**1**
The cavernous barn is alive with all the sounds of girls chatting among each other. Jasmine sits on her cot, admiring the new yellow sundress that was given to her. The dress is a far cry from the rags she was used to while working on the farm. That’s because it’s her last day on the farm. She is officially nineteen now, which is the maximum age allowed for working girls.
The side door to the barn swings open. All the girls slowly fall silent as John Kemper, the son of the farms owner, makes his way through the maze of cots to reach Jasmine.
‘Jasmine, honey. It’s time to go,’ he says offering her a meaty hand. His usual hard expression is soft and there is a smile on his face, although his eyes look sad.
Jasmine allows him to pull her to her feet. She smooths out her dress and then follows after him. The large, muscular man makes his way back the way he came and out the side door to the barn.
Jasmine enjoys the sun hitting her face as she follows John outside. He motions for her to continue following him. Walking down a wide dirt path, they reach a large gate where a small shuttle bus is waiting on the other side.
John turns to face Jasmine and pulls out an envelope from his back pocket. He hands it over to the young woman who just looks at it puzzled. ‘There’s money in the envelope. It’s not much, but it will help you survive once you reach the city.’
‘Thank you. Where will I go when I reach the city?’ Asks Jasmine, genuinely unsure what is expected of her.
‘Try and find a roof over your head. I don’t know how much rent is, but there used to be some shelters in the city that took in girls like you for a small fee each week. After that, try and get a supply of food. The prices are high, but you should be able to stock up on things like soup.’ Says John, his smile waning a little as he opens the gate.
‘Thank you, I’ll try and do that,’ says Jasmine walking towards the bus.
‘One last thing honey,’ says John, he squints to get the sun out of his face, but there is a look of seriousness there. ‘The city isn’t for girls or women. But I hear Los Angeles has had an uprising and women are being allowed to work again there. So, if you can, I would try and find a way there because you won’t have much of a life in this city.’
Jasmine doesn’t really know what to make of his advice. She knew from the other girls that women weren’t allowed to work in the city once they reached nineteen. But she had no idea how, or how much, it’s going to cost to get to Los Angeles.
‘I’ll try my best to get there,’ she says and then continues on to the bus. She turns at the bus door and waves back at John as it folds closed on her.
John waves back and turns before the tear can escape from his eye.
**2**
Lilly stands in the barren apartment in her orange sundress. The sun hitting her dress from the window casts an orange tint on to her skin. In her right hand she holds a relatively large stuffed teddy bear that looks like its three times older than her twenty years.
‘You really need to get something to eat young lady,’ says the Teddy in a deep British accent.
Lilly looks thoughtful and says: ‘I need my medicine.’
‘What makes you say that?’ Asks Teddy, his head tilting to get a better look at his young companion.
‘The nurse back at the farm said I have schizorenia, oops I mean Schizophrenia. I’m supposed to take medicine for it.’ says Lilly, rubbing at her hungry belly.
‘What’s that?’ Asks Teddy.
Lilly shakes her head looking a little confused. ‘I don’t know, but from what I remember it makes me do and sense things that are not normal.’
‘What is normal for you?’ Asks Teddy.
Lilly falls silent in thought. Her mind tries to think of an answer but the voices that roam her head make it difficult to think of anything. ‘I don’t really know, but I wish the voices in my head would stop talking. I’m so tired of them.’
‘Well, maybe you do need the medicine then. Maybe it will help with the voices,’ says Teddy, his voice growing cheerful.
‘You’re right teddy. I know I can rely on you, but the problem is how do I get it? I have no green paper left,’ says Lilly, her stomach growling at her.
‘You mean money. That’s what people use to pay for things. Money,’ says Teddy in an admonishing tone of voice.
‘Sorry, I keep forgetting. I will try harder to remember,’ says Lilly, bringing Teddy in for a hug.
‘Be sure that you do, young lady. Anyway, the solution to your problem is quite simple. Rent out your room,’ says Teddy, breathing hard as Lilly brings him back out to arms length.
‘Rent out my room?’ Asks Lilly, absently glancing towards the open door to her left. She can just make out the corner of her bed. ‘But where will I sleep?’
‘Well, unfortunately, you’ll probably have to sleep on the floor. But you will at least get the money for your medicine,’ explains Teddy.
‘How do I find someone to rent it?’ This is a good question but Teddy has the perfect answer for her.
