TUESDAY - JUNE 29, 1976

Sarah heard Pete moving around in the kitchen, clattering pots and pans. She lifted her head to look at the clock and gasped in surprise. The digital numbers read 11:15, she hadn't slept this late in awhile.

She jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom, her bladder felt like it would burst.

"Hey, sleepyhead. Have a good sleep?" Pete inquired when Sarah came into the kitchen.

She yawned and stretched her hands over her head, pulling up her tee in the process, exposing her yellow cotton bikini underwear and a swath of tanned belly.

Pete turned to the kitchen window to look out, leaning his hands heavily on the counter.

"It looks like another nice day." He forced his voice to be casual. "Maybe we should go to the beach again."

"I can't believe I slept so late." Sarah said, pouring out the last cup of coffee. She looked at the empty pot. "It looks like you've been up awhile."

"I woke up at 8 and couldn't go back to sleep. So I went and got some boxes from the grocery store and started packing."

"Let me get dressed and I'll help." Sarah set her coffee cup on the counter and went back to the bedroom.

***

Sam came slowly awake, aware of his throbbing erection. He felt weight on it and realized it was Gisette's leg.

Somehow during the night, they had both scooted sideways, ending up lengthwise across the seat.

He was on his back, his head rested on a pillow, propped on the side of the bus, his feet hung over the armrest and dangled into the aisle. His arm was under Gisette, who was snuggled in cozily against him. Her hand rested on his belly and her leg lay between his, her knee right over his crotch.

He knew from the change in Gisette's breathing that she was awake too.

Sam lifted his hips, pushing against her leg and her hand moved a little further down his belly to rest against the button on his jeans. Neither of them moved, even their breathing had stopped.

Then her fingers worked the button loose and stopped again. Sam's hand closed over hers and his fingers guided hers as she slowly pushed the zipper down.

Sam pressed Gisette's palm down against him as she slid her hand in his jeans.

Her hand tightened around his erection and he sucked in his breath. He grabbed the blanket that had fallen on the floor, and threw it over them as he lifted his hips and pulled his jeans down, enough to free himself.

Gisette's hand worked over him, squeezing him tightly, and he felt like he was going to burst. He swallowed his groans as he moved his hips in sync with her sliding fingers, moving faster.

Gisette made small whimpers as his fingers unhooked her jeans and slid inside, pulling them down.

His hand rubbed her sensitive area and she gasped as she felt the pressure of his fingers. She slid over him, both of them frantic to connect.

They moved together quickly, muffling each others sounds with their mouths. Sam let out a moan as he thrust up one final time.

Gisette lifted her head and looked at him strangely through the semi darkness of the bus.

The rustling of their blanket and the noises of their movements suddenly seemed very loud. They were both aware of the silence that had settled down around them.

She sat up, pushing him away and pulling up her jeans. She set her seat upright and stared out the window, an embarrassed look on her face.

Sam quickly adjusted his jeans and raised up as he tried to sit his seat up quietly. He looked around furtively, but couldn't see anyone stirring so he took her shoulder and tried to bring her to face him. "Gisette, I'm sorry." He whispered as low as he could.

"Let's just forget it happened, Sam. We were both still half asleep." Gisette muttered, she rested her hand on her fist and stared out the window.

Tex stayed quiet in his seat in front of them. He had heard was going on behind him. He had been awake the whole time. Now he shook his head in disgust. When would Sam ever learn that Gisette was poisonous?

Trish and Georgie were spooning under a blanket, his snores had stopped and she heard his low chuckle from behind her. She nudged back against him to quiet him.

Something had started up between Sam and Gisette again. She couldn't let that happen. Maybe if she called Sarah...Trish smiled and rolled to face Georgie, silencing him with a kiss.

"Stop laughing and go to sleep!" She murmured against his lips.

***

Sarah was packing the dinnerware into boxes when she heard Pete's stomach rumbling. She looked at the clock on the oven and saw that it was past noon.

"Let's take a break." She suggested. "I just packed all the food from the cupboards. Why don't we go somewhere and get lunch?"

Pete put down the half packed box from the hall closet. "Let's go. I'm starved. There's a new burger place over by the mall. My treat."

He was locking the door when they both heard the phone ring.

"Should I get it?" Pete asked Sarah.

"No, they'll call back. It's probably one of the moms." Sarah ran down the stairs.

***

Trish hung up the phone as Georgie came back into the room. There was no answer at the number that Tex had given her. She would have to try to call later.

"The guys are all going out to check out the casinos. I told them we'd meet them in half an hour. Who was on the phone?"

"Nobody." Trish saw his confused face. "It was just the front desk, asking if we liked the room and did we need anything. Is Sam going with us?"

Sam and Gisette had been the first off the bus, exiting before anyone had a chance to say anything to them.

Georgie laughed, "Sam's been in his room since he got here. I knocked at his door, but he just yelled out that he wasn't going anywhere." He started laughing louder.

Trish shook her head. "I hope he stays away from Gisette today."

***

Sam heard the door from the room next to his slam shut and Georgie and Trish talking in the hall. He knew the others had left also. He opened his door and checked the hall, making sure no one was around as he walked past several doors, and stopped to knock on Gisette's door.

"Sam, I thought you were with the others." Gisette held the door open just a crack, keeping Sam from stepping into her room.

"Can I come in? I really want to talk to you." Sam said.

"Don't you think you said enough?" Gisette said bitterly. She started to close the door. "Just leave me alone, okay?"

Sam put his hand on the door, pushing slightly against it. "No, Gisette. Listen to me, please? I am sorry. I'm sorry that it happened on the bus."

Gisette allowed the door to open wider and let him in. "What are you saying?" She asked, cautiously.

Sam stood near her, reaching for her hands, he pulled them up to his shoulders and slid his around her waist.

"What we did this morning was going to happen sooner or later, we both know that." Sam whispered.

"I don't know if I'm ready for this again." Gisette cautioned him. She tried to step back but Sam's arms held tight.

"We're always ready for each other. That's just how it is between us. It's always good, Gisette, remember?" Sam persuaded her as he nuzzled his nose into her hair.

***

Sarah ran to pick up the phone that started ringing the minute they came through the door. "See." She called back to Pete. "They called back."

"Hello" She said, listening into the receiver, then she looked up and mouthed the word "Mom" to Pete.

He rolled his eyes as he took two beers from the fridge. He handed one to Sarah and chuckled. "Tell Mom I said hi!"

Sarah punched him in the arm playfully when he walked by.

"Well, what was that about?" Pete asked from the living room. He'd heard the reluctant tone in Sarah's voice when she agreed to something her mom had said.

"They want us to come over for a birthday dinner tomorrow. God, that seems weird, to go be a guest in the house where I grew up in!"

"Yeah, it does the first few times, but you get used to it." Pete said. "So we're going to dinner there? Then Dave and Midgie can come over later and we can have a party here."

"Yep, sounds like a good plan. That's why Mom suggested dinner. She said she knew we'd be with Midgie and Dave later."

"Anything you want to do tonight?" Pete asked as he lit up a joint.

"Nope, let's just watch TV tonight and get high! I can't believe I have my own place!" She laughed. "Our own place!"