Unconventional Lovers

by Annette Mori

  Olivia nodded. “Next time, can you please remind Mr. Simpson to muzzle him? No muzzle, no appointment.” She turned to Bri. “I’m sorry, but if he’s a threat again, I’ll have no choice but to refuse to care for him. You understand that, right? What if he’d bit Evie?”

  Bri frowned. “I understand. If I would have been in the room, he never would have bit you.”

  Olivia patted Bri’s arm. “You’re a good soul. Okay, make sure there aren’t any other appointments when Rover is scheduled. That should help.”

  “Will do, Olivia. Now about that dating thing….” Evie began.

  Chapter Ten

  Olivia eased her massive red truck into the last parking space in front of the bistro. It had been a long time since she’d had a leisurely lunch sitting at one of the outdoor tables. Irene had sometimes asked Evie to leave the schedule blank during the noon hour, to entice Olivia away from the clinic when the weather was nice.

  She took a deep breath before exiting the truck. Kathleen was leaning back in her chair, with her head tipped back and her face to the sun. Olivia couldn’t tell if her eyes were open or not; dark sunglasses hid the evidence.

  When she slammed the truck door shut, Kathleen’s head snapped up.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  Kathleen smiled. “I was just enjoying the sun and catching a few rays. The ED was blissfully quiet today, definitely a rare occasion. All the planets seemed to have lined up. I’m glad you had a last-minute cancellation and could join me.”

  “I must admit to being intrigued by your call. Not that I’m an expert or anything, but it sounded like this isn’t really a social chat. Did you want to discuss something important?” The chair scraped over the cement sidewalk, as Olivia pulled it out to sit.

  “I don’t know how to broach the topic without it somehow coming across as judgmental.”

  Olivia quirked her eyebrow. “Why don’t you simply spit it out? We can navigate the murky waters of etiquette later.”

  “Do you ever worry about Bri forming an unnatural attachment to her friends?”

  Olivia narrowed her gaze. “Unnatural?”

  “It’s just that I get worried the girls will form such an affection for each other and it will distract Siera from school. You know how hard it is for them to stay focused. Siera is going to college in the fall, and she’ll need to concentrate if she is going to succeed. Bri is her very first friend, and I’m afraid she is quite enamored with her. Has Bri had other close friends before?”

  Olivia leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms. “No, Bri is very isolated here. That’s why I’m glad she met Siera. Personally, I don’t think having a good friend is a distraction at all. I think it’s an advantage. Good friends enhance the quality of our lives and bring out the special gifts that exist in us all. I’ve seen a positive change in Bri in the last couple of days, and I believe Siera has played a large role in that. Bri seems more confident.”

  “My husband has this silly notion that maybe the two of them have an attraction to one another beyond friendship.”

  Olivia leaned forward. “Are you afraid they’ll experiment and become intimate with one another?”

  “Aren’t you?”

  “Why would I be? Down’s adults have the same feelings and urges that people without the syndrome have. Why shouldn’t they be able to express those feelings in a loving way?” Olivia glared at Kathleen. “Unless what you really have a problem with is homosexuality. You do know I’m a lesbian?”

  “No, of course I don’t have an issue with gay people, my sister is…Deb?”

  Olivia turned in the direction of Kathleen’s concerned gaze to witness an attractive woman whose wavy dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail. The woman sat heavily at a table and angrily banged down a bottle of beer. She held her head in her hands and was quietly crying.

  “Excuse me, please.” Kathleen pushed back her chair, stood, and moved over to the woman.

  Olivia wasn’t sure how to avoid listening to the two women talk. She felt awkward sitting there, but she needed to finish the conversation with Kathleen. Siera was the best thing that had happened to Bri, and she was damn sure not going to let some well-meaning, but overprotective, mother ruin their friendship.

  “Deb, what’s going on?” Kathleen asked. “Why are you here and drinking a beer in the middle of the day?”

  “The trauma that came in yesterday. We lost him. I had to get away. Don’t worry, Martha sent me home ’cause I couldn’t get my shit together.”

