Unconventional Lovers

by Annette Mori

  †

  Bri watched Siera walk on stage to collect her diploma. The whole family was hooting and hollering, and she joined in along with her aunt. She’d brought her camera and kept taking pictures, though she knew she was too far away to get a clear shot.

  Kathleen brought her fancy digital camera that also took high-definition videos and filmed the whole thing. Toby kept tugging on his shirt collar and making funny faces at his dad, and Bri was laughing at his antics.

  “Cut that out, Toby,” Kathleen chastised.

  “It’s hotter than the bowels of hell today. You guys get to wear sundresses, but Dad and I are melting in these damn dress shirts and ties. It’s not fair,” Toby complained. “The least you can do is let me joke around a bit.”

  “Fair? Don’t get me started on how many hours of labor I endured, not to mention bras, nylons, and having to shave our legs every day in the summer,” Kathleen lectured. “Your sister will be meeting us soon, so hold your damn horses.”

  “You’re not wearing nylons, and nobody said you have to wear bras. Bring back the seventies when you guys burned them. I wouldn’t mind seeing Amy without a bra.” Toby wiggled his eyebrows.

  Kathleen leaned across and smacked Toby in the chest. “Can you please behave for five more minutes, then we can return home for the graduation party. I don’t give two shits what you change into then.”

  †

  Kathleen was rushing around the kitchen pulling out bowls and pots, setting out the potatoes to dice up and roast on the grill. Other vegetables intended for grilling were already on the counter, and she began to slice them into large enough pieces for Jeremy, the grill master.

  Siera had dragged Bri to her room, and Kathleen assumed Toby had gone to change out of his dress clothes. She’d sent Jeremy to the store for last-minute groceries she’d forgotten. He grumbled about needing to change out of his good clothes, but agreed to go right away to the store.

  She wasn’t sure whether it was a good idea to invite Carrie, especially after sensing something had shifted between Olivia and Deb. It was so subtle she’d almost missed it, and now she was wondering if she’d made a big mistake.

  On so many occasions, she’d wanted to take Olivia aside and have a come-to-Jesus meeting, knowing Deb was in love with the kindhearted woman. Every passing month made it more difficult for Olivia to finally admit she cared for Deb as more than a friend, but Kathleen had no doubt that was exactly how Olivia was feeling, whether she would admit that to herself or not.

  Two quick knocks on the garage door, and Deb and Olivia entered the kitchen.

  “Okay the cavalry is here now, what can we do to help?” Deb asked.

  “Yeah, put us to work,” Olivia added.

  “Can one of you wash and cut up the potatoes?” Kathleen asked.

  “Sure, I can do that. Where are the girls?” Deb asked.

  “They went to Siera’s room. I think maybe they’re changing. I’m not sure what they’re doing,” Kathleen responded.

  Deb glanced at Olivia and smirked. Olivia chuckled.

  Kathleen furrowed her brow, as she noted the look that passed between Olivia and Deb. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing. You need to give Olivia a job, you know, idle hands.” Deb poked Olivia in the ribs.

  “Okay. If you wouldn’t mind, can you start cutting up the bell peppers? Just put them in this bowl.” Kathleen pointed to a large bowl sitting on the island.

  Kathleen decided she might as well break the news to Deb rather than surprise her later. “Um listen, Deb, I need to tell you something. I hope it’s not a problem. I was talking in the ED the other day, about Siera’s graduation and how proud I am of her…”

  “Yeah that’s not a big surprise, you always talk about Siera.” Deb picked up the bowl of potatoes, took them to the sink, and began washing each one and setting them in the colander.

  “Well, when Carrie was interviewing with me, I sorta invited her to the party,” Kathleen confessed.

  “You what?”

  “Now Deb,” Kathleen began. “Carrie was very close to the family before you two broke up. It seemed like the polite thing to do.”

  Olivia frowned, but didn’t say a word.

  “Fuck the polite thing to do. I am not ready to be around her yet. Could you have at least given me a chance to get used to the idea? God damn, Kathleen, first you hire her and now this. I’m your sister for Christ’s sake.” Deb threw the potato in the sink and stomped out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind her.

