Chapter 17

Below deck, Lucy, Macy, and Andi finished showering and gathered their clothes, makeup, and hair equipment in the master suite to get dressed. There was a long giggling discussion on wearing panties and in the end it was decided that tonight the married woman should wear them because they shouldn’t give anyone ideas, but the single women shouldn’t wear panties, because they’re trying to catch a man. “That doesn’t sound like a good rule,” said Lucy, as Andi and Macy doted over her hair.

“It got me through pre-med,” said Andi.

“Are the girls in here?” asked Lucy.

“No, they’re in their compartment trying to get their dresses on.”

“Ok, look ... I don’t enjoy sex,” said Lucy, crestfallen.

“Not at all?” gasped Andi. The idea was foreign to her, even though she had been through some of the worst that a man can inflict on a woman. To her, sex with Paul is a joy of mind-boggling proportions.

“Well, there are some things that I do like. I like oral sex...” said Lucy slowly.

“Giving or receiving?” asked Macy in a clinical tone of voice.

“Both, but I really like receiving the most.”

“I don’t know how to tell you this, but that’s 100% normal for 100% of the human race,” said Macy. “What don’t you like?”

Lucy didn’t look up; she kept her eyes locked on the floor when she raised her hands. One hand she curled into the letter O; the other hand, she extended her index finger, then shoved it in the O.

“Oh, mon cher, have you been violé?”

Lucy nodded and kept her eyes down. “Cousins, at a family reunion at Lookout Mountain Park. They chased me for what seemed like hours. I thought it was all in fun, but when they caught me...”

Andi and Macy held Lucy tightly. “We’ve both been there,” said Andi, “and we’re here for you now.”

“Both?” said Lucy.

“Oui, ma sœur,” sighed Macy, “when I was a young model with the stars in my eyes. A photographer and a dégoûtant model ... a disgusting woman.”

“But these wounds heal,” said Andi.

“There’s more,” said Lucy sadly. “I think I’m a pervert...” she paused for a long time, hoping that her friends would forget about her and go away. “I like to watch.”

“Watch ... porn?” Macy tried not to look shocked.

“No, I like to watch people ... Andi, mostly.” Lucy couldn’t meet Andi’s eyes. “I’m sorry, but back when we were roommates ... I would listen for you to ... then I would peek in on you and watch...”

Lucy was stopped by a hug and a kiss. “I know darling, I’ve always known,” said Andi so softly Macy could hardly hear her.

“You’re not mad at me?”

“If I were mad at you, do you think I would have left my door unlatched when we were roomies?” asked Andi. “I don’t think you’re a pervert, and I’m flattered that you like to watch me.”

“What about Paul?”

“He likes to watch me, too. You guys should make popcorn...” Andi was stopped by a pillow wielded by Macy.

“Now I have to re-do her make-up and your hair!” growled Macy.

“So, what is it with Gus?” Andi asked. “You don’t like doing it with him?”

“I ... we don’t ... we haven’t tried yet, and I’m afraid that he is going to try to and I’m not going to...”

“Look, baby doll, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Besides, you’re not married, you shouldn’t be having sex anyhow,” said Macy.

“Just do this,” said Andi as she touched up Lucy’s makeup, “keep in mind that the guy is madly in love with you...”

“WHAT?” shrieked Lucy.

“It’s always the children that are the last to find out,” said Macy, shaking her head sadly and trying not to laugh as she tried to get Lucy’s hair to sit right.

“Holy crap,” said Andi frowning and staring Lacy in the eye, “You love him, he loves you. I hate to be the one to break the good news, but suck it up and enjoy it. Use and abuse the privileges that the situation endows you with. There’s mistletoe hanging...”

“Missile TOAST!” came from across the hall.