  Olivia stole a look at the woman sitting across from Kathleen. Sadness vibrated all around the woman, and Olivia wanted to wrap her in a hug to make it all go away. Olivia didn’t often feel that way toward people, but she could always tell when an animal was in pain. Olivia wondered if the attractive woman was one of Kathleen’s nurses.

  “The little boy?” Kathleen asked.

  The woman nodded. “Hey, I’m sorry. I interrupted your lunch, and you never get away. Who’s your friend? Does she work at the hospital? I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before. I would have noticed.”

  Olivia turned away, but it was too late. Those piercing brown eyes settled on her, and she knew the woman had caught her eavesdropping on their conversation.

  “Oh, I should introduce you. It’s Bri’s aunt, you know, Siera’s new friend.”

  “Oh yeah, the vet, right? Can I join you, or would that be awkward? I guess it already is awkward, huh? Maybe you two can manage to make sure I don’t drink myself into oblivion.”

  Olivia stood and walked over to the other table. She wasn’t sure what motivated her, but she’d always been a direct person. “I might as well come clean, as I couldn’t help overhear the conversation. I suppose this is kind of awkward, but you look like you could use more than one sympathetic ear today. How about if we join you?”

  The woman brushed her cheek and the small amount of mascara left a smudge of black. Olivia picked up a napkin from the table and held it out for the crying stranger. When she didn’t take the offering, Olivia gently wiped under each eye where the evidence of crying remained. “A little running mascara.”

  “Hi, I’m Deb, Kathleen’s younger sister—oh God, I just realized I’m one of those.”

  Olivia tilted her head. “One of those what?” So this is Siera’s famous aunt with the rotating best friends.

  “Ugly criers. You know, not the Hollywood type of crier who lets a single tear escape down her cheek looking beautiful and vulnerable, but the hiccupping, slobbering, mascara-running, snot factory, ugly weeper.”

  “I wouldn’t exactly categorize you as an ugly crier, just a little extra black makeup in a place you probably don’t want it. I’m Olivia. I hate losing one of my patients. I know it’s not the same, but I cry every time as well. I don’t recommend a liquid lunch. How about I go in and order the meals, while you two chat for a few minutes. Just let me know what you want.”

  Kathleen took a few steps back to their original table and retrieved the bag hanging on the chair. She dug inside and pulled out three twenties and held them out as an offering. “Here, I invited you to lunch, so I insist on paying. I’ll take a smoked turkey on focaccia.”

  Olivia waved away the money. “Don’t worry, I got this. Deb, what would you like?”

  “I’ll take the veggie wrap. Normally, I would argue about a beautiful woman paying, but I don’t have the energy. Of course, I never pass up a chance to let Kathleen pick up the check. You should take her money.”

  “Really, I got this. I don’t have to mess with health insurance for most people who want Fluffy or Spot well taken care of, and pet owners are never stingy about paying to ensure their fur babies get the best treatment. I think I can afford this lunch.” Olivia chuckled and pivoted to enter the bistro.

  As she was opening the door, she heard Deb whisper, “She’s cute and financially stable, why didn’t you tell me the aunt was a lesbian?”

  Olivia smiled, despite the fact she w
as not about to start dating anytime soon. She had excellent hearing after years of deciphering what ailed her patients through listening to the subtle clues. It wasn’t easy when your patient couldn’t use words to tell you what was wrong. The different barks, meows, growls, and other sounds were their mode of communication, along with other nonverbal cues. She was good, but Bri was better.

  †

  Deb took a big swig of her beer and eyed her older sister. She felt better already. Kathleen knew what it was like when the babies died—she could relate after years in the ED. He was only three, and he’d died all alone—well maybe not entirely alone. Deb had taken him in her arms after they’d pulled the vent and disengaged all the wires and life support equipment. A group of nurses, technicians, housekeepers, diet aides, and even the hospitalist had surrounded him. They all hummed Amazing Grace, while he transitioned to what she hoped was a better place. His frail, battered body broke her heart.