‘Just look for a girl like you,’ says Teddy, then he falls silent for the rest of the day.
**3**
The sun dips below the horizon as the day gives way to evening. The soldiers patrolling the streets look restless and ready for some action. They eye Jasmine as she steps off the bus and into the big city. The soldiers know that the envelope she holds contains money. But they also know just how hard a life she is going to have in the city so they leave her alone.
Jasmine looks around in all directions. She knows she needs to find shelter but the city is so disorientating she doesn’t know what direction to move in. Gripping the envelope tighter, she starts walking down the street. She’s so busy glancing in all directions, looking for a sign that will tell her way to go, that she lets out a yelp of surprise as someone walks straight into her.
As she regains her composure, Jasmine notices that the woman who bumped into her is wearing a pretty orange sundress. But more than that, the woman herself was beautiful. She has long auburn hair with curls through it and her soft brown eyes look warm an inviting.
‘I’m so sorry,’ says Lilly, trying to help Jasmine stand up right.
‘It’s okay. I should have been looking where I was going,’ says Jasmine, smoothing out her dress. She offers Lilly a smile, her own green eyes alive with life.
Lilly notices that the other girl has a similar sundress to hers. Through the mix of voices and confusion in her head, something registers. It’s faint at first. Then it hits her.
‘You’re from the farm too,’ Lilly jumps with joy.
‘Yes, how do you know?’ Asks Jasmine.
‘Oh, I know a farm girl when I see one,’ says Lilly, her smile broadening.
Jasmine seizes the moment now that she has someone talking to her. ‘Do you know where the woman’s shelter is? This place is so confusing to me.’
Lilly can feel a strange tingling sensation in her body as she looks at Jasmine. Her long blonde hair, cute face and green eyes creates a longing inside her. Something that she hasn’t felt in a while. It’s a longing for love.
‘Actually, the shelters all closed last year. I got lucky and found an apartment,’ says Lilly, knowing that she was supposed to say something else, but for the life of her it just won’t come off her tongue.
Jasmine can feel the same tingling sensation the more she looks at Lilly. There is something beautiful about the woman. Not just her looks but her nature. Her personality.
‘Oh, that’s a problem. Thanks anyway I guess,’ says Jasmine, turning to scan the streets once again. Tingling or not, she was told to find shelter and that is what she needed to do. ‘I better get going. It was nice to meet you…’
‘Lilly! My name is Lilly. What’s yours?’ She swipes her dress back and forth like a nervous school child.
‘Jasmine. It’s nice to meet you Lilly. I really should get going, I was told to look for a roof over my head,’ says Jasmine ready to walk away.
Lilly suddenly remembers what she has to say. ‘Oh wait. I have a room to rent. If you want it. I mean it’ll be a roof over your head.’
Jasmine looks at the envelope in her hand. She knows that there are two pieces of green paper with the number 100 printed on it inside. ‘How much do you want for it?’
‘I need fifty to get my medicine,’ says Lilly, looking hopeful.
‘How long for?’ Asks Jasmine.
‘As long as you want,’ says Lilly.
Jasmine looks thoughtful for a second. She doesn’t know numbers that much, but she does understand if she gives Lilly the fifty she needs she will still have money left over for food. ‘Okay, you got a deal,’ she says.
Lilly jumps with excitement. ‘Great, follow me.’
**4**
Lilly opens the door to her bare apartment and flicks on the lights. Jasmine follows her inside, impressed by the amount of space there was. She follows after Lilly as she heads to the bedroom.
‘This is it. This is the room,’ says Lilly. She gives a sweeping motion of her arm over the bed.
Jasmine is shocked. It’s the first time she’s seen a real bed instead of the little cot she had to sleep in back on the farm. But the shock quickly leaves as she realizes that there is no other bedroom. There is no other bed. The rest of the apartment has no furniture. ‘Where are you going to sleep, Lilly?’
Lilly looks around and then points at the floor. ‘I’ll sleep on the floor. I really need my medicine.’
Jasmine shakes her head. Even though they have just met, she can’t let Lilly sleep on the floor.
Lilly sees Jasmine shaking her head. ‘What’s the matter? You don’t want the room anymore?’ There is a hint of worry in her voice.
‘I do. But you’re not sleeping on the floor. You can sleep next to me in the bed,’ says Jasmine offering her new friend a smile.
‘Really? You would let me do that?’ Asks Lilly, surprised.
