Our Journey

by Tey Holden

  Jo whispered it in her ear.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

  “Nope! You hit the jackpot with moi, baby!”

  Kate laughed. Jo was always too humble, so Kate loved to hear her boast. “Umm, I’m going to have to work extra hard tonight to keep you then.”

  Jo laughed. “You don’t need to work extra hard, you already have me.” She hugged her tight and kissed her.

  ***

  The next thing to do before they started to work was to find a place to live that was convenient to both their jobs. Once again, Jo’s priority was that Kate be as close as possible to the hospital where she would spend endless hours and from where she would have to commute at odd hours. They found a two-bedroom apartment with a parking garage in a lovely part of town. Jo’s commute to the Pentagon was also easy, not only because the drive was short, but because it was also against the flow of traffic. She was not used to taking the subway and preferred to drive.

  The three years of residency were even crazier than the four of medical school. Kate had extremely long shifts and worked odd hours. However, Kate’s schedule also allowed Jo to work long hours, which again, helped her advance her career. Sometimes they only saw each other in bed, and sometimes not for the whole night. Sometimes Kate arrived in the middle of the night, and Jo had to get up very early to attend meetings with high-ranking military personnel. No matter the time, or how much time they had to spend together, it was always comforting to come home to each other.

  “Hey, how was your day?” Jo spoke in a sleepy tone when she felt Kate getting under the covers and later her arm around her waist to snuggle to her.

  “Umm, you feel so good. This is the best part of my day. I’m so tired,” Kate said in an equally sleepy tone.

  Jo smiled and kissed her on the head. “Turn around, let me put you to sleep.” Kate knew the maneuver well and loved it, not only because it relaxed her and put her to sleep immediately, but because she knew Jo loved it too. “Umm.” She smiled as she turned and even more when she felt Jo’s breath and kisses on her neck and her hand on her breasts and abdomen. “Umm, you’re so easy,” Jo whispered.

  Kate moaned, even more, when she felt Jo’s hand between her legs. “Baby, no time to tease.”

  “I’ll be the one deciding that, soldier.” Jo kissed her under the ear and on her neck.

  “Too tired, too needy. Oh! Yessss!” Kate shuddered as she came.

  Jo kissed her repeatedly.

  “So good.” Kate relaxed and dozed off.

  “Good night, love.” Jo kissed her and tucked her in.

  There were other nights when they had long conversations or evenings when Kate came home early, and they had dinner or went out to catch a movie. Kate was always able to arrange her schedule, even if she had to pull a double shift, to have the occasional long weekend off, or to go on a mini trip somewhere. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, there was usually time off for a four or a five-day vacation, and between semesters during the summer, there was always time for a week-long vacation.

  If the trips were during weekends, they’d go in the RV to places in Virginia and Maryland. When there was more time, they ventured as far as South Carolina or Maine. When they had an entire week off, they had flown to more distant and warmer locations. So, even with their odd hours and crazy schedules, they were able to have plenty of time together and lead as normal a life as their careers allowed.

  Because of Jo’s extraordinary income, they were able to live comfortably and save from her salary, and financial issues were no longer a concern. As soon as Kate began to receive pay for her residency, her entire salary went to repay her student loans. After the end of the second year of Kate’s residency, they only owed one year’s tuition of medical school. It was about this time when the baby issue came up again.

  Chapter 7

  “Jo, I think it’s time.”

  “Time for what?”

  “For us to have a baby.”

  The statement caught Jo’s immediate attention. They were reading in bed before going to sleep. When Jo didn’t reply, Kate looked to find Jo’s panic-stricken face. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

  Jo raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure? Now?”

  “I’m already thirty-three. I don’t want to wait anymore, especially if we’re having more than one.”

  “Oh, God! I don’t know if I’m ready for this!” Jo said, sitting up on the bed. Kate was surprised by the reaction.

  “I thought we had agreed on this a long time ago. What’s troubling you? Is it that I’m still not finished with residency, and you think it might be too hectic?”

