lot of guys do, but not Kirby.”
“What about me? Could you make love to me?” The tremor in her voice gave
it a strange, childlike quality.
“Foolish question.” Kirby swallowed. “Do you want me to make love to
you?”
“Would it be—good?”
“It would be the best.”
She did not hesitate. “Then I want you to.”
Kirby squeezed her to him. “Peggy—do you know what you’re doing?”
“I think so.”
His words tumbled out eagerly. “I have a blanket in back. I’ll throw it
on the ground. We can sit there for a while—you can reconsider if you
like—”
“Do you always carry a blanket around?” she asked, surprised that she
should care.
“It’s Aunt Lelia’s picnic blanket.” He laughed. “Do you think I keep it
around for—for special occasions like this?” He took Peggy’s face in his
hands, kissed her. “I told you. I’m not the wolf type, understand? I
have to care for a girl.”
Peggy tried to hug him, but he broke away.
“I’ll get the blanket,” he said gruffly.
He spread it carefully, took her by the hand and led her to it. Peggy
sat down, gazing through the open ceiling of trees at the glittering
stars. The night was warm. Crickets were murmuring.
Peggy’s eyes ran up the trunk of a gnarled old tree that bushed into a
profusion of leaves and branches. She felt as though she were in a
dream. Who was she? What was she doing here? Who was the man?
Kirby’s lips on her throat brought her back to earth. He nuzzled her
hair, trailed his lips to her ears, then found her mouth. He pressed his
lips to hers, holding her, pulling her to him so that her breasts met
his hard chest.
Lips still locked, Kirby lowered Peggy to her back. She clung to him, so
that his body smothered the rise and fall of her throbbing breasts.
His tongue slid forward into her mouth, touching, circling, caressing,
sending a fever of delight along Peggy’s spine.
Kirby shifted his weight. Now one hand was free to cup and caress a
molded breast.
Peggy’s hands moved over his broad back, rounded his shoulders, played
in his hair. His hand on her breast stroked and tenderly squeezed,
teasing the hidden nipple, hardening it. It was she, impatient, who sat
up and got rid of her blouse.
A thin, lacy strapless covered Peggy’s heaving breasts. Kirby ignored it
at first, kissing, caressing around it, trailing his lips below, above,
while hands and fingers outlined the filmy bra, barely touching the
hidden breast.
Then he sat up. He pulled off his shirt.
And then her bra.
Peggy lay still while Kirby’s eyes drank in the beauty of her heavy
breasts bathed in the silver moonlight. Then a finger touched the berry
tip; a hand gently squeezed, smoothed. “Peggy,” he whispered. “Darling
Peggy.” His head came down. His lips and tongue and teeth made a feast
of her bosom.
For Peggy, the world had turned to passion. She twisted to feel him
against her, thigh upon thigh, bare flesh against bare flesh. She moaned
and squirmed and, finally, tearing him from his newfound treasure,
forced his lips to hers, hot and demanding. His weight and heated flesh
came bearing down on her. The feel of him—all of him—against her, the
heat of his hard, muscular body, filled her with flame. Yet Kirby would
not be rushed. He played with her and gentled her, handling his weight
so that it would not crush or exhaust her. He devoted himself far less
to his own pleasure than to hers, neglecting no effort however
sustained, no exploration however intimate. The result was that
unbearable tensions built up in Peggy. Blissful as was this reverent
love-making, she wanted him wholly, completely ... now!
He sensed by her murmurs, her writhing, that the time had come for
ecstasy. Hearts pounded, blood raced, bodies tore at each other until
finally all reason fled, leaving only lusts to be fulfilled. The pair
became one, bathed in the luminous glow of the moon. Locked in the
eternal embrace, she felt utterly pierced with delight, and moving to
receive this man, this marvelous Kirby, she moaned with the ineffable
pleasure of it. The countless silver-bright stars above seared the dark
sky with their brilliance. Yet all of these—the stars and earth and
moon—joined the sun itself, coming together within Peggy’s being. The
infinite light, the limitless heat, filled her to bursting, then erupted
with such force that her very soul was shattered. Her teeth sank into
Kirby’s shoulder as joy like sheer pain coursed through her.
