Lost & Found

by Raquel De Leon

  All thoughts of sleep were put aside.

  Chapter 11

  Piper sighed as she ignored her cell phone going off, wishing she had left it downstairs instead of bringing it up to Selma’s room. She’d only been up ten minutes and all she wanted to do was ease awake. It had been late when she’d gotten into town last night, Ben already in bed by the time she’d finished the three-hour drive. She hadn’t been able to wait until the next day, wanting to spend all her time off with Selma. Perhaps it was a little clingy of her, but Selma hadn’t complained.

  She bit her lip as she remembered the warm welcome she’d received the night before. No, Selma hadn’t complained.

  It had been a little over two weeks since the Karen incident. They’d heard nothing from Karen at first, but then Selma had woken up to a rather unpleasant voicemail one morning. After another few days, Piper had been the recipient of numerous pleading calls and texts. She’d opted to ignore them, uninterested in speaking to Karen if the woman couldn’t bother to be civil to Selma.

  Though Karen might be biologically linked to Piper, it didn’t mean she had to put up with Karen’s mistreatment of Selma, and certainly not to Karen’s own brand of homophobia. She’d much rather spend her time and energy supporting and caring for Selma. Even though they’d only been dating just shy of two months, Piper was over the moon for her.

  Piper was certain she’d be fine ignoring Karen for the rest of her life. A smaller part of her recognized that, sooner or later, she’d talk to Karen for Selma’s sake. She was long past putting up with people that didn’t fully accept her—but she’d do a lot for Selma.

  She growled as her phone went off again. she picked it up with the intent of throwing it across the room when she noticed the name on the caller ID. Derek.

  Piper bit her lip, not sure if it was a trick and Karen was just using his phone. She decided to risk it since she still wasn’t sure where Derek stood.

  “Hello?” she asked hesitantly

  “Piper!” Derek's voice sounded relieved. Piper slightly relaxed.

  “Hey, Derek.”

  “Piper, I've been worried about you. We haven't seen you in weeks, and Karen won't tell me what happened other than there was a disagreement with Selma. I don’t want to get in between Karen and Selma, but I don’t like this. You haven’t answered our calls.” He sounded hurt and Piper felt a twinge of guilt.

  “Karen really didn't tell you?” It took an effort not to sound suspicious.

  She could hear him sigh. “No, she won’t even tell me what the disagreement was about. I thought if I waited, maybe someone would say something. We've never gone so long without talking to Selma, and I thought you liked our weekly visits. I didn't want to make things worse, but it's been so long and I'm worried, Pipes.” A tinge of desperation entered his voice. “I know Karen is usually better with the chats, but it kills me not to hear from my girls. Help me out here, please.”

  Piper chewed at the inside of her lip. “Look, Derek. I don’t really think you’re going to like what I have to say, but if you really want to we can meet for coffee or something.”

  “Thanks so much, Piper. I've really missed hearing from you. Can we meet today? I really hate not knowing what's going on.”

  She eyed the digital alarm clock on the nightstand. “I have to speak with Selma, but I think I can meet you in town at maybe… two? You know the great little coffee shop two blocks from the townhouse?” It would give her plenty of time to enjoy the morning, to brace herself for any potential unpleasantness.

  “Oh yeah, Ben loves the apple muffins there. I'll see you there. Just text me if you need to change anything.”

  “Sure thing, Derek, see you then.” Piper waited for Derek to say his goodbye, and then they both hung up.

  Piper bit her lip for a moment, wondering how to broach the subject with Selma.

  *****

  Downstairs in her office, Selma was having a phone conversation of her own.

  “He gave you a bonus, just like that?” Selma's voice was doubtful. She leaned back in her desk chair.

  “Oh yes, darling. You should have seen the man’s face. Red as a lobster. He really should eat better and exercise more. His blood pressure must be through the roof,” Laura's amused voice intoned.

  Selma bit back a chuckle. Laura really did have a way of sniffing out trouble. “Well he’s lucky you happen to be so very good at your job. The press would have had a field day.”

  Laura laughed. “Selma, I insist you meet me for lunch to celebrate. I've got a surprise for you and you simply must come.”

  A dark eyebrow rose. “A surprise? I hate surprises.”

  “Oh come on, live a little.” Laura's voice grew serious, “Please?”

  Selma's eyes narrowed. Her sister never begged. “If it's really important to you, I'll manage it. When?”

  “Well, I have a reservation at that lovely sushi place that's about twenty minutes from my condo for one-thirty. Do you know the one? We've been there before.”

  “Yes, I recall it—although you may need to text me the address again. It's been ages since we ate there together.” She was sure it had been at least a year since the last time they'd gone. Time passed far too quickly. “Emily picked Ben up a while ago. Should I bring Piper along?”

  “If you don't mind I'd rather you didn't. There are actually some things I'd like to discuss in private.” Laura sounded apologetic.