  Jo got up from the bed and started pacing. “No, no. It’s not that. It’s just that ... you ... pregnant. There are risks. What if something happens?”

  Kate’s facial expression immediately softened. She already knew where the conversation was going.

  “Have you forgotten all we went through when you had appendicitis, and you had to have that surgery?”

  Kate smiled and bit her lip. “Jo, come back to bed.”

  “It was awful to see you in pain. I thought I was going to go mad. I just wish we didn’t have to go through anything like that again.”

  Kate took her hands, pulled her back to bed, and looked at her sweetly.

  Jo immediately softened. “You know that I’ll do whatever you want. It’s what always happens.” Kate continued to look at her with the same sweet look that always melted Jo’s heart. “Katie, it took me a long time to find you. Pregnancies are risky, there could be complications, and things could go wrong.”

  “True, but most of them are normal. Jo, it will be okay. Women have children every day, you know?”

  “Yeah, but not mine. I’m afraid of the risks. Couldn’t we adopt one?”

  “We could, but we don’t need to because I’m perfectly healthy.”

  Kate smiled and kissed her. “You’re going to make a great mom to all the little McCallisters. I can just see it.”

  “Are you still set on more than one?”

  Kate nodded and chuckled, seeing Jo’s anguished face. “I remember both of us saying that we hated having been an only child. So, yes, I was thinking two or three.”

  “Two or three!” Jo sat up again. “I don’t even know if I can make it through one pregnancy, and you’re talking about three!” Jo got off the bed and began to pace. “Having kids it’s a lot of responsibility. Even after the risk of having them, which worries me already, they require a lot of care. We would need baby sitters, and we would need to move to a bigger place because they need lots of stuff, and then they need to go to school, and who is going to take them, huh?”

  Kate laughed. “Oh, my God! Come here.” Kate pulled her by the arm and sat on the bed facing her. “You’re going to be a super mom. You’re adorable, Jo McCallister!” Jo rested her head on Kate’s shoulder and pushed her down on the bed, placing an arm over Kate’s waist and one leg over her thigh as she always did.

  “You know that feeling of deep peace when you’re in a church and all is quiet and dark, and you smell the scent of candles and people kneel and pray in silence?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s how I feel when I’m here in bed like this with you. I feel immersed in peace.”

  Kate smiled, caressed her hair, and kissed her on the head. “Except that, I don’t think you smell candles in this church.”

  Jo grinned. “No, definitely not candles.”

  “What about us? When would we have time for ourselves with so many kids around?”

  Kate laughed again and faced her. “Have I ever failed on my mad rabbit promise?” Jo said nothing and smiled. “I want you to be the one getting me pregnant. Will you participate in the process?”

  “Of course. Have I not always been there for you?”

  “Yes, and I know you always will be, and that is why we’re having three.” There was no more talk that night. However, after Kate dropped the baby bomb, peace was the last thing o
n Jo’s mind.

  ***

  The next morning, Kate was up at the crack of dawn, fully energized. Jo was in the living room, already dressed and ready to go to work when Kate marched vigorously into the kitchen and filled her coffee cup. “Good morning, Colonel,” she said, playing out to the earlier morning activities in the bedroom.

  Jo looked up from her laptop and smiled, obviously getting the hint. She was checking her emails as she finished her coffee. “Good morning, soldier.”

  “Want more coffee?” Kate asked.

  “No, I’ve already refilled while you were in the shower. You look very invigorated this morning.”

  “I’m fully charged!” She sat next to Jo on the sofa and kissed her on the cheek. “Marjorie is always asking me where I get all my energy. I told her it was the miracle of a good sex life.”

  “You told her that? I won’t be able to look her in the face ever again!” Jo’s eyes were huge.

  Kate laughed. “I thought that would make her stop asking. But when Caroline walked in complaining of how tired she felt, Marjorie told her that she needed to get laid to reenergize, and then she said, ‘like Kate does.’ Then the inquiry began.” Kate laughed.

  “So, this is public knowledge now?”

