There were many things Joanna Thompson noticed about her new neighbourhood compared with the cramped, dirty and often dangerous surrounds of downtown Sim City and that was how open and green everything was in Willow Creek and, another thing, how polite the local children were. Back in the slums, the children would either retreat into the protection of doorways or the shadows and if some felt brave, or cocky enough to speak to you it was generally with a threat or insult. As Joanna took a morning run around Foundry Cove a little girl said a cheerful "hello" to her before stopping to talk with a friend of hers. That was another thing she noticed: A white kid and a black kid talking nicely to each other. Wouldn't have happened back in the slum.
She had jogged down to the river and had began her turn towards home when she noticed the mailman putting something in her letterbox. Instinctively she ran back as fast as she could because back in the slums mail in a street box wouldn't last long before someone grabbed it in the hope it contained a cheque or something else of value. Opening up the mailbox, she saw a couple of official looking letters inside.
Her heart beat quicker as she was hoping one of them was a response to her application for a student scholarship. She had barely qualified for one; helping people from a poor background get funding for college education, but had filled in all the requisite forms and lied about her previous employment just to get a shot at going to college. She had a bit of her late uncle's inheritance left, but most of that had gone into buying the house.
She went inside and opened up the first letter. Yes, it was a letter informing her that she had, indeed, qualified for a scholarship. Not a big one, but enough of one to take the edge off the college fees. That was a relief and it allowed her to focus on the courses she had applied for.
The second letter was from a local health club offering a free trial workout session. Well, that might come in handy...
Joanna was always one for fitness. Even in her previous job she had to remain fit and fast in order to evade the most brutal of clients...or pimps. Learning how to pack a punch and run away fast was key to surviving on the streets. Now she could keep fit without that kind of worry anymore and a free session at the gym? Well, perks of moving up in the world. The streets were now fast receding into the memory.
When Joanna entered the gym she was impressed with all the equipment on offer, the spaciousness but above all...just how clean the locker room area was compared with the only other gym she'd ever been in which was at the Spice Quarter YWCA. She slung her bag with all her everyday clothes in a locker, inserted a dime into the lock, hoping it wouldn't be prised open by some opportunistic thief, and made her way downstairs to start a work out.
There was one treadmill free; one of those fancy ones where it was powered and you could adjust the speed. She recognised the blonde chick from over the road from where she lived but apart from that there was only one other person there: A super muscly man who was barking encouragement towards the neighbour.
Joanna got on the remaining treadmill, turned the dial to a moderate speed and pushed the button to get it going. As she was getting up to speed the muscly man spoke to her.
"Pick your feet up and remember to breathe steadily....set the machine to one faster" he said.
Joanna shot him a quizzical and suspicious look.
"Oh, I'm Movers n' Shaker's personal trainer, Clinton. I advise people on fitness" he said by way of explanation.
"That explains things" replied Joanna.
She continued with her run until the wall clock reached to 30 minutes past the hour and she decided she'd done enough. She brushed her sweaty forehead with her sleeve and noticed that Clinton was approaching her.
"You'll find a water cooler just over there and there's another one upstairs in the lounge area." he said, being helpful but looking her up and down at the same time. "Complementary towels are on that shelf over there but most members prefer to bring their own. So, I don't believe we've seen you in here before."
"You haven't" she replied, coolly. "I got a ticket for a free workout session in the post" she pulled the ticket out of her training top pocket.
"I hope you like what you see" he said, leaning against a treadmill. "Treadmills, weights, calisthenics...we're well set up here. Soon we'll be getting a climbing wall...powered; first city in the state to get powered climbing walls." Clinton sounded overly proud at this.
"I see you have punching bags as well" said Joanna, noticing people having a spar with them.
"Not much escapes your attention..." replied Clinton. "And of course there's the social benefits of being a member of a gym" he said, checking out a curvaceous blonde woman who had just come downstairs from getting changed into her exercise leotard. She saw him and gave him a cute wave and smile, he waved back. "Yeah....the social benefits. So can I interest you in signing up for membership today?"
"I'll think about it. As for the social side, I see a couple of people I know over there..." she said.
