Shortly after we moved to Taiwan, I took Laurie to the Philippines to get away from the cold, rainy weather that had depressed everyone in Taipei for about 8 weeks. We flew in to Manila, and then took a small jet south to a city called Roxas in the middle of the country. From Roxas, we hopped on to a 4-seater and flew another 30 minutes south to a small island called Sicogan.
Landing on a grass strip â the plane was surrounded by Philippinos holding drinks and flowers â it was just like Fantasy Island. We boarded a jitney (a much decorated small truck/bus that is the most common form of transport on the islands) and were taken to the resort.
We checked in at the main building, found out that there were only about 30 guests at the resort that week, and then went to our little hut. Small but comfortable, it held two queen-size beds, a couple chairs and a small dresser. The bathroom was also quite small â the shower was not enclosed â but the whole bath area was tiled so it didnât really matter.
We were on Sicogan for 5 days. Lazy, sun-drenched days spent on the beach or touring some of the out-islandsâŚone day we saw the fishermen that dress head-to-toe in white wrappings to keep out the ungodly heat. (But that is another story!) Nights were spent having dinner at the main building, then maybe a little dancing; there was a small combo in the bar/lounge off the main dining area. And then we took a walk on the beach and back to our cabin. We usually got a bucket of ice at the bar to take back with usâŚwe had a bottle of Baileyâs Irish Cream in the room.
All the time on Sicogan, we were always aware of the guards that were on constant patrol. They were young men who always had carbine rifles slung over their shoulders â on the lookout for religious and political radicals. They looked a little scary, but they were always very nice.
On this particular night, we had stayed late at the bar. Laurie had let the bartender make her several of those sweet but oh-so-deadly tropical drinks while waiting to see if someone she met the previous evening was going to come by (another story!) When he didnât show (turns out he left earlier that day) we decided to head back to our room. To get there, we took a roundabout route that brought us to the beach behind most of the guest cabins.
Walking up the beachfront, we heard some music playing and some laughing voices coming from a group of palm trees. We moved closer, and saw five of the guards hanging around a bonfire, drinking some beers and listening to the music from an old boom box radio. Laurie looked at me, her eyes starting to sparkle a little. âWanna go have some fun, baby?â I thought it was from the rum, but I knew it could be more.
âWhat do you want to do?â I asked.
âI really wanted to dance again tonight,â Laurie said with a pouty little smile. âDo you mind?â
âNot at all,â I smiled back at my pretty, young wife. We started to walk towards the fire and the music. When we got off the beach, any breezes we had felt were stopped by the growth of palms. Every night had been quite warm â this was no exception â and Laurie was dressed for the weather (and, I suspect, her friend who had already left.) She had on a sleeveless lightweight blouse that tied under her breasts (no bra, of course) and some long pants she bought for the trip. They were hip-hugger style, with an elastic waist â very long and baggy legs. The material was a very lightweight syntheticâŚI think they were called âparachuteâ pants. As we got into the palms and closer to the fire, it started to get quite hot and we were both sweating. Didnât do much for my appearance, but Laurieâs shirt was starting to get transparent. I lit a small cigar as we approached, so we wouldnât startle the guys with the gunsâŚ
âHey, fellas,â I called out to the group by the fire. About 5 or 6 young guys were standing around with beers in their hands. One or two of them still had the rifles strapped on, looking semi-official. âMy wife heard the musicâŚmind if we stay for a minute?â They looked up, their expressions said they were a little upset that a guest was disturbing their time offâŚthen they saw Laurie.
âItâs fineâŚfineâŚcome over by the fire.â This was from the biggest of the bunch â maybe 5â10â and 165 lbs soaking wet. âDrink a beer?â And he handed one to me. âOne for the beautiful lady?â He held a dripping can out to Laurie.
âNo, thanks, I think I had enough to drink earlier.â Laurie smiled back at the guard. âBut please, donât let me stop youâŚâ Laurie moved a little closer to the fire and started to sway with the music.
âYou like to dance, Miss?â Again from the same guy, but the others were starting to move a little closer.
âLove to,â Laurie replied. âBut I really donât know how to dance to this music. Can you show me?â
Laurie started to move towards the guardsâŚcloser to the fire and more exposed to the direct heat. There was a little bit of moonlight, but it was the light from the flames that illuminated everything with flickering highlights and shadows. I leaned against a palm, watched as Laurie moved closer to the flames. I could see drops of sweat start to run down her throat and along the sides of her breasts. Her skin was getting moist â her blouse was starting to stick â all of us could see her nipples starting to grow.
âSure, we can show you how, Miss. Of course, if it is alright with MisterâŚâ He looked over in my direction to gauge my reaction.
âWhat ever she wants,â I said with a big grin. âBut, listen guys, only what she wants; only what she says is alright, okay?â I wasnât grinning now.
âSure, boss,â the leader was speaking, but they were all nodding at me, âsheâs in charge, okay?â
âWell, if Iâm in charge,â Laurie moved closer still, âthen you should be talking to me. Whatâs your name?â
âJunior,â he replied. (They all chuckled â good chance at least 3 or 4 of them shared that name.)
Laurie held out her arms towards him, her hips swaying back and forth. âCâmon, Junior,â her eyes were starting to get a familiar glaze, âteach me how to danceâŚplease?â The way she held her arms out caused her blouse to gape open. Someone had turned the music a little louderâŚsparks were shooting out of the bonfireâŚthe smell of jasmine and other heavy tropical plants fought with the smoke to dominate the air. From my position, I watched Junior walk up to Laurie and take her right hand in his left and slip his right arm around her waist. He pulled her close â making no effort to hide his direct look into her blouse.
He finally looked up into her eyes. âFollow along, MissâŚgot to move your hips to the beatâŚthatâs right, move with meâŚâ And they were bumping along together on the sand, looking pretty hot in the flickering firelight.
âBaby,â Laurie looked over at me, âIâm so hot. Could you please get me a drink from our cabin?â I smiled back, nodded, and went to get a drink for her and a skinny for me.
I was gone about ten minutes. When I returned, Laurie was still dancing with Junior, but he was trying to show her a different, faster dance. All the boys were a little closer to her â from a distance I could see her blouse had separated a bit more. She saw me with her drink and came back over to me â took it out of my hand and downed about ½ the drink in one swallow.
âGod, that tastes good. Thanks, baby.â
âEverything okay?â
âYeah,â she said, âeverything but my dancing. I just canât get the leg movements for the fast dance.â
âWhat does Junior say?â
Laurie looked at me hardâŚswallowed the rest of her drink. âLight your joint, babyâŚrelax a little.â And so I lit it and took a puff. âBaby,â Laurie said with a pout and a little smile, âJunior says itâs the pants. Theyâre just too big and baggy for dancing like this. He said I should take them off. What do you think?â