‘Of course. The bed is more than big enough for the two of us,’ says Jasmine.
Without thinking twice, Lilly gently kisses her on the cheek. A sign of affection that she has never shown anyone except Teddy.
Jasmine feels her legs grow a little weaker and her cheeks flush red. The sensation of Lilly’s lips against her face almost takes her breath away.
‘Ugh, so why do you need medicine? Whats wrong?’ Asks Jasmine, trying to break the tension.
Lilly feels awkward as she tries to explain. The proper name for her condition keeps escaping her mind. Instead, the voices that float in her head keep antagonizing her. Calling her useless and dumb. Telling her she should kill herself. Tears escape from her eyes. ‘I have voices in my head that I want to make quiet.’
Using her thumbs to wipe away Lilly’s tears, Jasmine hugs her close. ‘It’s alright. Tomorrow we will go and get your medicine and we’ll get some food too.’
Gently, Lilly pushes herself away from the embrace and looks up at Jasmine. ‘I need to lie down.’
‘Sounds like a plan, lets go to bed,’ says Jasmine, feeling pretty tired herself.
Lilly climbs under the covers on the far side of the bed. Jasmine joins her and they find themselves staring into each others eyes. They both share a smile.
‘You’re very pretty,’ says Lilly, a ball of nervousness in her stomach.
‘I was just thinking the same thing about you,’ says Jasmine, her smile broadening.
Lilly reaches out and carefully tucks a strand of blonde hair behind Jasmine’s ear. ‘Can I kiss you?’
Leaning in close, Jasmine gently presses her lips against Lilly’s. The pair lock eyes as the kiss becomes more intense and passionate. Their hands trace the curves of their bodies as their tongues clash. The swelling of arousal in both of them is almost overpowering, especially for Jasmine who finds her hand trying to find a way under Lilly’s dress.
‘That was incredible,’ breathes Lilly, her face flushed red with excitement.
‘There’s more to come if you want me to,’ smiles Jasmine as she kisses Lilly on the forehead.
A nervous giggle escapes from Lilly. The kissing was exciting enough but her mind can’t comprehend what else they can do together. ‘I need a little more time before that,’ she says, hoping that Jasmine won’t take offense.
Pressing her forehead against Lilly’s, Jasmine smiles softly at her and says: ‘I’ll be ready when you are.’
**5**
The bed is empty when Jasmine wakes up. She sits up in a panic. She wonders if maybe Lilly has ran away because she was too intense last night. She can’t believe how turned on she feels in Lilly’s presence and she finds it real difficult to control herself.
However, her panic dissipates when she hears Lilly talking in the living room. She swings her legs out of the bed and pads over to the open door. From where she stands she can see the auburn haired woman standing in the middle of the room holding her stuffed teddy.
‘I’m going to be able to get my medicine today,’ says Lilly to the bear. ‘I know, I can’t wait to quiet these voices in my head. But…’ she looks at the teddy with a sad expression. ‘…I might not be able to talk to you when I start taking the pills.’ There’s a moment of silence and then: ‘Oh you will!? I love you teddy.’
Jasmine clears her throat as she walks into the bare living room. ‘Good morning,’ she says to Lilly, for some reason she expects her to back away from her. But Lilly does the polar opposite. Still holding on to Teddy, she rushes over to Jasmine, wraps her arms around her and kisses her on the lips.
‘Good morning,’ says Lilly with a giggle. She lets go of Jasmine and carries the stuffed toy into the bedroom where she sits him on her pillow.
Jasmine can feel her emotions rising again. To her, Lilly was the most beautiful woman she has ever laid eyes on and every time she was near her she fell even more in love with her. ‘You ready to go get your medicine and some food? I’m really hungry.’
All smiles, Lilly bounces out of the room and heads for the front door. ‘Of course I’m ready. Let’s go beautiful.’
Blushing, Jasmine follows Lilly out of the apartment.
**6**
The pharmacy is almost empty accept for a couple of old men waiting at the serving counter. Jasmine and Lilly pay the men no mind as they fall into place behind them and wait for their turn.
The pharmacist, a weasely looking man with a thin mustache and greasy black hair, slides a bag across the counter to one of the old men. ‘That’ll be a hundred and fifty, Jack.’
The old man called Jack fumbles around for his wallet and then begins to peel out tens and twenties, slapping them on the counter each time. ‘This damn woman of mine is costing me too much money,’ he grumbles.