  Kathleen looked at Olivia with a pained expression. She knew it was going to be awkward, but she hadn’t quite expected that reaction.

  Olivia patted Kathleen’s shoulder. “I’ll go.”

  †

  Olivia found Deb on the back patio sitting in one of the lawn chairs with her head in her hands. She squatted down in front, touching Deb’s knees.

  “Kathleen makes me so damn mad, and I can’t believe I let this upset me after so many years. She left, so what, people split up all the time,” Deb said. “It’s not like I haven’t moved on. I can’t figure out if these are tears of frustration or pain, but I know what the catalyst was.”

  Deb looked up and her tear-stained cheeks nearly broke Olivia’s heart. She wanted to take away the pain and confusion, and before she realized what was happening, she touched her lips to Deb’s.

  Deb’s eyes grew wide, and she put her finger to Olivia’s mouth.

  “Oh shit, I’m sorry Deb. I’m not helping, am I? What can I do for you? You know if it was in my power, I would remove every single stitch of pain.”

  Deb swiped away a tear. “I wanted a couple more days to prepare myself. That isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

  “No hon, it isn’t.”

  “Today is about Siera and her accomplishment not some dyke drama,” Deb said.

  “Um, Deb, have you looked at yourself? Definitely not in the dyke category, and although I’ve never met Carrie, I’m guessing she wouldn’t fit that stereotype either.”

  Deb lifted her eyes and met Olivia’s. “Why did you kiss me?”

  “Bad timing, huh?”

  “Ya think? Now answer the question. You’ve never been afraid to lay things on the line before.”

  Olivia sighed. “No, I haven’t. I did start to fess up to my feelings yesterday, but you aren’t ready to absorb anything yet. It was wrong of me to kiss you. I guess it felt right, though I know it wasn’t. Look, I’m not going to push you to figure things out, but for the record, I’ve officially crossed the line and now the ball is in your court. Take some time and go to dinner with Carrie, or spend a bit of time with her. If, after you do that, you’re ready to explore what we might evolve into, then I’ll still be here. Now, let’s talk about your current dilemma. What do you need from me right this minute?”

  “I need you to be by my side, like you always are, and be ready to whisk me away if things get too weird in there.” Deb jerked her thumb at the glass doors that led into the house.

  “You got it. We can stay an appropriate amount of time at the party and leave early if you want. Bri and Siera are surprisingly intuitive, more than people give them credit for. They’ll understand. I’m sure of it.”

  “Okay, I’m ready to go back inside, but I’m not apologizing to my insensitive sister.”

  Olivia grinned. “Nor should you. I almost feel compelled to pull her aside and read her the riot act myself.”

  Deb stood up, grabbing Olivia’s hands, and hugged her. “Be sure to give me a play by play of that conversation.”

  “You got it.”

  †

  After kissing a little and caressing each other’s bodies for a few minutes, Siera and Bri changed into shorts and tank tops. They emerged from Siera’s bedroom and went out to the back patio to hang out, while waiting for the rest of the guests to arrive. They’d both asked if Kathleen needed help, but she’d shooed them away to enjoy the sunshine.

  Toby joined them after promptl
y changing into his own casual clothing. He’d invited his on-again, off-again, girlfriend, Amy. Siera thought he deserved every time Amy broke up with him, because he would always do something stupid. Boys were so immature sometimes. She’d told him that, one day, Amy wasn’t going to take him back, and he would deserve it. Siera loved her brother, but he was full of himself and that always got him in trouble.

  Jeremy was cleaning the outside of the grill, trying to make it sparkle. Kathleen had told him she wanted everything perfect, and his domain was the outside. Siera had heard her tell him he was getting on her last nerve and had better scoot outside to make sure everything looked nice before she decided to trade him in for a younger model.

  Siera knew it was an idle threat, because she’d never seen two people more in love with one another, except for maybe her Aunt Deb and Olivia. One day, she thought they’d finally realize what was so obvious to her. There was no doubt she loved Bri as much as her mom loved her dad. The state of Washington had legalized marriage in December, and she knew she wanted to marry Bri one day. But first, they had to spread their wings and venture out on their own.