And slowly all the world fell into place around Peggy, and after a while
she herself felt whole once more. Kirby, in whose arms she rested, Kirby
too was there.
She smiled. She had learned something.
“Peggy,” said Kirby brokenly, “I—I think I love you.”
She stroked his rumpled hair.
“Peggy—how do you feel about me?”
“I think you’re a doll,” she said. She could not commit herself to
anything more. Not while she was still involved with Lesbos. Not while
mysteries remained to be solved. “Take me back to camp now, will you?”
And she kissed him.
FIFTEEN
That night Peggy had little trouble sleeping. She was full of elation.
As slumber came over her, she was remembering Kirby’s embrace.
In the morning, the camp scene seemed normal enough. Everyone—not
excepting Pam and Beth and Mike—calmly went about their usual routines.
How long would Pam let things ride, Peggy wondered. More than that, she
wondered when and where Alice’s attacker might strike again. She decided
to keep the closest possible watch on Mike, even if it meant neglecting
her duties.
Before the swim period that afternoon, Peggy hurried into her suit and
ran down to the lounge. She expected Kirby to call her. She was rubbing
suntan lotion on her shoulders when Lilian walked in, a brief purple
halter covering her ample breasts, skimpy shorts of the same purple
below. Over her shoulders she had thrown a bright pink shirt.
Peggy looked at her in surprise. “Where’s your suit? Aren’t you going in
today?”
Lilian shook her head. “I’ve had all I can take of the squealing
monsters for a while.” She eyed the lotion bottle. “Like some help?”
“No, thanks. Just finished.” Peggy capped the bottle and sank into one
chair, propped her oiled legs on the arm of another.
“If you’re going to make it down on time, you’d better be on your way,”
Lilian advised.
“I’m waiting for a call.”
Lilian lifted an eyebrow. “Ted?”
“I should say not. Why I haven’t heard from him in ages. I don’t think
he’ll bother calling any more.”
“Don’t be too sure.”
A frown took over Peggy’s face. “Meaning what?”
“Ask Mike,” said Lilian.
“Why Mike?”
“Didn’t you know?” Lilian snickered. “I thought gossip spread like
wildfire in this place.”
Peggy stared. “What are you talking about, Lilian?”
Lilian did not answer right away. Her eyes were focused on the white
line above Peggy’s breasts where the suit, as usual, had slipped a
little.
Noticing, Peggy pulled the suit into place, fastened the straps.
Lilian grinned. “Modest?”
“And how. Lilian, will you please tell me about that gossip?”
“Sure.” She lit a cigarette. “It’s all very simple. Your friend Mike has
been dating your lover.”
“What!” Peggy jumped up. “Listen, I’ve got to get down to the water. See
you later, Lilian.”
Flying down the steps, she stumbled, almost fell. Grabbing the rail, she
proceeded more cautiously to the bottom of the hill, then broke into a
run, charging through the line of swimmers standing at the gate.
She caught Mike just as the swimming instructor started to climb the
high tower. Running along the dock, Peggy called out to her.
Mike stopped, a foot resting on the first rung. She turned her red head
toward Peggy.
“May I speak to you a minute?”
“Sure.” Mike backed away from the ladder.
Peggy hesitated, looked around. No one was actually within hearing
distance. “Well ... you know how people talk around these places. I
heard someone say something ... I mean, it was about you and Ted. Mike,
have you been going out with him?”
“What makes you ask that?”
Peggy shrugged. “I told you—I heard someone talking. I didn’t believe
it, anyway.” She began walking off.
Mike said in her huskiest voice, “Wait. Who gave you the tip? Lilian?”
Peggy backtracked. “Yes.”
“That figures.” Mike lifted her whistle, blew it sharply. “Get back
there,” she called to a camper poking a leg into the water. “Swim
doesn’t start for five minutes.” Then the redhead hitched up her
tanksuit, looked Peggy in the eye. “I thought you said you didn’t care
about Ted.”
