The night sky was littered with stars, like diamonds scattered across black velvet. The full moon rose as a giant white pearl, its light outshining the diamond stars.
Sitting on the beach, contemplating her own death, Barbara could still feel the warmth the day's sun had given to the sand. She was tired—tired of the emptiness she felt, tired of being alone. Still, she wasn't sure that she was tired enough to call it quits. Holding the potential instrument of her death in her hand, she was studying the razor sharp edge when a woman plopped down next to her. Startled, Barbara nearly jumped to her feet.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. Are you all right? Oh, you're bleeding."
Barbara had nicked the end of a finger when she jumped. She smiled and looked at the cut. "Don't worry about it. I'll live." In a much softer voice, almost as if she were speaking to herself, she said, "Unfortunately."
The stranger's voice was full of concern and tenderness, as she inquired, "Unfortunately?"
Irritated for giving voice to her thought, Barbara snapped, "What do you want? It's a big beach. Why sit by me?" She could tell her words hurt the stranger's feelings but just then she didn't care. She wanted to be alone.
The woman's voice was steady but hesitant. "I just, well—the truth is I thought you were a guy. You know, from the back, the short hair, and you have such broad shoulders." She glanced up and down the beach. "Besides, you're the only person out here and an ex-lover was harassing me. I figured that if I was with someone else..." her voice trailed off and she started to rise. "I'm sorry. I disturbed your solitude."
"Wait, please. I'm sorry I growled at you."
The woman sat back down.
"Is this ex-lover of yours likely to be put off in his pursuit by a woman?"
Barbara had reached out and taken hold of the woman's arm to keep her from leaving and her hand still rested on her forearm. She felt her tense at the question, but she didn't hesitate as she answered, "Sarah would consider another woman, acceptable."
"Acceptable?"
"Yes, actually if you were male she would probably take that as, well, as a challenge." Judy took a deep breath and plunged ahead. "In case you haven't figured it out, I suppose, I should tell you I'm a lesbian. The person I was running from is an ex-lover who feels I should jump into bed with her now that," she sighed and continued, "now that I'm no longer attached."
Barbara found she couldn't control herself; she began to laugh. She tried to tell the stranger she wasn't laughing at her, that she really didn't know why she was laughing. Her laughter proved contagious. Soon, the woman was laughing with her. After several minutes their laughing fit had run its course. Now, they were both wearing grins.
Still trying to catch her breath, the stranger introduced herself. "My name is Judy Langdon."
"Hello, Judy Langdon. I'm Barbara Orlock." She paused and looked off in the direction Judy had come from. "Looks like your friend isn't into pursuit."
Judy glanced over her shoulder. Smiling at Barbara, she stated, "Sarah never was one for working for anything. Everything comes easy for her."
For several more minutes they sat in silence looking out to sea as the waves rolled closer and closer.
Barbara could feel Judy studying her. She turned to her and holding Judy's gaze, she asked, "What do you see?" She could tell her question had taken Judy by surprise.
Judy took a deep breath and looked away for a moment. When she turned back she looked into Barbara's eyes and asked, "Do you really want to know?"
"No." She stood up, brushing sand from her seat with one hand. She held out her other hand to help Judy up from the sand.
Though she needed no assistance in rising, Judy took her hand.
In her efforts to help Judy to her feet she nearly pulled her into her arms. Releasing Judy's hand, Barbara stepped back. As she admonished herself for her sudden desire to kiss Judy, she offered, "Come on. I'll buy you a drink."
Judy's car was parked at the hotel where Sarah was staying. Fearing that out of spite Sarah might have her car towed, it was decided that Barbara would follow Judy to her apartment. From there they would go in Barbara's car.
Following Judy to her apartment complex, Barbara realized it had been a long time since she had laughed. She wondered why Judy was unattached. She knew she was too good looking to stay that way long.
While Judy parked her car, Barbara turned hers around. She reached across and opened the passenger door.
Judy climbed halfway in, the door still open as if she were afraid to close it.
Barbara figured this was where Judy was going to tell her she had changed her mind and say goodnight. She killed the engine.
"Why did you turn the car off?" Judy looked at Barbara for the first time since getting in the car.
