Taylorwood (Alexandria Whitney Mystery)

by McCarthy, G. L.

  “Yes, I really am excited. It’ll be fun being able to decorate as I like, and have my friends over without worrying about bothering anyone else in the house. I forgot what freedom one has living alone. Having a lover is great, but having your own place to call home is great too. For example, let’s say you’re living with someone and you have a fight. You can’t leave, because you live there. But if you had your own place you could make a dramatic exit and go home. I will think long and hard before I move in with someone again. I’m not saying I will never live with another woman, but I am going to be very sure it’s the right thing for me to do.” Talking about other women with Cyn was not a good idea right now so Alex changed the subject.

  “Do you have any plans for tomorrow, weather permitting?” Alex would love to have Cyn help her pack, but she wanted to wait until it got closer to moving. She didn’t want to burn Cyn out on the tedious stuff.

  “Not really. I’d wash my car, but I know you would have my hide if I did. Just kidding! I need to clean my place as I’ve been ignoring the dust bunnies and they’re starting to look like real bunnies. So I’ll stay home, watch cartoons, and clean. Wow! Doesn’t that sound like loads of fun. Don’t you wish you were me?” Packing didn’t sound any better to Cyn and was glad Alex hadn’t asked her to help, just yet.

  “It sounds better than packing.” Alex threw her wadded up napkin at Cyn in jest.

  As they cleaned up the table, Lucy walked in.

  “Where is the other half of your team?” Cyn asked as this was the first time either one had come in alone.

  “We had a big fight last night and she’s sulking. I came in to get my coffee and avoid her. Bonnie can be such a pain at times. Why we stay together is beyond me. I guess it has something to do with the lack of a large lesbian community nearby.” Lucy had just said a mouthful.

  “Well, do you like self absorbed veterinarians? I can give you Dez’s phone number.” Alex was ready to tell the world about her breakup.

  Lucy almost choked on her coffee when she heard Alex’s statement, and had to clear her throat.

  “You and Dez are breaking up? Are you moving out?” Lucy looked at Cyn and wondered if she was the cause.

  “Don’t look at me. I had nothing to do with it.” Cyn saw the look and knew exactly what Lucy was thinking.

  “No one split us up. This was a decision I came to on my own. Cyn is a good friend, the best in my book, but that’s all, so don’t go spreading false truths. Are we clear on this point?” Alex would not have gossip going around that Cyn had been the cause of her breakup.

  “Crystal. I’m glad you told me. I wouldn’t want anyone spreading false truths about me either.” Lucy could hardly wait to tell Bonnie, but they would have to be speaking to each other first.

  “Dez and I have been growing apart for some time, and I just decided now was a good time to split up. Cyn has been a good friend and has helped me through my thought process on what to do and when to do it. We have become closer friends because of it, but she isn’t the reason. I’ll need time to sort out my relationship with Dez, but in the meantime I’m looking for group activities to do.” Alex thought that little announcement may help get the story straight as she knew how fast the gossip would fly when she left the lounge.

  “So you’re up for doing anything with anyone? That’s great. I was planning on going to the Hastings football game tonight. Since Bonnie isn’t speaking to me, would you like to go in her place?” Lucy would be in heaven if Alex came along.

  “That sounds like fun, but make it clear to Bonnie I’m going along as a friend. Correct? I don’t want to be talked about either as the one who is trying to split you two up.” Lesbian drama was not what Alex needed right now, but she was going to do as many activities as she could.

  “Well then in order to avoid talk, Cyn how about you coming along too? That way no one will suspect anything is going on.” Lucy wasn’t ready for any more drama in her life right now as she had some decisions to make on her own.

  “All right, I didn’t have any plans to speak of. What time and where do we meet? I suppose bringing rain gear would be a good idea.” Cyn looked out the window as it was still sprinkling.

  “We can meet here and carpool or meet at the game your call. The game starts at seven.” Lucy knew Bonnie would be angry that she was going somewhere without her, but she was the one who started the fight.

  Alex looked at Cyn and knew she could pick her up on the way. “We’ll meet you there. I can swing by and pick up Cyn and we can jump on the interstate and not have to backtrack. Give me your cell phone number and we can hook up at the game. How does that sound?”

  “Great. Bring something to sit on as the benches are hard, and make sure you dress warmly as it can get really cold, especially if the wind starts blowing and it rains.” Lucy thought both women might bail when they heard how cold it could get.

  “This sounds like fun. I’ll bring trash bags to protect our legs from the wind.” Alex hadn’t been to a high school football game since she was in high school.

  “You really are desperate to get out aren’t you? I’ll probably beat you there so I’ll save you two some seats.” Lucy was laughing at Alex for thinking how much fun this was going to be. She was going to support her friend who was the coach of the football team at Hastings, otherwise she would be staying home in her warm little house. Well, on second thought it could be a little chilly due to Bonnie’s current mood.

  Alex and Cyn left the lounge and headed to their rooms. It was lightly misting and Alex hoped the clouds had finally run out of rain. Eating in the cafeteria was going to be too noisy, so from now on she and Cyn would be eating with Frederick on rainy days.

