IV
I was born by the river in a little tent It's been a long, a long time coming It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die It's been a long, a long time coming I go to the movie and I go downtown It's been a long, a long time coming Then I go to my brother There've been times that I thought I couldn't last for long It's been a long, a long time coming
Oh, and just like the river I've been running ever since
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
'Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
Somebody keep telling me don't hang around
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
And I say, "Brother, help me please"
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees
But now I think I'm able to carry on
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
A Change Is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke
November 2, 2010, Mid-Term Elections
On a national level, it had not been a good night for those who were demanding equal rights for marriage, as the Republicans had won major victories in the Congress of The United States, despite the continuing national popularity of President Barack Obama.
On the state level, the situation was not looking positive for groups like Blair and Jo's Warner-Polniaczek Foundation, as more Republicans had won seats to increase their majority in the State Senate. The State Assembly remained firmly in Democratic hands.
Blair called the bigwigs of the Foundation in for a meeting three days after the election to the Headquarters in Long Island City.
CEO Margaret Jones, who had a degree in Political Science, among other degrees, took a cautiously optimistic view. "Yes, more Republicans won, and that's never good for our cause, but looking at those who were elected and who have stayed-there aren't as many staunch conservatives as there were before. We lost a few allies as well, but this also isn't 2009, folks. I think we go to the Governor-Elect, and soon, and make a case to push again this year."
"You're saying that we might be in better shape?" Jo had learned an appreciation for politics over the last few years, but the nuances sometimes escaped her.
"Five of the eight Democrats who voted against us in 2009 lost their seats, Jo", Margaret pointed out. "That right there could be significant. If we can flip the other three who voted against the bill in 2009, plus a few Republicans, we can win this thing. It won't be easy, but it's within reach."
"I'll wait until after Thanksgiving to call the Governor-Elected", Chief Legal Council Diane Ramsey said. "That's only twenty days away. We gave him our backing in the primary and general election, so he owes us a seat at the big table now."
"By the way", Jo remembered something she wanted to share. "The Denver Post is going to run that series about homeless teenagers next week. Natalie Tompkins, our friend who has been in charge of the project told me it's ready to go. There are going to be a boatload of photos for the online edition of the story, which have been collected over the last eight months by two other friends of Blair and I, Boots St. Clair and Georgia Compton."
"They interviewed Jo and I about our Foundation, and will have links to the resources we and other organizations offer to help get these kids home and back with their families."
"That sounds like the right story at the right time", Margaret said with a broad smile. "Your story still resonates with so many people, Jo, especially now that you're famous."
"And all it took was brow-beating a pompous Senator from Iowa to make me a celebrity", Jo quipped, making the room explode with laughter.
A Month Later
Natalie Tompkins walked into work on a cold December morning, feeling warm and happy despite the thermometer saying it was 9 degrees outside. The series that she had overseen on the continuing crisis of homeless teenagers, with an emphasis on those teens who were gay and lesbian, and ended with the Sunday Post, other news outlets and critics giving it rave reviews.
When she walked into the office, the staff present stood and applauded her, with her Boss, Managing Editor Rachel Schofield leading the staff in their approbation. Natalie was more than a little shocked by the reaction.
"Did I win the presidency or something?" Everyone laughed at her words as the tumult died down. "What's all this for?"
"On behalf of the entire staff, Natalie, we want to congratulate you on the completion of your series. It is getting wonderful reviews all over the country, and, more importantly, it's sparked a new interest and increase in funding for groups trying to combat this problem."
"Wow", Natalie said, clearly moved. "That's why I wanted to do it", she told her Boss. "Jo still has occasional nightmares about when she was on the run, and her stories still break my heart. These stories were even worse-they're just kids."
"I know", Rachel said softly. "And as you told me at the beginning, even if it gets one teenager home, and reconciling with their families, it has been worth the effort. Congratulations, my dear."
"Thanks, Rachel", Natalie said. "A lot of people worked on this, not just me, but it's nice to be recognized. Speaking of which, the photo's that my friends Boots and Georgia collected for the series-even the ones not used-were absolutely incredible. I cried just seeing some of their pictures."
"I called Boots and Georgia late last night", Rachel informed them. "They're currently taking a much-needed vacation through Christmas in Cabo San Lucas right now. I think it was a good idea adding their names to the bylines. They deserve the praise, and any future work they get because of what they did."
"I'll bet you're the last one who will be able to talk to those two until after Christmas", Natalie joked. "They've been going non-stop for months, and they gotta be beat. I think their cell phones and hotel phone will all be dad for the next few weeks."
Rachel laughed. "They've certainly earned it, that's for sure. By the way", Rachel added in a conversational tone, "I'm nominating Boots, Georgia, you, and everyone who worked on this for a Pulitzer. I'll have you know that even before the series was complete, other editors were calling me and said I'd be crazy not to." She smiled at Natalie and walked away, letting the normally self-assured woman stand there, completely flustered.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
"Ooooh, God, Boots", Georgia Compton moaned in pleasure, as her lover was sucking hard on her engorged clitoris, while two fingers were deep inside her center, and Boots' free hand was groping one of her breasts. "God, baby, it's been so long since we got to do this. Oh, that's it, love, right there. Keep your tongue right there."
