New Quarters

by Tey Holden

  “What property are you referring to?”

  Karen pretended not to hear. She feared that Addy might have interpreted that she was referring to her as property. Karen knew how much Addy hated when Luke thought of her as his property. Karen half panicked that she might be making the same mistake as Luke, and she pretended not to hear.

  Addy sensed Karen’s ambivalence, but said nothing. This was something she needed to address later because she knew that Karen needed reassurance that they belonged together and to each other. The truth was that for as much as Addy always hated Luke’s possessive remarks, she didn’t feel the same way about Karen. In fact, she liked Karen’s claim on her because she liked knowing that Karen wanted her. She smiled at the thought. Isn’t life just incredible?

  Addy chuckled as she watched Karen carefully get into bed mindful not to crush her, but laughed when Karen, inevitably, landed on her.

  “Oh, shit, Addy I’m sorry, baby.” Addy could hardly speak laughing. She kissed Karen to compensate for her feelings of guilt.

  “Don’t worry, sweetie. I like you close to me.” She kissed Karen again.

  Now it was Karen who was smiling. “Good, because I like to be as close to you as I can be.”

  “Well, I don’t think we can get any closer than this unless you were inside me.” The minute she said it, she smiled, realizing the implication of her comment.

  “Umm, my thought’s the same.” Karen kissed her, and placed her hand on a very insinuating location, as if to follow Addy’s suggestion.

  Addy moaned. “Ker, I don’t think this mattress will survive the night.”

  “I don’t see why not, it did once before, and if my memory does not fail me, it took quite a beating that night.”

  Addy laughed. “It sure did.”

  “Even if we end up on the floor, Addypooh, we are taking care of business tonight.”

  Addy laughed at the ‘Addypooh’ name. It was always she who called Karen all sorts of names, but Addy could already see Karen getting into the name-calling trend.

  “You bet we are. You are not leaving me naked and wanting.” Karen chuckled into Addy’s shoulder knowing that Addy made that remark because those were the same words she had used to describe the way she left JP’s friend in NY.

  “Addy, if I ever left you naked and wanting, please check me, because it can only mean that I’m dead.”

  “You better not die on me Larsen. I’ve got a lot of stuff I want to do with you and to you.”

  “Oh yeah, like what?” Karen cupped Addy’s face and kissed her. “I’m all yours Ms. Adriana, for whatever you want. I couldn’t possibly imagine not being all yours.” Addy smiled at the possessive remarks again. Addy thought that Karen probably felt she was making up for her previous proprietary claim by giving herself to her, so as to be on equal terms, just in case. Addy thought it was too cute, but again said nothing.

  “Larsen, just because you’re on top, I’m going to give you one more minute for the lead, if you take longer than that, I’m flipping you, and I don’t care what happens with the mattress.” After a brief laughter attack things turned mushy and Karen carried out her task. Later that night, they lay in bed enjoying the satisfaction of the moment.

  “Ms. Larsen—.”

  “Umhu?”

  “I like being yours.”

  Karen froze and said nothing. She closed her eyes and rubbed her face on Addy’s stomach, where she was laying, and worked her way up Addy’s abdomen slowly kissing it, until she reached her neck. When the green eyes bore into the brown ones nothing needed to be said, Karen’s satisfied smile was enough. Addy knew how Karen choked when she was deeply touched. When two tears fell from the emerald eyes, Addy pulled her down to kiss her and then turned her on the bed. The mattress did not go down that night, even though the night’s activities were quite extended.

  ***

  Early in the morning, when Karen opened her eyes, she had Addy on top of her. I think I want to keep this mattress. Karen was delighted with the load on her belly. She combed Addy’s hair back and Addy slowly opened her eyes.

  “Oh Ker, I’m crushing you, I’m sorry. I—.”

  “Hey, hey, am I complaining?”

  Addy smiled shyly still trying to open her eyes.

  “In fact, I was just thinking that we should keep this mattress, if it guarantees this beautiful load on my belly every morning.”

