Joint Venture

by Tey Holden

  Melanie looked at her, but said nothing. As a psychiatrist, she knew that Victoria had to get all of it out of her system.

  “I’ve had time to think about all of it, Mel. It’s been over two years since all of that happened. I’ve come to realize that although I hate Susan St. James for having had no scruples about breaking up a relationship, I can’t totally blame her. I don’t think you can break something that is solid. She didn’t break Addy and Karen. My relationship with Pam obviously was not as strong. Susan found a way to interfere with us, and she did. I don’t like her, and I think she is capable of anything to get what she wants. I know you guys are solid, but planting lies and creating situations present a lot of hardships. I’m just warning you because I hate to see you guys having problems on account of someone who is so devious.”

  Melanie continued to caress her back. “When Pam left, I was heart-broken. But I also realized that she’d never be happy with me, and that she’d break my heart again.” She paused. “I also couldn’t really forgive her. There is something that happens when someone betrays you that can never make things right again. Things would have never been the same. Maybe I didn’t love her enough. I don’t know what it was, Mel. All I know is what I am. I am a veterinarian. I deal with horses and cows and that is all I will ever be, and that was never going to be enough for her. I need someone who accepts me for who I am, as simple and as common as I may be. I didn’t take her back, and the last I heard, from a mutual friend, was that she was in London. I’m sorry that all this had to come up.” She looked at Melanie. “I would have told you, but in time.” Then she looked at Addy. “And I’m sorry, Addy. I think I offended you last night with the way I treated Susan. You are a very fine person, and my hatred for her blinded me. I forgot the company I was with. I’m really very sorry.” She looked at Karen.

  Karen waved her hand in the air. “I think we’ve had enough talk this morning. Addy and I talked last night, and we decided that if we come across her again, I will talk to her.”

  Victoria was not too happy. She feared for their relationship, but she had warned them and there was nothing else she could do.

  “Vic, I could say not to worry about them, but I must tell you that I once told them that if they ever split up, I would stop believing in love and that I would go around—.”

  “Melanie!” Addy interrupted, Karen laughed knowing what the next line would be. When Melanie stopped talking, Addy explained. “Perhaps you should tell Victoria the rest of your anecdote in private?” She made a questioning gesture with her face.

  Melanie laughed. “Okay, I got it!”

  Karen chuckled and gave the word. “Let’s go home!”

  Part 12

  The following month, Alejandro repeated the same performance and won the Derby. The Derby is the most prestigious of all races in the Triple Crown and is considered one of the most impressive thoroughbred horse races in the world. Alejandro won it remarkably, seven lengths ahead of the next horse crossing the finish line. The women could hardly believe it themselves.

  JP showed up wearing his white tuxedo jacket again, but this time the variation was the color of his vest, billiard green. His pants were also different. He was wearing white linen jodhpurs and black riding boots. The jodhpurs were so wide at the hips they gave him the appearance of having a huge rear, which of course was far from true. He also had a riding crop in his hand. For a man who had never ridden a horse in his life, he looked like something out of a picture from Horse and Hound magazine.

  “Mommy, look at Uncle JP!” Alex was the first one to see him.

  “Oh my God!” Karen exclaimed.

  Addy also looked and chuckled, leaning on Karen for support. “Oh, Ker! He’s such a sight!”

  “I swear, sometimes I don’t know why we hang out with him. I think he’s gotten worse over the years.” Karen was appalled by his outfit.

  “He is a great friend and he makes us laugh all the time, honey, and we love to have a good time.” She patted Karen on the arm. Of course, these comments were kept just between the two of them. They were careful not to say anything negative about anyone in front of Alex.

  “Mommy, he looks like he just came from riding a horse.”

  “Yeah. I know which one he rode!” Karen whispered and Addy bumped her with her shoulder. “Ker!”

  “But he doesn’t ride, Mommy, you know that!”

  “Yes, you are right, Alex. He’s just dressing for the occasion.” She smirked as she looked out over the track and then to Addy when Addy again bumped her.