Boots knew Georgia was right. It had been months since they had made love, with their sole focus on the photos they had shot for the Denver Post series. After seeing so many heartbreaking scenes of young kids huddled against bitter winter weather, or against stifling heat, and drinking themselves into oblivion, or using drugs to escape, it had put both women in an emotional overload for which their current activity was just the medicine.
Not only had they taken photos of these destitute teenagers, but like the journalists, such as Natalie Tompkins who had interviewed them, Boots and Georgia had struck up some strange friendships with a few of the youngsters. And like the journalists, they gave these teenagers, most of them homesick beyond endurance, information on trying to get them back home, and reconciling with their families. Boots and Georgia had even been with a few as they boarded a Greyhound bus, or an Amtrak train to head home, both the kids and the woman crying, praying things would work out.
But now, this was what needed-loving her partner, and giving Georgia as many orgasms as possible, and Georgia doing the same for her. They would be at this plush, couples-only resort until December 30th, and all both really wanted to do was remain naked in bed and making loved over again.
"God I love how you taste, Georgie", Boots moaned, looking up at her lady, whose eyes were closed and her mouth open. "Better than any alcohol."
Georgia laughed at that remark, although she simultaneously grabbed the back of Boots' head and grinding it back down into her clit and labia. "Shut up and fuck me with your tongue and fingers, love", she advised Boots, but still chuckling.
For the umpteenth time since they had arrived, Georgia came gloriously, a fresh flood of desire cascading across Boots' face as she licked it up. A few minutes later, Boots was straddling Georgia's face, gyrating back and forth, grinding hard against the woman's lips and tongue, herself crashing over the waves of another climax soon enough.
When they had resumed a semblance of normal breathing, they snuggled together. "Have we even come up for air since we got here, Georgia?"
Again the dark-skinned woman laughed. "Not that I'm aware of, honey. But after all we've seen over the last few months", she added more seriously, "this is cathartic, as well as fun."
"I have to admit, Georgie, that what we did for this assignment was maybe the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life, even as sad and as heartbreaking as it was at times. I'm proud of our work."
"So am I, Barbara", Georgia said, kissing the more petite woman lightly on the lips. "You go from the high of seeing someone heading home to try and make it work, to the low of someone you had talked to just days before dead where they slept? It was a lot to take in. We'll get out of here and go swimming and lay on the beach, even go dancing while we're hear, I promise you. But you and I really need this-to connect again intimately. I want to simply make love to you and fuck you over and over, and get the last nine months out of my system."
"I love you so much, Georgia", Boots said, cupping both of her lover's breasts. "I am gonna marry you someday, baby. You're all I need."
"Ditto, Boots St. Clair", Georgia echoed. "But right now? How about I fuck your ass and pussy with the double-dildo? You seem to enjoy that a little."
Boots snorted. "She says 'a little'." They both laughed. "Then fuck me, Georgia. Don't hold anything back. Take me as hard as you can."
Georgia did just that, Boots almost in tears from the sheer joy of how her girlfriend took her over the next hour.
"God, yes, fuck me Joey", Blair moaned, like Boots a little earlier suspended above her lover, pushing her genitals harder and harder into Jo's face, Jo not resisting. "Suck my clit, baby. That's it, oh God yes."
As was almost a tradition with the two of them, at just the right moment, Jo sent Blair over the edge by inserting two fingers into Blair's tight ass, Blair screaming in ecstasy, not able and having to hold in being as loud as they wanted to be.
Such was love-making when the grandparents watched their kids. Blair had once been quiet and a little meek when she and Jo had first started to be intimate, but not any longer. She cussed, talked dirty, and screamed when she came on many occasions. It was the most liberating feeling she had ever had in her life, making love to Jo Polniaczek. She never tired of it.
Blair collapsed next to her partner, both of them breathing heavy, the heady, musky smell of sex and sweat in the air, almost making them high.
"I have an idea", Blair said when she had finally relaxed.
"Not a brilliant idea, blondie?" Jo couldn't help but tease her mate.
"Oh, turn blue you barbarian", she answered with a laugh. "How about I run a hot bath, and I hold you in there for a while?"
"What? Each of us coming six times in the last three hours ain't enough for you, Princess? You're losing your edge, Warner."
Blair slapped Jo on the side of her buttock, Jo yipping. "Who says we're done", she objected. "But I do need a break. I gotta tell you my left leg is killing me right now."
That always concerned Jo. The lingering effects of the accident that had almost claimed Blair's life would probably always be there-the sore leg, the awful headaches, having to wear tinted glasses while in the sun. It bothered Jo more than Blair.
"Any bad headaches lately, hon?"
Blair shook her head. "Not for a few weeks. I haven't had a really bad one since that time early in October."
"That one was horrible", Jo remembered. Blair had been in so much pain that she had almost taken her to the hospital, but a second dose of migraine medicine had done the trick. "Maybe having sex is good for keeping them away."
Blair at up and smiled. "Actually it is, Jo. Sex releases endorphins into our system, which, among other things, are headache-killers." She gave Jo a sweet smile.
"You outta be on Jeopardy, Blair", Jo snickered. "Alex Trebek would love you."
"C'mon, my grease monkey and lover-girl, let's go run that bath."
Once they had soaked together in the tub, Blair holding Jo in her arms, her leg did loosen up, and the pain went away-as much as it would ever go away. But the hot water, combined with the soothing bubble bath made them both drowsy, and no more love-making was had the rest of the night.