  Every time she tried to bring up the subject, her mom wouldn’t listen. Her mom kept talking about Siera attending WSU and making different living arrangements and then moving to Pullman, Washington. Siera was planning on putting her foot down today and telling her mom she wanted to find a place with Bri and live with her. She hadn’t figured out how and when she would ask Bri to marry her, but she planned on doing that soon. She wanted to ask Aunt Deb and Olivia’s advice on that.

  When her aunt and Olivia came to the back patio and set out the napkins and silverware, Siera could tell right away something was wrong. Deb’s eyes were all red and puffy, like she’d been crying. Siera jumped up, and wrapped her arms around her aunt and squeezed.

  Bri looked at her, and Siera could tell she was wondering what was going on.

  “Aw thanks sweetie, I needed that,” Deb said.

  Olivia put her hand on Deb’s back and rubbed up and down.

  Bri followed Siera’s lead, offering Deb her own hug.

  “You two are the best medicine for me. I love you guys,” Deb murmured.

  “Are you okay, Aunt Deb? Did something happen. Was Mom mean to you?”

  “I’m okay sweetie. No, your mom was not mean to me, at least not directly.”

  “Mom doesn’t always think before she speaks.”

  “Oh, honey you got that right,” Deb answered.

  “But Aunt Deb, I know she means well.”

  “She does,” Deb answered. “So, are you excited for your graduation party? I saw a pretty delicious-looking cake in the fridge.”

  Siera nodded. She was happy when she saw her aunt smile, but the smile vanished. Siera turned around and saw Carrie walking across the grass. She hadn’t seen Carrie for a long time and wondered what she was doing at her graduation party.

  Her mom came bustling out. “Hi Carrie, I’m glad you could come.”

  “Thanks for inviting me.” Carrie turned to Deb and narrowed her gaze. “Hello Deb, it’s good to see you. Who’s your friend?”

  Siera looked back and forth between Carrie and Olivia. It reminded her of the times when she would see two alpha dogs size one another up at the clinic. She grinned when she saw Olivia’s subtle touch to Deb’s arm before she held out her hand.

  “Hi, I’m Olivia, Bri’s aunt and a close friend of the family. Bri and Siera own Pretty Paws together and run the business out of my clinic.”

  “I’m Carrie, an old friend of the family. Deb and I used to be together.”

  “I know who you are,” Olivia said.

  Bri scooted closer to Siera, brought her mouth to Siera’s ear, and whispered, “I don’t think Carrie and Olivia like each other. They act like they’re competing.”

  Siera giggled. “Uh huh.”

  “Uh huh, what?” Kathleen asked.

  “Nothing, Mom,” Siera answered.

  A few more guests arrived, including Uncle Frank. The party progressed to a lively affair. Uncle Frank brought a woman who had big hair, but Siera didn’t think it was her natural color. The woman had the biggest breasts Siera had ever seen on a woman. Siera tried to avoid both Uncle Frank and Carrie, but Uncle Frank made a beeline for her when he arrived and put his arm around her shoulder. He said he had something important to talk to her and Bri about and dragged them off to the bench on the edge of their property.

  Siera knew Uncle Frank was family, but she always felt uncomfortable around him.

  “Sweetheart, I am so proud of you. You too, Bri. I understand you two have a very successful business now, so I want to help you expand it. I had my lawyer draw up some papers. All you two need to do is sign them, and I’ll be another partner. I can take care of all the things too complicated for you,” Frank said.

  “Olivia already helps us with things. She’s our silent partner,” Siera answered.

  “Oh, I know honey, but Olivia is too busy to help you really make the business pop. That’s where I can come in.”

  Siera saw Olivia glance her way, and she was glad when she walked over with Deb.

  “Hey Frank, it’s good to see you again.” Olivia narrowed her eyes. “It looks entirely too serious over here. You know it’s a celebration, right?”

  “Uncle Frank wants us to sign some papers so he can be another partner in our business,” Siera said.

  “Really? Is that right, Frank?” Olivia asked.

  Siera noticed Olivia had her mad face. Uncle Frank was about to get a lecture.