"It would be rather bad for your health if I were to drive with you hanging half out of the car." She paused. "Look, if you've changed your mind..."
Judy had gone back to staring at the floor, but now she jerked her head up and snapped, "No!" She took a deep breath, looked away for a moment then turned back to look at Barbara. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I just, well, I mean, I don't normally go around picking up strange women on the beach."
Barbara thought she knew what the problem was. "Judy, I invited you for a drink, not a quick fuck." She could see her bluntness embarrassed Judy. She continued, "I think you need someone to talk to and I know I do. So, what do you say? We'll go have a drink and talk or you can go on to your apartment and forget you ever met me."
They held each other's gaze and Barbara found herself wishing she had invited Judy to bed, instead of just for a drink.
Judy pulled the door closed.
Barbara smiled and started the car. As she glanced at Judy she could see she was smiling. "Which do you prefer, quiet with a few people, or loud with lots of people?"
"How about The Zoo?"
Still grinning, Barbara turned toward her and commented, "Definitely loud with lots of people."
During the short drive, Barbara learned that Judy had only been in town a few months and had never been to The Zoo.
Being a regular at The Zoo, Barbara knew most of the people who worked there. Every night, except Monday, there were two shows of female impersonators. It wasn't the only gay bar in town, but it was the most popular. The second show would be starting soon. Barbara paid their cover charge. Mark stamped their hands and they went through the turnstile.
The music was deafening. Two of the entertainers spotted Barbara on their way backstage. They each gave Judy an appraising look, then smiled at Barbara and greeted her.
"Hi, Barb."
"Hey, girlfriend, call me. I need pictures."
Judy looked from the departing drag queens to Barbara and asked, "Pictures?"
"Yeah. I'm sort of an amateur photographer. Whenever one the girls needs publicity pictures, they let me know."
"The girls? You mean, the drag queens, right?"
"Hi, Mike. Good crowd tonight," Barbara commented to their waiter.
"Yeah. Tourist season has arrived. What'll it be? The usual?"
"Just a soda water with a twist of lime tonight, I'm driving. What do you want, Judy?"
Judy had been looking around the room. "Oh, I'll have a Vodka Collins." She went back to people watching.
Barbara touched Mike's arm and motioned for him to come closer, so she wouldn't have to yell. "Put a cherry in her drink."
Conversation was impossible. Barbara reached across the table and tapped Judy's hand to get her attention. "Would you like to dance?"
Judy considered the offer and said, "Yes."
Barbara left money on the table to pay for the drinks.
Under the lights of the dance floor she got her first really good look at Judy. Black hair framed a face with high cheekbones, a cute, slightly turned up nose, and a strong jawline. The longest eyelashes in existence topped two of the most beautiful green eyes Barbara had ever seen. Suddenly, she realized she was just standing there staring at Judy. She hoped Judy hadn't noticed.
Judy leaned in toward her and said, "That's a neat dance. What's it called? The Orlock Stare?"
So much for her not noticing. Barbara could feel herself blushing. Concentrating on the music she started dancing. Not trusting herself to look into Judy's eyes or even to watch her body move to the erotic beat of the music, she kept her attention focused on the crowd and on watching for the arrival of their drinks.
"Our drinks have arrived. Would you like to sit down?" To be heard she had moved in close. The combined scent of Judy's perfume, her hair, and light perspiration was intoxicating. Rather than give a verbal answer, Judy moved back a little and nodded. Looking into those beautiful emerald eyes, Barbara sensed the fringes of the pain Judy's smile tried to mask.
Barbara nursed her drink while Judy downed hers in record time. She got Mike's attention from across the room. She ordered two more drinks, both for Judy. After he made his delivery, Judy looked at Barbara and asked, "Are you trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of my virtues?"
Barbara removed the cherry from Judy's drink, and placed it in Judy's mouth. Holding her gaze, she asked, "Do you want me to?"
Rick chose that particular moment to dim the lights and play a slow song. Judy avoided answering the question by downing half of one of her drinks and jumping to her feet. "Dance?"
Barbara got out of her chair and offered her hand.
Judy quickly downed the rest of her drink, then took Barbara's extended hand and they stepped onto the dance floor.
