Becks 12 Summertime by the Sea

Summer was here and so far was lovely. Flowers everywhere, sunshine and warm breezes were the order of the day. Sarah and I were each exploring our new careers as well as our life together. And that was perfect as far as we could see. We were deeply in love and oddly, living with mom was no problem at all. We all clicked, and it was fun to have another person to share our happiness with.

It probably helped that mom has always considered Sarah a second daughter, since way back when I brought her home after school. And kept her! We had been in love for so long we had not even realized it. Until we began to "find ourselves" in college and what we did find was we had all we wanted right here! And maybe Sarah's mother turned out to be less than great, but mom made up for it and as Sarah said, had been her mom since fourth grade, really.

It wasn't a surprise when she bought us a new huge bed. But she also emptied the larger guest room to become a nursery! We asked if she was sure, and mom smiled and said three girls will need some space! Two months now and she was becoming sure all three were going to be healthy. And yes, Sarah had an obstetrician, but we all knew mom was her primary physician. Well, all except for her "official" doctor. Mom checked her at least once a week and the babies too as time went on.

The fourth came and we enjoyed the parade, watching it from a cafe by the water. And many spectators enjoyed seeing us too, all three bare except for sandals and bracers. Just your neighborhood nude Wonder Women, folks! Ha ha. We were all having fun this summer. Toward the end of July I had a call from Sheila out in Newton. We chatted as she told me about her and Jazz competing together in the New Bedford Iron Man Triathlon.

Sounded like they were really getting along and I said so. Sheila said she hoped so, and then asked if I have time to come for a visit. I asked if something was wrong.

"That's the thing, Becks. I'm not sure and I hope you can help out."

And she filled me in on the situation. A local woman, part of a well off couple had come by to talk. About nothing, it seemed. And came back too. Over several weeks, even as she said very little about her home life Sheila had become concerned. She said you do develop radar for some kinds of trouble and I agreed, knowing it was a basic truth. At least if you were intelligent and caring and she was both. When I asked she gave me names and I said I would check it out.

I called Amy, as we were getting to be good friends with her next door in Peabody and then rode to the Salem station to ask Jack the same thing. Jack said he will check the wire and also make a few phone calls. I thanked him and went to the shelter. And found Sarah in the clinic making new lists. She told me she was thinking we need to have OBS supplies, and more splints, wrist supports and so on as she has seen so many women and girls with a broken or sprained wrist from being grabbed.

"And you never know when a baby might happen!" I laughed.

Sarah smiled "Well, exactly! Darn things can pop right out of nowhere!" and we had a fun laugh.

I asked her to check out Morticia too, in case we need a different set of supplies in her as well. Then went across to the shelter to check in. Mina said things were quiet, enough so that she was thinking of having Sally go and see if Sarah needed a hand. I said she was happy, reorganizing supplies and so on. And if she really needs help, my Sarah is not shy.

Mina laughed and said she has seen that, and was glad she was used to me before she met Sarah as we are a little different and she likes us both.

I laughed and said "But we're such social misfits?"

"Not exactly, Becks, You just don't react the way.. OK. Social misfits! And we all love you two anyway, so don't change!"

Wondering if Mina might help I related my conversation with Sheila earlier. She listened carefully and asked me a few questions. And said not to do anything without more checking, but does the couple have a child? Because she had seen this once or twice and it almost always involved a husband having sex with a child, usually a young daughter or niece. Seeing my face harden, she cautioned me to check carefully, because she is only guessing and from 3rd or 4th hand information at best. I said OK, and calmed myself down.

I asked to use the phone. Mina laughed and said it was mine as much as hers, so go right ahead. I called Newton and asked Sheila if the couple had a child and she said she would get back to me once she knew. About what we can do, as Mina reminded me. She was a former social worker, so she knew how slowly this sort of thing can go. Not happy but with no choice I thanked her and went back to the station.

Where I sparred for a while and Jack came through and saw me. At that point I was "sparring" with four of his officers. When we took a break he asked if I had a problem. I said I was worried about the names I gave him, and the ones I don't even know yet too. He sat next to me and said he was checking for me. And things take time, sometimes even more than people have left but we can not make that be our fault. Or we will be unable to function safely or well. Or even at all. And to never lose sight of the ones I have helped, because without me, where would they be now?

