I Am a Woman by Ann Bannon

Author:Ann Bannon [Bannon, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Lesbian, Romance, Erotica, Contemporary Women, Social Science, Popular Culture
ISBN: 9781573441452
Google: 8ZY8AAAAQBAJ
Amazon: 1573441457
Publisher: Cleis Press
Published: 1975-01-01T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Laura went home. She arrived before ten, but Marcie wasn't back yet. Laura put a book she had been reading on Marcie's bed and climbed into her own bed. She tried to read herself, but she couldn't. An hour went by, and no Marcie. Nervously, Laura shut her book and dropped it to the floor. She got up and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth, and remembered she had already done it.

Then she went to the phone. She didn't know what was coming over her. She only felt a deep will-defying unhappiness. She pulled out the phone book and looked up the number of the McAlton Hotel. She sat for a moment with the book open in her lap, unable to move. Then she reached slowly for the phone.

Suddenly it rang. Laura screamed, a small quick cry of extreme surprise. Her heart had taken a tremendous leap at the piercing bell sound in that still apartment. She let it ring twice more while she caught her breath. It must be Marcie, she thought. Maybe she's in trouble. She lifted the receiver. “Hello?"

"Hello, Bo-peep."

Laura's heart gave another bound. She felt the sweat break out. “Beebo?” she said faintly.

"How are you, sweetheart? I hear you were looking for me tonight."

"You didn't waste any time.” Her voice was sharp.

"I hate to keep a lady waiting. What's on your mind?"

"I just dropped in for a drink. I was down there in the Village to see Jack and I just wanted to pay you back.” She spoke in fits and starts. “You don't owe me a thing, Bo-peep. Not a thing."

"A drink.” Laura hated to owe anybody anything. She was meticulous about her debts, however small the sum.

"You're right.” Laura could feel her smile. “I nearly forgot. Okay lover, you owe me one drink."

"Beebo, I can't talk now, really."

"You're doing fine. What's the matter, Marcie breathing down your neck?"

"It's not that"

"You don't have to say you love me, you know. Just say you'll meet me tomorrow night. About eight"

"No."

"Don't be late, doll. I'll call Marcie and ask her where the hell you are."

"You wouldn't! You won't! Damn you, Beebo!"

"I would and I will.” She laughed. “Eight on the dot"

"I won't be there."

"Want to bet?"

Laura hung up on her. She was trembling. Angrily she slammed the heavy phone back into place, switched out the bedroom light, and got into bed.

The black night settled around her but it brought more restless tossing than repose. The hours slipped by-No Marcie. No sleep. Only an endless bitter reviewing of what her father had done to her; the look on the clerk's face when he gave her the message; the impotent fury and shame that beseiged her. At last she turned the light back on and began to pace the room. The electric clock on Marcie's dresser said two-thirty. Laura wondered whether to call Burr. Or Jack. She was getting afraid for Marcie. But nobody knew how to reach her. There was nothing to do but wait.

It was a few minutes past three when Marcie came in.

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