Chapter 13
Jackie was so mad she wanted to scream. St. Cloud's only gas station was closed and nothing, come hell or high water, was going to make the owner open up.
So she was stuck for the evening. The nearest gas pump was twenty miles and the old Dodge was not going to make it. Why do these things always happen to me, she thought. Christ, nobody else runs out of gas at times like these.
She bit her lip, trying to hold back the pent-up tears. Only that morning she had awakened up feeling alive and in love for the very first time. Jay had done that to her. She had opened her heart to him and bared her inner most thoughts. She had told him things about herself and her mixed up life that she had never told anyone else. And how did Jay react? After prostrating herself at his feet mumbling absently about his greatness and worth as a human being, how had he showed his respect and consideration?
Jackie fumed. Jay Steele had responded by trampling over her body and grabbing her sister! What a bitter pill for a nice girl like her to swallow, thought Jackie. Watching her boy friend shove his prick up her sister's ass hole. And liking it too! She had taken the speed boat out looking for them after the sailboat was overdue returning to the pier.
She had been shocked senseless. Watching Jennie hunch his cock with such lascivious joy. That was gratitude for you! That same wonderful hard on that had so wondrously reamed out her passion holes had found its way into her sister's butt. Well, she was getting out. Away from the bitter memories of Jay Steele. She was going to put a lot of distance between her and Ralph and Jennie and Jay Steele. And she'd be doing it right now if the fucking gas station was doing business!
Jennie slammed her empty glass down on the bar and ordered another bullshot Normally she didn't go to bars. She didn't enjoy booze that much and didn't enjoy all the pushing and shoving and silly storytelling that went on after people had too much to drink.
But St. Cloud was a town of limitations. Even in the summer months when the tourists flooded in, the tiny burg had little night life to offer. There was Nat's motel, Judy Blue's all night cafe and The Buckaroo bar lounge. Since Jennie feared she might go mad sitting alone in the motel she opted for the lounge where she had been bellying up to the bar for the last two hours downing hooch and dreaming about her childhood.
It had not been a pleasant way to pass the evening. The men outnumbered the women by a two-to-one ratio. She was frequently pestered by bucked tooth, country hicks trying to pick her up.
No matter where I go it's always sex, sex, sex! Does the whole human race have one track minds? Can't a woman just for once sit by herself and try to straighten out her life without every stranger trying to shove a cock in her face?
Sex was behind her problems. Ralph started her going and then there was Jennie and Jay ... she didn't want to think anymore about sex. She wanted a little piece of mind, maybe one more drink, and then a good night's sleep before loading up with gas and getting out of town.
But Jackie was not one to live in a vacuum. She had to talk and make herself known. To cut herself off from the people around her was unthinkable. So despite her guilt and her blind fury at Jay, she began talking with the bar crowd. It wasn't difficult to strike up a conversation. Most were vacationers up in St. Cloud to have a good time.
Local studs had made the obligatory pass at Jackie. But one man finally got her attention. He was a balding middle aged fellow with a body big around as a billiard ball. His dowdy wife was equally unspectacular. Thinner than her husband, she actually looked heavier because of the tight plaid shorts and sweat shirt she wore.
"We're from New York City," they announced. Jackie was curious what people from that part of the country were like. She had read many bad things about New York, but somehow this couple, with the back country ways, and comfortable middle aged girth did not seem menacing to her.
No, Bernie and Gladys seemed like small town, U.S.A. Bernie taught in Manhattan and Gladys worked on a number of charities and women's organizations. They seemed nice and friendly and she was glad to have their company when she drank.
"Boy this is great," smiled Bernie. "No dirt and crude. I can't get enough of this country. I'm so sick of New York."
"Bernie, you say that every year," Gladys snapped. "In three weeks you'll be dying to get back. I know you like a book."
Jackie couldn't help laughing. Bernie refused to let her buy a single drink. He picked up the tab and reordered every fifteen minutes. The booze was effecting her; she had a hard time standing up. The whole room went spinning around.
"So tell me, what brings a nice girl like you to the North woods," Bernie said.
"You mean what makes me leave," giggled Jackie. "I'm leaving because my boy friend decided he-likes my sister more than he-likes me."
"The Shit!" screamed Gladys. Several heads turned at the bar, wondering what kind of woman could make such a booming shriek. They looked and returned to their beers.
"Gladys, keep your voice down," coaxed her husband. "I don't think it's very nice to shout." He patted Jackie on the back affectionately. "A very cruel man, no doubt."
"Yes," said Jackie unsteadily. "But it's over and I'm free to go." She rose to her feet and tried unsuccessfully to walk to the door.
Bernie smiled at Gladys and then turned to Jackie and said: "You're at the hotel, aren't you? There's only one in town. We'll help you to your room, it's the least we can do."
"okay," Jackie croaked. The three of them stumbled out the door and down the road to the aged motel