As he walked away I called out "Thanks, Jack" and he waved a hand behind himself. It is true, like anyone I need to keep my eyes on the larger picture. Because a singe situation can make you crazed, but look and see everyone you helped, every bad person you stopped and you can find a balance inside. It was getting late so I showered and rode back to pick up Sarah. Who informed me she now has her own wheels!

When she called Pixie about ordering supplies, she was also told to consider Morticia her personal vehicle! Instead of giving her a ride home, I gave her a motorcycle escort instead. Where mom looked out and said she was buying dinner if Sarah will drive us! We piled in and Sarah said she feels like Chinese. Ran back a short way on 128 and got on 95 N to Newburyport. Rode into town in style, we did! Morticia is a powerful and smooth ride and she sure pulls the eye!

And so did 3 naked women getting out of her after she parked! The north shore is fairly conservative in many ways, even where it is politically liberal. While no one called us harlots, we did get a few extreme sorts of looks. You could tell they were remembering the good times, when they had stocks in the town square for hussies like us. Oh yeah you could. But the majority didn't care, or were even pretty happy to see us walking around their town.

And the restaurant was fun. It looked fairly traditional, most likely daughters and nieces waitressing while sons cooked. The men remained impassive, but from the hostess to the youngest waitress the women all giggled and stared. It was actually pretty fun. And the food was very good too. We would all go back, I even wished it was closer to home. Fun ride in a fast car though!

After we ate, Sarah said we need to drive too fast back to Salem and get ice cream. And we did. Lucky us, we did not get caught as Sarah was definitely driving too fast. We were lucky and a limo pulled away from the curb just as we cruised down by the harbor, so Sarah parked us right in front of the ice cream shop. Fun eating outdoors on a warm summer night while people tried to decide to look at us or Morticia! Great fun for us, at least.

The rest of the week I ran around to our shelters. I finally realized I had not been to the Amesbury home once, even though I had visited Pix 'n Bits several times. Thursday night I asked Sarah if she felt like a road trip and said I was going to check out the shelter in Amesbury and probably visit Bits while we were there. Sarah surprised me by saying only if we get to take Ruby, because soon she will not be able to ride her with me. So the next day we did that, and took Ruby up 95 to Amesbury.

Like a trip to Newburyport we could have used Rt 1, but we do both like moving fast! Lily Jackson was a surprise, in a word. I knew she had been a teacher, but not that she had retired from teaching before she started a new life and career with PEST. Lily is a lovely black woman with a very straight spine, a quick mind and a snappy wit. And the first thing out of her mouth was that she had been waiting for the "nekkid white gals" to get here!

Yep, took about that long to learn we were going to be friends! It is not always about age. Friendship can be about attitude and shared goals and desires. And in less than five minutes we all knew we shared both viewpoints and goals. Before we left a couple hours later I asked if there was anything I can help her with? She smiled and said to visit more, and if I have any pull to try and get her a spot near the beach! I said I will do my best, gave her a hug and left.

We drove about a mile to Pixie and Bits' home and went in. No knock, Bits insisted that her people and any of her Lethal Ladies live here and so have no need to knock or even call ahead for that matter. We found them along with Cherry Bomb sparring together and watched. When they stopped Bits asked if I want to spar too. I said with her, sure, but I would worry about hurting Pix or Da Bomb as we already called her if I sparred. And right or not, it would affect me, and make it impossible to spar well.

Cherry smiled "Hey, too tall? You think you're fast enough to hit me in the first place?"

Bits looked her in the face "No, Cherry, she knows she is that quick." Then Bits motioned to sit and we did. She looked around a moment and smiled. "Becks girl, do NOT get a swelled head here, but this is a real hard truth. Not just a thing I am saying. Mom would say it as well."

And we are all listening, knowing her mom is the Queen of the World. Old, wise and powerful. And as far as I knew, never lies. Has no need.

Bits smiled "Cherry dear, you know when we fight, train or teach I fairly often say that no matter how fast, how tough etcetera you may be there is always someone better? Look at our Becks, lover, and know you have met her. She is the someone better. In all the world, no one can stop her but herself. Think about that a bit."

