by Lydia Rose
A small smile crossed Marnie’s lips. “I want you to know that I’m in love with you.”
“I love you too. I hope you realize how important you are to me,” Leslie said trying to hold her tears at bay. “I just don’t know if love is enough.
“I know,” Marnie said feeling her heart ache.
“Let’s enjoy the time we have together,” Leslie asked through a tight throat.
Marnie squeezed Leslie to her. “I’m going to hate leaving you when it’s time for me to leave.”
“I know you are.” She kissed Marnie’s lips softly. “Go jump in the shower and I’ll make us some breakfast. Leslie slipped on her robe and left the bedroom.
By the time Marnie made her way downstairs, she could hear Leslie speaking with someone on the phone.
“I can’t, Patty,” Leslie said trying to keep her voice calm.
Marnie stood listening even though she could only hear one side of the conversation.
“Okay, if you want to know the reason. Marnie is in town.”
Marnie watched as Leslie lowered her head as Patty spoke with her.
“I know that, Patty. She is only here for a few days. We can get together for New Year’s Eve.”
She’s dating Patty.
“I promise. I’ll talk to you soon.” Leslie turned around and saw Marnie standing in the doorway.
“You’re seeing her again?” Marnie asked softly.
“We’ve only been out a few times.”
“Have you slept with her?” Marnie asked glaring.
Leslie shook her head. “Not since we got back together.” She approached Marnie until she was standing in front of her. “I missed you so much.”
“I understand, Leslie. I have no right to tell you who you can or cannot date.” The words made Marine sound honorable, but that wasn’t how she was feeling. She wanted to yell and scream and tell Leslie that she couldn’t do that to her, but she also knew she had no right. What could she offer Leslie except days instead of years?
*
Christmas Day was spent with Leslie’s family. The women in the family fawned over Marnie and made her feel part of the family. When they left Leslie’s family home that evening, they were loaded down with leftovers.
“I guess we won’t have to cook for a few days,” Marnie said as they got into the car.
“My family loves you, Marnie,” Leslie said softly as she started the car. “I have to be in the café early tomorrow. Come have breakfast with me when you get up.”
“I will.”
The two women got to Leslie’s house and walked to the bedroom. Clothes were taken off slowly and once they were in bed, they kissed each other. “I love you,” Marnie whispered as she captured Leslie’s mouth in a deep kiss.
Leslie rolled on top of Marnie and straddled her hips. Her head lowered and she sucked on the skin on Marnie’s neck. “Don’t ever doubt that I love you.”
“Never,” Marnie moaned as Leslie’s mouth took possession of her body.
When Marnie awoke in the morning she knew she would be alone, but it still disappointed her. She threw back the covers and went to take a shower.
Walking into the café Dot was there to greet her. “Hey, beautiful,” she called out and wrapped Marnie in a hug. “Happy Holidays.”
“Happy Holidays to you, Dot. It’s good to see you again.”
“Your girl has been waiting for you to get here.”
Marnie looked over at Leslie and saw the wide smile. Then she leaned into Dot and whispered, “She kept me up late last night.” They both laughed at her comment.
“Well, let me get you some strong coffee.”
Marnie walked to the back of the café and greeted the people between her and Leslie. “Morning,” she said as she took a seat.
“Good morning, love. Did you sleep well?” Leslie asked wanting so much to kiss her right now.
“I did, but it would have been better if I woke up to you sleeping beside me.”
Dot put the cup of coffee in front of her. “Do you want the special?”
“Yes,” she answered without asking what it was. Marnie smiled when her eyes went back to Leslie. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”
“Of course,” she said laughing. “Seriously, you can’t look at me like that while we’re in public.”
Marnie put her hands up. “How am I looking at you?”
“Like you’d rather devour me instead of your breakfast.”
Marnie laughed out loud and looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to them. She leaned closer to Leslie. “That’s because I would.”
“Later,” Leslie said. “Later.”
“Can’t you take a break?” Marnie asked with a wink.
Before Leslie could respond, Dot put the plate of food in front of her. “Enjoy.”
Marnie’s last night in Waterville was filled with long loving looks at each other. They both wondered how long it would be before they would be together again. “Will you come up and see me when you get some time off?”
“I will, Marnie.”
CHAPTER 20
Marnie boarded her flight back to New York. The pain in her heart made her keep the sunglasses on her face because she knew she would never be able to stop the tears that would ultimately fall. She knew that tonight Leslie would be spending her time with Patty. A woman who had once let her go and now Leslie was giving her a second chance.
After collecting her car from the extended parking lot, she drove to her parents’ home.
“Marnie,” her mother said when she opened the door. “I thought you were in Georgia?”
“I was,” Marnie answered, walking into the house.
“You just missed your sister and Jason.” She looked at Marnie’s pained face and took her arm. “Let’s go have a cup of coffee.” They passed her dad who was sleeping in the recliner unaware of anything going on in the house. She poured the coffee and took a seat. “How was your trip?”
Marnie looked at her mother. “I loved the time we spent together, but it is so hard to leave her.”
“Does she love you?” Marnie nodded. “Do you love her?”
