Author's note: This is just a story. Not a true one, though I wish it were. My thanks to my friend who has carefully edited for me.
This story was rejected by Literotica the first time I submitted it, on the spurious grounds that underage sex was portrayed. This is the about the fiftieth story I have posted to Lit in well over five years, and the first that has been rejected for any reason. I am not stupid enough to submit a story which contains reason for rejection.
As is made crystal clear in the story (in dialogue, a more natural way of the reader gaining knowledge than tedious backstory), the girl Sandra is over 18, has left school, and is about to start a degree in Chemical Engineering at Strathclyde University.
So, for the benefit of the Literotica editors who chose to reject this story without reading it carefully:
ALL CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY ARE EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OLD OR OVER.
*****
He'd seen the camp before, often, from the adjacent A814.This was his first visit, though it had been there for thirty years. Following his son, he wheeled his bike over the rough path through soaking undergrowth and trees towards the dishevelled ensemble of caravans and huts in the clearing. The lad turned and smiled:
- Well, here it is dad. You did well to keep up with me. I know it's a long time since you last cycled that far.
- I'm just glad we're here. My poor old muscles aren't used to this treatment any more. Nor -- he panted -- are my lungs.
They'd only ridden twenty-five miles, but in the humid still air after the thunderstorm, it had felt a lot further. His son propped his bike against the largest van and was talking to a lanky young man with a shaved head, his arms covered in tattoos:
- Dad, this is my pal James.
He'd heard a lot about James. The older lad seemed to have become something of a mentor for his son; a mentor in arcane anarchist theory. Sandy really didn't approve, but he knew his boy. Michael could only ever learn the hard way. He'd grow out of the anarchism in time. Sandy hoped. He propped his bike against the aluminium side of the van and stretched out his hand to James:
- Pleased to meet you. I've heard a lot about you.
- I'm glad you decided to come. I know you're an old peace campaigner, but Mike says you've never visited the camp before?
- No. I've passed it many times; lots of demonstrations have begun or ended at the gates to the base, but this is my first visit here. Michael was very insistent that I see it and get to know you all.
- In you come, man, everyone wants to meet you. The food's nearly ready. Want a beer after your ride? You look like you could do with one.
- A beer would be great, thanks.
There were eight other people in the van. Four men and four women, none a day over thirty. Sandy felt a bit out of place, conscious of every one of his years. And his aching muscles. James called out as he entered:
- Comrades, this is Sandy, Mike's dad. Someone get him a beer please, he's cycled here from Glasgow.
A girl, the youngest in the van he thought, lifted a can of Stella from a case next to her and handed it to him:
- Hi Sandy. You deserve a beer for cycling to join us. Mike's told us a lot about you. We don't get many peace movement veterans here. Welcome. I'm Sandra.
She was still a teenager, slight body, long unkempt red hair, a loose peasant dress that wouldn't have been out of place on a hippy from his youth in the sixties. And a delightfully open smile.
- Thanks Sandra.
He would have said more, but Michael tapped his shoulder as he raised the can to his lips:
- There's lamb stew or veggie stew dad, which are you for tonight?
Sandy smiled. His son was a strict veggie, but never tried to proselytise.
- Lamb sounds good, thanks. I'm a bit surprised meat-eaters are indulged here?
- Only since Sandra joined the camp.
Presently they were all eating. Most of them had their plates balanced on their knees, but Sandra had insisted that Sandy sat beside her at the small table:
- We don't often get such a distinguished older visitor.
He laughed:
- Well lass, it's some time since anyone called me distinguished!
- Ach, nae false modesty man, Mike's told us all about you. He's very proud of you. Said you were at the first demo against the US Polaris base at the Holy Loch?
- Aye, that's true. I was fourteen, over fifty years ago. It was my first step into political activism. Quite a baptism. It made its mark on me; I can still get my tongue round some of the songs. The US Polaris base inspired a wheen of good songs.
- Maybe you can sing some for us after the meal? James is a mean guitarist.
- Maybe I could. This stew's delicious. Just as it should be, plenty of rosemary and mint, the proper Scots way. Did you make it?
- Aye, I don't have many skills, but my dad taught me to cook.
Sandy ate reflectively, glancing round at the gathering of young peace campaigners. Michael was deep in discussion with James. But Sandra had become the focus of his attention. She was young, vivacious, and incredibly attractive. Far too young to have any interest in him, he knew. Sighing, he mopped the remaining gravy from his plate with a slice of wholemeal bread and leaned back, draining the last of the lager from his can. Sandra took the empty can from him, dropped it in the recycling bin:
- Could you manage another? Wet yer whistle so you can sing for us?
- Is the Pope a Catholic?
Smiling, she handed him another Stella, then announced to the gathering:
- Eat up folk. Sandy's agreed to teach us some sixties peace songs after we've finished our food.
Michael smiled:
- That's great dad. Can you start with 'The Glasgow Eskimos'?
- I'm not so sure that's very politically correct nowadays...
- Aye, I know. But that's what Lanin called them, isn't it? I don't think the term 'Inuits' was widely used in the early sixties?