She saw Action working out with weights and the blonde chick who lived opposite but whose name escaped her. As Clinton's attention was split between the curvaceous blonde and giving Action some encouragement, Joanna had the opportunity to say hello to him.
"You a regular here, Action?" she asked.
"I practically live here" he replied. "Haven't seen you for a while...are you keeping your nose clean?"
"Suspicious as ever, Action. Yeah, I'm staying out of trouble...thank you. Been concentrating on my college applications."
"So you're serious about this, are you? So what are you going to study? Have you worked that one out yet?"
"Yeah, I'm gonna study psychology" she replied with some pride in her voice. Action still seemed sceptical about her moving into a smart new home and going to college. All those years in the Marines and the Police Force had left him cynical.
"Psychology? I didn't figure that would be the one you'd go for". The cynical part of his mind drew a parallel between analysing patients lying on a couch to the kinds of things she used to do with clients whilst on a couch...Stop it, Action, he thought. You can't condemn the girl just because she was a hooker.
"I'll let you know how I get on." she said, smiling at him in a way that would put him in his place for daring to question her intentions. She nodded thanks to Clinton as well and went upstairs to use the showers and get changed into her everyday clothes.
She had just finished tugging her thigh length boots as far as they could go up her legs when her neighbour entered the locker room looking flushed and out of breath. If only she could remember her name: It was something to do with nature or the country...
"Oh hello neighbour!" said the neighbour, suddenly becoming bouncy and enthusiastic on seeing Joanna. "Is this your first time here?"
"Yep. It's not too bad. That Clinton guy is trying to give me the hard sell to join"
"Oh him...he's always like that. But this place is good and most of us from around here are members. You should join; Libs and I, Action and Jeremy and Barbara are all regulars. Julia pops in occasionally. And there's lots of other really groovy people here as well so it's a good way of making friends."
Was it 'Meadow', 'Cloud' or 'Autumn'? Joanna tried to remember the name of this very enthusiastic and friendly girl. She could imagine Disney animals frolicking around this chick, such was her bubbliness.
"That's an incentive, for sure. I only really know Action...I'm sorry, but I've forgotten your name" said Joanna.
"It's Summer. I live with Liberty and Travis"
"Of course, Summer. Yeah, and Julia's the doctor and Barbara owns a shop with her boyfriend?"
"Yep, that's us! Say, you should come over for coffee some time...we're a nice little community and it'd be great to bring you in to it."
Joanna nodded but the thought of being in this quaint, white picket suburban neighbourhood with a 'community' filled her with a mixture of dread and awe. This was a world far removed from all her life experiences so far. People like Summer might take it for granted but friendly neighbourhoods, clean gyms and....trees and grass and flowers seemed like Sitcom Land, not her reality.
"Yeah, I'd be up for that. I'm kinda busy right now with college applications and stuff but, sure, let's make a date for coffee" she said, after a short pause.
"Looking forward to it!" exclaimed Summer. As Joanna made her way out of the locker room she paused and turned back to look at Summer...she was giggling and looking at her left hand, twirling it around in front of her face before shutting her eyes and smiling with a blissful look on her face. "Straight outta Disney", Joanna thought.
Her next port of call was the library next door. She had applied to study psychology to both city universities: University of Britechester and Foxbury Academy and now she wanted to learn more about both places and also a bit about psychology as well. Why she had chosen that to study was a mystery to Action but also something that came from her gut instead of her head. She wanted to know what made people tick, about personality and identity. It was an interest she had long harboured but it was always pushed to the back of her mind as life...and the nature of her work...always got in the way. No longer: She was now following a desire of the heart.
When Joanna stepped into the library a thought occurred to her: She had never been in a library in her life before. She had an idea from movies and TV shows about what you did in one...mainly stay silent but she had a guess that the books were in sections and she just had to walk up and down the shelves until she found the section she was looking for. There was a librarian present, but he looked nerdy and preoccupied and she didn't want to look like she needed help so walking up and down the aisles, looking carefully in each section it would be.