  “No! Only they know.” Marjorie and Caroline were her good friends and members of her study group. Jo rolled her eyes. She knew and liked Kate’s friends. “Apparently, they don’t see the same energy level with the heterosexual couples in the group,” Kate smirked, lifting one corner of her mouth. “So, now they’re both considering a lesbian relationship.”

  Jo laughed. “You should have made clear to them that it’s not just being in a lesbian relationship. It has a lot to do with the quality of the partner,” Jo said gloating, right before she felt the sofa cushion hit her.

  “What makes you think I didn’t say that?” Kate laughed as Jo threw the cushion back at her.

  “I’ll be turning red next time I see them.”

  “By the way, I already have a doctor for the baby matter. We have an appointment on Monday.”

  “What? I feel I’ve been handled!” Jo said, obviously in jest. “You already had all this planned out, didn’t you?” Kate said nothing and laughed. Anyone who didn’t know Jo would have thought that she was mad with the outcome. But not Kate, she knew that Jo was pretending to be outraged.

  Kate went back to the bedroom and came out dressed and ready to go. She filled her coffee mug and plastered a bagel with cream cheese. “And you weren’t handled. You were onboard a few years ago when we first talked about it. So, this shouldn’t have come as a surprise to you. I’ll bring Chinese food tonight so don’t cook. Love you!” Before she left, she kissed Jo once again. Her lips tasted like the cream cheese. She went out the door with her coffee mug in hand, leaving Jo smiling and savoring the taste of cream cheese on her lips.

  ***

  Three months later, Kate was pregnant, and Jo was a pack of nerves. She wouldn’t let Kate do anything around the house, claiming that it wouldn’t be good for a woman in her condition.

  “Jo McCallister, you need to chill, or this will be the longest nine months of our lives.”

  Other than the usual minor morning sickness, Kate’s pregnancy was a breeze. However, the same could not have been said about Jo, who seemed to be having the hardest time. At the first sign of any minor discomfort from Kate, Jo was gagging and nauseous. It was not unusual for Jo to be walking about the apartment with a bucket in her hand or reclined on the sofa with her head hanging over the side.

  “Aw, baby! You do know this is all in your head, right? This is what is commonly called sympathetic morning sickness, but it’s just anxiety. I think I’m going to get you a prescription of Xanax.”

  “No, I will not take anything. I need to be all there when it’s time.”

  “Jo, we’re eight months away from my due day. We need to carry on with our lives as normal.”

  Normal? Life will never be normal again! “I know. I’ll be fine. Just come and sit with me.”

  When Kate consulted with her doctor friends about the sympathetic morning sickness, they loved it. “Poor thing!” Marjorie said. “Kate, you’re such a lucky woman. Women would kill to have a partner like Jo. She’s just amazing. To be honest, I’m straight, but after seeing you two, if the right woman came along, I’d be ready to switch sides,” Marjorie said in jest.

  “Marjorie, trust me, not all lesbians are created equal. There are plenty of nasty ones out there. I just got lucky, and you’re right, she’s wonderful.”

  “I mean, how long have you been together?” Caroline, Kate’s other friend, asked.

  “Seven years,” Kate replied.

  “And look at you! All lovie dovie! The sex must be incredible.” Marjorie, who was the most outspoken in the group, added.

  Kate grinned but remained quiet. “Look at that face! She’ll say nothing, but honey, you don’t have to! Your face says it all!” Marjorie again kidded with Caroline laughing.

  “Leave her alone, Marjorie. You’re going to make her blush, and if Jo shows up, she’ll think something’s wrong,” Caroline said.

  “Listen guys, when I’m in labor, I’m going to call on the two of you to keep an eye on Jo. I think she might need more care than me.” Caroline and Marjorie laughed. “I’m serious. You should have seen her when I had to have an appendectomy. Now, it’s going to be worse because she already had that negative experience.”

  “I thought you said that she had been in a war zone and had seen a lot of ugly stuff. Surely a woman who has been in such situations would be able to make it through her child’s birth!” Marjorie tried to make sense of the situation.

  “Yes, she’s seen real ugly stuff, but when it comes to anything related to me, she’s a flake.”