  Deb watched through the glass, as Olivia joined the queue. “I like her. She’s got good vibes, and I’m glad Siera has a friend. She needs to have kids her age in her life. You’re a good mom, but Siera hasn’t had it easy in that school. She’s been so alone and lonely.”

  “Did Jeremy call you to double team me or something?” Kathleen’s jaw tensed.

  “What? No. I’ve been a little busy. When would he have called, before that poor little boy made it to the unit, or after he died in my arms?” Deb asked bitterly.

  “Oh God, Sis, I’m sorry I’m being shitty. Look, I know we emergency department nurses can be a crusty bunch, but I’ll bet my last dollar they’re just as shaken up. He came into our ED yesterday. Would you mind terribly if I took my lunch to go? I want to make arrangements for the Employee Assistance Program to come in. I suspect there will be quite a few people that will need to process this, and I’d prefer they do it with a trained counselor versus at the bottom of a bottle. I’ll expect you to attend one of those sessions. Um…I may have left the impression with Olivia I’m some kind of homophobe. Will you set her straight please?”

  “You are a homophobe, and I would never want to set her straight. I prefer the lesbian version.” Deb winked, and before Kathleen answered, she held her hand up. “Yes, I will tell her you’ve come a long way and aren’t that narrow-minded, pig-headed sister I grew up with. Oh wait, yes you are still narrow-minded and pig headed—but not about me being a lesbian, anymore.”

  “I am not…oh, never mind. I’ll go inside and make my apologies. Can I give you some advice?”

  “Ooh, this ought to be good. Love advice from my sister.”

  “Olivia doesn’t seem like your usual flavor of the month. Don’t treat her like one. I think she may have had a longtime lover who passed away not very long ago.”

  “I thought you wanted me to find a good woman to settle down with.” Deb grinned.

  “Just be careful, okay? I don’t want to have to pick up the pieces again, like with Carrie. She wasn’t ready and you pushed.”

  “We were together five years. Do you know what that means in the lesbian world? We bring a moving van to our second date. I think I had every right to expect she’d want to become registered domestic partners. Don’t worry, I’ll not make that mistake again. I hope they never legalize marriage; makes it easier to avoid the conversation altogether. Now, if I can only dodge those U-hauls, my life will be perfection in a bottle.”

  Olivia’s petite form pushed open the doors and she smiled. Deb had to admit this woman was stunning and sophisticated in a down-to-earth way that created quite the dichotomy. She should be friendly toward the woman and not chase after her, for Siera’s sake, she rationalized.

  “Lunch should be out any minute. I asked them to put a rush on it, since I left Bri and Evie back at the clinic. With Evie taking her lunch, Bri will be the only one to watch the office. She gets flustered if she has to do anything more than answer the phone.”

  “Doesn’t like computers, huh? Me neither. I hate the new EMR, that’s our new computer system that is supposed to make it easier to document, but now takes us twice as long.”

  Olivia shook her head. “No, she doesn’t like the computer. She thinks she’ll break it or something. I keep reassuring her she won’t.”

  Kathleen stood. “Look, I’m sorry I have to cut our lunch short, but I have to get back to the hospital. Um…after the uh…well I need to arrange for the debriefing sessions. My ED nurses were in the thick of it yesterday, and they’ll be a mess. I’ll just grab my lunch to go.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll keep your sister company for a little while. Maybe I’ll drag her back to the clinic, so she limits her alcohol intake to one beer. Nothing is more soothing than a litter of kittens. My first appointment this afternoon is with a client who breeds Himalayans. Those kittens are about as adorable as they come. I’m trying very hard not to add the one that looked like he stuck his face in a bowl of milk to my own menagerie.”

  “Ooh, I love fluffy pussycats.” Deb shifted her eyes up to meet Olivia’s, and the one corner of her mouth turned up in a seductive grin. She barely registered her sister rushing into the bistro to collect her lunch. The sadness had evaporated, replaced with a hint of mischief. She did feel better. The sting of the tragic loss of a young boy’s life was a little less painful, now that she had the distraction of a beautiful woman. The sun would shine for several more hours, and she had the afternoon off. Things were looking up.

