It was the middle of summer when Mary left her home in Manchester England to go visit her long time friend and former class mate Nicole in the ‘New World”, the colonies as America is so often called by proper British folk. Her visit had been timed well, South Carolina would be steaming hot for the Brit, and she could enjoy warming in the sun on a daily basis while visiting about old times and recent events with Nicole.
She arrived at the Atlanta airport and went through customs with no difficulties before transferring onto a smaller jet that would carry her southward to her destination. She departed the plane in Charleston and was greeted by the sweltering heat, much hotter than anything she had ever encountered in Merry Old England, though not bad for South Carolina , must have only been about 97 degrees F. She undoubtedly felt like she would melt to a puddle as she walked across the tarmac to the terminal gate, though it was only about 50 meters. As she entered the terminal, she was greeted by a familiar face, radiant with the joy of seeing her oldest friend. Nicole grabbed her up and gave her a huge hug and a brief peck on the cheek for good measure, Mary being a bit more reserved merely smiled and returned the hug. Nicole was a chatter box on the way to baggage claim, and Mary had no opportunity to even say a word, not even one. She was depressed enough without hearing the gushing happiness from her friend, and briefly wished she had not come after all. They arrived at the baggage claim and waited by the carousel patiently, Nicole even allowed Mary to tell her how the flight was before cutting her off and going on about her new husband Ace, or so he was called by the other U S Navy Aviators at the base, they had married about six months ago, but Mary had been unable to attend the ceremony, so had never met him, but figured he must be a real hunk for Nicole to have been interested. The photos she had seen in emails showed he was at least really good looking. As Nicole continued her chatter Mary’s mind drifted to her recent misfortune, her long time boyfriend had been killed in a battle somewhere in North Africa , or so the British Army had told her. Since they had not married the military wouldn’t give her any details other than they hadn’t found the body yet and that she had no entitlements. Bret being raised as an orphan, there wasn’t even anyone to ask. There was nothing she could do but pine over the loss, but perhaps this visit would help distract her from the sadness, perhaps, if silly Nicole would just shut up for a second anyway, she chuckled inwardly. The bags arrived, and miraculously they were all there. They scooped them up and walked out into the sweltering heat to Nicole’s car in the parking garage. Once seated in the SUV, Nicole behind the wheel turned and put her hand on Mary’s shoulder near the neck and asked “Are you OK? I am so sorry to hear about Bret.” Mary felt the crushing memories fill her mind and turned to face Nicole and said “Yeah, I will be. For now I just needed to get away and find some peace, something to distract me, you know…” Nicole leaned over and drew Mary near as she kissed her on the lips with a tender understanding that only the closest of friends could know. As their lips parted Mary reflected on the times that she and Nicole were at the University and had ‘experimented ‘ with girl-girl sex, her inward smile escaped and Nicole’s memories were jogged as well to that time, only three years earlier, in fact. Nicole let her hand drop across Mary’s shoulder, brushing against her dearest friend’s breast as she turned to start the car and leave the airport. Mary quivered at the touch, knowing she dared not say anything, she needed someone’s attention, she needed to be taken away from all of the day to day routine, away from the memories, and she needed to get laid. It had been six months since she had sex, and felt that sex might distract her just enough, but not with just anyone, he had to be perfect. A thought crossed her mind briefly, ‘wonder if Nicole would share Ace for the night?’ before dismissing the thought as impossible, even for a friend. They soon arrived at the suburb near the base where Nicole and Ace had a small house, and pulled into the drive. Nicole had chattered the entire trip, though Mary had not heard much of it, she was preoccupied with her own thoughts and tired out from the lengthy trip. Nicole bounded out of the SUV and retrieved the luggage, tossing the heavy one to Mary and they walked to the house. Nicole said “Ace won’t be home until late, he’s on a training mission today, has to fly over Florida or something like that.” They carried the bags into the spare bedroom before Mary got the tour of the small home, and then sat in the living room for more chat. This time Nicole actually let Mary talk, and she disclosed the story of her and Bret, how they had met, how he had been so perfect; and how great the sex was, but now was gone…forever, then she broke down and cried. Nicole went to the sofa where Mary was sitting and sat by her pulling Mary’s head onto her shoulder to console her grief. They sat quietly for minutes that turned too much more as Mary finally calmed and regained her composure. She turned her head to look up into Nicole’s eyes and saw the friend that had always been there for her and smiled as she leaned upward and kissed her lips tenderly. “Need a shower girl?” Nicole asked, “You’re probably tuckered from the trip, it might help you get your feet under you, I know they always help me” Mary nodded and said “yeah, that might just do it.” They got up and Nicole led Mary to the bathroom and showed her where the towels were kept, and said “enjoy, I’ll fix us a drink.” Mary went to the guest room and got some shorts and a t-shirt from her bag to put on after the shower and returned to the bath, leaving the door ajar so the steam wouldn’t fog up the room. She undressed slowly and let her mind drift to the last time she and Bret had made love in the shower, her body quivered at the memory. As she placed her undergarments on the counter she gazed at the mirror, her reflection furthered her thoughts of passions with Bret, her 5’5” figure still held the beauty of a teenager, though she was now 26.