Pixie said "There is no shame, Cherry. Do you believe you can defeat Sun? Because Becks can and has. She has also beaten Bits, Gunnar and many others. Some easily, some perhaps not so easily. Still, she has conquered every time. Mother says she always shall and I believe her." No extra stress, just a calm recitation of facts as seen by Pix. And Bits sat there and nodded.

Cherry did something I had seen before. She is a child of Eastern traditions mainly. Now she fell to he knees before me and begged my forgiveness for her presumption. I said there is nothing to forgive, and if there was how could I possibly not forgive such a special flower? Cherry jumped up and down, clapped and hugged me. And Bits smiled in my direction while she was too busy to see it. And when we did spar Bitsy made a point of loudly asking me to go easy on her old bones! As if!

I do know how good I am. I am also not stupid enough to believe I can defeat a force of nature, which is why I don't fight a tornado. Not a fair comparison I realize. Bits could easily put a twister down should she wish to. I also know that if she only uses her "normal" abilities, I can beat her very nearly every time. And she is the finest warrior I have ever met. So I have to believe what she says and I do. No swelled head though. It scares me. Because I believe nature will always seek a balance.

To me that means someone or thing will come that is very powerful to defeat me. Or the world has made me to fight something that strong. Neither of these is a comfortable feeling. I say as much to Bits as we spar and she grins. "Welcome to my world, new sister!" Then suddenly there were two of her and she took me down and laughed. One disappeared and the other grinned and looked at Cherry.

"See how you beat this woman? Cheat! Only way!" Slapped her leg and laughed her head off. Yep, The Bitsy and we all love her. So I did a full body flip from the deck and pulled her down, stood over her and grinned.

"And you know, Bits, try that again and it won't work!"

She laughed too and told Cherry that is why I win. If you manage to beat me, I learn a new trick every time. And next time you need a new way. Cherry Bomb said if that was true, eventually none would be able to beat me, making it almost a question. Bits smiled as if Cherry had made her happy and said "Yes."

Now I asked Bits if I may be allowed to discuss policy? She got a very interesting expression. Like she expected something and had no idea what it was. I started slow.

"I hear our pal Marie is teaching at the local high school now. Is that true, Bits?"

She said it was so and made her happy too as it does when any of her proteges succeeds. Which we all knew as the woman has an amazingly generous spirit.

"Did you know that Lily would like a post near the ocean, Bits? And hey, isn't Newton busy enough to move Jazz there to work with Sheila? I mean, if they got along?"

"And what about the home here in Amesbury, Becks? Should I close it, perhaps?" Yeah, she knew better and was not making it easy for me. I bet she knew my answer before I spoke.

"Tell me, Bits. Didn't Marie get hitched or something with our pretty Angelica? Pretty sure that made MaryLou cry, it did. But hey, I heard Jelly is a social worker, and I already know she's smart. Wouldn't a gal like that be just perfect and also tie you into the town's power structure even tighter?"

She looked at me for a few seconds. "Becks, mom never said you did politics! OK, I agree, so we'll do it. But you start calling yourself a grand vizier and cackling like Rasputin, I will have Gudrun and Ruby put you down!"

Probably lucky I had no idea who they were in those days so I just grinned "They can always try, my friend!"

Bits laughed and said she likes this new face on me and it is fun when your friends surprise you with such excellence!

All I managed was a major "Aw shucks!" which made everyone laugh. Bits also said my "reward" was getting to tell everyone. And I can find Marie at the high school gym this time of day. Sarah said to run off, she wants to visit some more. So I rode the short distance to the high school. Where I found Marie easily. She was happy to see me and asked if I would spar with her to show her class? I said sure and she told her girls I was very possibly the best warrior she has met, and they should be honored to be allowed to watch today! No pressure, right?

We sparred, and she stropped me after a few minutes.

"I know you are faster and better than this, Becks. So don't treat me like a baby you need to protect!"

I admitted I was holding back so I wouldn't beat her easily in front of her class. Marie laughed.

"Girls, this woman has beaten Sun Wukong and The Bitsy as well. Can I beat her?"

One solid chorus of young voices "Not a chance, ma'am!"