Eventually she emerged with a small stack of books about each university and a guide to campus life in general. She had also found a beginner's guide to psychology and decided to get that one as well. Sitting down at the desks she worked out that Britechester was more traditional, longer established but had an excellent academic reputation with chances of joining fraternities and sororities and making business contacts for life. Foxbury, by contrast, was newer, less formal and had an excellent reputation in science and engineering. The guide to campus life featured lots of photos of preppy types with Brylcreemed hair for the guys and massive beehive hairdos for the girls. The front of the book said it had been published in 1961 and Joanna had vague memories of her teenage self squeezing into a figure hugging dress that came just below her knees and the massive amount of hairspray her guardian used to spray on her hair right before a local dance...'61: The time of Camelot in the White House, Bay of Pigs, the Madison and Chubby Checker. Joanna looked away from the book and stared at the bookshelf lined walls opposite her. 1961 was also the first year she had fallen into prostitution...16 years old, her big brother already in a gang, Action had gone off to join the Marines and she was all alone: Her guardian mysteriously fell from her apartment window...the police never did find out why it happened.
Snap out of it, girl! She thought, looking at the book again. This is year zero for you, girl. The last 5 years didn't happen. The photos in the book made everyone look white but there was a chapter on how the modern colleges were now helping more and more Negro students attain degrees and all the help programmes that were available.
Hours had passed since she entered the library and she hadn't even opened the psychology book yet. Going back on her plan to be 100% self sufficient she did relent and ask the librarian about how to borrow a book. He was helpful but was nervous whilst talking with her: Joanna, with her scant psychological knowledge, had guessed he wasn't used to talking to young women...especially ones who wore very short miniskirts, fishnets and thigh boots. His awkwardness did make her smile though as he just about maintained his professionalism and composure whilst dealing with her.
She left with her library book in her bag and now it was heading into early evening. She had noticed a bar 3 doors down from the library so she decided to check that out. The Blue Velvet, the sign said and it looked half decent: Not too snooty and elitist, not shabby or a complete dive either.
The music was loud and pulsing and some people were dancing wildly beneath the wall mounted speakers. Joanna made her way past them and the scattered tables and chairs, through an arched opening and into the bar area at the back. There was just one other guy sitting at the bar all by himself and he was closely watching the barmaid make some elaborate cocktail that involved spinning the bottles around in a showy way. Joanna sat on a barstool and watched the theatrics.
The barmaid shook, jiggled and spun the bottles and then poured measures of booze into a cocktail shaker. After stirring it she poured the drink out into glass, popped a miniature umbrella into it and handed it over to the man sitting at the bar.
"Thank you" he said in heavily accented English. Looking at him, Joanna noticed that he was from East Asia and around 40 years of age. As he said thank you to the barmaid, he nodded respectfully at her.
"And what can I get you?" said the barmaid to Joanna.
"I'll have....what he's having" she said, jerking her thumb at the Asian man.
"You got it" said the barmaid and she went into her cocktail making performance again.
"You make a good choice. I recommend" said the Asian man, who had turned to look at Joanna.
"I look forward to drinking it...I'm kinda new here so I didn't know what this place specialises in. Thanks for the tip"
"I am also new here. I am originally from Taiwan but work has brought me here"
"I'm originally from San Myshuno and getting away from there has brought me here"
"Not a good part of town?"
"Definitely not! I'd avoid the lower East side of there if I were you."
"Then I thank you for your tip. We are now even" he said with a warm smile.
"And here's to new surroundings...cheers" she said, raising her glass to his and clinking them. The man, who said his name was Riu, smiled and laughed. Joanna had had very little contact with the Chinese, Japanese and other people from that part of the world. Sure, there had been clients from those parts...but they tended to prefer the more expensive, high class escorts on the whole and her ex-John wouldn't elevate her to those levels. Ugh, drink to forget girl! She thought to herself.
She had a couple of those exotic cocktails and by the time she had nearly finished her second one the place was beginning to fill up with more customers. One of them was her next door neighbour...the doctor...Judith? June? Something like that anyway.
"Hello Joanna" said the doctor whose name began with J. Probably.
"Hey neighbour..." said Joanna with a little laugh. 'hey neighbour'...talk about a phrase she had never uttered before. "I'm sorry, I'm bad with names..."
"Julia"
"Oh, yeah, Julia. Will you join me in a drink? I'm paying" said Joanna.
"Oh, that's nice. Your drink looks interesting, I'll have one of those" replied Julia.