“Yes to both those questions.”
“Marnie, you’re forty-three years old. Have you ever loved another woman before?”
“Not the way I love, Leslie.” There had been other women, but none fit her perfectly the way Leslie did. Not only was their sex life unbelievable, but she truly enjoyed being in Leslie’s company.
“And you are just going to walk away from her?” Kathy Williams asked, touching her daughter’s hand.
“No, Mom. We are going to try and have a long-distance relationship.”
“Is that what you really want, Marnie?”
“No, but Leslie doesn’t want to move to New York.”
“I ask again, what about you?” Kathy asked.
“What about me? Do you want me to give up my partnership with the firm and move to Georgia?” Marnie asked, staring at her mother.
“I would miss you, but all your dad and I always wanted was for you to be happy. Can you see yourself happy without Leslie?”
“I was offered a prosecutor’s job in Georgia,” she said softly. “It is for a lot less money then I’m making now. A lot, Mom.”
“Is money all you care about?”
Marnie sat there not responding. Yes, she made good money, but she had no time to spend that money. Her apartment was the best that she could ever hope to own, but every night she came home to an empty apartment. How could she give up this lifestyle she had come to appreciate? The clubs, her friends, her family. “Mom, I know what you are saying, but if I give up my life here, I might resent Leslie someday.”
“That can happen, but not if you really love each other. Love is the only thing you should care about. Money and things aren’t the important things in life, sweetheart.” She patted Marnie’s hand. “Just think about it, honey.”
“Leslie is dating someone else,” she said barely abov
e a whisper.
“I’m sorry, Marnie. I thought you said Leslie loves you?”
“She does, mom, but I’m not there and Patty is.”
“Are you prepared to lose her, Marnie?”
“I don’t know, mom. I honestly don’t know.”
*
Leslie walked into her parent’s home later that day. “Where is Marnie?” Rachel asked looking behind Leslie.
“She went back to New York,” Leslie answered softly not meeting her eyes. “She has work on Monday.”
“I thought at least she would have stayed through New Year’s,” Rachel said pouring Leslie a cup of coffee.
“It’s hard, Rachel. Every time we are together, I don’t want to be without her.”
“You two love each other, but someone has to bend on what you are going to do about it.”
“So what are you doing tonight?” Rachel asked holding Leslie’s hand.
“I’m going with Patty to a party.”
“Patty? The girl that dumped you because she didn’t want to be tied down any longer. The girl who broke your heart. The girl.”
Leslie held up her hand. “I get it, Rachel. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone. I think Patty has changed and she’s ready to settle down.”
“Please, Leslie. Be careful.”
“I will, Rachel.”
*
“How was Christmas?” Sheila asked New Year’s Eve.
“Good. It’s so hard to leave her, Sheila. Especially now that she’s seeing someone else too.”
“What?” Sheila screamed into the phone. “Stay at your apartment, I’ll be there shortly.” Sheila hung up before Marnie could say another word.
A short while later, Sheila was knocking on the door. She noticed the drink in Marnie’s hand. “I hope you haven’t been drinking all day?”
Marnie didn’t answer until she took a seat on the couch. “I only just started. I’m losing her, Sheila.” Marnie poured another drink. “When I told Leslie that I could stay five days she got upset. She asked if our relationship was going to be counted in days instead of years.” Marnie wiped at an escaped tear. “Then I found out that she’s also seeing an old girlfriend. A woman that broke her heart and Leslie is allowing her back in.”
“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. I thought Leslie was in love with you,” Sheila said moving closer to Marnie.
Marnie finished off her drink and got up to pour another. “She does, but she’s there and I’m not.”
“Are you sure she won’t move here?”
“I asked, but she said no.” Marnie put the drink to her lips and took a healthy swallow.
“I know you won’t move down there. Can you imagine yourself living in Georgia?” Sheila couldn’t help but laugh because she knew her friend would be so out of place there.
Marnie didn’t answer Sheila about seeing herself living in Georgia because living there wasn’t the problem. It was giving up everything she had here in New York. “Can you imagine me accepting a position that paid $60,000 a year?”
“No I can’t.” Sheila realized what Marnie had said and asked, “Wait. Who offered you a job?”
“The current assistant DA. The District Attorney is retiring and she offered me her job.”
“Yeah, right. You are a junior partner in a large New York firm and will give that up to be an assistant DA in Georgia?” Sheila couldn’t stop laughing.
Marnie laughed too, but the tears wouldn’t stop coming down her face while she laughed.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh,” Sheila said taking her hand.
“It’s okay. It is funny, but maybe I should accept the job. If that’s what I have to do to have Leslie in my life,” Marnie said wiping her eyes.
“Let me take you out tonight. We will find some beautiful women and bring them home with us.”
“I don’t want anyone else. I only want her.”
*
Marnie did go out with Sheila that night, but no one approached her. It was obvious from her face that no one should enter her personal space. That didn’t stop Sheila from dancing with as many women as she could until she found one to take home. Marnie left the bar the moment Sheila disappeared.