‘Get a new one,’ says the other old man, who turns and looks at our heroes with a creepy smile. ‘One of these ones would do.’
Jack continues to peel off the final few notes. ‘No, I couldn’t go through it all again. Is that me?’
The pharmacist gathers up the notes and quickly counts them. He nods his head with approval. ‘Yep, you’re good to go Jack.’
‘That’s a lot of green paper…I mean money,’ whispers Lilly.
Jasmine nods her head absently. She’s just realized something that is going to cause them problems.
‘Sorry ladies, but you need your man to buy medication for you here,’ says the weasel pharmacist.
Lilly looks at him and Jasmine in distress. ‘What do you mean. I have the money. I need my medicine. Please’
The pharmacist puts up a hand and motions for them to be quiet. He nods towards the two old men who reach the store doors and exit out to the city streets. ‘Okay, now we can talk.’
‘Why can’t I get my medicine!?’ Cries Lilly as Jasmine tries to comfort her.
‘I’m not supposed to sell to women. It’s the city rules. But I’ll make an exception for you,’ says the pharmacist, a nasty smile growing on his face.
‘What’s the catch?’ Asks Jasmine, knowing full well a bribe was going to be needed.
‘Oh there isn’t much of a catch. Well, except that the price of the medication doubles,’ he says, flashing coffee stained teeth.
Lilly is distraught. ‘That’s not fair, I only have fifty!’
‘Well, now you only need one hundred,’ says the pharmacist, turning his attention to Jasmine who seems more composed.
‘It’s okay Lilly, I’ll pay for it,’ says Jasmine, pulling out her envelope from her chest where it was tucked between her breast and the dress.
‘You will? Really?’ Lilly wipes her tears and her smile starts to return.
‘I’m not going to see you suffer anymore than you have already,’ says Jasmine, pulling one of the hundred dollar bills from the envelope and handing it over to the pharmacist.
‘See now, that wasn’t so hard,’ says the weasel. ‘Now, what can I get for you?’
‘Risperidone,’ says Lilly.
**7**
After picking up some food from the grocery store – the one place where they could be served without a man – Jasmine and Lilly make their way back to the apartment. Jasmine sets the shopping bag down on the kitchen counter while Lilly opens the box of pills and drops two into her mouth.
‘How long does it take for the medicine to work?’ Asks Jasmine out of curiosity.
‘The last time I had them, it took about a week for things to quiet down in my head. It’s doesn’t completely go away, but the pills make it so much more bearable,’ explains Lilly as she moves closer to Jasmine and puts her arms around her waist.
The pair kiss, slowly at first, but as the passion rises once again, their embrace becomes more hectic. Then Lilly pushes herself out of the embrace and takes Jasmine by the hand.
‘You ready to go that little bit further?’ Lilly asks, a knowing smile crossing her lips.
‘Oh yeah. I’m so ready to go all the way,’ says Jasmine, her excitement starting to take control again.
Lilly leads Jasmine into the bedroom. They continue to kiss as Lilly’s nimble fingers find the zipper on the back of Jasmine’s dress. Aroused and excited, Jasmine steps back and allows her dress to fall to the floor.
‘Oh my god, you’re stunning,’ says Lilly, her eyes tracing the curves of Jasmine’s breasts and hips.
Jasmine motions for her to turn around and once Lilly has her back to her, she unzips her dress and lets it fall. ‘And you call me stunning,’ she says taking in every inch of Lilly’s naked body.
The pair embrace again. Kissing and taking in each others body with their hands. Jasmine lowers her left hand until its over Lilly’s ass cheek and then she moves her right hand down past the small thatch of pubic hair and onto her wet mound.
Lilly breaks away from Jasmine before her fingers can explore any more of her. She leads her over to the bed where she lays down flat. Jasmine wastes no time and quickly climbs on top of Lilly. She straddles Lilly while her hands cup both breasts and gently squeeze them. Likewise Lilly grabs Jasmine’s breasts and plays with her rock hard nipples.
Lowering herself down, Jasmine kisses Lilly on the neck at first and then begins to move down, between her breasts, and continues further until she is between Lilly’s thighs.
Lilly lets out a surprised gasp as she feels Jasmines tongue pierce her folds and move upwards to her clit. Jasmine licks and sucks with an almost careless abandon. The taste of Lilly’s sex fills her mouth and sends her body into a state of aroused frenzy.
