Recap of parts 1 through 4
: Claire is a recent divorcee, the result of being caught by her husband in a compromising position with Tammy, her former best friend. Parts one and two contain the backstory, explaining how her relationship with her friend evolved into a physical one after Tammy was abandoned at the altar. In the meantime, rumors at church swirled about her husband and the reasons for their divorce. Claire also had her suspicions about him after tracking his cellphone to a seedy motel. It all started to make sense when she uncovered hints pointing to her husband's possible connection with another sleazy congregant - Nate.
After losing her best friend, Claire shifted her sights to another church-goer - Amy, who was recently widowed. Before that could take shape, Claire instead made an unexpected connection with Elaine - the minister's wife. Claire and Elaine took a dangerous step closer when they shared a room together on their mission trip and ended up masturbating next to each other to end the first night.
In part 4, Elaine reminisced about the one and only same-sex experience that she had with Amber decades before when they attended a 2-night bible camp. She continues to be haunted by her decision to choose a conventional and safe relationship with Tim, rather than one with Amber that may have provided her with a more emotionally and sexually gratifying - yet less spiritual and fulfilling life. Read on for more. Comments are welcome.
CONCLUSION
"Well, I guess we better get going to the shelter. I think we told them we'd be there by nine am." Elaine said.
"Okay, I'll just grab a bagel and some fruit, then I'll be ready," Claire commented, noting the journal in front of Elaine.
She looked around to make sure that no one was within earshot before quietly asking, "Um, you're not going to write about last night, right?"
"Oh God no. I mean, I may make a comment about spending time with a new friend, but I'm pretty careful about what I put in here. You never know..." Elaine started to say before trailing off.
Claire understood. At one time she kept a journal as well, and she was also very conscious of what was written, assuming that it could eventually be seen by others.
"I get it. I have one too, but if we're being honest, I have some notations that only I can understand, just in case."
"Yeah, I guess I do too. Just in case." She shuddered at the thought of Tim ever seeing her journal, knowing that even though she was careful, there were also some notations that would disturb him.
The women agreed to meet in the lobby in twenty minutes before taking the short drive over to the women's shelter, where they were immediately put to work, for which Elaine was thankful. She knew that she needed a distraction from the experience of the night before, which served not only to fuel long-dormant desires, but also to again question her decision from long ago. Seeing the plights of the women in the shelter encouraged her; however, and she thanked God for the opportunity to minister to them. When a modest late lunch was served, Elaine and Claire finally sat down together among the other women. With no sign of Nate or Amy, they assumed that the two hadn't made the trip after all. After an afternoon of teaching the women coping skills and prayer, they wrapped up their first day and returned to the hotel, where Nate's blue BMW once again conspicuously took up nearly two spaces in the full parking lot.
"Well, looks like they made it after all," Elaine said, pointing to the BMW with the tell-tale "12B-BAD" vanity plate.
"Yeah, I guess. It would have been nice if they would have shown up at the shelter though," Claire commented snidely, although she was actually relieved that they weren't there.
They entered the lobby and ventured to their room, opening the door and plopping down on the bed, exhausted from the long day at the shelter. As they relaxed, they heard muffled sounds coming from the room next door.
Claire looked at Elaine and whispered, "Isn't that Nate's room next to us?"
Elaine nodded, now intrigued by what they were hearing. A slow, methodical rhythmic squeaking made it obvious that the tenants were enjoying some intimacy.
"We should...maybe turn the TV on or something," Claire commented.
"Yeah, I guess we SHOULD," whispered Elaine, but neither woman reached for the remote. Instead, they continued to listen.
"We're so bad," whispered Elaine, and Claire shushed her as they slowly moved closer to the wall and tried to suppress adolescent giggles. Claire got up from the bed and grabbed two glasses from the bathroom. She returned to their perch near the headboard and handed one glass to Elaine, who looked at her, confused.
Claire put the glass against the wall and pressed her ear against the other end. Against her better judgement, Elaine did the same. Surprisingly, the old trick worked incredibly well, and the eavesdroppers were treated to a myriad of grunts and groans which accompanied the creaky springs, creating a weirdly symphonic sexual chorus.
As Elaine listened, she put one hand over her mouth, trying to suppress her giggling. She didn't know who was more pathetic - her or the pair on the other side of the wall. They listened intently.
