Ch.3 Due Unto Others
The dull, morning sunlight made its way into the bedroom and washed the mass of feminine bodies in light. Naked, entwined with each other, they slept with the comfort of peace, finally sated in their joys of exploring their sexualities. The effects of the peyote had brought them past the thresholds of right and wrong, past the boundaries of moral conduct and into the light of love, unbridled and unconditional in its context. Beliefs of what it was had changed, no longer tempered by the thoughts of the church, or society's regulations on morality. The release of the spirit took them past that, past where others had been afraid to go, because of fear.
The guys woke to the same light of day, but love wasn't what had filled their spirits the night before. Scenario after scenario was played out by them, trying to come up with imagined events to deal with. All of them played out the same way, taking out the subject and walking away whole and undetected. Where the girls had spent the night filling their hearts and minds with the power of love, the guys had spent theirs, consumed in the power of hateful vengeance.
Some of the guys began dismantling beds and getting them ready to transport out to the commune, while others broke into the office and went to the store room. They grabbed plenty of bedding, as well as towels and anything else they thought would be useful. They took as much as they felt, knowing the motel would never miss it, because no one was going to open it again, at least not for a very long time. JT couldn't imagine anyone wanting to own a place, where three homicides had taken place.
He made a note to take a ride into town and go to St. Thomas Hospital. Marlene had pulled through and he needed to see if he could talk to her and see how she was doing. He also wanted to know if she could give him any information on her husband. If he missed his guess, she would want to see him dead, just as much as everyone else did. Forgiveness was hard to give to someone, when the pain of bullet wounds was still fresh in her mind and in her body.
Clay's truck was loaded with mattresses and a large dresser on top of them, then the whole thing tied down securely. Wally packed his car with all the supplies they stole and the group was once again heading out of a place of misery, to one more akin to Eden, although one where sex wasn't frowned upon as a sin. The clouds were getting denser and heavier in moisture, the threat of rain increasing the closer they came. The first drops stung their faces, as they began riding into the oncoming wall of water approaching. There was no other choice, but to continue riding, slowing down to avoid skidding on the slick road surface and lessen the impact of the rain on their skin.
Ten miles felt like fifty, as they rode in the drenching rain, soaking everyone on bikes to the skin. Hair was whipped back and fluttered wildly, as rain was blown through it. Unrelenting in its volume of water, the riders were equally unrelenting in giving up on their destination. The gate was passed in great happiness and horns were blown repeatedly to let them know they were there. The door opened and the group came out to see them and saw the cargo they were hauling. Seeing the state they were in, bodies came out and assisted them in getting the beds and dresser inside. Water dripped in puddles from the beds and dresser, as they sat on the porch, as did the guys, as their clothes began to drain the rain from them.
"Come, all of you. Inside and get out of those clothes and dry yourselves. We have a good fire going and we'll hang your things up to dry out."
"What about the stuff in the car?"
Wally's statement made them remember and JT looked at them and shrugged his shoulders.
"Shit, that's right. We still have a bunch of stuff in the car to bring in. We're wet already, so let's go get it guys."
The rain gave them no peace from the drenching, as they dashed to the car and retrieved the sheets and pillows and all the rest of the supplies. They spared it from getting more than a few drops on it and handed it to drier hands to take. Boots and shoes were taken off on the porch and then cuts and shirts followed. Water was wrung out as much as possible and the girls took them and hung them over chairs and sat them closer to the fire. Pants were hesitantly undone, but only JT and Lenny took them off, without thought.
"What? Little shy about dropping them, boys? Worried it shrivelled up to nothing?"
Some started taking them off at JT's prompting, while others were still unsure about exposing themselves, despite the uncomfortableness of being cold and damp, their jeans stuck to their skin. The girls came over with towels and held them up in front of them for a screen, making it easier to do. Once the pants were down, the towels were wrapped around and tucked closed. There was no need to ask them to stand by the fire and warm up, as their women came and hugged them, sharing their warmth with them. Moon looked in the front hall at the beds and stacks of pillows and several pillow cases full of toiletries.
"I do believe you have more than enough beds to take care of everyone and more for guests, The sheets and pillows and all the little soaps and shampoos, are a blessing indeed. I know the girls are happy to have it. Aren't you?"
The girls all gave their thanks to the guys for bringing them the little luxuries and making their stay as pleasant and comfortable as they could. Phoenix and Star picked up guitars and began playing songs that everyone knew and sang along to. The chills were shaken off and the warmth of fire and friendship comforted them from the cold and rain, as well as the evil that was blackening their hearts. Deadly sins were put away from thoughts, as loving joy made its presence felt in them.
"You know, I don't think this rain is going to be letting up any time soon, JT."
Everyone listened to the heavy thrum of the drops pelting the roof and the walls. It was a certainty that riding was impossible under those conditions. As it was, they were assuming their bikes were going to be hard to start, once the weather did clear. JT agreed with a nod.
"I have the same feeling, Piney. Guys, I do believe we're going to have to make up some beds and get some sheets and pillows on them. Moon, want to show us where the dry ones are going? The wet one can dry out down here I guess, for now."
Moon smiled and let his happiness be known, that they were staying overnight, at least.
"Follow me guys."
Moon started up the staircase, while the guys doubled up on the mattresses and followed him up. Moon took them into the first bedroom and had one mattress put in there and another in the second. He had the third put in his room and then the guys took stock of the sleeping arrangements in the one room. Lenny piped up and voiced everyone's thoughts.
"What the fuck happened in there? Looks like the 42nd Airborne did a run on it."
The girls couldn't help but start giggling and laughing, when they heard Lenny, so Moon explained.
"The girls rearranged the beds last night to accommodate their...... sleeping habits. Something about warmth in numbers, or sharing body heat. They seemed to enjoy it. Didn't you girls?"
