Read Online Ain't Gonna Be the Same Fool Twice by April Sinclair - Free Book Online

flip a coin or draw straws?”
    Suddenly, I remembered the stewardess. Maybe it was time to put myself in a situation where I could check out my feelings toward women. With a few phone calls, I could probably find a women’s bar. This was my chance. I was away from home and no one would ever have to know. My heart raced at the thought of entering such a forbidden world.
    â€œNo, Sharlinda, you and Today go ’head on.”
    â€œStevie, we wouldn’t feel right about us going out to dinner and partying while you’re cooped up in this room. Right, Sharlinda?”
    â€œWell, I would feel better if she at least had a view.”
    â€œWho says I’ll be cooped up anywhere?”
    â€œWell, where would you go?”
    â€œShe could take the Chinatown at Night tour,” Sharlinda suggested.
    â€œLook, I have the tour guide. I’ll figure something out. Don’t worry about me.”
    â€œStevie, are you sure? I mean, won’t you be lonely?”
    â€œOr scared?” Today cut in.
    â€œI’ll be fine. It will be an adventure.”
    â€œBut won’t you be scared out there alone?”
    â€œLook, Today, you’re forgetting that I’m a sistah from the South Side of Chicago. Now, if I can’t handle San Francisco, then I oughta quit. Don’t you think?”
    â€œHey, I heard that,” Today agreed.
    â€œâ€˜Miss Thing,’ I owe you one,” Sharlinda winked.
    â€œThat’s fine by me. You can start by taking my turn on the cot tonight.”
    Sharlinda and Today had finally gone. I could hear my heart beating fast. I felt relieved to be alone with my plan. I thumbed through the People’s Yellow Pages , a progressive, nationwide reference book I’d had sense enough to bring along with me. The San Francisco Women’s Switchboard … hmmmm … the book said that they dealt with lesbian issues. What should I do, just call and ask where the women’s bars were? I supposed that would qualify as a lesbian issue. A bar—I wished there was some alternative to a bar. I wasn’t much of a drinker, although I’d probably need a few drinks in a lesbian bar.
    I really wanted to talk to somebody, not just sit around some dive. Maybe I should go to a shrink instead. But why should I have to go seek psychiatric help? I was one of the sanest people I knew, sort of. And besides, talk was cheap. No, it wasn’t, not that kind of talk. Anyway, I was ready for some action, sort of. I reached for the phone and dialed the number of the San Francisco Women’s Switchboard.
    â€œWhat kind of scene are you into?” The woman who’d answered the phone asked cheerfully.
    I hesitated. How did I know? I’d never even been inside of a lesbian bar before.
    â€œThere are several women’s bars here in the city.”
    â€œOh, well, I guess I’d like to go to the best one, then.”
    â€œThat’s probably a matter of opinion. You see, it depends on what you’re looking for. Some women like Maude’s in the Haight, ’cause it’s a friendly neighborhood place. But, if you wanna dance; you might prefer Peg’s Place or A Little More.”
    â€œThis is my first time. You see, I’m just visiting San Francisco. I’ve never been to one of those kinds of places before, anywhere. So, I’d like to go where I’d feel the most comfortable.”
    â€œI see. Well, it’s not all that easy going into any bar alone. But it’s a lot easier than in a straight bar. Actually, I’m straight,” the woman whispered.
    â€œOh, wow, you could’ve fooled me.”
    â€œWell, I wasn’t trying to fool you.”
    â€œI just meant that you sounded like you had a lot of firsthand experience, that’s all.”
    â€œWell, most of my friends are lesbians, and I do go to women’s bars and dances. You see, I love to dance and I hate being hassled by