Red Snow. Sean Ryan Stuart

      “Laid, did you say?” Grant asked, his eyebrows raising in mocked horror.

      “You heard me, captain. You are so uptight, and frustrated by L.O.P.s, that you are about to pop your cork,” Loretta said in a firm, but insistent voice.

      “L.O.P.s? What in the hell is that?” Jeremy asked, not wanting to appear too stupid.

      “Why, I declare, CPT Grant, a world traveler like yourself doesn’t even know what L.O.P. stands for,” smirked Loretta, her lips grinning from ear to ear.

      “Lack of pussy, you dummy. Oh, dear me, you do know what that is, don’t you?” Her eyes rolling in feigned amazement.

      “And here I thought you were a southern belle, a fine lady. Maybe you are right, doctor! Any takers?” answered Jeremy in his best Rhett Butler imitation.

      Although the thought of leaving his beloved Army made him sick, the idea of being a mere civilian again made him gasp in repulsion. He had devoted eight long years to the service of his country, and had never even thought of someday taking a civilian job. What would he do? Where would he go? All of these thoughts whizzed through his head like a runaway freight train. The thought of going home suddenly became a pleasant memory.

      “Hey, yo! Helllooo, I am here,” yelled Loretta from across the room.

      Jeremy slowly looked up and carefully admired this beautiful woman. He began to realize that Loretta was flirting with him. For the first time, he couldn’t help but notice that the beautiful captain was openly coming on to him. He glanced up at her and admired her two greatest points of interests. It was the first time in months that he noticed a visible stirring in his loins. The harder he stared at her breasts, the more excited he got.

      She finally said, “Well one thing’s for sure, your eyesight hasn’t suffered any.”

      Jeremy actually felt himself blush and was forced to look away.

      “I am sorry, ma’am, he said in his best Rhett Butler imitation again, I didn’t know you were a lady in distress. However, I must confess that I am one of those damn Yankees you are referring to” Jeremy answered, a wide grin smeared across his face.

      “You mean to tell me that you are from the northern half of our glorious country? I could have sworn you were a southern gentleman,” she mockingly yelled at him.

      “Yup, that’s me, guilty as sin,” Grant laughed “Doesn’t the name Grant have a familiar ring to it? You guessed it, my great-great-great grandfather was General Ulysses S. Grant.”

      Jeremy wasn’t sure whether he should mention this fact to Loretta.

      CPT De Faut suddenly stood up, and glared at Jeremy in mock shock and disbelief.

      “You mean, I’ve been treating the great-grandson of that butcher and murderer? Well, I guess I am going have to take some radical action and correct this mistake,” Loretta stated.

      “You think you’re up for a hot date this weekend, CPT Grant? I am approving a three-day pass for you, and just to make sure that you enjoy yourself I am to go along with you.”

      “OK, sure,” stuttered Jeremy. I don’t know what to say, do you have any particular plans?” He asked sheepishly.

      “Yep, don’t you worry about honey, this little Cajun girl is going to take good care of you. Putain alors, tu vas avoir un beau temp” (Shit, you are going to have a good time), she slowly said in French, and smiled at him.

      Jeremy wasn’t sure of what she said, but he assumed it was very nasty and he was going to have a good ole time with this Southern Belle. Loretta told him to be ready at 18:30 hours. He returned to his room, and nervously paced the floor until CPT De Faut came by to pick him up. At exactly 18:35 hours, she knocked on his door. Jeremy excitedly rushed to the door and opened it. Miss Loretta Q. De Faut stood before Grant, wearing a spectacular low-cut gown showing a healthy amount of cleavage and long, lovely legs.

      “Mama Mia,” he whispered.

      “You sure are a sight for sore eyes, ma’am,” he blurted out like a young country boy on his first date.

      For the first time, Loretta blushed slightly and looked into his eyes and said, “You don’t look so bad yourself, Jeremy. I am ready to show you the town, so just sit back and let me do the driving.”

      “Okay, ma’am, let’s move out and have some fun,” Jeremy answered, not knowing what he was getting himself into.

      Loretta led Jeremy to the parking lot. Standing in the red No Parking Zone, was an equally “Ferrari” red Mustang convertible. The car glistened; every piece of chrome sparkled like a diamond necklace.

      “Wow, you really know how to make a guy feel good. Where did you pick up this beauty?” Grant stammered.

      Loretta suddenly grew silent, and looked down, her eyes tearing up.

      “Oh, it belonged to a man who no longer needs it, and I’d rather not talk about it anymore, so let’s get out of here and party,” Loretta answered, her voice breaking with sorrow.

      Jeremy realized that he had accidentally blundered, and decided not to push the subject until a more appropriate time. He opened the door for her, and once again admired her incredible body from a more strategic position.

      “A tit man, are you, CPT Grant?” she suddenly blurted out.

      Jeremy was caught by surprise; he honestly thought that she hadn’t noticed his piercing and lecherous glance.

      “Guilty, as charged, ma’am! I am one of those damn Yankees who preys upon helpless ‘Southern Belles.’ I am sorry, Loretta, I haven’t been near or thought about women in months. I guess my eyes are guilty as charged. Please forgive my bad manners,” Jeremy replied with a lecherous smile.

      “Now, now, there is no need to apologize, I would be disappointed if you didn’t stare. Hey, you don’t think I spent two hours squeezing into this corset for nothing, do you? I strongly believe that it is the duty of all men to stare at and enjoy ladies bosoms,” Loretta shot back at Jeremy.

      Loretta’s beautiful Mustang slowly wound its way through the busy San Francisco traffic. San Francisco’s traffic is nearly always heavy, but Friday night has a way of bringing out even the most aggressive and crazed driver. Jeremy admired her agile handling of the beautiful little red Mustang. Loretta showed traces of driving habits which were extraordinary for anyone; especially for a young and beautiful doctor.

      “I am impressed, where did you learn how to drive like that?” shouted Jeremy over the din of traffic.

      “What do you mean, monsieur? I always drive like this,” Loretta replied.

      “I believe you, but how do still have your driver’s license?” Grant laughed.

      “My, monsieur, are we always so critical on the first date? I am a very good driver, n’est-ce pas, cheri? (Isn’t that so, darling)”

      “Okay, okay, spoil sport, if you must really know. I spent a year as an exchange student in Paris, France, studying at the Sorbonne, prior to medical school. My French lover, Henri LeClerc Toussaint, taught me how to drive, and make love French style,” Loretta answered with a smirk.

      “Well ma’am, if your lovemaking capabilities are half as good as your driving style, I am in for a real treat,” Jeremy answered, laughingly.

      “Please, answer one thing for me, where are we going in such a hurry?” Jeremy wanted to know.

      “Hang on, Jeremy. We are going after treasure, on Treasure Island. Haven’t you ever been on Treasure Island, cheri?”

      “Nope,” answered Jeremy.

      “Well, there is this beautiful island, right in the middle of San Francisco Bay, and it is called Treasure Island. It has the most beautiful view of San Francisco, and it’s cheap, even if we have the admiral suite at the Bachelors Officer Quarters