Lost & Found

by Raquel De Leon

  *****

  Piper navigated through her town with ease, and she pulled into her spot at Dottie's cottage four hours later. She yawned as she exited her car and locked it, bouncing a little on her toes to recover from the long drive.

  She was thankful she'd remembered to call ahead so Dot wouldn’t be surprised by the extra company, though she knew her foster mom always welcomed any of her friends.

  No sooner had the thought crossed her mind when Selma’s car found a spot along the street and parked. Piper smiled and waved. They’d stopped for breakfast along the way, Selma’s appetite suddenly having returned since they’d ended up throwing out their original attempt at breakfast.

  Piper cleared her throat and jogged over to the BMW. “Hey,” she said as Selma exited the sedan and opened the rear passenger door.

  Selma angled her head toward Piper with a smile and then leaned down to begin unbuckling a sleeping Ben from his safety seat.

  Piper slid her hands into her back pockets. “Selma,” she started as she shifted her weight from foot to foot, “I think I want to tell Dottie about us.” She rushed along. “I know she'll be cool with it. I've dated a couple of women before.”

  Selma’s hands stopped moving. “A couple, hm?” A raised eyebrow and a barely-suppressed smile over Selma’s shoulder revealed the teasing question for what it was.

  Heat flushed Piper's cheeks. “Nothing serious.” She coughed into a loose fist. “I just want to tell her out of respect since you'll be sleeping over. I've never invited a romantic partner to spend the night, though she’s told me before it’s not a problem as long as anything meant to be private remains private.”

  Both dark brows were raised. “That's very forward-thinking of her,” Selma admitted.

  Piper chuckled. “Yeah, she's cool.” She helpfully shut the passenger door as Selma finally emerged with a sleepy-looking Ben and his backpack. “I’ll get your bag if you’ll wait a sec.”

  Selma smiled and her keys jingled; when the trunk opened, Piper assumed she’d opened it with the remote fob.

  “We at Mark's house, Mommy?”

  Piper heard Ben ask as she rounded the car and gripped the small dark suitcase with both hands.

  “Yes, sweetie. It's time to wake up and go inside so you can give Mark a big hug and tell him about the books you've brought.”

  “Yes. That's a good idea, Mommy.”

  Piper chuckled at the adorable interaction between mother and child. She heaved the suitcase up and closed the trunk.

  Selma and Ben were waiting patiently on the sidewalk, the shorter of the two yawning and rubbing his eyes.

  Piper grinned at the duo, easily managing the wheeled bag. “Let's get inside.” She led the way with a tilt of her head. As she dug her keys out of her pocket, the door opened.

  “Piper! You guys are here!” Mark's brown eyes were glinting with excitement, a large smile affixed to his face.

  “Whoa now, let's take that voice down a bit kid. No need to shout, we're standing right in front of you.” Piper smirked at him and ruffled his hair.

  Mark ignored her, looking past to see the cheerful faces of Selma and Ben. “Move Piper, they need to come in!” He tugged on her arm impatiently, grunting when she didn't move.

  Piper took pity on him and shifted into the house to make room in the doorway. Selma and Ben stepped in, and then Mark was squeezing them both in a huge hug almost immediately.

  Ben giggled at Mark's exuberance, and Selma had a warm smile on her face. “I'm so glad you guys could come! I was kinda bummed when Piper left yesterday without me.” His lips pursed for a second. “But you're here now and I'm so happy you're spending the night!” The smile was back on his face. He glanced back to Piper. “Oh, and Dottie's in the kitchen, she said she wanted to talk to you when you got here.”

  Piper’s brow furrowed. Dottie should have been at work. She shrugged to herself and coaxed Ben’s backpack away from Selma, before retreating upstairs to drop the bags off in her room. As she hustled back down the stairs, she wondered what Dottie wanted.

  Mark had tugged Selma and Ben into the living room to regale them with stories about school, and ask how they'd been since he'd last seen them. Piper smiled at them as she passed through.

  She pushed the kitchen door open gently, and the first thing she saw was a relaxed Dottie at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in hand. Piper frowned in confusion. “Hey Dot, shouldn't you be at work?”

  Dorothy turned to smile at her but remained in her seat. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

  Curious, Piper took the seat adjacent to Dottie.

  “When I rearranged your schedule so you’d have more free time, I did the same for Shelly and myself as well. In addition to hiring two waitstaff, I also hired Mrs. Pitts to help with the cooking. She's been lonely since her son enlisted in the military. When she came to me to ask about a job, I saw it as an opportunity to take it a little easier. I'm not getting any younger, my girl.” The smile stayed on her face as she spoke and, for a change, she seemed completely at ease.

  Green eyes widened. “Wow, that's great, Dottie! I know Mark will love everyone being around a little more.”

  Dorothy's light blue eyes seemed to be twinkling. “I think everyone will love having a little more free time. We've worked hard and the diner and B&B are doing well enough. It's time we enjoy ourselves.”