  “I got connections that can make your business grow into something big, really big. Maybe turn it into a kind of franchise.”

  “Hmmm, let’s take a look at those papers you want them to sign. As the third partner in the business, I believe I’ll need to agree to this as well.” Olivia scanned the papers and frowned when she shuffled to the third page.

  “Well, I thought maybe you’d want to bow out and let me take over. You know, running a busy clinic is probably all you can handle, so I’d be doing you a favor, too. You can stop worrying your pretty little head and let me take care of the complicated business matters,” Frank explained.

  Olivia clenched her jaw and took a big breath. “Siera and Bri do you want to go into a partnership with your uncle?”

  Siera shook her head. Bri’s eyes were wide and she squeaked, “No.”

  “Frank, you heard the girls. For the record, they don’t need a third partner. If they ever want to venture out on their own, I plan to bow out gracefully. If I ever hear about you approaching them again, you won’t like my reaction. I think I should tell your brother about your idea. He might have an opinion, especially after he sees these papers.” Olivia folded the papers and stuck them in her pocket. She crossed her arms across her chest and glared at Frank.

  Frank held his hands up. “Hey, I was trying to help.”

  Jeremy walked over to the group and raised his eyebrow. “Frank, what’s going on?”

  Frank looked at his shoes and mumbled, “Nothing, a little business proposition. You know how proud I am of your daughter.”

  “Olivia, why don’t you tell me what the hell is going on?” Jeremy asked.

  When her mom joined the group, and scrunched up her face, Siera almost felt sorry for Uncle Frank.

  “Yeah, I’d like to hear exactly what you’re up to, Frank,” Kathleen said.

  “Frank offered to be Bri and Siera’s third partner. He drew up some papers for them to sign, giving himself a fifty-percent cut in exchange for his marketing and accounting services.”

  “How in the world did you come out of the same womb as Jeremy? That’s it, get out, you slimy bastard. I swear, if you ever try to take advantage of Siera again, I will rip you a new one,” Kathleen said. “Jeremy, I’m sorry, but this is the final straw. I don’t want your brother coming around.”

  “I think you’d better leave and take your date with you. Let me add, the only reason you are still
standing right now is you’re my brother. I swear I’ll do more than rip you a new one if you ever try something like this again. Did you really think you’d be able to get away with it? I need you to leave right now, before I do something we’ll both regret,” Jeremy ordered.

  After the drama with her uncle, Siera decided to spend the remaining time with Bri, Olivia, and Deb, who had moved to a more remote corner of the back yard. When they finally decided to open up the graduation presents, Siera was relaxing in one of the lawn chairs and holding Bri’s hand while they shared a large slice of cake.

  †

  Olivia was happy when Deb interacted with Carrie politely but chose to avoid spending any time with her alone. Although Carrie kept trying to corner her, Deb adeptly avoided her overtures. That made Olivia smile. She was perturbed Carrie refused to leave and stayed to the bitter end. It left them no choice but to include her in on their surprise gift for Siera and Bri.

  After the confrontation with Frank, Olivia was hoping the night wouldn’t result in any more drama, but she wasn’t naïve enough to believe the surprise wouldn’t create waves. She was still seething about that slimy bastard, Frank, and was perplexed as to how in the world he was related to Jeremy. She could easily see Jeremy as a respected, future in-law, if Bri and Siera decided to make the ultimate commitment to one another. Olivia had no doubt that would happen one day.

  After Kathleen served the cake, she pulled everyone together and set the presents in front of Siera. Olivia had to admit it was nice of Carrie to bring a gift. Kathleen must have told her about Siera’s business, because Carrie had put together a basket full of organic pet shampoos and other specialty items.

  Olivia was excited to see Siera’s reaction when she opened the envelope. The flyer showcased the house, and the papers would complete the transaction, if Siera and Bri decided they wanted to take the leap. Olivia had cashed in her favor with Tara, the bank executive who ran the mortgage department. The woman had a very sweet mastiff named Barney, and Olivia had opened her clinic for the Sunday emergency, when Barney ran in front of a car and ended up with multiple injuries.