The Other Side of Midnight

"Don't be condescending," Jean-Anne said coldly. "You know enough to teach the Lit course. And that's not all you could teach us, is it, honey?"

Something in her tone made Catherine's face begin to redden.

"I--I don't understand."

"Leave her alone," the brunette said.

"Why should I?" Jean-Anne asked. "Who the hell does she think she is?" She turned to Catherine. "Do you want to know what everyone says about you?"

God, no. "Yes."

"You're a lesbo."

Catherine stared at her, unbelievingly. "I'm a what?"

"A lesbian, baby. You're not fooling anybody with that holier-than-thou act."

"Th--that's ridiculous," Catherine stammered.

"Did you really think you could fool people?" Jean-Anne asked. "You're doing everything but carrying a sign."

"But I--I never--"

"The boys get it up for you, but you never let them put it in."

"Really--" Catherine blurted.

"Fuck off," Jean-Anne said. "You're not our type."

They walked away, leaving her standing there, numbly staring after them.

That night, Catherine lay in bed, una

ble to sleep.

How old are you, Miss Alexander?

Nineteen.

Have you ever had sexual intercourse with a man?

Never.

Do you like men?

Doesn't everyone?

Have you ever wanted to make love to a woman?

Catherine thought about it long and hard. She had had crushes on other girls, on women teachers but that had been part of growing up. Now she thought about making love to a woman, their bodies intertwining, her lips on another woman's lips, her body being caressed by soft, feminine hands. She shuddered. No! Aloud, she said, "I'm normal." But if she was normal, why was she lying here like this? Why wasn't she out somewhere getting laid like everyone else in the world? Perhaps she was frigid. She might need some kind of operation. A lobotomy, probably.

When the Eastern sky began to lighten outside the dormitory window, Catherine's eyes were still open, but she had made a decision. She was going to lose her virginity. And the lucky man was going to be every maiden's bedside companion, Ron Peterson.

NOELLE

Marseille-Paris: 1919-1939

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