"You got it. Hey, barkeep! Gimme another two of these excellent...fruit punches or whatever they are for me and my friend here."
"Let's sit at a table, we can talk a little easier over there" said Julia. Joanna nodded and they made their way back inside the main dance and bar area and weaved their way through the tables. Along the way Julia waved to someone she knew. Joanna was more uncertain on her feet...2 and a half fruit punches and 4" high heels were not a good combination when it came to walking around tables and chairs and her vision was getting affected by the drinks as well. But she made it to a table Julia selected and just about managed to flop on the seat.
"So is this the local hang out?" asked Joanna.
"Yes. All of us on Foundry Cove visit here in the evenings if we've not got other things going on. I play piano here once a week as well. It's a side line of mine; piano playing. Just tip jar kind of stuff but I like playing and it helps with the bills. I'm quite junior at the hospital so I don't get much in take home pay. Now I don't know what you do for a living..."
Joanna took a deep breath before answering. "I'm between careers right now." she said, diplomatically. "I hated by old job and now I've applied to go to college. To study psychology"
"Hey, that's great! So we're both kind of in the healing business! Here's to you!" said Julia, raising her glass in a toast.
"Thanks. Say, I've got absolutely no experience in college life or anything like that. Can you give me some tips?" said Joanna.
Julia took a big sip of her drink. "Do you know, this is really good...yes, tips. OK, my number one tip is study, study, study. Don't get distracted by fraternity or sorority events. Go easy on the drinking, avoid the agitators and troublemakers and focus on getting that degree with high honours. There's so much to distract you on campus, believe me! Best to put as much of it out of your mind as you can."
That's the kind of response she expected from Julia. Another straight arrow, like Summer and the couple at the end of the road. If only they knew about her past...but hanging out with straight arrows is probably what she needed right now, she thought. Yeah, she was going to study hard but she also knew how to handle agitators and troublemakers.
The evening wore on and Julia went over to see her friend on the other side of the dance floor to talk and then be convinced to join in a dance with this blonde haired guy who seemed to be the boyfriend of Julia's friend. Julia waved to Joanna and invited her to join in but Joanna was not in a fit state to dance...she had drunk so much she could just about walk home. "I'm a little worse for wear..." she said to Julia on the way out. "See you soon and thank for the advice...and drinks..." she slurred.
The next morning was a blur. Joanna had forgotten how she had got home and in bed but she woke up in her underwear with all her clothing strewn around the room. That day was a complete write off...
...the day after that, she had washed and dried her clothes, put them back on and took a walk outside to clear her head and enjoy another blue sky, green grass moment in Foundry Cove. The tree at the end of the road dwarfed all other vegetation and had exotic, coloured fungi covering the middle section of its trunk. Joanna wondered why this tree was so different to every other one here.
From a distance she saw the mailman on his round. Hopefully she had a response from either Britechester U. or Foxbury. Her heart started to beat faster when the mailman had paused in front of her house and started to rifle through his mail bag. She began to run back to the house and, sure enough, he had put a letter into her mailbox.
Quick as a flash she took out the letter and ran inside to open it. She found a butter knife and used that to slice the envelope open, took out the letter and gave it a flick with her hand to open it right up.
It was from the University of Britechester and it was offering a place on their Bachelor of Arts, Psychology course. There was also a list of semester dates and a separate document detailing campus administration and a form to fill out should she wish campus accommodation as well as details of tuition fees and that her community scholarship fund will cover half the costs of the degree.
She was in...there was no point waiting for Foxbury to get back to her: She knew enough about life to seize the first decent opportunity to come along. Britechester, with all its history, high expectations and snooty reputation was the place she'd be going to and if anyone tried to look down on her, then they'd better look out. Never look back, girl, she thought. No more life on the streets.
The enormity of this letter and what it represented suddenly got to her. All that tough exterior, that instinct for survival and the weight of her past suddenly rose off of her shoulders. She was free and the thought of that made her burst into tears.
"Now, Mother, Darrin's got an important presentation to make and I don't want you to ruin things for him!"
"Oh I'll be good, Samantha dear...heh-heh-heh...eye of newt and toe of frog, let's give that Durward the head of a dog!"
"I can predict the rest of how this episode is going to go" said Liberty, as she watched the show on TV.