“I don’t.”
Mike’s face burst into a grin. “I’m glad. You told me you didn’t want
him, but I thought maybe I was doing you dirt, you see, and I was trying
to keep it hidden.” She gripped Peggy’s oiled shoulder. “Yes,” she said,
“I’ve been going out with Ted. I’m crazy about him. And I think he likes
me.” The grin grew broader. “I’ve got the muscles to handle him.”
“Mike, just one more thing. Did you make it with him?”
“Make it?” Then Peggy’s meaning reached Mike, and her face colored
beet-red. That was answer enough.
Peggy looked away. “I shouldn’t have asked that—I’m sorry.”
“Forget it. And if you want to know why I lied for you after they found
you with Alice—well, I know you wouldn’t harm a kid.”
“Who would?”
“I have an idea. I have to get proof. Otherwise, Pam will give you the
gate despite anything we can do. She’s meeting with Miss Duncan this
afternoon. They may call you in.”
“Anyway,” Peggy said, “I’m glad about you and Ted. I wish you the best,
both of you.” Right there in front of the whole camp, Peggy pecked Mike
on the cheek. “Listen, can you excuse me from this swim?”
“Why not? There are plenty of counselors on hand today. Now we can be
friends again, hey, Peggy?”
“Oh, you’re so right!”
The girls smiled at one another. Then Mike lifted the whistle and blew
two blasts. “Take the boat, Mary,” she called huskily. “Helen, watch
those Juniors. All right, everybody. All in!”
Sixty squealing campers hit the water simultaneously.
Away from the waterfront, Peggy drifted into the woods back of the
bathhouse. She crossed to a clearing and found a stump to sit on. She
propped her elbows on her knees, rested her chin in her hands. She was
in a turmoil.
She had thought she had the Alice-mystery solved. Mike had been the
culprit; she had heard Peggy on the path and had fled from Alice. Then
Mike had circled around, making it look as though she had come from the
cabin after hearing Alice’s scream. She had lied not for Peggy, but to
give herself an alibi. It had been that simple in Peggy’s mind.
But now....
Mike, apparently, was no frantic, dyed-in-the-wool lesbian type, ready
to risk everything to pounce on girls like Peggy and Alice. Mike was
gone on a man.
So if not Mike—who? Beth? Maybe Peggy should go to Miss Duncan right now
and report the nurse. Peggy looked at things a lot differently, now that
the experience with Kirby had demonstrated that she was not bound to
lesbianism.
Yet it would be wrong to unjustly damage Beth. If only it weren’t for
all this mystery....
A twig snapped behind Peggy.
She whirled.
Ten paces down the path stood Lilian, still in the pink and purple
outfit, her black hair pinned in a swirl atop her head.
Recovering from her fright, Peggy managed a smile. “God, you scared me,
I—”
Something in the other’s look stopped her. “You shouldn’t have run out
of the lounge in such a hurry,” Lilian said. “I wanted to talk to you.”
Peggy frowned. “What about?”
Lilian stepped closer. “About what you are going to do to stop what goes
on between Ted and Mike.”
Peggy shrugged. “I’m not going to do anything. I couldn’t care less.”
“I’m glad it doesn’t bother you.” Lilian stepped still closer. “That’s
what I wanted to hear. You really don’t care for men at all, do you?”
She laughed. “Say, how about walking me to my cabin? I have a new
bathing suit you can try on.”
“Not now. There’s a lot on my mind. I want to think.”
“I understand, Peggy. I understand perfectly.” She placed a hand on
Peggy’s arm. “You can trust me. I know what’s bothering you. It’s this
business about you and men, right?” She took the girl’s hand and led her
to a fallen tree. “Let’s sit over here,” she said. “I’ll talk to you
about it.”
Peggy examined the trunk for insects, then brushed the bark. She had
suddenly decided to play along. She was curious about what Lilian might
have to say. She sat down.
Lilian sat next to her. “I hope this treachery of Ted’s has taught you
something.”
