tween us in our eyes was natural and lovely.

For instance take the Saturday evening when the girls at Hansen's had one of their hen parties at Bernice Walker's house. Try and picture the setup.

Six girls chatting together around an urn of coffee, and a bowl of punch. Munching on cheese and anchovy appetizers on crisp crackers, and reaching for olives and pickles. And of course, like a lovely centerpiece there was one of the special Party-Type cakes, that Mother was highly praised for creating. The usual girltalk, about clothes, movies, rockets to the moon. But mostly about fellows.

Jan and I had something to say on all the subjects except fellows. Neither of us was interested in that subject. But we listened politely while the other girls talked.

The air was heavy with cigarette smoke, and the scent of five different perfumes, each seeking to dominate. Plus the meadow-fresh scent of the cologne Jan used. I felt myself getting very warm. My temples began to throb.

She and I were seated side by side on the divan, with red-haired Bernice and wheat-haired Cookie Sanders. Cookie was very plump and took up a lot of sitting space. Jan and I were crowded close together. I could feel her thigh pressing against mine. And the way her eyes met mine every now and then, caused my pulse to race. I could hear the blood pounding in my ears, deafening me to the talking and the laughter.

I needed sex. Needed it then and there. But we were not where we could retire to the privacy of a bedroom. I knew that Jan was fevered with desire to satisfy me. Her own tension was tightened by desire for sexual union.

Deliberately and with fore-thought I spilled punch over my skirt. Then Jan and I managed to flee together to the bathroom, under the pretext of having her wash 32

out my skirt.

As soon as the door closed, I pressed toward her. "Never mind the skirt," I said huskily. "Kiss me, Jan. Just kiss me."

Swiftly she caught me to her, held me tight and gave me a deep, passionate kiss. I began to murmur.

9.9

"Hush, precious," Jan panted. "They'll hear you.' She let me go for an instant and quickly clicked the lock on the door.

"Jan!" I whispered, shivering all over. "I can't snap out of it."

"I'm in a bad way too," she said, trembling. "We're taking an awful chance-but-come here, darling.” She held out her arms and I fled into them. "Hold me close, Jan!" I murmured. "Close!" She held me close with one arm. Then I found out why she kept the other arm free, found out to my delight.

As we pressed close and swayed in embrace, I felt Jan's free hand working its magic, and I forgot where

were.

Perhaps you think I shouldn't have let this happen. And yet, you must remember that sex was still new to me. It was a power over me, and I didn't even want to fight against it.

"Oh, Jan, darling," I whispered, moving slowly, rhythmically, against the gentle, soothing movement of her hand.

"I can't just touch you," she groaned. "Oh, honey! You're so passionate you set me crazy. So we're taking a chance with the door locked. We'll take it!” "Jan-Jan!" I gasped as her hand moved faster. "I needed to be alone with you."

"I knew you did," Jan said.

As I looked at her face I saw that her eyes were closed, her mouth twisted in an odd passion-contorted expression. Seeing her like that thrilled me.