Marie chuckled and looked at me. "Exactly correct, ladies! So pay attention here!"

We sparred and Marie pushed so I had to stretch too. When we were finished she smiled and asked her class what they learned.

One girl who looked to be funny and a bit of a wiseass said "Not to fight Becks, ma'am!" and brought the house down with laughter.

Marie told her she was quite correct, and there was something else as well. And I found she talks to Bitsy too much. Maybe even today. She looked at her group and said "I have told each of you that no matter how hard you train or how good you are, there is always someone better, haven't I, ladies?" And waited.

"Yes, ma'am, You tell us that at least once a week."

"Good. Well, ladies, you have the privilege today to meet her. I give you Becks, the one who IS always better and faster. I have it on quite good authority that she is no longer possible to beat in a fair fight and would be difficult even if one were to cheat. I give you my friend and fellow Lethal Lady, Becks! Show her how you feel, girls!"

They began hooting and cheering and sensing motion I turned. And saw just over 5' of beautiful brown woman cartwheeling across the floor right at me! She stopped, standing straight and gave me a very big hug. I grinned and said hi to my old friend Jelly. I had missed her. But leaving got me with Sarah at Harvard, and made my life a happy place. Still, it was very good to see her again.

Once everyone calmed down I smiled and told her it was good to see her again, then asked if she liked her job, or would she rather be in charge of PEST's Amesbury shelter? She had been looking happy and now her face fell right to her toes.

"No, Becks. I will not take a job that forces a good woman out and we all love Lily here, every one of us."

I smiled "Jelly, have I ever been the knife in the back girl? I like Lily too and hey, she likes the ocean! So she will be moving to run the Orleans shelter on Cape Cod, which I bet you can find to look her up!"

"For real? Lily is moving to the beach cottage and I can have the house here with my honey? Becks, I am so out of the words now!"

I said that if she wants, she can come along while I tell Lily, which is my next stop. Marie smiles and says to go with me and she will come and find her there. Angelica grins and asks if I have a bike yet and I say yes and she claps like a happy child as we walk to the parking area. She sees Ruby and lights right up as she tells me it reminds her of her bike, which is gone now. I asked what happened and she told me how they needed the money for a Uhaul and rent more than they needed the bike, but she sure misses her baby.

I said that sucks and she hugged me. And said it was not so bad, she had to choose and she picked Marie. Thinking of my Sarah I choked up and said I would do exactly the same and she smiled.

"I know, Becks, it's who you are. And that is why you're my friend." And she gave me a quick hug before we hopped on Ruby.

At the shelter she smiled as we got off and asked if MaryLou had worked on my bike too, saying it growled like hers did after they re-tuned it. I laughed and said they did and will be happy to hear she remembers that.

"Becks, there is nothing about MaryLou I could forget, even if I have found my own love."

I said that will please them too and I feel much the same.

"They are a very special person, Jelly and we love them dearly!"

"And I think MaryLou loves us too, at least as much as she can, Becks."

As we walked to the door and inside I realized Jelly just tagged something I had noticed and felt without labeling it. It did feel at times that MaryLou wanted to love more, but couldn't. If that was the case, it was too sad to contemplate. It would break anyone's heart for sure.

I set that aside for now as we saw Lily who was clearly surprised to see us. Probably because we are together and she saw me so recently today. I just smiled and asked if she would like living in a cottage on the outer Cape?

"Are you trying to yank an old woman's leg, girl?"

I laughed "No, but Sarah won't be too jealous if I did, Lily. And they are fine legs too, I have to tell you."

"Go on! You are just as bad as the boys around here, Miss Becks!" But she was smiling as she complained and we could both see it.

"And who would run this house of crazy if I was to go away, then?"

I smiled and pulled Jelly forward. "Miss Lily, I happen to know a young woman with a good heart who is also dumb enough to take that chore on! Have you met my friend Jelly, Lily?"

Lily smiled and reached out "Child, if you are so foolish as to mess up your life taking this madhouse on, I must say I can't think of a better woman for the job myself!"

Angelica smiled and the two women hugged. A pretty moment. I smiled and said my work here is done, and now they can talk freely without me in the room. Lily gave me a very evil smirk and said "Oh, I can't wait!" and laughed.