"You know 'Bewitched' is meant to be just a bit of fun, Libs" said Summer as she finished up the dishes.
"Yes, but it's the same thing every week! All these sitcoms are like that and don't get me started on 'I Dream Of Jeannie'...I mean, the way they depict the space program is highly inaccurate!"
"I won't! Anyway, food's ready...who wants some?" asked Summer.
"I'll be fine with just a coffee...I'll eat later" replied Liberty.
"Did someone say 'food'? I'm there!" said Travis, bounding into the room. "So what's happening?" he asked.
"Libs is down on Bewitched" said Summer, handing Travis a plate of food and Liberty a mug of coffee.
"Oh, that's a shame...hey, who do you think would win in a fight? Samantha or Jeannie?" Travis said.
"Television's so boring...why don't we do something more active instead?" suggested Summer.
"I'm up for that! I agree about the TV; it's all depressing news about Vietnam or dumb sitcoms at the moment." said Liberty. "How about hitting the gym, perk ourselves up?"
"Excellent idea, I really want to burn up some energy! Are you coming too, Travis?" said Summer.
"What, exercise? Running on machines that don't go anywhere? Lifting weights that don't need lifting?" said Travis.
"Oh come on, it'll be fun...we can be together having a work out" said Summer.
Travis thought about it and leaned in closer to Summer. "Will you be wearing your leotard?" he whispered to her.
"Yes" she said.
"Count me in" he replied.
After they'd gathered up their keep fit gear they headed to central Willow Creek to the gym. The girls were keen and raring to go...Travis less than enthusiastic.
Inside was busy but after getting changed Summer found a free treadmill and proceeded to do an endurance run. On the next treadmill was the senior gym instructor; Clinton, who had a reputation of being a hard taskmaster if you hired him as your personal fitness trainer.
Liberty decided that her reflexes and upper body strength needed working on she opted for the punching bag.
...and Travis checked out the gym's other facilities.
Meanwhile, back on the ground floor, Summer was getting into the groove but next to her Brent Hecking was struggling.
"Brent, lift your feet up more...and remember your breathing!" said Brant.
"It's alright for you to say that!" gasped Brent. "You were in the Army and sometimes I think you've become your old drill instructor! I'm strictly civilian!"
Travis, in the meantime had actually managed to get his fitness kit on and was trying out a punch bag. He figured it would be easier to manage than the treadmills or the weights.
Liberty watched Travis' punching technique. This wasn't about self-defence, although he had a weird moment a few months ago when he wanted to get a gun to protect the home, but fitness and Travis was exerting a lot of effort for not much gain there.
"Trav...try throwing a punch more from your shoulder than just jabbing with a fist. It'll work your muscles a lot better." Liberty said.
"OK...more shoulder...and....FIST PUNCH!" he yelled.
"Trav...you don't have to say 'fist punch' when you're boxing" she advised. On the other side of the room a young lady, who was also doing boxing training, looked at Travis and shook her head in disapproval.
Meanwhile, back on the treadmills, Summer was getting some grief from the instructor.
"You call that running, little lady? You need to pick up those feet and BREATHE, not flail about like a rag doll...PICK UP THOSE FEET!"
"I'll have you know that I competed at cross country running at school, and won trophies" Summer replied, indignantly.
"This ain't no cross country run at an all girls' school....THIS IS THE GYM! NOW HAUL ASS, SISTER!" he bellowed again.
At that moment Travis strolled in, looking exhausted. He saw the stand off between Summer and Clinton and walked over to intervene.
"OK, buddy, reign it in a little..." said Travis but when Clinton stepped off the treadmill he stood right next to him, his muscles bulging.
"Now what have we here..." said Clinton, menacingly.
Travis looked up at Clinton and gulped. "Ah, you're kind of big...well, this is my girlfriend and I think she's doing just swell there" he said.
"You look like you could enrol in some of our classes as well. Get some muscles on you" said Clinton to Travis.
"I've been working on my muscles...look, here's one right here" Travis said, pointing to his arm. "A work in progress you might say"
Liberty in the meantime had finished her workout and had headed upstairs to get a drink and take a breather. As she turned a corner in the narrow confines of the changing room she had quite literally bumped into Brent Hecking, who was wearing just a towel and had to quickly grab on to it before it fell completely to the floor.