They heard "Fuck - Yes!" coming from a male voice, followed by, "Tell me what you want."
"You know what I want. Give it to me!"
More guttural sounds emerged, but Claire soon found herself bored by the activities, until hearing the hoarse male voice.
"I bet you wish you could be licked again while I'm inside your tight ass."
"Damn, you know that would drive me insane, just like the last time."
The women looked at each other in shock. Elaine mouthed the words, "The last time?" to Claire, who shrugged. They went back to listening.
More squeaking before the voice asked, "Who would you rather have licking your wet pussy this time?"
"Don't make me say it, Nate," Amy pleaded.
"Tell me, whose tongue do you want on your clit while I'm fucking you? Tell me!"
"Mm.. I dunno, either Pastor Tim's or... you know."
"Tell me!"
"You already know! Don't make me say it, please?"
The squeaking stopped. Claire felt horrible upon hearing Tim's name mentioned, and she knew that she should stop listening, but something forced both women to keep their ears to the glasses against the wall.
"Do you want me to fuck you or not?"
"You know I do."
"Then tell me."
There was a long pause.
"Tell me."
"You know. I guess, either of them...either Tim or ...Elaine."
"Fuck yes, I bet she would love to taste your wet juices while my cock is sliding in and out!"
As he spoke, the squeaking picked up again, this time more furiously, and the headboard was now pounding against the wall directly between the pair and the eavesdropping women.
Elaine held her hand against her mouth, gasping. She moved away from the wall and placed the glass on the table. Claire did the same. They tried to ignore the mutual muffled moans as the squeaking slowed and finally stopped.
Neither of them spoke until Claire broke the ice, whispering, "I guess her homophobia was miraculously cured."
Elaine just shook her head. Although she knew it was just pillow talk that was clearly prompted by Nate, it felt real to her, and her mind couldn't help but wander to the place between Amy's thighs that the pair had fantasized about. Despite her disgust for Nate, she had to admit that the thought made her warm.
"This could be an awkward welcome - if Amy ever decides to check in here," Elaine whispered.
"Do you think they know we're right here next to them?"
"I gave them the room numbers. I guess they thought we wouldn't get back until later or something," Elaine said.
"Are you - okay," Claire asked.
"Other than violating their privacy, you mean? Yeah, I guess so. I mean, it's just 'heat of the moment' guy stuff, I'm sure. I don't think she actually meant it. She didn't even want to have to say it."
"But she DID - say your name. And Tim's. It's okay if you want to talk about it," Claire offered.
"I'm okay, really. I just feel like we shouldn't have been listening. That's probably worse than reading someone else's journal. It's a private thing that shouldn't be shared. I should know better."
"Yeah, me too but you have to admit, in a weird way it WAS kind of hot, don't you think?"
Elaine looked at her without commenting.
"And maybe even a little bit flattering? I mean, she didn't mention ME licking her. She said YOUR name, so...that had to come from somewhere, right?"
"Let's change the subject please," Elaine pleaded, although she realized that Claire was right.
"I have an idea to make it a little less weird," Claire said. "Let's sneak out, then loudly talk in the hallway before opening our door and slamming it, like we're just getting back from the shelter.
Elaine looked at her and tried to process what Claire was suggesting before she agreed. They quietly left the room making sure to close the door gently behind them, then they backtracked to the other side of the adjoining room, and spoke way too loudly about the shelter and the day's efforts.
When they re-entered their room, they slammed the door behind them and turned the TV on, adjusting the volume. Claire motioned that she was going to take a shower, and Elaine dropped down to the bed, pretending to watch TV. When she heard a shower turn on in adjacent hotel room, she realized that their ploy was going to be a success. When Claire finished up in the shower, Elaine took her turn. By the time she finished, there was a knock on the door.
Claire looked through the peephole and saw Amy's distorted face looking down the hallway nervously. She opened the door and found Amy holding her overnight bag.
"Come on in! When did you get here," Claire asked, although she knew Amy would lie.
"Just a few minutes ago. I think Nate is still checking in," Amy said, looking around and blushing when she saw Elaine. Claire showed her around.
"So, you have the bed all to yourself if that's okay," Claire said to Amy, trying not to look at Elaine.