  With the bump, Karen lost her footing a bit this time. “Hey! You are going to make me fall.”

  “Nope. I got you.” Addy pulled her back. Her arm was laced through Karen’s in a tight grip. Addy often held her like that in public. She’d always say that it felt intimate. She knew that Karen would never hold her in public, but loved to be held. Addy always told Karen that she was too hung up on being a lesbian and that she, instead, not having become one until later in her life was more relaxed about it. Karen always chuckled at the comment. It was not until recently that Addy had accepted ‘the family’ as her own. Addy never had a second thought about holding her no matter where they were, to Addy life just happened as it went.

  Addy was probably right, years of rejection and faces of disapproval had made Karen self-conscious and somewhat reserved in public. It was only when they were in crowds that she sometimes held Addy. But it was more because her protective need overcame her self-consciousness. In crowds, however, it was different. She’d stand behind Addy and wrap her arms around her waist and bring her face close to Addy’s ear, teasing her by breathing into her ear. Addy would always smile and ask the same question, “do you want to leave, or are we watching this event?” Karen always chuckled, but there were a few times when Karen had actually asked if they could leave, and Addy was always ready to go. Today in the stands, Addy was holding her arm and Alex stood in front of them. Melanie was also with them. Victoria was with Alejandro, Marshall, Carol and Gyro.

  JP and James finally made their way to where they were sitting. “Hi ladies!” JP greeted them profusely as James smiled behind him. James was wearing a regular suit, but his tie matched the exact color of JP’s vest.

  “Uncle JP you look awesome! I love your outfit, especially your pants. They make you look like you have a big butt,” Alex proclaimed.

  “Alex!” Addy scolded.

  “They are very comfortable, very roomy.” He gave James a look, and Karen immediately cleared her throat in an exaggerated manner giving him a serious look. Karen never liked his innuendos in Addy’s presence. She had made it very clear over the years that he had to behave when Addy was present. Of course, he was always very righteous when it came to Alex. It was Addy he liked to tease.

  James leaned into Karen. “He does look kind of cute, doesn’t he?” Karen didn’t comment but grinned. As long as you like it!

  “Did you see Uncle J’s tie?” He asked Alex.

  “Yes, it’s the same color as your vest.”

  “It sure is! I wanted to make sure I had a tag on him. He is too handsome to be running around loose.” Alex laughed, and James rolled his eyes.

  Karen continued to grin keeping her thoughts to herself. I know why these two are late today! She looked at Addy, who was probably having the same thoughts, judging by her grin and the look she gave her.

  When the race began, the crowd roared. JP joined in the excitement and accidentally hit the gentleman in the row in front of him with his riding crop. JP apologized profusely and the gentleman forgave him, given all the excitement.

  “I told you to leave that dammed crop at home! Why did you need to bring that stupid thing? But do you listen to me? No!” James was dying of embarrassment, after apologizing to the gentleman himself. He turned to talk to Karen. “I swear, I don’t know how he has not gotten us in some real trouble already! Sometimes he drives me up the wall!”

  Karen laughed. “Yes, but when he is not dri
ving you up the wall, you love him and that is why you put up with his extravagances. Admit it, you do laugh with him.” James grinned and even blushed a bit. Karen tapped him on the chest.

  The fanfare around Alejandro was beyond belief and all of the sudden they found themselves in the middle of it. The press tried to get interviews with them, but was not successful. Karen made sure that the security around them was strong. They had already decided that Gyro would be the spokesperson for them. They were private individuals and wanted to remain away from the public eye. The press nevertheless spotted them at the winner circle, but was never able to get close to them.

  JP was not pleased with the decision to stay anonymous. “Karen, I cannot believe you! Addy you have to convince her. You guys must appear on TV and in the press. This is too big to let it go unnoticed. Publicity is always good.”