  †

  Was this gorgeous woman flirting with her? Deb’s shift in mood took Olivia by surprise. As Kathleen rushed off, Olivia sat at the table and set her strawberry lemonade down. “You don’t mind coming back to the clinic and cutting lunch a little short?”

  “No, not at all. As long as I don’t have to go back to the hospital and be reminded…” Deb’s eyes watered.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No, I don’t. Kathleen will make me attend one of the sessions, so I’ll have plenty of time to perfect my ugly crying. I’d rather not start that up again.”

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “I believe you just did.”

  Olivia licked her lips and took a sip of lemonade. She was nervous, but she wanted to understand why Kathleen would have a problem with homosexuality. She was almost positive Deb was gay, and Kathleen didn’t seem fazed by it. She didn’t detect any of the tension that usually clung in the air when a person wasn’t comfortable with their relative’s sexual preference.

  “Go ahead, ask. I’m sorry; I was joking. You look so uneasy. Do I make you nervous?”

  “You’re a lesbian, right? I mean, I don’t want to make assumptions.”

  Deb nodded. “Yep, 100 percent, full-blooded, gold-star lesbian.”

  “So why does your sister seem to…oh, how can I tactfully put this?”

  “It’s okay. No, Kathleen isn’t really a homophobe. Although she could win an Oscar for playing the role of one. She said something stupid, didn’t she?”

  “Not exactly. I think she’s worried Siera is a lesbian. The way she started to talk about it, I got the distinct impression she was less than thrilled.”

  “Hmmm, interesting. My sister is quite logical in her assessment of situations. She has a hard time believing, for the most part, people in Washington don’t give two shits who is sleeping with whom. I’ll bet whatever drove her to invite you to lunch is rooted in her belief Siera doesn’t need any more challenges tossed her way. She sees having to deal with people’s ignorance as a challenge. What she doesn’t understand is her own ignorance is driving the bus now, and it’s going to take Siera to hell and back.”

  “Siera and Bri have already developed a very special bond. I won’t let her take Bri on that bus. I don’t want to see Bri caught up in your sister’s struggles to accept certain realities.”

  “What realities?”

  “Persons with Down syndrome can and do express their feelings in an intimate manner. I’ve done a considerable amount of research and met a few coupl
es through some of the groups I’ve connected with. I never cease to be amazed by the number of people who try to push the couples apart.”

  “Groups?”

  “Yes, Bri is like a daughter to me. So, I connected with a support group that’s mostly parents. They let me hang with them.” Olivia grinned.

  “Wow, that is so cool. Kathleen never got involved in the support groups, but to be fair she has stubbornly advocated for Siera. Too bad she can’t see how she is doing the very thing she rails on others for. She’s not seeing Siera as a beautiful young adult. Instead, she still views her as a child that needs protection. It’s fairly common to treat adults with Down’s like children or adorable pets, even if they’re forty years old. I’ve tried to enlighten her, and so has Jeremy.

  “She can’t see it. She won’t let go of her disappointment and anger about Jeremy’s initial reaction to Siera. Jeremy was so young when Siera was born, and he suggested they should have had the amniocentesis test and aborted.”

  “I see. That must have been hard.”

  “It was, but he came around. Sometimes, it takes a little time to process things. She had a hard time with me being a lesbian at first, but when she realized not being who I was would only cause more pain, she got it. She’ll come around about Siera, too. Give her time. I’ll help steer that bus in the opposite direction. So, is Bri a lesbian too?”

  Olivia shrugged. “I don’t know for sure, but I think it’s entirely possible. Perhaps Siera and Bri are trying to figure that out. I won’t change my message to Bri because your sister isn’t further along in her journey to full acceptance, even if you manage to steer the bus to a new location. I’ve consistently told Bri there is nothing wrong with expressing affection, as long as the other person shares your feelings and is comfortable with touch. I can’t see either one of them pushing the other beyond their comfort zone. I think, if it happens, it will be a slow process of sweet exploration.”