“Like what?”
“Merely that men are bastards.”
Peggy laughed. “Every one?”
“All of them,” Lilian went on. “They are good-for-nothing, conniving—”
“Why are you so sure?”
“If I started telling you, we would be here for hours. Just take my word
for it.” She patted Peggy’s bare thigh. “Besides, I don’t feel like
talking, after all. I’m not interested in words any more.”
Peggy smiled. “Just what are you interested in?”
Lilian’s eyes were burning. “You,” she said.
* * * * *
Peggy stared at the raven-headed girl in front of her. She stared first
without comprehension, then in disbelief.
“M-me?” she stuttered at last.
“That’s right, Peggy. You. I’ve watched you since the minute I first
laid eyes on you. And now—” she lifted her arms—“I’m going to have you.”
Peggy jumped from the log.
“Don’t be startled, dear. You’ll like it, I know. I remember your
reaction in the Pillbox, when I sneaked into your cot. I—”
Peggy broke in, crying, “Then it was you with Beth—that night—in the
bathhouse!”
Fury flamed in Lilian and she leaped up. “Who told you about that?” She
grabbed Peggy’s wrist. “Beth? I’ll kill her.”
Peggy twisted to free herself, but Lilian had a firm grip. And the short
struggle seemed to intensify her odd lusts, whet the sharp appetites
already raging in her.
She grabbed Peggy by the back of the neck, forced her lips on Peggy’s.
Peggy squirmed, writhed her head, but to no avail. Lilian’s mouth was
clamped to hers with maniacal fervor.
With her free hand, Peggy grabbed at Lilian’s arm, digging her nails
into the tender skin, knocking the pink shirt to the brown earth. Lilian
pulled away from her, but only enough to crack her across the face with
the back of her hand. Then she broke into mad laughter. “You’re a bitch
when you’re awake, aren’t you!” She moved with smooth skill and suddenly
was behind Peggy, holding her in a hammerlock. “But that makes it all
the more fun,” she whispered into Peggy’s ear. “Now, don’t move, or—”
And she lifted Peggy’s captured arm slightly, sending a stab of pain all
the way to her neck.
She felt Lilian’s other hand move around from behind and cup her
green-covered breast. Then Lilian’s fingers crawled over the top of the
suit, poked inside.
Peggy’s breathing quickened, not with desire but with indignation.
She raised her hand to Lilian’s arm. The black-haired girl squeezed the
quivering breast. “I said don’t move.”
Peggy trembled with helpless rage. In the water, because of her
lifesaving training, she would have known how to break the hold. On
land, she had learned already, Lilian had more skill, and almost as much
physical strength. Peggy stiffened. The other girl was running her hand
up and down the curves hidden by the green bathing suit.
That gave Peggy an idea.
She edged back toward Lilian. Now she felt the firm breasts against her,
the thighs pressing her buttocks. She could feel Lilian’s hot breath on
her neck. “Lilian,” she whispered, “Lilian—oh, that’s good. You were
right. Feel me, Lilian. Unzip me—”
Lilian laughed, pulled at the zipper. She retained the hammerlock
carefully, but with her other hand pushed down the bathing suit so that
Peggy’s breasts broke free. Lilian’s fingers again hefted and tweaked
the lovely mounds.
“Oh—that’s so good, Lilian,” Peggy moaned. “Kiss me, Lilian, kiss me!”
Triumphantly, Lilian relaxed the hold. She spun Peggy around, sunk her
lips to Peggy’s mouth.
In that instant, Peggy came to life. Her head butted Lilian’s chin. At
the same time, one hand clenched Lilian’s wrist while the other grabbed
a healthy hank of black hair.
“Now it’s my turn,” Peggy panted.
“Let go of me, damn it.”
“Move one fraction of an inch, and I’ll yank your scalp off your head.”
But Peggy had not calculated accurately. Suddenly she felt her own hair
gripped—by Lilian’s free fist.
For moments they stood, stalemated, each with a handful of hair, glaring
atone another.
