Susan Ann Walsh sat quietly in her six year old Ford Escort in the parking lot for Krazy Kate's Video Store. For the third time in the last half-hour, the forty-six year college history professor checked her watch. Then the short haired redhead looked out the window to the small sign on the store's door that listed the hours of operation. The store closed at eight o'clock, her watch had read seven fifty.
The short woman, only five three, got out of her dark blue coupe and quickly entered the small establishment. The store itself was rather unpretentious, a far cry from the mega franchises that dominated the video market these days. In fact, Krazy Kate's carried less than a third of the selection of most stores. What it did have, was a very loyal clientele and an owner who not only carried the latest popular hits, but many little known films that couldn't be found anywhere else.
Susan walked over to the row of the latest new releases and picked up the newest of romantic comedies. She pretended to be reading the back of the box. Actually, she was waiting for the girl behind the counter to finish with the thirty something man ahead of her.
The man paid for his rentals and bid the girl a good night. No sooner had he exited the door, Susan moved up to where he had been standing.
"Hi," the young girl who Susan guessed wasn't more than nineteen smiled. "What can I do for you this evening?"
"I'm looking for Katherine Harrison," she answered. "Is she in?"
"Oh, you mean Kate," the girl who said her name was Elisa replied. "I'm afraid she wasn't feeling to well and went home a little early. Can I help you with anything?"
Susan took a long good look at the young woman. She was about her height, with long shoulder length hair tied back in a ponytail. What was unusual about that was that her hair was a vivid purple. Additionally, Elisa had six small earrings along the edge of her left ear and five in her right. Susan supposed that the sixth earring was the one on the right side of her nose. Age wise, she put her at eighteen or nineteen, but definitely no more than twenty.
Elisa wore a cut off version of a Krazy Kate's T-shirt. One that looked to be at least a size too small from the way it pressed against her braless breasts, the nipples of which were clearly visible. In the middle of her stomach, an area exposed by the cut off, was a small golden ring attached to her belly button. A pair of faded jeans, cut way too short completed her ensemble.
Susan was all too aware of the current rages among young people. There were at least three girls in her freshman class who wore jewelry much like Elisa's. For all the conservatively dressed woman knew, Elisa might have been one of her students a year or so ago.
"No, thank you," Susan said somewhat apologetically. "I ... er ... had some personal business with Katherine. I'll come back another time."
The blue dressed woman had turned to leave and had actually gone a few steps when Elisa called after her.
"Are you Susan Walsh?" she asked.
"Excuse me?" the redhead said as she turned back around.
"Kate left a package for a Susan Walsh, is that you?"
"Actually, yes." she said a bit hesitantly.
"It's in the back room, wait here a minute and I'll get it for you."
Elisa turned and disappeared into the store room for a few moments. When she reemerged, she was carrying a small paper bag with "Sue" written across it in red marker. From the size and shape of the bag, it was obvious that it contained a few video tapes. Previously, the bag had been used to carry Kate's lunch back and forth to work.
"Here we go." Elisa said as she handed the bag over the counter.
At that moment, it became obvious that the makeshift lunch container had been used one times too many as the bottom of the bag ripped open. From the large tear, three videos tumbled to the hard tile floor.
Susan watched in horror as they landed at her feet. A look of total embarrassment filled her face.
"I'm so sorry," Elisa said as she rushed around the counter. "Let me pick them up for you."
"No!" Susan called out in panic. "I mean, I can do it."
It was too late. Elisa was already by her side, looking down at the tapes. Picking them up, she read off the titles.
"Co-ed Lesbian Slumber Party, Lesbian College and Seducing The Professor." she read silently as she put them on the counter.
Susan was mortified. That she was a lesbian was a secret she had guarded for years. As bad as it would've been for her career at the small, highly conservative college for that to come out , it was nothing compared to the firestorm that would've erupted if the Board of Regents discovered her constant fantasies about the young women she taught history to.
Susan had never, ever, acted on any of those fantasies in any way. In fact, she had gone out of her way over the years, to never be put in a position where desire, opportunity and the weakness of the flesh might combine to allow a dangerous incident.
A little over a month ago, Susan had met Katherine at a lesbian bar outside of town. They were pretty close in age and had formed a quick friendship. A friendship that had quickly led to the bedroom. They knew they weren't in love and that their sex had been recreational. But for the moment it had been enough.
When Katherine had learned that Susan was a college professor, she said that it must be like being a kid working in a candy store. Susan had replied that it was almost exactly the opposite. She had a weakness for younger women she admitted, and because of it had to always be on her guard. In fact, she wouldn't even take a turn at gym duty, worrying that she might get caught spending all too much time staring at all those lovely young bodies on display in the showers and locker room.
What they also discovered upon talking about their lives, was that Katherine had a nephew at Susan's college. He wasn't in any of her classes, but Katherine mentioned that he was interested in the summer intern program but that all his professors had already nominated other students. Susan had said that since she hadn't yet promised anyone, she would be glad to sponsor Katherine's nephew. All he had to do was bring her his application.
Katherine was overjoyed. In appreciation, she had offered, since she owned a video store, to get her new friend any lesbian tapes she might like to help her enjoy her secret fantasies. An offer Susan had readily accepted. She was supposed to pick up the tapes tonight.
Elisa acted as if having a middle age woman picking up tapes of barely legal lesbians was the most natural thing in the world. She got a new bag from around the counter and dropped the first two tapes in the bag. Then she took another look at the copy of Lesbian College.
"This is a pretty awesome movie," she said as if she was discussing Gone With The Wind. "I've seen it twice."
"You've seen it?" Susan asked awkwardly.
"Sure, I've seen just about all the girl films Kate has in the back. That's one of the perks of working here."
She dropped the tape into the bag and handed it to Susan.
"No need to be embarrassed," Elisa said with a smile. "Women have needs too, just like guys."
"I guess I never looked at it like that." Susan said as she clutched the paper bag.
She started for the door, then stopped.
"Can I ask you something?" she said.
"Hey, I'm an open book," Elisa smiled. "Ask away."