  Addy saw that Karen was annoyed by his continued nagging, and intervened. She was afraid that Karen might growl at him. “JP, we’ve already told you how we feel about appearing on talk shows, or news or anything of the kind. We like our privacy. It’s our choice and it’s been made, and you have to respect that. Is that clear?”

  JP and Karen were both surprised with Addy’s emphatic response. Addy was always sweet and rarely lost her temper. The reason she had taken such a strong stand was because she knew how Karen felt about all the fanfare, and she didn’t want more expose than the strictly necessary. There was also the matter of keeping Alex out of the public eye. Alex was a poster child. She was beautiful, outgoing, eloquent, and could make friends easily. They knew that if the press had a moment with her they would love her and would hound her until the end of time. She was not going to allow any of that to happen and so JP had to be stopped once and for all. He knew, from past experiences, not to mess with Addy. He knew that Addy’s final word, was really final.

  “Okay, Adriana! Suit yourself!” JP turned and walked away pretending to be offended. Karen smiled and glanced at Addy when she saw him retreat. Addy was pleased with the outcome.

  ***

  At one of the parties, as expected, they came across Susan. This time Susan was resolved to be bolder and intercepted Karen when she was going towards the bar to get drinks for her and Addy. Karen took the opportunity to talk to her, as she had promised Addy. Susan was dressed very provocatively. It was June and her attire only covered the necessary parts of the body to remain decent. “Can we step outside for a few minutes to talk?” Susan asked.

  “Sure.”

  Susan felt encouraged thinking that Karen was attracted to her in her skimpy outfit. Little did she know that Karen was only there to fulfill her agreed upon agenda. They walked out to the adjacent terrace. The air outside was a bit cool and the breeze immediately hardened Susan’s nipples and they became very evident through the soft fabric of her dress. Susan was hoping for a reaction from Karen, but there was none.

  “I’m glad we are finally able to talk.”

  “Yes, me too.”

  Susan seemed a bit surprised, suddenly feeling hopeful. She took a deep breath and spoke. “You know I’ve always had feelings for you, ever since that time when you dropped the bomb on me. I wouldn’t mind giving you another chance. Come with me. Let’s live it up and have some fun.”

  Karen was fuming inside, but kept poised. Just the thought of this woman making this offer to her, felt like an insult to her and more importantly to Addy. Addy was also at the party and had seen how Susan directed Karen out to the terrace away from the crowd. Melanie and Victoria, who had been keeping a vigilant eye, walked over to Addy to observe how things played out.

  “She has some nerve!” Victoria commented looking at Addy. “She’s despicable!”

  Melanie rubbed Victoria’s back while Addy remained quiet, her eyes still on the distant patio door.

  As Karen began to speak, Susan interrupted. “You are going to turn me down, aren’t you?”

  Karen’s strategy was to let her talk and see how it played out. She had her poker face on.

  “Before you do, I’d like you to know that Addy saw you coming out here with me and that you might already be in trouble with her.” She mocked, briefly enjoying a small moment of triumph.

  The comment felt like adding insult to injury, yet Karen did not waver. How dare she use Addy against her? She kept her composure and spoke calmly, remembering Addy’s plea for civility no matter the circumstances. “Susan, I don’t share your feelings. There’s nothing, and there will never be anything between you and I. I need you to understand and accept that. I’m happy with my life, and I have no intention to look for another. I wish you could find someone and make a life for yourself as well. Whatever happened to Alana? I thought the two of you would end up together.”

  Susan laughed. “Alana and I are too much alike, it would never work.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe you should try to make it work.” Susan remained silent.

  “I have nothing else to say. I hope we are done with this conversation, forever. Don’t pursue this. I’m not interested. And by the way, if I am here talking to you, it is only because Addy asked me to talk to you when I had the opportunity. If she saw us come out here, she knows exactly what I’m saying to you. Good night, Susan, and good luck.”

  She was a person of few words and there was no need to say more. In this type of situation, short and simple was always better.

  “Good night, Karen.” Susan remained on the balcony, deep in thought.

