Free Now and Forever 5, Love's Journey by Jean C. Joachim Page B

outside of town, past Monty’s Liquor Store and The Tire
Factory.”
    “I think I know where that is.”
    “Call me if you need a ride home, Pete,
okay?”
    “Don’t worry about me.”
    After dinner with Sam, Peter got dressed for
a night of tomcatting at The Wet Tee Shirt.
    “Where you headed tonight, Pete?” Sam said,
picking up a book and settling down in an easy chair. He watched
his son carefully combing his hair in the mirror by the front
door.
    “You don’t want to know, Dad.”
    “Where?”
    “A topless bar.”
    Silence greeted Peter. Sam put his book down
and glared at his son.
    “No women in a long time…makes an unhappy
man,” Peter said, opening the door.
    “Don’t go. You can patch things up with
Lara.”
    “A woman who goes off the deep end because I
give her an innocent little kiss will never be more than a friend.
I need a woman. I’m not meant for a celibate life.”
    Peter walked out the door, got into the car
and drove away.
    As he pulled into the parking lot, he
noticed there were only a few cars there.
    Small town strip joint, no cars, how good
can it be?
    Sexual frustration forced him out of the
car, and curiosity enticed him to the front door.
    She drove me to it. Lara, you’re always out
of reach.
    He wondered what he’d find inside.
    After entering The Wet Tee Shirt, Peter
stopped to let his eyes adjust to the dim lighting. There was a bar
on the right and a stage on the left. In between were small tables
and chairs. It was eight o’clock and there were two girls wearing
only tiny bikini bottoms gyrating on the stage to boring canned
music.
    The place was practically empty. Two guys
were sitting at the bar, one, fairly drunk already ordered another
drink, loudly while the other watched the women. There were four
men scattered at different tables.
    Peter let his eyes adjust to the dark room,
then found a table not too far from the stage. He looked over the
girls carefully. He wondered what Lara would look like dancing
there, topless. Once she entered his mind, the brunette and redhead
faded. He closed his eyes and saw Lara’s beautiful face and
luxurious brown hair. He opened his eyes and let his mind soar into
fantasy, until a topless waitress interrupted his thoughts.
    “I say, are you drinking, buddy?”
    “Sorry, sorry. I’ll have a Johnny Walker Red
straight up,” he said, staring briefly at her chest, trying to get
Lara out of his mind. Lara’s breasts weren’t as big as this
woman’s, but he guessed Lara’s were firmer. His fingers tingled
slightly at the thought of touching the sweet ballerina.
    When his drink came, he drank it quickly and
ordered another, hoping the alcohol would make Lara disappear. But
his fantasies continued…a vision of her naked in his bed, the tops
of her breasts peeking out slightly from the sheet swam in his
head. He had it bad.
    “Hi, there. You new here?” the brunette said
as she sat down at his table.
    Peter looked up. She wasn’t bad looking, but
she wasn’t Lara.
    “What’s your name? I’m Deena,” she said,
giving him a warm smile. “Buy me a drink?”
    “Sure. I’m Peter,” he said then turned to
motion to the waitress.
    Peter had two more drinks and Deena had one.
They became chummy as Deena drew her chair closer to Peter and he
touched her hand. Deena questioned Peter, trying to be subtle.
    “You look familiar. Who are you here
visiting?”
    “I’m not visiting. I’m teaching here this
year.” Peter looked down at his drink.
    “At Kensington State?”
    “Yup.” He nodded.
    “Know Mac Caldwell?” Deena finished her
drink.
    “He’s my brother. How do you know him?”
Peter asked, staring at her face.
    “I went out with him for a while, a few
years ago,” Deena said, flashing him her sexiest smile.
    “He’s been married for five years and from
what I’ve seen, I doubt he’s cheating on his wife,” Peter said. He
narrowed his eyes.
    “You’re right. It was a long time ago.
You’re his brother, huh? I