CHAPTER 21
Marnie was working harder than she had before her trip south. She would be the first one in the office and the last one to leave. What made it worse was Sheila was on assignment in Texas for one of their clients. Each night Marnie would get home, take a yogurt out of the refrigerator and stand in front of the glass looking at the skyline. One evening her cellphone rang. She smiled as she looked at the screen. “Hey, Buddy. How are you?” Marnie asked with a smile in her voice.
“I’m good, Marnie. How are you?” Buddy asked laughing.
Marnie began to laugh with him. He had turned into a good friend and always made sure to keep her up to date as to what was happening in Georgia. “I’m good, Buddy.”
“They’ve scheduled the trial for April 15th.”
Marnie knew that already from the email Sandra Marks had sent. She went as far as to ask Marnie to be first chair. Sandra explained that they would handle all the preliminary things and she would only have to arrive for the trial. Marnie thought this was unorthodox since she wasn’t even working for the prosecutor, but Sandra said they could work it out. “I know, Buddy. Sandra Marks let me know.” Leaving out the other details, she asked instead, “How is Tom and his family?” She purposely left Leslie’s name out of her question.
“Tom and his parents are good.” Buddy lowered his voice, “Leslie has been going out with Patty Henderson,” Buddy said hating to tell her, but he felt it was the right thing to do.
“I know, Buddy. I want her to be happy.”
“Are we ever going to see you again?” Buddy asked with hope in his voice.
“I can’t get away from work at this time and maybe I should let Leslie get on with her life.”
“You know what’s best, Marnie.” Buddy sighed. “It was nice to speak with you, Marnie.”
“You too and if you ever come my way, please let me know.”
“Don’t think that’s going to happen,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t think my mom would like me wandering around New York City.”
“Invitation is always open, Buddy. Good night.”
“See ya, Marnie.”
The moment she disconnected the call, her phone lit up again. Her smile opened as she saw Leslie’s face staring at her. “Hi.”
“Hi, Marnie. How are you?”
“Okay. Just got home from work.”
“Oh, Marnie. It’s almost eleven o’clock.”
“Don’t worry. I’m all right. How about you?”
“I’m fine, Marnie.” Leslie let out an exasperated breath. “I miss you.”
Without telling Leslie she missed her too, she asked. “How is Patty?”
“She’s not you, Marnie. She never will be, but I can’t spend the rest of my life in limbo.”
“I’m sorry, Leslie.”
“I know you are.”
*
The following day Marnie walked into her office and began working. She didn’t even hear her office door open. “What the hell is wrong with you?” Sheila asked as she approached.
“Nothing,” Marnie replied, taking off her reading glasses.
“Nothing? Your bags have bags and when was the last time you ate a decent meal?” Sheila sat on the corner of Marnie’s desk staring down at her.
“I’m fine and don’t listen to what Tracey says,” Marnie said referring to her secretary. “She is always trying to shove food in my face.”
“Obviously, you need it. I’ve only been gone two weeks and you must have lost ten pounds.”
Marnie stuck her tongue out. “Exaggerate much?”
“It’s not an exaggeration, Marnie. You do look terrible,” Sheila said touching Marnie’s hand.
“Gee thanks, friend. I’ve had a lot of work here to do,” she said pointing to the papers on her des
k.
“You can’t go on like this, Marnie. Eventually, you are going to crash.”
“I miss her so much, Sheila,” Marnie said looking at her friend. “She’s still dating Patty.”
“I know you feel out of control right now, but working yourself to death isn’t the solution.”
“What am I supposed to do, Sheila?” Marnie asked harshly.
“Only you can answer that honey, and you better find a solution soon.”
Marnie stood up. “Don’t you have any work to do?”
“I’m going,” Sheila said in a huff and left the office. She walked over to Tracey. “You don’t by any chance have Leslie Reynolds’s phone number?”
Tracey smiled and went into her computer. “I just happen to have that right here.” She wrote down the number and handed it to Sheila. “Good luck,” she called as Sheila walked away.
“Leslie Reynolds,” Leslie said answering a number she didn’t recognize.
“Hi, Leslie. It’s Sheila Simmons in New York.”
“Hello, Sheila. How are you?”
“I’m good. What about you?”
“Oh you know. Working hard.”
“You too?” Sheila asked.
“What do you mean?” Leslie asked, not understanding.
“Well, my friend here has been working herself too hard. She’s lost weight and I don’t know what to do for her.” Sheila let out a breath before she said. “What makes it worse is you dating that woman.”
“Sheila, I love Marnie, but she lives there and I live here.” Leslie was now crying. “It’s hard, Sheila. I love to be with Marnie, but leaving is the part that hurts the most.”
“I don’t understand either one of you. You both love each other, but neither one of you is willing to bend.” Sheila took a breath.
“Sheila, there is no solution for us.. I wish there was, but there really isn’t.”
“Are you so sure about that?” Sheila asked in a sing-song voice.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know the prosecutor offered her a job down there?” Sheila went on to explain the whole story.
“She never said a word.”
“Of course she didn’t. Marnie has to process everything and you dating someone else confuses her even more so. You have that ticket, so come visit her.”