“You bitch,” Lilian spat. “I’ll have you yet. I did once. I will again.”
She pulled. So did Peggy. Both girls writhed and wrestled, and in
seconds were sprawled on the ground. Breasts bare, blond hair flying,
Peggy leaped at Lilian.
Long legs tangled. Lovely bodies locked and labored as the two rolled on
the ground—in dry leaves, hitting bramble bushes, stones. They clawed
and scratched and bit. They kicked and punched. It took all of Peggy’s
strength to accomplish it, but she gradually achieved command, found
herself sitting on top of Lilian.
There was a lull as both girls struggled for breath.
Then Lilian’s hand, stretched above her head, found a flinty rock. She
lifted it and swung. Peggy ducked successfully but lost her position.
Lilian heaved up, overturning the younger girl, and once more they
rolled together, arms and legs flailing.
A vine was Peggy’s undoing. As the thorny creeper trapped her foot,
Lilian seized the chance, pounced, and triumphantly sat firmly astride
Peggy’s prone body. Peggy, to free her foot, twisted over on her back,
Lilian still in the saddle.
Again a lull as the combatants recovered breath.
Lilian then bent her head to nuzzle Peggy’s exposed bosom. “I’m going to
have you now. I’m going to have you—”
“The hell you will.”
“Damn it!” She forced her free hand under Peggy’s back. “Lift up,” she
snarled.
Peggy pressed her aching back closer to the ground.
Lilian punched her in the cheek, leaving a stinging red mark.
“Lift up, I said!” She jammed a knee into Peggy’s ribs.
Peggy lifted. Lilian managed to work the green suit down to Peggy’s
calves.
Peggy stared at the girl astride her. The purple halter, ripped and
filthy, hung from one shoulder. A large, dark nipple peeked over the
edge. Blood oozed from scratches and a dozen bruises. Black hair tumbled
over Lilian’s smudged face. Her eyes burned with lust.
As Lilian’s hot hand slipped lower, Peggy closed her eyes, clenched her
teeth. She cried out as nails raked her. She felt herself being touched,
violated. Summoning all her remaining strength for one last effort, she
planned it carefully.
Then she sucked in a deep breath, dug a heel into the ground. The other
foot she raised slowly ... then her knee up ... then down for added
power ... then up—smack! Right into Lilian’s bottom. The blow sent her
flying over Peggy’s head to sprawl face down, squealing.
Peggy was on her feet almost before Lilian had landed. The girl lay on
her belly, one side of her face in bare earth, her lipstick-smeared
mouth wide open.
Peggy grabbed up a dead branch. She towered over the fallen girl,
wielding the heavy wood as if it were a warrior’s club.
Lilian was gasping for breath. Peggy’s surprise attack had knocked all
the wind out of her.
“Get up,” Peggy ordered.
Lilian searched Peggy’s face. “No more,” she gasped. “You win, Peggy.”
“Get up, damn it.”
Lilian struggled to a sitting position.
Peggy flexed the club. She was longing for an excuse to knock Lilian’s
brains out. She reached down, grabbed her captive by the arm, digging
her fingers into the lithe flesh. She forced the girl to the fallen
trunk, stepped back to stand guard, feet planted solidly on the ground,
the club raised threateningly.
“What are you going to do now?” Lilian asked tonelessly.
A wave of revulsion swam over Peggy as she watched the girl in front of
her. Lilian’s usually impeccable feet, now with sandals missing, were
crusted with dirt, the nail polish chipped. The customarily sleek legs
were scratched and dirty. The shoulders that never slouched now drooped;
Lilian’s arms hung limply from their sockets. Her fingernails were black
and broken. Her Indian-straight, spine seemed to have collapsed. The
lips were a twisted red smudge. The face was bruised and scratched
almost beyond recognition. The raven hair was a tangled mat. And all the
fire in the eyes, Peggy realized, had died.
“You’re the one responsible for Alice, aren’t you?”
Lilian said woodenly, “What if I am?”
Peggy, sickened, said, “Why? Why did you do it? Are you actually
demented?”