  “That's fine, I'm sure she'll find something to entertain herself with.” Selma became distracted as she considered the ways her lover could entertain herself.

  “Right, then. I'll see you in a bit.” Laura’s voice was full of forced cheer but she hung up before Selma could respond.

  She blinked at her phone in surprise. There was something Laura wasn’t saying about the surprise that made her think she wouldn’t like it.

  Soft tapping on her door distracted her, and she called out an even “Come in,” knowing it could only be Piper since Emily had picked Ben up that morning.

  Piper's blonde head poked in, and seeing Selma wasn't busy, she entered the room to sit across from Selma.

  Selma stood up and moved around to lean against the front of her desk when Piper remained quiet. She crossed her legs at the ankle as she raised an eyebrow.

  Piper's gaze remained focused on the floor, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips. Her gaze slowly rose from the ground, though she seemed lost in thought.

  A sigh escaped Selma as she waited for Piper to focus. She braced her hands on the edge of the desk and scooted backward until she was sitting on the wooden surface. “Piper?” she asked impatiently.

  Piper suddenly stood. “Sorry,” she said as her pale cheeks flushed. “Just one thing.”

  She hadn’t even finished speaking before she was surging forward, hands moving behind Selma to settle on the dip of her lower back to pull her forward for an urgent kiss.

  Surprised but pleased, Selma moaned and leaned into the contact. She moved her hands up to cup Piper's face, only to push one back until her nails were lightly scraping at Piper’s scalp.

  Eventually, Piper pulled back, trying to catch her breath. “Sorry, you in these skirts.” She shook her head, her eyes flicking down to where the hem of Selma’s skirt had risen to almost mid-thigh.

  Selma bit her lip and traced one of Piper’s high cheekbones with a fingertip. “You only wanted a kiss?” She dipped her fingertip down to graze over Piper’s mouth.

  Piper’s hands settled on Selma’s hips, her eyes dark as she pulled Selma closer to the edge of the desk. “No.”

  “Good,” Selma whispered as she reached down for the zipper to Piper’s jeans.

  Half an hour later Selma cleared her throat as she buttoned up her silk shirt. “Well. Good morning to you.” Her hair was certainly a mess but she opted to ignore it. It was a good thing Emily had taken Ben out for the day.

  She wiped her desk down and hummed to herself. When she’d picked her clothes out that morning,
she had picked a skirt on purpose.

  “Garter belts,” Piper muttered. She’d at least pulled her clothes back on, though her jeans were still undone. She was slumped back in one the chairs, one elbow propped up on its arm. She leaned her head into her raised palm and stared at Selma.

  So maybe Selma had picked out more than just the skirt for Piper, but she’d been feeling especially enamored that morning. She hadn’t expected Piper so soon, and to say she’d been pleasantly surprised had been an understatement.

  Determined to be good for the time being, she took the seat adjacent to Piper. “What did you want to talk about earlier?”

  Piper cleared her throat nervously, “I'm having coffee with Derek at two.”

  Selma blinked slowly but otherwise didn’t allow herself to visibly react. “Well, at least I know you'll be busy when I leave at one to meet my sister.”

  “You're not upset?” Green eyes were watching Selma's face for any sign of emotion.

  “No. You’re an adult and Derek is biologically your father.” Selma didn’t want to come between Piper and the Berings for any reason, though she was fairly certain Derek’s response wouldn’t vary too greatly from Karen’s.

  Piper shifted in her seat, one hand tugging through her hair. “He says he has no idea what happened, only that there was an argument. Karen wouldn't explain why the two of you aren’t talking, or why I’m not accepting her calls.” She licked her lips. “I’m going to tell him.”

  Selma's stopped moving. “I don’t think he’ll react well, Piper.”

  Piper pursed her lips. “Well, I'm not going to pretend with them. I'm just going to tell him the truth and if he can't handle it, it's not my problem. I lived twenty years without these people and I have a good life. I don't need their negativity, especially when I’m so happy.” The last was said slowly, as Piper reached between their chairs to find Selma’s hand. The look she sent Selma made her breath catch.

  “I love you.” Selma brought her free hand up to cover her mouth. She hadn’t meant to say that. It was too soon. But, as she considered how easily the phrase had slipped free, she realized it was true.

  She didn’t have time to worry about whether it was a good or bad thing.

  Piper gently tugged her hand up and pressed a delicate kiss to Selma’s palm, her gaze unwavering. Though she didn’t say the words, Selma had no doubt that Piper’s feelings were just as serious. Piper tilted her head to the side “I hope Derek surprises us today. More than anything, I don’t want them to hurt you anymore.”

  Selma let a small smile peek out. “Thanks. I’ll be fine either way, Piper.” It wasn’t a lie. It would hurt for Derek to reject their relationship, but Selma would survive. She took in a slow breath and checked the hanging clock. “We should both wash up and change if we’re going to be on time.”

  “It’s not even noon yet,” Piper said as she glanced at the clock.

  Selma hummed as she stood. “I thought you might like to shower together.”