  Addy smiled and buried her face in Karen’s shoulder. “What am I going to do with you? You are terrible.”

  Karen tickled and kissed her, as Addy tried to get up. “Am I?”

  “You are going to make me pee my pants if you don’t let go of me!”

  “What pants?”

  “Oh, God!” Addy ran for the bathroom leaving Karen smiling on the bed.

  ***

  Later that morning, after breakfast, they went to see Mr. Kimbell to ask him about the terms of the inheritance and to make sure that everything was in order. They also wanted to make sure that he recorded the date of their arrival to establish the beginning of the three-year term. Under the terms of the agreement, Karen could travel within Scotland, but she could only be outside Scotland for two consecutive weeks each year. They also asked Mr. Kimbell for the names of contractors to do repairs at the cottage.

  The women left Mr. Kimbell’s office making shopping plans. The item at the top of the list was a new bed and a new mattress. However, before heading out they placed a few calls to try and schedule appointments for the contractors during the week. They called three landscaping services for estimates, and three remodeling contractors. They made all the calls while driving to different furniture stores in search for a bedroom set and mattress.

  After going to every possible furniture store they could find, they agreed on a bedroom set and a queen size mattress. Selecting the mattress was the hardest part. “We need to get a good one. People spend a great part of their lives sleeping.” Karen explained. “Plus, winters here are long, you know? People spend a lot of time inside.” Addy chuckled at the innuendo.

  When they were told that the mattress couldn’t be delivered for two days, Karen grinned. “Bummer we’re going to have to sleep on the old mattress two more nights.” Addy rolled her eyes and smiled as they left the furniture store.

  On the way back, they stopped for dinner in Altee. “Addy, how about that place over there?”

  “Looks good to me, and look there’s a coffee shop next door. We can stop to get an espresso before we leave. Tomorrow we should check for appliances.”

  “Yes, Addy, but I think we need to have the contractors give us an idea of what to do with the kitchen first. Then we’ll have to take the measurements and we need to remember to be within budget.”

  “Table for two, please.” Addy asked upon their arrival to the restaurant.

  As they waited for their table, they smiled at each other. When they were seated, they looked at the menu, Addy grinned. The menu prices were a bit steep. “Let’s see Ms. Secretary of the Treasury, what can we afford to eat, any suggestions?”

  They weren’t really hurting for money, but because Karen was used to her high-income salary, it was hard for her to get used to living from their savings, even though they had plenty. Addy who was more carefree in that regard, mocked her every time she could.

  Karen suggested a drink. “Let me see, how about a Martini with three olives?”

  “Would that be our cocktail, or our dinner?”

  Karen grinned. “You are impossible.”

  Addy laughed. “Maybe it will be cheaper if we only ask for two olives, or no olives.”

  Karen made a funny face, but ended up smiling when Addy ordered a Martini and French Onion soup with bread on the side.

  “Same for me, please.”

  Addy stuck out her tongue and smiled. “I’m not really all that hungry, plus, I’m leaving some room for the coffee and muffin I plan to get next door when we leave here.”

  After dinner, while waiting for the
check, Karen searched Addy’s face adoringly. They always seemed to be in an eternal state of bliss. They were both very much aware that the road to where they were now had been hard and long and they cherished every moment of their lives together. When Addy saw the look on Karen’s face, she held her gaze. The world could have collapsed and they wouldn’t have noticed. The bill came, they paid it and as they were walking out, Karen whispered in her ear, “About that coffee, how bad do you want it?”

  Addy turned wondering what Karen meant. When she saw what Addy called the ‘the look’ in Karen’s eyes, she knew what Karen had on her mind. It was the look of want and desire she had seen so many times already. “Not as bad as you want something else.”