  Entering the back of the cafeteria, Alex and Cyn found Frederick patiently waiting for them with a cover over his lunch to keep it nice and warm.

  “Frederick, you didn’t need to wait for us, although we do appreciate it very much.” Alex was liking him more with every day as he reminded her so much of her grandfather.

  “Not to worry. Ruby always makes everything hot so it needs a little cool down time. What did you girls decide on today?” Frederick took off his cover to reveal knockwurst and sauerkraut.

  “I should have known a good little German boy like you would have the knockwurst. I also have the knockwurst, but went for the German potato salad. It’s been years since I’ve had any.” Alex knew the calorie content, but today was the first day without Richard lurking about and she was celebrating.

  “I’m the boring one of the group. I decided on grilled ham and cheese. It may become my new favorite.” Cyn wasn’t very hungry today.

  “So, may I assume that Mr. Richard Greenway did not come to work today?” Alex never found out what kind of car he drove.

  “Nope. I cleaned out his office and put everything in boxes per Mrs. Greenway’s instructions. She said I was to put them in storage until further notice.” Frederick smiled at Alex as he patted her hand.

  “I wonder if he thinks his mother took that file out of his desk and that’s why he got busted by her. Unless she tells him he’ll never know it was my talking to her that got him fired.” Not having him know the truth was probably a good thing for Alex.

  “I would think he’s on his way south. He won’t be getting a reference from Mama. It’s just to bad he can go pull his little game some place else.” Cyn wanted to turn him in to the FBI.

  “Maybe Sheriff Taylor can put something on record in case anyone does a background check.” Alex didn’t like the idea he could do this again, either.

  “Good idea. I’ll give him a call later this afternoon.” Frederick wanted to give Richard a good whooping, but he doubted he would stand for that.

  As the trio dove into their food, the conversation switched to several different subjects. Richard Greenway was no longer going to be the main topic of their daily conversations.

  After lunch Alex and Cyn made a break for it as the rain continued at a steady drizzle. Hopefully i
t would stop, as neither of them wanted to sit in the rain to watch a high school football game.

  They got their wish. The rain finally stopped after school let out. Alex swung by Cyn’s and the two made good time getting to the game. Having Lucy’s cell phone number, Alex was able to locate her and find their seats. They had made good time, arriving a half hour before the game started, so Alex decided to be nosy and see if she could find out what Lucy and Bonnie had been fighting about. After all, she had been open about her breakup with Dez.

  “So Lucy, what did you and Bonnie fight about, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  “Oh, we were talking about you and Cyn’s Wednesday night outings. Cyn had told us you two had a standing date every week to do something different and fun. So Bonnie went off on me that we never do anything fun. Then I made the mistake of saying that if she looked like either of you I wouldn’t have any problem taking her places. But she’s put on twenty pounds since we hooked up. Why doesn’t she get it that her weight bothers me? I’m always asking her to workout with me at the gym or go walking or bike riding. She always has some excuse, but she wants me to stay fit. Some double standard she seems to have.” Lucy looked at the two women who seemed to be speechless.

  “You told her that if she looked like either of us you would take her places? My gosh Lucy, how insensitive can you be?” Alex thought Dez was clueless about her feelings.

  “I know. I couldn’t believe I said it either. It just came out. But she asked for it. Why do I have to do everything in our relationship and she gets to sit back, get fat and have it all her way. Do you think that’s fair?” Lucy was getting fired up all over again.

  “No, it isn’t fair, but have you had a conversation with her and actually told her how you feel not just made suggestions about exercising?” Alex was an expert about not asking for things, because she figured she would just get empty promises.

  “I guess I should, but she always has a reason. Maybe if I give her an ultimatum she’ll take me seriously. Lose the weight or you lose me. What do you think?” Lucy had nothing to lose except a roommate, as their sex life was non-existent too.

  “Yes, you can give her an ultimatum if you’re prepared for her answer, whatever it may be.” Alex figured Bonnie, knowing the scarceness of lesbians in the area, may find the motivation to lose that twenty pounds.

  “I am. Plus, didn’t you tell me there was an available self absorbed vet out there?” Lucy smiled wide as she looked at Alex and gave her a little nudge.

  “Absolutely. And she’s very thin. Just perfect for you.” Alex knew there was no way Dez would ever date Lucy. They were too much alike.

  “Great. It always pays to have options if your first plan goes bust. I may be asking you for her phone number. Or I could get it out of the phone book myself. That would probably be a better idea.” Lucy noticed the look Alex gave her when she mentioned getting Dez’s number from her and thought better of it.

  The teams had finished warming up and the coin toss was about to take place. With Alex in the middle, both Cyn and Lucy sat close to her more for body heat than being fresh.

  Chapter 22

  The first half was exciting, even though neither team had been able to score. Several times both teams did get close enough to try for a field goal, but no luck. When the half ended the stands were already half empty, as a good portion of the crowd had left due to the cold and drizzle. But the girls were having such a good time cheering for Hastings, even though they didn’t know a single player, that they were going to stay until the end of the game.

  “Let’s go get something hot. I can’t feel my fingers.” Cyn accidentally left her gloves in her car.