"Oops, my mistake, Brent!" said Liberty apologetically. "You know how all fingers and thumbs I am!"
"I think I've retained my modesty" chuckled Brent, nervously. He tightened the towel around his waist. "It's as much my fault; my head in the clouds as usual." He seemed a little downcast.
"Is anything the matter, Brent?" asked Liberty. He sighed.
"Nothing serious...it's just that Brant is always on a health kick. Drink this, eat this, excercise more...some days I find it hard to keep up with him. I'm worried though that if I don't keep up with him and let myself go a little he might....oh, I think I might have said too much! Erm, let's say Brant might find another housemate." said Brent, embarrassed.
"I know you and he are gay, Brent" said Liberty. "We all do...well, except Julia. She hasn't picked up on the hints yet. But you can talk freely with me about you and Brant being a couple."
"Phew, that is a load off of my mind...wait, everyone knows? Oh, not important right now...oh yes, well you can see my problem: Brant's into the whole body beautiful and peak fitness ideal and I'm worried I'm not measuring up to that and if I don't...well...he might find another who does measure up."
"How realistic is that thought, Brent?" asked Liberty.
"Not really, but it creeps into my mind sometimes...like today." said Brent.
"Try not to let fear affect your judgement or trust in Brant..." said Liberty, sympathetically. Brant still looked unsure but then their conversation ended abruptly as Brant entered the room.
Back downstairs Travis had managed to bluff Clinton into thinking he was a lean, mean fitness machine and the overbearing instructor backed down and walked away from him and Summer.
"My hero" said Summer, appreciatively.
"Well, you know, it's about knowing when to stand up to someone and having an escape route worked out" replied Travis.
"Always the joker" Summer said. "But you're a cute joker, I'll give you that."
"So, are we done here? Would you like to take a walk by the river?" he asked, suggestively.
It was a warm, bright day with a light breeze which cooled the young lovers as they watched the wide, winding river.
"Hey, Summer...we timed this well...here comes the Delta Lady!" exclaimed Travis. The Delta Lady was an old 19th Century paddle steamer that had been refurbished and travelled up and down the river as a pleasure boat. It was very popular with tourists visiting the city and was an impressive sight whatever time of the day. In the evening it was all lit up to further dazzle onlookers.
"Do you know, I've never been on board" said Summer.
"Really? Never? Didn't your parents ever take you on it when you were a little girl? Haven't you been on it since?"
"When I was a girl it was still being repaired from that time a Japanese submarine torpedoed it."
"Yeah, that was a weird one...considering the war had already ended when that happened. Anyway, I should take you on a date on it. It's got a nice restaurant on the upper deck."
"Sounds great" replied Summer. "Let's move a little closer"
"Now you seem to be in a romantic mood today, Trav" she added.
"And you seem to be in a very energetic one" he replied. "How about we combine them both?"
"I like the sound of that!" said Summer and the two of them drew ever closer together until...
At that moment the Delta Lady passed right by Travis and Summer and the passengers on the deck let out a cheer when they saw the kiss. Travis waved back at them.
"That will give them something to talk about with their friends" said Summer. "But that was wonderful, Travis. I'm so lucky! And that kiss just makes me want to spring right up into the air!"
Summer got up and did precisely that.
"Wow, you are bouncy today!" said Travis. Summer sat back down beside him and they were about to snuggle again when they were joined by Liberty, who was still in her exercise clothes.
"I wondered where you two had got to" she said. "Aren't you going to go back in the gym?"
"We're done with the gym for today" said Travis.
"Aww, I feel really raring to go" said Liberty.
"Well, how about we head on over to Blue Velvet for a bit of dancing?" said Summer.
"Sounds good...I'll go back and get changed and meet you there." said Liberty. "Oh, and have you got a quarter? I'm going to phone Gary and invite him along too"
"Sure" said Travis, fumbling around in his pockets for a quarter he could give to Liberty. "The more, the merrier"
The Blue Velvet was packed and swinging and the music was blaring out loud...so loud they couldn't hear themselves talk; all that was left to do was drink and dance.
"Wow, this place is really happening!" said Liberty.