A ball of excited pressure begins to form in Lilly’s stomach. Her body is alive and tingling in places that she never thought would tingle. As Jasmine’s tongue drags across her clit, the pressure in her stomach suddenly explodes and her whole body is bathed in what she can only describe as sheer ecstasy.
‘Oh my god!,’ Cries Lilly. She gently squeezes Jasmine’s head with her thighs to let her know she was done.
Licking Lilly’s juices from her lips, Jasmine climbs back up and collapses next to her. Then it’s Lilly’s turn. She rolls over on to Jasmine, kissing her and sucking on her rock hard nipples before moving down her stomach and between her legs.
‘Oh my god that feels so good,’ moans Jasmine as Lilly licks at her damp pussy before sending her tongue in to explore. She shudders as Lilly locates her clit and begins licking it from all directions.
The air fills with the sounds of pleasure as Jasmine begins to writhe under Lilly’s commanding tongue. Every fiber of her being feels like it’s alive with excitement and it takes just a few minutes before that familiar swell of pressure just below her navel makes itself known.
Lilly clamps her mouth around Jasmine’s clit, creating a tight suction. This is enough to send the blonde haired woman into a bucking frenzy until with one last thrust of her hips, the pressure explodes into waves or sheer pleasure.
Panting hard, Jasmine wraps her arms around Lilly as she lays next to her. The pair kiss and cuddle for what seems like an eternity.
‘That was amazing,’ breathes Jasmine as she pulls her lips away from Lilly’s.
‘Not bad for a first timer, huh?’ Asks Lilly, smiling with delight.
‘Not bad at all,’ says Jasmine with a giggle.
‘I don’t know about you, but I could use something to eat now,’ Lilly swings her legs off the bed.
‘I’ll get something in a minute,’ says Jasmine, still bathing in the afterglow. She watches as Lilly heads out of the room in all her naked glory. On the floor next to the bed lies the teddy bear that Lilly talks to.
At first, Jasmine pays the stuffed toy no attention, but something about it catches her eye. She leans over the bed and picks up the toy. Under its right armpit was a tear at the seem. It’s what is sticking out of that tear that has Jasmine’s full attention.
She gently picks at the small piece of paper. Easing it out bit by bit until she can clearly see that its a one hundred dollar bill. Putting the note on the bed, Jasmine sends a probing finger inside the small hole and sure enough she can feel more pieces of paper.
‘Lilly, where did you get this bear from?’ Shouts Jasmine.
Holding a packet of chips, Lilly re-enters the room looking a little confused. ‘He was here when I found this apartment,’ she says.
Jasmine holds up the hundred dollar bill. ‘This was sticking out of him and I think there is more inside.’
Although excited, there is a look of worry on Lilly’s face. ‘Don’t break him, please.’
‘If I open him now, we can buy proper stuffing and sew him shut again,’ says Jasmine, well aware of how attached to the bear Lilly was.
‘Okay, but just be careful you don’t tear him,’ says Lilly.
Carefully, Jasmine unpicks the stitching on the bear with her finger nails. Once there is a big enough opening for her hand, she reaches inside and grabs a handful of stuffing. What she pulls out is more money than she has ever seen. And it keeps coming.
Jasmine and Lilly look in awe at the small mountain of hundred dollar bills before them. ‘How much do you think is here?’ Asks Jasmine as she grabs a handful of the bills and starts to mentally count them.
‘I dunno. A thousand maybe,’ says Lilly, her excitement coming back again.
Jasmine understood that every tenth bill made a thousand dollars. So, she counts them out into neat piles of four. Four thousand dollars stuffed into a child’s soft toy.
‘Lilly, there’s four thousand dollars here,’ says Jasmine, stunned.
‘What do we do with it?’ Asks Lilly, eating her chips again.
‘The farmer told me that I should go to Los Angeles. Apparently, women are allowed to do things without a man there. We could go there and have a better life than we will in this city,’ says Jasmine.
‘When should we go?’ Asks Lilly.
‘After we’ve made another stop at the pharmacy and bought you a few months worth of Medicine,’ says Jasmine.
**8**
Lilly steps on to the bus first with Jasmine following close behind her. They sit at the back of the bus, cuddling and dreaming of the life that lay ahead of them. Neither one knows how things will work out in Los Angeles, but they understand they can face anything as long as they are together.
THE END