  Piper felt as if something was stuck in her throat, so she cleared it. “Since we're here, Dot, there's something I wanted to talk to you about.”

  Dorothy hummed and took a sip from her mug, nudging it in Piper’s direction when she didn’t continue.

  “Selma and I, we're kind of seeing each other.”

  Dorothy remained serene, not surprised in the least. “Anything else?”

  Piper bit her lip. “Karen kind of found out and… didn’t react well. I don't understand it, Dot, she's always talked about Selma like she could do no wrong. It was so weird, like all of a sudden because Selma’s bi and dating me, she could only think of the worst possible ways that could happen. And she was so harsh about it.”

  Dottie frowned. “That’s disappointing. I take it she’s not okay with the bi thing?” At Piper's outraged look she shook her head. “Very disappointing.”

  Some of Piper’s anger dissipated. She leaned over to give Dottie a quick hug. “You're the best, Dot.”

  Dorothy began to push up from her chair, only to pause. “Well, you know I love Selma but if you two want to engage in any hanky-panky, try to keep it down will ya? I need my sleep.”

  Piper flushed red. “Dot, come on. Ben is with us.”

  Blue eyes studied her a moment before Dorothy finished getting up. “Right. What does an old goat like me know?” She took her mug to the sink and rinsed it out. “I’m making a late lunch. I hope you and Selma are hungry.”

  *****

  Selma groaned as she sat back from the table, a little uncomfortably full. Dorothy had gone all out in an elaborate brunch. Selma had enjoyed far too much of the thick, crusty homemade bread. She was determined to add more time in on the elliptical she had at home.

  “Thank you for this lovely meal, Dorothy.” Selma was completely sincere, and she offered the silver-haired woman a small smile.

  Dottie huffed. “Seeing as how you’re seeing my oldest,” she jutted her chin toward a still eating Piper, “you can just call me Dottie.”

  Selma's smile grew. “Dottie, then. Thank you.”

  A groggy Shelly wandered in, hair askew and a small bit of dried drool showing at the corner of her mouth. “Food?” She blinked over at Selma and Ben, as if not comprehending their presence.

  Piper looked at her solemnly, mouth half full. “Food.”

  Mark chimed in with his own serious look, which was ruined a little by the jam smeared on his cheeks. “Food!”

  “Be right back!” Shelly called out as she hurried back the way she’d just come.

  Dottie rolled her eyes in exasperatio
n. “These kids of mine.”

  Selma could only laugh with Ben. As she did, the warmth of the Tate family settled deep into her bones. The knot of tension that had remained in her gut all morning since Karen’s departure had finally dissipated. A part of her had been excessively anxious about Karen finding out. Now that it had happened, and been about as bad as she’d anticipated, there was nothing left for her to worry about. What's done was done. Selma resolved to move on from it as best as she was able.

  “Piper.” Selma waited until she had Piper’s attention. “Would you like to join me for a walk after you’ve finished?”

  “Sure,” Piper said with a grin.

  Mark jerked his head up, jam still very much on his face. “Oh, can I come too?”

  Since she’d fully intended to bring Ben along, Selma looked to Dottie. “Would that be alright?”

  Dorothy waved a dismissive hand. “Of course.” They all paused as Shelly wandered back in, face washed and hair slightly more in order. She offered the table a shrug.

  Mark was almost vibrating in his seat with excitement. “If we go down 11th, there’s a playground. Ben would like it, too!”

  “A playground?” Selma enjoyed taking Ben out to play, and if Mark was there to play along, Selma might actually get to share a few private words with Piper. “That sounds lovely.”

  Piper cleared her throat. “Well if we want to go, now’s as good a time as any. I know I wouldn’t mind a walk to help digest.”

  “Be sure to be back for dinner. I'm making shepherd's pie,” Dorothy said.

  A trio of happy groans greeted this announcement from the Tate children, and Selma suppressed a laugh. “Based on their response, I'm sure they wouldn't allow us to miss dinner.”

  Shelly glanced over from her spot in front of the stove, where she’d been filling a plate. “Oh, no. Dottie makes the best shepherd's pie you've ever tasted. I swear.” Shelly looked ready to either swoon or drool.

  Selma hid a smile and pushed her chair back. Ben and Mark scrambled to follow, and Piper stood as she finished her cup of coffee.

  “Your plates please, gentleman.” Selma nodded to their dishes as she picked up her own. Mark helped Ben grab his, and they formed a little procession to the kitchen sink.

  Piper stared at them with something akin to adoration, her even white teeth nibbling at her lower lip.

  Selma glanced in her direction. “You too, Piper.” Her tone brooked no argument, though she softened when the look of adoration was focused solely on her.

  Piper laughed and picked up her dishes without complaint and joined the small line.

  Selma rinsed her plate and helped the boys with theirs, watching with a smile as they scampered ahead. When Piper finished with her own mess, Selma offered her a discreet kiss.

  “Let's go. It's a beautiful day,” Piper murmured as she took Selma’s hand.

