New Year's Eve 1968: Joanie, Scene 1 "1969 Began with a Kiss"

1969 began with a kiss.

For Joanie Cohen, it was really two kisses, both disturbing ones. The first was Jake's unresponsive kiss at midnight. The second was later on, a decidedly sexual kiss with Annie, one that awoke in Joanie troubling lesbian feelings. The unexpected thrill she'd felt as Annie's warm tongue had snaked its way into her mouth had been far different from the all-too-familiar deadness she'd felt earlier when giving Jake the proverbial New Year's Eve midnight kiss.

Soundtrack: Let’s Spend the Night Together----The Rolling Stones

The party at Bill Samuels’ house had been a real drag from the start. Most of the kids there were young, drunk or stoned, and too loud; and, as usual, Bill was surrounded by a gaggle of gorgeous groupies, hanging mindlessly onto his every word and gesture.

Sure, a few of Joanie’s political friends were there, trying to hear each other over the loud dance music, but she just wasn’t in the mood for listening to their same tired anti-war, anti-capitalism complaints. Worst, though was Jake! He was totally strung out on smack and totally unresponsive to her attempts to sooth him.

But then, later, she'd found herself wrapped in Annie's arms, the two of them rocking back and forth in the dark to the strains of the Rolling Stones, drifting in from the other room; Annie's sumptuous breasts pressed into her back; Annie's perfume flowing over her like a wave of delicious flowers; Annie humming the tune along with the infectious music; Annie softly whispering into Joanie’s ear the words to Mick Jagger’s seductive song.

They'd been smoking dope with Jake and some of his druggy friends and, if it hadn't been clear to her earlier in the evening, it was getting real clear now: she and Jake were through. Lotsa’ reasons. First: he was one fucked up cat. Second: she was sick of men in general. That black guy, Jukie, they were smoking with? He reminded her of just how disgusting she found most men's ways of treating women. God's gift to women. That's what they all seemed to think. Fuck 'em. Who needed that shit anyway? Not Joanie. And third: this feeling in her groin, as she and Annie swayed to the music, this was better than anything she'd ever felt with Jake, or any other man for that matter.

A shaft of light hit Joanie's eyes. A door opening. Jake and his little queer buddy, Stephen, leaving the room. Fine. Fuck Jake! She felt a slight pressure on one of her shoulders. Annie was turning her so they were face to face. It was dark, but she could make out the outlines of Annie's wild curly hair. Then it happened: Annie's mouth on hers; Annie's tongue in her mouth; Annie's tongue exploring, running along her gums and her teeth, then the inside of her cheek until finally their tongues met. Wham! Joanie felt a ball of fire exploding in her womb. Not really her womb, she knew, but it did seem that way. It was the strongest sexual sensation she remembered ever having.

And it seemed as though there was going to be more to come. Even as their tongues danced together, Annie's hands were busy. Joanie experienced the familiar, yet oddly unfamiliar, feeling of hands stroking her thighs... and higher.

A woman's hands, softer than a man's, gentler, more communicative, giving pleasure, not just taking it. Then, as Annie's fingers began to pull lightly at Joanie's pubic hair, she was reminded that she hadn't worn any underwear tonight. Suddenly, she felt completely vulnerable... and ashamed.

Abruptly, she pulled her face back, simultaneously grasping Annie's strong forearms, "No... wait... I... I... uh, I'm not ready for this." She felt stupid, embarrassed, and terribly confused.

Annie looked her straight in the eyes and smiling, said gently, "That's cool, babe. Don't sweat it. We can take it slow." She slipped her arms out of Joanie's rigid grasp and gently took hold of her hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, I was just going with the flow. You know, if it feels good, do it. But, you know, if it don't feel good, then let's just back off a bit."

And they did. They just stood there, tenderly squeezing each others’ hands, listening to Mick’s sexy, but heartfelt, closing plea, Joanie wondering if she’d ever be satisfied or would ever satisfy another person and… if so, whether that person would be a man or a woman.

Links

The Rolling Stones

Go to the next scene in Joanie's story
New Year's Eve 1968: Joanie, Scene 2 "Boys! Just One Thing on Their Minds"

Go to a related scene
New Year's Eve 1968: Jake, Scene 9 "No White Boy's Shit"