half sure that she really belonged here and had only really determined to buy some makeup. Splashing out frivolously on a range of clothes seemed strange to her. At that moment, Beth slid her hand into her lover's. Beth felt her nervousness for her.
"We'll take it slowly, babes. No need to rush it."
Karen squeezed her lover's hand back, feeling a rush of relief and tenderness. She had the feeling that she'd been through this movie before except then, she had been less nervous for some strange reason.
"Could we check out the makeup department first? That's my best way of dipping my toe into the water. I definitely need a few things."
"Whatever feels right for you, darling," came the soothing reply. It hit the mark. A rush of memories came back to Karen, how her financial world had fallen in on her after she lost her job at Larkhall and how she had had to leave her comfortable flat behind. She had gone through months of grinding poverty when she'd been out of work when the only spare money left over went on cheap spirits and cigarettes. She'd avoided shopping malls like the plague and only trudged to the little neighbourhood superstore at the end of her terraced street for whatever she needed. When she was unemployed and waiting for the trial, she had strongly felt that she didn't belong to the human race, on top of being swallowed up by feelings of total horror and despair as to her future. She now saw that Beth had kindly prefaced her rightful reemergence into the human race by initiating their phenomenal lovemaking the night before. All her horrible experiences were consigned to the past now that new horizons were opening up, and she was back where she in her eyes formed for everything that her darling Beth had been steadily working for them both over the past months. She wasn't just the sexiest babe imaginable but also an incredibly kind-hearted friend as well.
"You lead the way, sweetheart. I'm ready for it now,"Karen breathed.
Immediately, she was thrown into a world of luxury and excess which threw her for a second until she strode purposefully towards the counter that she wanted and she made her purchases deliberately while Beth followed suit. At the checkout, she clutched her purchases proudly. This represented the fruits of her labours from her struggles from the past nine months since she'd left Larkhall and well before then, when she came to think of it. When they entered the next shop, she felt more ready to deal with it and came to enjoy browsing round the store with Beth and casually discussing what they both saw.
"Hey, you two," called out the familiar warm tones from behind them both." We're really glad to find you."
"Why Alice and George, so lovely to see you," Karen answered, her eyes lighting up at such welcome company as she hugged and kissed each woman.
"We're here to help Karen spend some of her money. A bit of retail therapy would do her good," contributed Beth, good humouredly
"In which case, I've just seen the ideal outfit for you. You're sure to love it," sparked back George, a persuasive gleam in her eye.
The other three women let George lead the way and relied on her good choice. Karen was secretly worried that, knowing George's expensive taste, it would cost the earth. They threaded through the crowds of women of various ages until George zoomed in on her find.
"Here you are. What did I tell you?" the blond haired woman said triumphantly.
Karen gazed at it in awe. To describe it as a pair of black trousers and matching top was to make it sound like a power dressing outfit. It was nothing of the kind. It emphasized Karen's height and curves in a very feminine and alluring fashion.
"You're fantastic, George. I must try it on," Karen breathed with that desire to possess.
"You must of course help Karen see whether it is right for her," murmured Alice with that little twinkle. Of course, the dark-haired woman was right, thought Karen gleefully. She went into the conveniently large sized changing room and put on the outfit. When she appeared again, Beth's eyes almost popped out of her head.
"Do you like me in this outfit?" Karen said with a small smile on her face, looking to Beth for approval.
"You look gorgeous, babes," she said breathlessly as Karen did a little twirl, placing her weight on one foot with the heel off the ground." I would never have spotted it."
"It's a shame to change out of it in a way. Still, we've got all our lives together."
Beth had to remember that the average shop wasn't that open to overt displays of affection. She couldn't keep her hands off Karen but reminded herself that this is the first visual taster of the main feast to come whenever they are on their own at nights. Karen changed back into her normal clothes and passed the security counter back to the assistant
"I've chosen this outfit," Karen said unnecessarily to the assistant "I think it suits me."
"I'm sure your fella will like it," came the automatic answer. In her eyes, the dark haired woman was being very patient watching her friend doing her shopping.
"Er, yes," Karen said in uncertain tones." I know my partner will like it."
They rejoined George and Alice and Karen proudly paid for the outfit at the counter and they headed off to the next shop. It was with feelings of timeless joy that they meandered their way from shop to shop and the four women each helped the other to make their choice. It was a revelation to Karen that she could once be the centre of attention to what others saw in her and to consider carefully an outfit that would suit another woman. Like everything else in her life these days, this came to her easier than she might have once thought possible.