Barbara tried to concentrate on the music but it was impossible to do with Judy's body pressed against hers. She buried her face in Judy's hair, where the aroma of the sea lingered.
As they danced, Judy traced random patterns on Barbara's back with her fingertips, leaving trails of fire behind. Barbara's mind was reeling.
"Everybody get a drink and grab a chair. As soon as we clear the dance floor, we'll get the show under way."
Barbara and Judy released each other, both blushing crimson. They didn't know how long they had continued dancing after the music stopped but they were the only ones still on the dance floor. Quickly, they moved to their table and sat down.
Barbara glanced toward Judy and then away. Barbara couldn't tell what her expression was.
Sitting with her elbows on the table and her forehead resting in her hands, Judy stared at the table.
The next time Barbara glanced her way, their eyes met and slowly they began to grin. Soon, they were giggling like a couple of teenagers.
Judy asked, "What's so funny?" She was beginning to slur her words. The effects of three drinks were beginning to show.
"I don't know."
"Then why're you laughing?"
Barbara shrugged her shoulders. "Seemed like the thing to do at the time."
They were saved from further attempts at conversation by the announcement that the second show was beginning. Having seen the show several times, Barbara watched Judy watch the show.
Tory Burke was the entertainer who seemed to fascinate Judy the most. Hormones and silicone, combined with the perfect bone structure "he" had been born with, made "him" one of the most glamorous "women" Judy had ever seen. After Tory's first number, Judy looked at Barbara in utter amazement. "That's a man?"
Smiling, she said, "Yes." She leaned closer and said, "If you'd like, I'll take you backstage after the show and have Tory prove it to you."
Judy leaned back in her chair, her face a study of mixed emotions. Then she grinned and said, "That's all right. I'll take your word for it. She's amazing. I can barely walk in a pair of heels and she—he—Tory dances in the damn things. How?"
By the time they left the club, Judy was quite drunk. She was so quiet on the way to her apartment that Barbara was wondering if she had passed out. She hoped Judy lived on the ground floor. Helping her negotiate stairs didn't sound like a lot of fun.
Barbara pulled into the vacant guest spot next to Judy's car. On the pavement behind the car was painted the number 151. Barbara figured it indicated her apartment number.
Judy fumbled for the door handle. Barbara reached the passenger side of the car before she could find it. She opened the door and helped Judy out.
As Judy tried to unlock the apartment door she dropped her keys.
"Here, let me help you." Barbara picked up the keys and unlocked the door.
There was a lamp on in the living room. Barbara was thankful for the light. She hadn't been looking forward to entering a strange apartment in the dark.
Judy's tone was bitter, her voice seriously slurred, as she staggered into the apartment. "Home, sweet home. Welcome to my humble home." She tried to bow and nearly fell over.
Barbara ran forward and helped her remain on her feet.
She put her arms around Barbara's neck and said, "You're a sweet lady. Didja know that? And you're cute, too."
Never having learned how to accept a compliment, she replied, "You're drunk. We'll see how cute and sweet you think I am when you're sober."
"Why'd she leave me? Huh? Why'd she run off with...with...what's her name?"
So that's why she was unattached—her lover had left her for another woman. "I don't know, Judy." What else could she say to a woman that she'd just met, when asked such a question? She knew there was nothing she could say that was going to help ease the pain.
Silent tears began to roll down Judy's face.
Barbara longed for the ability to erase the pain she could see in her eyes. Using the back of her fingers, Barbara gently brushed away a tear. "Why don't you go to bed? Sleep it off. You'll feel better in the morning."
Judy nodded her agreement and Barbara helped her into the bedroom. She sat down on the edge of the bed and Barbara pulled her shoes off for her. "Lie down and I'll tuck you in. I'll leave my number, so you can call me when you wake up. Okay?"
Judy looked up at Barbara like a terrified child and begged, "Please, don't leave me alone. Hold me." She held her arms open. "Please, I don't want to be alone."
Unable to refuse those pleading eyes, Barbara removed her jacket and shoes and lay down next to her.
Judy put her head on Barbara's shoulder, pressed her body close, and slid one of her legs over both of Barbara's.
Barbara lay awake for some time enjoying the pleasant feeling of Judy's body against hers. The steady rise and fall of Judy's breathing finally lulled her to sleep.