  The entire conversation didn’t take more than five minutes. Karen came back into the room and Victoria and Melanie breathed a sigh of relief when they saw her emerge from behind the doors. Addy smiled, and as she watched Karen approach her smile grew bigger. The most gorgeous woman in the world was making her way through the crowd to her, and she couldn’t wait to be closer and be lost in the green of the eyes she loved. And for Karen, there was nowhere else to go, but straight home, to the warmth of the loving arms waiting to wrap themselves around her.

  Victoria and Melanie smiled when they saw the look of want and love in their friends’ faces. The atmosphere all of a sudden was charged, saturated with desire and yearning. If there had been a hormone level meter right there, it would have certainly exploded.

  Karen spoke looking at Addy. “Mel, would you please bring Alex with you when you go back to the hotel? Addy and I are leaving now.” They were still holding each other’s gaze and grinning.

  Mel knew that this request was an honor because they usually never left Alex with others. “You bet, Karen, it will be our pleasure. We’ll stay for a while longer since she seems to be enjoying her chat with Lord Fannon. Take your time with Addy and enjoy the evening. We’ll give you a call when we are back at the hotel just to let you know we are there. Once there, we’ll rent a movie and keep her entertained to give you guys extra time.”

  “Thanks, Mel,” Karen replied. “Should we go, Addy?”

  Addy looked at Mel smiling and waved. “Yes. Good night, Mel, Vic.”

  Karen and Addy left and went straight to the hotel and made love until the phone rang much later that night. Karen took the call. It was Mel. “Sorry to interrupt, but just wanted to let you know that we are at the hotel, and that Alex fell asleep on the way here. We can keep her, if you’d like.”

  “Thanks, Mel. I’ll come to get her.” Their rooms were on the same floor.

  “Karen, she can stay with us. It’s not a problem.”

  “Thank you, Mel. But it will be hard to explain to her tomorrow why we didn’t pick her up. I’ll come in a minute.” She hung up and talked to a very sleepy and satisfied Addy. “Baby, I’m going to take a quick shower, and I’m going to run to Mel’s room to get Alex, okay?”

  “Umhum.” Addy smiled, kissed her, and in her slumber continued to hold on to her. “Umm, don’t go! I want you.”

  Karen chuckled. “I’ll be right back. I need to get Alex.”

  “Umhum.”

  It took Karen only a few minutes to shower, put on a pair of jea
ns and a sweater, and walk barefooted to pick up her daughter. She knocked, and Victoria opened the door.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi. Where’s my bundle of joy?”

  “In here, Karen.” Melanie spoke from inside the room. “She fell asleep as soon as we got in.”

  “Yeah, she’s like that. Thanks, guys. We owe you.”

  “Don’t mention it,” Vic replied.

  “Say good night to Addy for us.”

  “I will, bye.”

  Karen carried her daughter, who wasn’t so little anymore, back to their suite. She locked the door and took Alex to her bed. Changed her into her pajamas, tucked her in, and kissed her good night. She took a final look at the beautiful eight-year-old angel. Then she went back to her own bedroom, took off her clothes and got in bed. Addy immediately opened her arms to receive her. Karen straddled Addy’s thigh, tucked her hair back and looked at the adoring sleepy face. Anyone would have to be crazy to think that she’d ever give up any of this!

  Addy had her eyes closed but was smiling. She knew that Karen was looking at her. “I love you too, and I hope that you are planning on more than just looking at me. Blondie feels pretty hot and wet to just have her sit there.” She opened her eyes to find the gorgeous green ones burning with desire.

  “She’s not going to sit for long. She’s just taking her time to pleasure herself,” Karen whispered seductively.

  Addy smiled. “Don’t make me wait, sexy.” She wrapped her legs around Karen’s, and Karen immersed herself into Addy’s arms. “Umm.” Karen moaned, as she wrapped herself around the body of the woman she adored. “You never asked me.” Karen whispered in her ear.