Lilian looked up. Then her gaze moved from Peggy, past Peggy, into her
own dark world. She began to babble:
“Do you know what it’s like to be hated by everybody around you? Hated
and despised? It’s hell! You live in a private hell, pretending people
are only jealous or stupid, but deep down their hate and contempt hurts.
And everybody, every person in this rotten place hated me—or was afraid
of me. Every counselor, every kid, even Duncan.” She glanced back at
Peggy. “Even you. I could tell. That’s why I had to do what I did. I
didn’t want to, really, but you were afraid—you wouldn’t let me near
you. Beth stalled me by letting me have her in the bathhouse, but when
you were drugged, I couldn’t resist. I took you. I thought maybe when
you woke up you would remember—and would want me, too.”
Peggy had grown cold. She listened in horror as Lilian poured forth
answers to unasked questions.
“Beth didn’t hate me, at first. In fact, she liked me. She’s a real les,
the way I am. But I made her despise me, and later she was afraid of me
just like all the rest.” Lilian grinned, evil once more. “Sure, I had
them all. Beth wouldn’t tell because it would ruin Pam. And Pam kept her
mouth shut because it would ruin Beth. Loyalty!” Lilian laughed
chillingly. “Mike knew, too. She tried to protect you from me. But she
couldn’t say anything—because I’d had Pam once. A single word and I’d
have spilled the beans. I had proof—a photo—”
Unexpectedly Lilian’s savage expression turned warm.
“One person didn’t hate me, though. She wasn’t afraid of me, either. One
lousy person in this whole mob. Alice.”
Peggy’s mind became stiletto-sharp. She listened intently.
“Alice thought I was the greatest,” Lilian went on. “She had a crush on
me. She wanted to be like me. She came to me often, to confide in me.”
Lilian looked up at Peggy. “That night, it was she who sought me out.
She wanted to tell me about her boy friend back home. I thought of
pimply brats pawing at her, trying to feel those cute breasts, getting
their kicks ... It made me sick! I decided then and there to teach her
my way of sex.”
“Oh, how could you!” shrieked Peggy.
Lilian’s eyes were glassy.
“Peggy, believe me. I wasn’t going to do anything. I didn’t want to hurt
her. I was going to tell her about things, and maybe just touch her, to
feel how soft she was. I was only going to touch a breast. I wanted to
kiss it—but I wouldn’t have, if she didn’t want me to.” Tears came to
Lilian’s eyes. “But she got scared. She fought me and that made me
angry. Suddenly she had become like all others—afraid of me. I told her
I wouldn’t hurt her but she called me filthy names. She said she would
report me!” Lilian wiped away tears with the back of her hand. “That’s
why I had to hit her. That’s why I had to tell her that if she didn’t
keep her mouth shut, I would maim her for life.” These last words had
burst from Lilian in wild sobs. “Oh, God, why am I a lesbian!”
Peggy’s heart was pounding. Strangely, she felt pity for the girl before
her.
Lilian said in a calmer tone, “Beth and Pam—they thought that if they
exposed me, I would have exposed them. It would have ruined the camp.
And everyone would have been afraid of Beth as a nurse, would not have
trusted Pam as a teacher.” She looked away. “But I never would have said
anything. I only wanted to scare them.”
“Do you mean that, Lilian?”
“You may not believe me, but it’s God’s honest truth. You don’t seem to
realize, Peggy, that in my heart I love them all. I love every woman
born!”
She had risen to her feet. She stared into Peggy’s face.
“All right, Lilian,” said Peggy, taking a firm grip on the club. “I
think we’d better go now. We have a date with Miss Duncan.”
Nodding, Lilian started walking up the path—a pathetic figure, and a
sick one, Peggy thought. She was not normal. She was not even a normal
lesbian, Peggy joked to herself, but the quip fell flat.
Walking uphill in Lilian’s wake, she wondered what would happen now.
Would everything come to the surface? She had every intention of
bringing in Lilian to face Miss Duncan and Pam.