"Yeah, this is the best it's been in ages...shame I have to go to work soon" said Summer, at the top of her voice.
"What?" said Travis, suddenly.
"I...HAVE...TO...GO...TO...WORK!" replied Summer.
"WHAT? NO!" said Travis, looking sad.
Summer sidled up to Travis' side and spoke directly into his ear. "Yeah, sorry babe. We've been having so much fun I almost forgot I had to go myself."
Summer went to leave but had second thoughts. Maybe just stay to the end of this song... she thought.
But leave she had to, not before having a long and protracted kiss with Travis...and another...and another (the last one right in the doorway of the club). That left him and Liberty dancing, although not together.
"Hey, when's Gary going to get here?" he said.
"Anytime soon? Why, you seem keen to see him too!" she said, teasingly.
"He's a good guy, an honorary member of the Foundry Cove Gang"
"Oh, there's a gang now, is there? And why is he only an 'honorary' member?"
"We don't just hand out membership to any old guy, you know!" said Travis. "His membership is pending"
"And do you have little laminated membership cards as well?"
"Right next to my Lothario Club membership...oh, look, here comes Gary now"
Gary entered the bar and Liberty went right up to him to say hello and give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, sweetie, good to see you" she said.
"You too...I tell you, it's good to get out of the office: Work is just blah, blah, blah these days. Too much waffle and inaction." he replied. "So, you guys been hanging out here? Cool!"
"Let me get you a drink, Gary" said Travis.
"Thanks...a beer would be great. So, let's sit and have a chat, Libs" said Gary.
"What's happening in Foundry Cove...give me the latest" asked Gary.
"Apparently there's a Foundry Cove Gang that has membership cards" replied Liberty with a chuckle.
"Is there an application form?"
"I'm trying to get one for you" she replied.
"Ooh, you think I'm eligible?" Gary said, with interest.
"In more ways than one, sweetheart" she said, blowing a kiss.
"Sign me up then!" he replied.
Travis returned with the drinks. Liberty spoke up. "I've told Gary about the Foundry Cove Gang...have you got a membership application form he can fill in?"
"Buy the next round and you're automatically in" said Travis, raising his beer bottle.
"Deal" said Gary.
As they sat there in the Blue Velvet, Liberty and Gary were fliting with one another and having playful chats. Travis was beginning to feel like a third wheel and was missing Summer's company. He knew she had to work but in social situations like this, having her by his side would make him feel less self-conscious.
"I'm going to head back to Garden Essence" he said, eventually. "Got some work to catch up on. You two have a great time"
He left but Gary and Liberty were feeling that the main bar area was getting a little too crowded so they stepped out into the garden terrace at the back.
"I think I'm in the gang now" said Gary to Liberty.
"Just one more entry requirement to go" she replied.
"And what would that be?" he asked, his face being drawn ever closer to hers.
After they had kissed Gary said "Did I pass the entry requirement?"
"With flying colours" she replied. "I'm hungry, how about we head on to my place for a bite?"
"To eat?" asked Gary.
"That as well..." she said, flirtatiously as she kissed him again.
They headed back to Garden Essence, both giggling like kids, where Liberty grabbed a couple of plates of something Summer had made earlier. Their chef friend was a fantastic cook and there was always plenty in the fridge she had made to tempt the tastebuds.
"That's one of the things that makes me always want to come and visit" said Gary. "The other being you, of course" he said to Liberty.
"You romantic, you. You're always welcome; I know Summer and Travis really like you too."
"I hope so...it must get tricky around here trying to co-ordinate everyone's romantic life. Who's in, who's out"
"Oh tell me about it!" said Liberty rolling her eyes. "Well, I haven't heard from Travis so I'm not sure he's home and Summer's still at work which leaves us here on our own." she said with a smile.
"Coffee?" she added, suggestively.
"I'll take it with milk" Gary said...also suggestively but what he was suggesting was anyone's guess.
They got up and sauntered over to the coffee machine where Liberty brewed a fresh pot. "It's very quiet here" she said.
"Very" Gary replied.
"We could just tip toe into the bedroom for a coffee...and a chat...and some..."
"Exercise?" he said, whispering into her ear.
"Well, something like that" she replied.
