Read Online The Sentinel by Jeffrey Konvitz - Free Book Online Page B

cream and three lumps of sugar. Though her concentration focused on cup and urn, she kept one eye on the two women.
    "We've lived here several years," said Gerde, responding to Allison's earlier question. "Three, or maybe it's four now."
    "How nice," observed Allison.
    "Yes, how nice," Gerde repeated slowly.
    "Where did you live before?"
    "In Europe. Paris for nine fantastic years and before that in Oslo, where I was born."
    "I like Paris too," Allison interjected.
    "You do? That's surprising. Most Americans don't."
    "Why?"
    "They find the city beautiful and the food excellent, but they don't like the French." Gerde paused, running her tongue over her lips. "And vice versa. You know the French are not particularly fond of Americans. Once de Gaulle had rekindled French nationalism, the inherent antagonism toward America surfaced. I saw this happen while I was there," she concluded, obviously proud of the fact that she had been a witness to history. She leaned forward and poured a cup of coffee-no sugar, no cream. "But on the other hand, I can see why you'd like Paris. You're a beautiful girl and Frenchmen are gallant." She sipped from her cup and smiled. "The coffee is good," she declared.
    "Did you meet Sandra there?" asked Allison.
    "No, she's American. Never been to Europe." Gerde glanced at her friend, who responded by nodding slightly. "I met her in New York soon after I arrived. She had been living with a man for some time who had treated her very badly." Gerde patted Sandra's knee maternally. "I convinced her to get rid of him. She did. Then she moved in with me here and I've taken care of her since." Gerde and Sandra exchanged furtive smiles, their lips hardly breaking.
    Allison sipped her coffee, watching them intently, trying to gauge and comprehend the disturbing tenor of the woman's words and their seemingly unnatural interdependence.
    "Men are sadistic," cried Gerde with intensity.
    Allison swallowed hard and countered, "I think that's an immoderate generalization. Most of the men I know are gentle and kind."
    Gerde's eyes narrowed. "I see," she said, a nebulous smile crossing her lips. "The gentleman who left here yesterday morning in a brown sport jacket, is he your boy friend?"
    Allison looked askance.
    "Is he?" Gerde repeated.
    "Yes."
    Gerde sipped her coffee slowly, eyes on Allison; then she placed the cup down and folded her hands in her lap. "He looks like an adequate lover."
    "I don't think that's any of your business," Allison declared.
    Gerde lowered her eyes, a gesture which feigned self-castigation. "Please excuse me again. I'm quite frank, but also forgetful of common etiquette." She looked at Sandra and smiled, a strange grimace that stretched a pair of reluctant lips. "You see, Sandra and I are very open with one another and it has become a practice-or should I say a deeply ingrained habit."
    "I . . . uh . . . understand." Allison, lost for words, tried to change the subject. "I like the way you have your apartment furnished. I also prefer a combination of various styles."
    "We're glad you approve," Gerde said, just as the telephone rang in the bedroom.
    Gerde quickly excused herself, stood up and went to answer it. Allison watched her lope across the room, then reluctantly turned back toward Sandra.
    In the fleeting moment she had looked away, there had been a change in Sandra's expression. It was now relaxed. The muscles were loose, the lips were parted and the blank expression now whispered a hint of life.
    Allison examined Sandra's face and body. Then she blanched. Sandra's hand was inside her pants, massaging herself in a gentle circular motion. Her legs stiffened as the euphoria spread throughout her body. Harder and harder she rubbed, totally oblivious to Allison's presence, totally absorbed in her sexual ecstasy. Allison watched, both repulsed and fascinated. The girl's breathing deepened; her lips shook violently. Sighing deeply, she reached orgasm.
    Sandra withdrew her hand, inhaled deeply