NOTE: I haven't written in awhile, partly out of uncertainty where to take the ongoing story and partly because I've been working on a larger project that I will post as soon as I'm finished. So consider this the premiere of "Season Two."
This is a lesbian story, featuring some familiar characters and one we haven't met before. Oddly, I've found that my all-guy stories tend to be a little more sentimental and romantic but my stories with Joan and her friends tend to be more playful. I love writing Joan because she takes a less serious, more adventurous view of sex. This one features a flashback sequence from when the girls were 19. It's meant as a tribute to "classic" porn movies and Penthouse Forum stories, so it may be a bit over-the-top. As well, I mention evangelical Christianity, which may be a bit odd for some people.
***
"Well, she's certainly perfected the look," said Joan, pointing to a promotional photo of Patty Wilkes in the hallway leading to the television studio. In the picture Patty bore the banal smile of the stereotypical televangelist. Clad in her trademark blue blazer with a floral pattern (sleeves rolled up), her hair in a modern twist on the classic flip, Patty represented the new breed of TV preacher. Instead of fire-and-brimstone or oily smugness she projected neighbourly warmth, the kind of sweet gal who always had an open ear and coffee constantly brewing.
"Oh, be nice," said Marcy, laughing. "At least she's not saying we're going to Hell."
Joan and Marcy were on a pilgrimage to visit Patty, but not exactly a holy one. They had known Patty back when she was known as Tricia. They had grown up and went to high school together, where they were inseparable. In the summer after their first year from college, they had fallen together into a triad, where they enjoyed all sorts of sapphic pleasure until they returned to school for the Fall.
While Joan and Marcy remained friends and lovers, they had lost touch with Tricia, and were amused when she became famous as Patty Wilkes, wife of Tommy Wilkes, a popular pastor at an Alberta megachurch. In addition to their televised Sunday services, Patty hosted an afternoon talk show on a Christian cable network.
Recently, Patty and Tommy had rocked the evangelical world by announcing their support for committed same-sex relationships. The statement resulted in them being threatened with cancellation, but due to their popularity the network had relented. The episode in which Patty and Tommy officiated the marriage of their star gospel singer Douglas Johnson to his longtime partner saw the show's ratings go through the roof. As it turned out, inclusion was good for business.
As they headed to their seats Joan noticed the makeup of the crowd. The audience leaned slightly female and ranged in age from late 20s to 60s or 70s. It looked to be an affluent group, and Joan could only guess at their politics but she guessed most could be found dead center.
The music started and Patty walked out to enthusiastic applause. Joan had watched the show a few times and read one of Patty's books, and she was struck by how similar Patty's message was to other self-help gurus. Joan had a "Christmas-and-Easter" relationship with religion, and as a bi woman she had her suspicions about evangelical Christianity. This was... pleasant. There was talk of struggles and mental hardships but none of the "spiritual warfare" or other stuff that usually made Joan uncomfortable. The weekday talk show was less religion- focused than their Sunday program, but there was the occasional reference to scripture. Patty's guests were a pop-country singer and a soap actress (Joan and Marcy snickered to each other when they recognized her from a cheesy made-for-cable movie about a woman having a bisexual affair)
Marcy had arranged to meet Patty after the taping, but she had not told Patty that Joan would be there as well. Feeling mischievous, Joan hid around the corner as Marcy waited by Patty's dressing room. Patty was walking with her producer and director when she saw Marcy and smiled, running to embrace her.
"Hey girl, long time no see!" Patty was still in TV mode but her joy seemed sincere to Joan. "Did you have a nice trip getting here?"
"Yeah, it was great," said Marcy. "Of course, I brought someone along for the ride." That was Joan's cue to come forward.
"Hey Trish," said Joan.
"Surprise" would be an inadequate word to describe the look on Patty's face. "Total, gobsmacked astonishment" would come close. Her mouth was stretched into a perfect "O" as she opened her arms again to embrace Joan. It was a tentative hug, and Joan could sense that Patty was nervous. Psychologists have observed that when presented with someone they haven't seen for a long time, people tend to revert to behaviours and attitudes they had when they were last with that person. Since the last time they saw each other Joan and Patty/Trish has eaten each other out, this was a bit awkward.
"My god, Joanie," Patty finally said, "you look great! What are you doing here?" Patty tried not to make this sound accusatory, but Joan noticed her flash a look at Marcy as if to say "why are you doing this to me?"
"I had some time off, Marcy had told me you had reconnected and I thought it would be fun to see you."
"Well that's, that's great." Again, her voice was a combination of genuine affection and slight panic. Patty opened her dressing room door and waved the two of them in.
"My god," Patty repeated, "how long has it been? You look great!"
"Almost 30 years," said Joan. "of course, I've kept in touch with Marcy through the years," she added with a sly smile.
Patty gestured to the two to sit down, and she sat down herself by the mirror and wiped away her TV makeup.
"Well, it's good to see you, I'm just a little surprised." Patty shot another look at Marcy, trying to retain her composure but clearly agitated by Joan's presence. "So what did you think of the show? I hope the God-talk wasn't too boring-"
"Trish-" Marcy stopped her. Patty bristled at being referred to by her old name. "Trish, I've told Joanie everything. She wants to get together."
Patty/Tricia stopped everything. She pulled a bottle of water out of a small fridge and took a swig.
"God, sometimes I wish this was vodka," said Patty/Tricia with a laugh. She looked at the two with a raised eyebrow. This was the old Tricia, the one who was always up for fun.
"You two have plans for the afternoon?"
***
It was the summer after their first year at college. They had all gone away to different cities, and they hadn't seen each other since the previous autumn. Tricia's parents were at the lake for the weekend, and they had allowed Tricia to hold a "small" party, and Tricia had enlisted Joan and Marcy to help prepare.
River City was known for its harsh winters, but its summers were often hot and dry. Tricia, Joan and Marcy had spent much of the afternoon lounging on the patio in their bikinis and had moved inside to watch TV. Tricia had fixed everyone gin and tonics. They had been catching up on their year apart. Joan was leaning towards Pre-Law while Marcy was considering an English Major ("either I'm going to be a writer or a librarian, it's just in the cards"). Tricia, meanwhile, had surprised the other two by saying she was considering majoring in Religion.
"I just find it interesting, okay?" said Tricia. "I like Jesus and all that, and I find the Bible fascinating. I guess I'm weird that way."
"Just as long as you don't become a prude," said Marcy. Tricia laughed.
"No chance of that. In fact..." Tricia's grin took on a slightly wicked curl, "I thought we could spice up our entertainment for the afternoon."
Tricia reached over and pulled out a plain black VHS tape box and put it in the player.
"I found this in my Dad's sock drawer. Don't worry, I memorized the spot where he stopped watching."