  Karen grinned. “Then let’s prioritize and go for that something else. I’ll make you coffee when we get home.” Addy smiled all the way to the cottage as Karen drove as fast as the speed limit allowed. Fortunately the cottage was not very far. When they arrived, the answering machine indicated that there were seven messages, probably all from contractors. The return calls would have to wait until the next day. There were more urgent matters requiring immediate attention. Needless to say, the coffee was never made that night.

  ***

  In the morning both women got up, had cereal and coffee, put on shorts and T-shirts, and began to work on their lists.

  “Addy, I’m going to the hardware store to get some of the tools we need, want to go?”

  “No, babe, I think I’m going to stay and call the contractors to set up appointments to get some estimates. By the way, when do we need to return the car? Did you see the pick-up truck in the back? Does it belong to us?”

  “I think that pick-up truck belongs to us, but did you see its condition? I wonder if it works at all. By the way, we need to go to Edinburgh to return the rental car by Saturday. Maybe we can stay there over night and do something fun. Since you are staying home, can you make hotel reservations there? And while we are there, we should shop for a car. Start thinking of what you’d like to get.”

  “I’m also going to call Mr. Kimbell to see if he can recommend a local mechanic to come take a look at the truck. I don’t think we should even turn it on without knowing its condition. God only knows when it was driven last. I wonder how your Aunt Charlotte got around? Do you think she drove it?”

  “Don’t know, but how else would she have gotten around? Well, I’d better go. I want to be back soon. Do you have your cell on?”

  “Yes, baby, and I will have it on me all the time, in case you want to check in. How about yours? Is it on?”

  “As if you didn’t know, bye!” Karen left for the hardware store.

  Addy always liked to know where people could be reached in case of an emergency, but she had noticed that in Karen’s case that need to know almost bordered on anxiety. Addy justified Karen’s concern as part of her protective nature and always anticipated her requests. She knew that Karen felt responsible for her since they had moved to Scotland probably because Karen thought that she was at a disadvantage being so far removed from her homeland and friends.

  In the intimacy of their bed, she had confessed her fears to Addy. It was in that cozy moment, after they made love, that they had their best chats. That sacred moment of total confidentiality on their bed started back in New York, when Karen’s plane crashed and Addy showed up to claim her at the airport, and later in Japan when Addy found Karen sobbing in her bedroom in total fear of approaching her intimately. That loving, comforting time, when it was just the two of them in their bare skins, was when they had their best conversations and the best moment of their day.

  It was during those long conversations in the dark, in the middle of the night, when they talked about anything and everything and when they told each other their most innermost secrets, wishes and fears. Those were the cherished moments that defined their relationship because they opened their hearts and souls to each other. The lovemaking that usually preceded or followed their conversations was more like the final seal of their deep and sacred alliance. Maybe that was the reason why their relationship was so absolutely good. It was as if what they shared went beyond love and reached a point where everything was given.

  They both could still reminisce about that night in New York when Addy held her tight and Karen nestled her face on Addy’s chest. “Addy?”

  Their voices were always like murmurs in the night. “Yes, baby.” Addy caressed her back drawing gentle circles on it.

  “No one has ever loved me like you do.”

  Karen regretted her statement the minute she noticed Addy’s silence. Her fears took the best of her when she thought that Addy’s silence was because she couldn’t say the same thing to her and was trying to think of something polite to say. I shouldn’t have said that!

  However, Karen’s fears stopped when she heard Addy’s sobs. Karen moved her head up from Addy’s chest. “What is it, baby? Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?”

  “No. Ker, you said nothing wrong. It’s just that sometimes I wonder if I will be able to meet all your expectations, if I will be good enough for you.”

  “What?”

  “My love.”

  “You think your love is not good enough?”

  Addy nodded, unable to speak, her face buried between Karen’s face and the pillow. “Oh my God, Addy, why would you think such a thing? Your love is more than I ever wished.” Karen kissed her frantically and combed her hair back from her forehead. Her short hair was in total disarray. Karen loved to mess it up. “Baby, your love fills me to the rim, I can’t begin to tell you how loved I feel. Addy, I’m living my dream. I have it all with you, baby. All.”