  It was like the bad parts of the morning had never happened, Selma thought. Instead, she and Piper must have had a leisurely morning of stealing kisses while Ben wasn’t looking. She sighed; a little daydreaming didn’t hurt every once in a while.

  *****

  The boys were having a blast running around the playground, and Mark was eagerly telling Ben about all his adventures at school.

  Selma and Piper absorbed it all with a smile and then retreated to one of the many benches surrounding the playground. There were a few other children there with parents, but not so many that the two women couldn't have their own bit of privacy at their bench.

  Piper tangled their hands together as they sat, and Selma gifted her with a small smile. Piper loved that smile. It was a smile her lover didn’t give to anyone else—with the corner of her lips quirked up more on one side than the other, and her eyes softened and inviting—that always made Piper catch her breath.

  She watched as Selma bit her lip. “Karen never got over the loss of you,” she said. “She and Derek both clearly love children so much. You can’t hold today against her.”

  “The hell I can’t,” Piper replied without rancor. She wasn’t mad at Selma. “However you want to dress it up, Karen was homophobic today.”

  “I won’t argue that but, despite what she said, your mother does love me.” Selma sighed and rubbed her thumb over the back of Piper’s hand. “I could have talked to her about this before. I never challenged her on it, so instead of us figuring it out…” Her voice trailed off.

  “I guess I can kind of understand, a little. I've seen enough foster parents who meant well but weren't able to completely connect with the kids in their care.” She turned her fierce green gaze to Selma. “But that still doesn't excuse how she reacted.”

  “I know.” Selma was giving her that magical smile that was more than a smile. “I just don't want you to hate her. She's not a horrible woman, far from it, but she is human like the rest of us.”

  Mark chose that moment to stomp up to them, Ben in tow. “Selma! Ben said he needs to use the bathroom.”

  Selma was standing before he finished speaking, prompting her to finally release Piper’s hand. Ben was doing an impressive “need to pee” dance, his small body squirming from foot to foot.

  “I’ll be right back,” Selma said as she took Ben’s hand. She proceeded to lead him to the concrete building advertising a set of bathrooms and a water fountain.

  Piper watched them go with a smile, leaning back in her seat and taking a deep breath of fresh air.

  “You were holding hands.”

  She blinked and glanced back at Mark, who was scowling.

  “Why were you holding hands?” he insisted in a quiet voice.

  Piper swallowed. She’d forgotten about his crush on Selma. She cleared her throat and straightened her posture. “Look, kid, Selma and I, we’re—“

  Mark’s head and shoulders drooped. “I thought so.”

  Frustrated, Piper tugged a hand through her hair. “I mean, kid, you’re nine.”

  He shrugged. “I know. I don’t know. She’s just so nice and pretty.”

  “I knew you thought she was pretty.” Piper reached out to squeeze his shoulder. When that didn’t get a reaction, she leaned forward. “You know this means you’re going to be seeing her way more.”

  His head jerked up and his expression brightened. “That’s right. And Ben too, probably. It’s nice getting to be the older kid.”

  “Ben likes having an older boy around, too,” Selma said as she rejoined them. She was smiling, the wind making her short hair whip softly around her face.

  Mark’s face went red. Piper offered him a wink. Selma hadn’t overheard much, she was sure.

  “Well, Ben and I are going to play more!” Mark almost shouted as he turned and grabbed Ben’s hand.

  Selma canted her head to the side and tucked some hair behind her ear. “He’s still got a lot of energy.”

  Piper bit back a smile. “Yeah.”

  They let the boys play for an hour before calling them away. Piper talked Selma into letting the boys get a single scoop of ice cream, despite Selma’s worries that it would spoil their appetite for dinner.

  Mark’s appreciative grin had been worth the effort.

  As had the kisses Piper had gotten to steal when the boys weren’t looking.

  After another half hour, they made it home just as Dot was putting the shepherd’s pie together. Piper talked Shelly into playing kid-friendly charades with Selma and the boys until dinner was ready.

  The shepherd’s pie had been a hit, as had the relaxed conversation they’d engaged in once Selma had seen the boys off to bed.

  Before they knew it, the day was over.

  “You look happy,” Piper observed as Selma returned from brushing her teeth. Her own smile had been persistent throughout the evening.

  Brown eyes focused on her. “I am happy. Thank you for bringing me here today.” Selma tossed her hair to the side and ran a hand through it. “Ben and Mark are out like lights.”

  “I’m not surprised. They ran around a lot
today.” Piper tugged the covers back from her bed, glad she’d taken to keeping her room a little neater since she and Selma had begun dating “By the way, Dottie wanted me to tell you that you're always welcome here. You got the official stamp of approval today, you know.”

  Selma drew closer and took Piper’s hand into her own. She gently tugged on it until Piper leaned closer for a kiss.

  They were both smiling as their lips met. After one kiss became three, Selma just barely pulled back.

  “Piper,” she murmured once, her mouth still faintly pressed against Piper’s.