Free Curious Wine by Katherine V. Forrest

fastest come in the West.” She picked up her drink as the women stirred uneasily.
    “One of the boys,” Liz said softly. “He always said I was like one of the boys. One of the boys. I reminded him about that when he wanted to be with her. I told him I knew why he smoked those big cigars, why he was always asking to fuck me in the ass. I took this cabin away, I wanted George to know how it feels to get fucked in the ass. One of the boys.” Liz chuckled, and Diana grimaced with pain at the sound. “That’s what I told that blonde chippy at his office, that slim little blonde. I told her right in front of George and everybody I hoped she liked getting fucked in her little blonde ass every night.”
    In a flash of understanding Diana blurted, “Lane reminds you of the woman who took your husband away, doesn’t she.”
    Liz stared at Lane. “Tell me dear. Honestly now. Do blondes really have more fun? Do you really have more and better orgasms than the rest of us?”
    “Liz,” Chris said in her slurred voice. She sat slumped, her head nodding.
    “Oh shut up, Chris,” Liz said wearily, and drank bourbon.
    “I understand your pain,” Lane said.
    “Do you,” Liz said in a low vicious tone, turning on her. “Do you really understand, pretty blonde lady? What do you know? Have you ever lost anybody?”
    “Yes.”
    “I don’t believe you. You take anything you want. You’ve got those looks and brains besides. How could you lose anybody?”
    “By not making him go to Canada. I could have made him go, even though he insisted it would complicate our lives too much, he’d just do his tour in the war and get out. And then do you know what happened, Liz?”
    “Don’t, Lane, don’t,” Diana whispered, horrified.
    But Lane and Liz were leaning toward each other, eyes locked. The fire crackled loudly in the still room. Lane said, “He stepped on a mine where there weren’t supposed to be any mines. They found a few pieces of Mark’s body for us to bury.”
    Liz sat swaying, her eyes closed. Diana gazed at Lane through tear-blurred eyes.
    Lane said, “It was a long time ago. Years ago, now. A lot of women did what I did. Your man is still alive. He’s fifty years old and from what I understand a lot of men his age have a serious affair, one final fling, then go back to their wives. If I were you, that’s something I’d consider, and you’re a bigger fool than I think you are if you don’t take him back if you get the chance. And I don’t think you’re a fool.“
    “It hurts too much,” Liz mumbled, her eyes still closed.
    “All of us have pain,” Lane said. “Some of us can recover from it.” She rose to her feet. “I’ve had enough.”
    Madge said, “It isn’t right to leave it like this. We’ve worked all through the negatives now. If we stay and talk, all the positives will come out. We’ll be just like sisters when we’re through.”
    “I believe you Madge, but I’m still going to bed. Diana, I wish you’d come too.”
    Diana rose to her feet. Chris said thickly, “Do you realize it’s two o’clock?”
    “We’re skiing tomorrow, too,” Millie said. “I want to ski while we still have good snow.”
    “We’re not kids anymore, Liz,” mumbled Chris. “Come on, Liz.” She helped her sister to her feet and said blearily to the group, “Why don’t you let us have the bathroom first.”
    The two sisters weaved unsteadily down the hallway, supporting each other.
     

Chapter 5
     
     
    “Don’t get up, I’ll take care of us.” Lane pulled up the ladder and dropped the trapdoor into place. Diana lay in bed staring unseeingly out the window, her senses numbed and battered.
    “An elephant is a good description for Liz,” Lane said quietly as she hung her clothes in the closet. “A wounded elephant. Incredibly strong and in great pain and just stumbling around bewildered, trampling things, striking out at anything, trying somehow to deal with it. She’s blinded by her