  “Sounds like a great idea. I’m starving, as usual.” Alex

  stood up and faced towards the aisle as she stepped out of her

  trash bag. If only it had been a sleeping bag her legs would

  have been a lot warmer.

  “You two are something else. I would have left after

  the first quarter if you weren’t here.” Lucy was freezing, but

  she was having fun.

  “We’re all about adventure and trying new things.

  This is definitely an adventure. I hope I still have feeling in my

  legs for the drive home.” Alex was shaking her legs to get the

  blood moving again.

  “Yeah, we’re a couple of wild and crazy girls.” Cyn

  waved her finger in a circular motion.

  “Cyn are you trying to tell me you’re not having a

  great time?”

  “No. Just thinking about what we could be doing if we

  were really filthy rich. You know like having a jet standing

  by to fly us to Scotland, where we’d have a helicopter waiting

  to take us to look for the Loch Ness Monster. After which

  we’d have breakfast overlooking the loch.” Cyn looked at both

  women and smiled.

  “I like it. Then we fly to Rome for lunch after visiting

  the Sistine Chapel and have a private audience with the pope

  to see how he likes his new job.” Alex was having fun getting

  into the story as they walked to the snack bar.

  “Well, we may get food a lot sooner if we did fly to

  Scotland. Look at the lines.” Lucy wanted to go home, but

  wouldn’t. She needed to stay out as late as possible to show

  Bonnie how it feels to be home alone and missing a good time. “Well, great minds think alike, and it seems there are a

  lot of great minds here.” Alex looked at the line and smiled at

  her friends.

  “Okay, since we’re stuck here for a while, where to

  after Rome, Alex?” Cyn wanted to hear what else Alex had on

  her mind and keep the conversation away from Lucy’s drama. “Let’s see, then on to St. Petersburg for dinner. Next

  stop would be Egypt where we would dance all night at the

  base of the Pyramids. We sleep as we fly southeast to have

  breakfast in Sydney and watch the sun come up. Then off to

  Hawaii for lunch and catch a few rays on the beach. Then,

  we’ll head off for a tour of the Alamo and dinner in Austin for

  the best fajitas you’ve ever tasted before returning home to

  reality to freeze our rears off waiting in line for a three dollar

  hot dog.” Chuckling at their situation was the only thing Alex

  could think to do.

  “So Alex, if you don’t mind my asking, are you seeing

  anyone? I mean anyone out there you’re interested in?” Lucy

  figured what the heck it couldn’t hurt to ask.

  “No, not at the moment. But then I haven’t been

  looking. I’m concentrating on getting moved out and settled in

  my new place. I’m going to spend some time with Cyn

  exploring the surrounding towns looking for lost treasures and

  just get used to being single. I figure it should take about six

  months before I even consider looking. Who knows, it may

  even be longer than that.” Alex knew where this line of

  questioning was going.

  “So, am I safe to assume that you and Cyn are just

  friends? For the moment or always?” Lucy was pushing it and

  she knew it.

  “For the moment, yes. But who knows what the future

  may bring. Cyn could find her soul mate just as easily as I. It’s

  all in the stars. We’ll just have to wait and see what develops.”

  Alex wished Cyn would jump in and change the subject, so she

  gave her a “say something” look.

  “Hey Lucy, why don’t you just come right out and ask

  Alex if she’s interested in you. That is what you want to know,

  right?” Cyn didn’t care if she embarrassed Lucy.
She was the

  one pushing this line of questioning.

  “No. That’s not it. I’m just curious that’s all.” Lucy

  wasn’t expecting Cyn to be so blunt, but she knew she asked

  for it.

  “I’m not interested in anybody right now certainly

  not anyone I work with. That’s way too awkward a situation to

  be in. If I was, one of us would have to quit! Being together all

  the time isn’t a good idea. As you well know Lucy, since

  you’re having problems with Bonnie and are considering

  leaving. The next person I get involved with will have their

  own separate life of work and hobbies that I can participate in

  or not as they can with my life. I’m not going to be a

  possession that they take off the shelf to play with when they

  feel like it. I’ll make time for them as I expect they’ll make

  time for me. Do you understand, and did that answer all your

  questions?” Alex wanted to get off this subject posthaste. “I understand. I’m not sure what I’m doing as far as

  Bonnie. I can’t imagine living on like this, but on the other

  hand, do I want to go out on my own? Being with her isn’t

  horrible, but at times I just wish she would get a clue. If I try to

  talk to her it seems like she hears me, but then her actions

  don’t reflect what we’ve talked about. I can love her and hate

  her at the same time. Maybe we need to go to couples therapy.

  If she heard it from someone else maybe it would make an impression. I don’t know.” Lucy didn’t like complications in

  her life.

  “Well, therapy is a good idea, but be prepared to hear

  things about yourself that you’ll need to work on in addition to

  Bonnie working on her shortcomings. It takes two people to

  make a couple and Bonnie may have issues with you as well.”

  Alex hoped Lucy would realize this little fact and accept her

  part in the problem.

  “I know I’m not perfect, and yes, I can be selfish some