"Let's skip the coffee and move straight on to exercise part" he added.
The two of them skipped down the hall to her bedroom and proceeded to get undressed. Then they quickly dived under the bedcovers for a bit of WooHoo.
Meanwhile, Travis had returned from a cycle ride and went into the kitchen to get a glass of water but the faucet immediately sprung a leak.
"Oh no...it's gushing everywhere! Just spurting out! I'll have to find the stopcock and shut it off. That's going to leave a mess on the floor..." he said, tutting and unaware of what was going on in Liberty's room.
After they had made merriment, Liberty and Gary were giggling like silly teenagers. "So are you sure your housemates are out?" said Gary, gently running his index finger over Liberty's breasts.
"Almost certain" she replied, smiling at him. "Shall we have a peek?"
"If they see us they'll know what we've been up to!" he said.
"They're my housemates, not my parents!" she replied. "I'm getting peckish, I want to raid the fridge!" she said, leaping out of bed.
"I need the john but I can't go out there in these underpants! Hang on, I'll put some clothes on first...wait, Libs! You can't go out there like that!" he said, noticing she'd put some panties and a bra back on.
"Catch me if you can!" she replied, playfully, as she scurried out of the door. Gary, in a panic, chased after her.
In the hall they were silently tip-toeing to the kitchen when they heard Travis' voice. "Hello, gorgeous, good day at work?"
"It was OK but I'm glad to be back home" replied Summer. Liberty stopped dead in her tracks and quickly shoved Gary into Travis' room; which was largely a study these days as Travis slept with Summer.
"We can't hide in here! What if Travis or Summer want to get a book?" whispered Gary.
"You hide under the bed, I'll hide under the desk...It'll be fine" replied Liberty.
That lasted all of 2 minutes before Gary piped up: "I really gotta pee!" he squeaked. "I'm going to make a break for the bathroom...wish me luck."
"Gary...nooooooo!" said Liberty, but too late; he was gone. Gary tip-toed down the hall, quietly opened the bathroom door and closed it...silently...with a gentle lock. Then he relieved himself in peace and quiet. It was only on the return journey back to the study when he bumped into Travis.
"Oh, hey Gary...so you and Libs decided to head back here?" said Travis.
"Yeah...I hope you don't mind..." began a nervous Gary in response.
"Look, man, you and Liberty are cool. If you want to get it on you go for it!"
"I meant, I hope you don't mind me using your bathroom"
"Oh, what? Sorry, man. Yeah, sure, that's cool too....but you know, if you want to go ahead with Liberty in the bedroom then don't worry about Summer and me: We're totally cool with that."
"Erm, we already did that." said Gary, meekly.
"Ahhhh, well....I'll just leave you two to chill out, man." said Travis, lightly punching Gary on the arm in approval. As Gary made his way back to the study, he was surprised to see that Liberty wasn't there but instead was Summer.
"Oh! Sorry...erm, have you seen Liberty?" he asked.
"She said she's gone back to her room and will see you there." Said Summer, matter of factly. "So did you guys have a nice time this evening?"
"Yes, thank you." replied Gary.
"You must tell Travis and I all about it" said Summer, cheerily and patting the empty space next to her on the bed. Gary took the cue and sat down.
"Not that much to report....we danced, had a few drinks..." he said. Fortunately for him, Travis entered the room.
"Hey, Summer...can I have a word with you for a moment?" asked Travis.
"Sure, babe, what is it?" she replied.
"Listen...Gary's on a date with Liberty and they'd like to be left alone, if you catch my drift" he whispered.
"I thought we could all hang out..." said Summer, innocently.
"Summer....they'd like to be alone. In Liberty's bedroom" Travis said, raising an eyebrow.
"But surely....ohhhhh, I see what you mean. Yes, how silly of me" she said, suddenly realising what was implied.
"And how about you and me, hanging out in our bedroom?" said Travis.
"Sure, shall we can have a catch up about our respective days, talk about what we'd like to do on the weekend and all kinds of neat stuff..." she said, perking up.
"Summer...we could do other things in the bedroom as well" said Travis, hoping the penny would drop.
"Ohhhhhhhh, I see" she said, suddenly realising. "Now that would be fun!"