  “I have it all with you too.” They hugged and kissed each other, and amid the kisses and gentle caressing, they contently fell asleep.

  ***

  That day at the hardware store, Karen gathered most of the stuff she needed, there were a couple of thing she couldn’t find, but they weren’t that important.

  When she was getting ready to leave a tall hardy woman approached her.

  “Are you Ms. Larsen from the cottage?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  The woman offered her hand for a handshake, and Karen extended hers. “Mary Salter. I’m the manager here.” Mary Salter was a tall, sturdy woman in her late forties with dark brown eyes and short dark blondish hair. Her handshake left Karen’s hand hurting.

  “Please to meet you. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other, the cottage is in great need of repairs.”

  “Just let me know anything you need, I can drop it off anytime.”

  “Thanks.”

  The clerk at the register had been quiet, but when Mary walked away, he spoke. “Be careful, she’s the town’s dyke, she and her woman. I can tell she’s already eyeing you.”

  Karen looked at him in disbelief. “Isn’t she your boss?”

  He became quiet again when he saw Mary and another woman walking towards them. “Ms. Larsen, this is my girlfriend Carol.” Carol was much smaller than Mary, reaching up to about Mary’s shoulder and a bit less fit. Her hair was reddish and short, and her eyes dark blue. She was also probably in her late forties.

  She didn’t seem amused with Mary’s introduction and answered politely barely extending her hand to shake’s Karen’s. Her handshake was much lighter than Mary’s. “Hello, pleased to meet you.”

  “Same here. I’m sorry that I can’t stay longer to chat, but I have a million things to do at the cottage. Maybe we can talk some other time.”

  “Sure.” Mary replied. “Have a good evening.”

  “You too.” Karen was surprised to have found another lesbian couple in town. This was something she didn’t expect in Altee. Had they always lived there and she had never been aware of them? She briefly thought of her past and of how aloof she had always been for most of her life. Maybe JP was right. Maybe Addy had awakened parts of her that had been dormant. She wondered whether this sudden awareness was good. What about t
he homophobic clerk? Was he a rare specimen, or would there be more of them in town? As she got inside the car she paused worried by her thoughts just wanting to run home to safe ground.

  Part 3

  At home, Karen told Addy about the incident at the hardware store. “Okay, so we have one lesbian couple in town, and a homophobe who says that one of the two women seems to have a roving eye. Did you say that her partner didn’t seem very happy to meet you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is this Mary woman someone who might be trying to roll on my turf?” Addy was so direct, it was laughable.

  “Oh, yeah, didn’t I tell you that I’m already in love?”

  Addy slapped her arm gently. “Go for it then, no one’s holding you back. Freedom is my motto.” She turned around and carried on with what she was doing. Karen smiled and started to unload the items she bought.

  On the way home, Karen had stopped to buy some supplies to make lunch and dinner. She didn’t want Addy using the old stove, until they knew it was working well. They had hired contractors to inspect the gas lines, plumbing and electric, but that had not happened yet. Also, some contractors were coming to give estimates for the construction of a sunroom, the installation of a hot tub, and to redo the kitchen, bathrooms, floors, and to replace the windows, doors, and insulation.

  Since the climate was cool in this latitude, there was no need for central air conditioning in the summer. It was nice to be able to sleep with the top part of the windows open, although, Karen was not too happy about it due to her safety concerns.

  “Fortunately, I still remember my karate moves and as soon as I can, I’m going to see about getting a gun permit and a gun.”

  Addy rolled her eyes. “I think you are nuts. Look at this place, the worst crime in the town must be running the corner traffic light. Wait a minute! What am I saying? Is there even a traffic light in town? Or police?”

  “Ha, ha, very funny.”

  “Maybe you can apply for the job of sheriff, or is it constable? You may be the only one in town carrying a gun.”

  “You are lucky to have someone wanting to protect you, you know?”