  “Good grief!” Marjorie exclaimed. “It’s not like she doesn’t know the intricacies of the female parts that have such an amazing ability to expand!” Marjorie continued.

  “Are you sure you’re not a lesbian?” Caroline asked Marjorie, as Kate chuckled.

  “Oh, shut up! Or are you just checking to see if I’m interested?” Marjorie replied.

  “Guys, come on! Do you hear yourselves? All I’m asking here is help with Jo at the critical moment. Can I count on you?”

  “Of course,” Caroline replied.

  “Seeing that we have lesbian tendencies here, of course, you can!” Marjorie replied, looking at Caroline, who merely laughed before everyone else did too.

  “We better go back to make our rounds before we get in trouble.” Kate took her charts and walked away. The others followed.

  ***

  Kate spent most of her last year of residency pregnant. It was during that time that they came across Lorraine in an art gallery in Washington. They had just finished dinner in an Ethiopian restaurant in Georgetown and were strolling along M Street when Kate noticed an exposition in one of the local art galleries. “Let’s go in.”

  “Kate, I’m not into art, you know that! I had enough of it a long time ago.” Jo’s facial expression made Kate laugh.

  “Oh, come on, it’s a small gallery, it will take us five minutes to see it all.”

  “Okay!”

  No sooner had they walked in, when Jo froze, hearing a familiar voice calling her name, “Jo? Jo McCallister? Is this truly you?”

  Lorraine rushed to her and hugged her very emotionally. “How have you been, sweetheart?” Kate raised an eyebrow very amused with the encounter and observing Jo’s petrified face.

  “Fine, I’ve been fine, and you?” Jo replied, still in shock.

  “Oh! I’m super! I have some paintings on display. Let me show you.” Just then, she became aware that there was a woman with Jo.

  “And who is this beautiful creature?” Lorraine said, giving Kate a full-body appraisal, and obviously noticing Kate’s belly bump, which at six months of pregnancy, it was already showing.

  Putting her arm over Kate’s shoulder and bringing her
closer to her, Jo made the introduction. “Lorraine, this is my wife, Kate.”

  “Oh, you’re married! How lovely!” She turned to slap Jo on the shoulder and then turned back to talk to Kate. “Very pleased to meet you, and congratulations, I see that you’re expecting.”

  “Yes, we are,” Kate replied sweetly.

  “I got married too. I met my husband in Italy. There he is, honey?” She called out to him and introduced the much older man. After meeting her husband, the women took a walk to look at Lorraine’s paintings at her insistence. Just then, Lorraine was called away by someone who wanted to know more about one of her abstracts.

  When they arrived at the area where Lorraine’s paintings were located, Jo couldn’t believe what she saw. Her eyes were focused on one canvas only. “Oh, fuck!” Jo whispered. There was no need to explain. Kate smiled surprised and hardly able to look at Jo. When she did, she saw Jo’s horrified face.

  What was in front of them was a nude portrait of a beautiful woman sitting in such a way that her breasts and her eyes were clearly visible. The woman had short, dark hair and beautiful, brown almond-shaped eyes like only two people in the world had, according to Kate, Sophia Loren and Joelle McCallister. It was obvious that this was an amazing portrait of a very topless Jo. If Lorraine had ever painted a masterpiece, this had to be it.

  “I thought she only painted abstracts,” Kate remarked, biting her lip trying not to laugh, with her eyes still fixed on the portrait.

  “So did I. Shit!” Jo looked around her, embarrassed and hoping that no one would put two and two together.

  “Well, she certainly did a great job here. It’s beautiful!” Kate again remarked.

  Jo looked at her astonished that Kate was not mad or as outraged as she was. “How come you find this so amusing? I need to get out of here! Let’s go!”

  “Okay, wait for me outside, I need to find the restroom.”

  “Okay, hurry up, please. We can talk about this later. I need a drink!” Jo disappeared into the crowd and walked straight out.

  Kate instead, found the gallery’s manager and talked to her. Twenty minutes later, she met Jo outside.