  She laughed when Piper leapt to her feet and hurried to open the door.

  Piper offered her a wink and a bow as she held open the door. “After you.”

  *****

  Selma arrived at the entryway to the restaurant precisely at one-thirty. She smiled in satisfaction as she examined the time on her watch.

  “Selmie?” came her sister's voice from behind.

  Selma winced and turned. “Please do not ever call me that again.” She gave her sister a playful glare. Laura looked fetching in a deep emerald skirt and matching blazer, her red hair down in loose curly waves. Her impressive height was made all the more impressive by a pair of killer heels.

  Despite her pristine appearance, Laura was fidgeting and awkwardly shifting her weight. “Sorry, didn't mean to. It just sort of… slipped.”

  Selma arched her eyebrows as she studied her sister. Laura wouldn’t quite meet her eyes. Selma’s lips thinned into a grimace. “What did you do, Laura?”

  Laura glanced around and then nodded her head toward one of the benches in the entryway. “Let's sit for a few moments, shall we?”

  Selma sighed but did as requested, back straight and legs pressed together as she regarded Laura.

  Laura crossed and uncrossed her legs, before also bringing her gaze to meet Selma’s. “The reservation is actually for one-forty-five, and… Mum may also be joining us.”

  Selma blinked hard. “What?” she asked in a deceptively soft voice.

  Laura's shoulders slumped as she flipped her long hair back. “Look, don't start. You told me you'd try with Mother ages ago. Every time I bring it up you deflect and change the subject. I knew if I kept asking you'd keep avoiding it. I'm really serious about us all being at least some semblance of a family.” Blue eyes were wary as she faced her younger sister.

  Selma pushed out a breath. “I never said I would try.” Technically she hadn’t, though she knew Laura had been hopeful. Knowing just how persuasive Laura could be, she’d tried avoiding the subject as much as possible. Evidently, that had only worked so far. “Very well. I hope you know what you're doing.”

  The smile on Laura’s face blossomed almost instantaneously. She pulled Selma into a quick hug. “I knew you'd see things my way.”

  Selma couldn’t withhold a snarky comment. “I still hate surprises. Perhaps even more now, courtesy of my beloved sister.”

  Laura ignored the comment and stood up, brushing one hand over her skirt before walking toward the hostess. She turned back to Selma and gestured toward the restaurant, indicating their table was ready.

  Feeling as though what should have been a pleasant lunch would be anything but, Selma grudgingly rose to follow Laura and the hostess. Their low table was off in a corner, a lacquered black privacy screen separating them from the next nearest table. They chose cushions next to each other and ordered some drinks, and both perused their menus in an attempt to ignore the undercurrent of anxiety that had developed.

  Before long a slow click-clack of heels sounded ominously against the wooden floor, and Selma felt her shoulders tense and her spine straighten.

  She could feel Laura do the same. The steps paused on the other side of the privacy screen, and then they were no longer alone.

  It always struck Selma how petite Irene Flores truly was, especially the longer between their visits with one another. Her mother always seemed so much larger than life that Selma often forgot Irene was three inches shorter than herself.

  The lines on her mother’s face had deepened a little more since the last time they’d seen one another—her mother’s annual Christmas party for work associates, they hadn’t actually spoken—but Irene still had the same glint in her eye and energy around her that Selma could remember from childhood.

  Irene was in a smart grey suit, the slacks and blazer expertly cut to suit her figure. Her dark auburn hair, dyed so expertly that it didn’t look dyed at all, was tied back in an elegant chignon. She smiled as she rearranged the cushions on the opposite side of the table, taking a seat so she was precisely positioned between Selma and Laura on the opposite side of the table.

  The smile was unnerving in its sincerity, making all of Irene’s wrinkles deepen and her amber eyes seem to twinkle. Selma had seen many of her mother’s smiles but that one was unfamiliar.

  “Laura, Selma,” her eyes lingered on Selma’s, “it’s so lovely to see you.”

  “I’m glad you could join us,” Laura said sincerely.

  Selma’s lips twitched but no words were forthcoming.

  Irene’s smile briefly faltered. “So, what looks good?”

  They sat in an awkward silence until the waiter came back.

  *****

  Piper paced nervously in front of the coffee shop before deciding to just bite the bullet and go in. She was a little early but she didn't care.

  A digital bell rang as she pushed through the door, immediately moving off to the side to scope out a seat. She froze when she found Derek already seated in a nearby booth
. Apparently, he’d been anxious about their meeting and had come more than a little early himself—judging by the three empty glasses resting on his table. She hadn’t seen him come in, either.

  Piper inhaled deeply to gather her courage and walked over to his table. Her hands were tucked into her pockets as she approached, shoulders slightly hunched.

  As soon as Derek spotted her, he eagerly stood up. “Piper.” His exuberance was almost contagious. Almost.

  She gave him a tight smile in return, stiffly sitting in the booth across from him. “Hey, Derek.”