Message from Heaven

by Lydia Rose

  The moment Nadine left the room, Pat moved over to Sandy who was making the salad. “I am so happy that Nadine found you. She’s been sad for so long and now her eyes have life again.” She touched Sandy’s arm. “Thank you.”

  “Nadine makes me happy too,” she said wearing a big smile. “She is the best thing that has ever happened in my life.”

  “My sister used to be self-centered and materialistic. Kim changed her. Definitely for the better. I’m glad you got to meet this Nadine.”

  “Me too.”

  The moment Nadine reentered the kitchen, the conversation ceased. “Is everything okay in here?” Nadine asked looking at Sandy.

  “Yes,” Sandy said winking at Nadine.

  As soon as dinner ended, the kids moved to the den to watch a movie. The coffee was on the table and Nadine went into the kitchen with her mother. “Mom, how do I stop the guilt I feel?” Nadine asked softly.

  Jennifer pulled Nadine over to the table and they sat down. “Honey, here is my theory. I believe that Kim sent Sandy to you.” Nadine grinned at her mother’s statement. “Really. You have a seminar for women and Sandy shows up to a place where her friend from college is working and in need of a job. It was as if someone was leading Sandy to you.” Nadine wiped a tear. “There is room in your heart to love more than one person.” Her hand came down on Nadine’s hand. “Kim will always be in your heart, but there’s room for Sandy too.”

  “I love her, Mom,” Nadine admitted quietly.

  “I know you do and she loves you too.”

  “You think so?” Nadine asked hopefully.

  “I see the way she looks at you. Kim looked at you the same way.” Jennifer smiled. “Be thankful that you don’t have to be sad anymore.”

  Nadine pulled her mother into a hug. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “And that little girl. She could have been Kim’s daughter.” Her head went up and down. “Kim definitely sent Sandy to you.”

  Carly fell asleep in the car as soon as they pulled out of the driveway of Nadine’s parent’s home. “Carly is going with the Carey’s to upstate New York for the weekend.” Nadine looked at Sandy grinning. “I was hoping I could spend the weekend with you.”

  Nadine reached for her hand. “Yes. Absolutely, yes.”

  *

  Sandy dropped Carly off at the Carey’s the following morning and then drove over to Nadine’s house. The moment the door opened, Nadine pulled her inside and pulled her close. “I’m so glad you are here.”

  Sandy kissed her softly. “Me too,” she said looking into the soft brown eyes. “I need to find a dress for the Christmas party.”

  “I’ll loan you one of my dresses,” Nadine said wrapping her arm around Sandy’s waist and leading her into the living room.

  “Since you are four inches taller than me, that won’t work,” Sandy answered chuckling. “Do you mean to keep me locked in your house all weekend?” Sandy asked chuckling.

  “Yes,” Nadine answered putting her arms around Sandy’s waist and pulling her close.

  Sandy smiled and looked up. “I love you so much.” After the words left her mouth, her eyes opened wide at her slip. What caused even more pain was seeing Nadine’s shocked eyes.

  “You do?” Nadine asked taking a step back.

  “Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to tell you.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t want to scare you off,” Sandy said so softly.

  Nadine raised Sandy’s chin and looked into her eyes. “I love you too. I’ve loved you for quite some time now.” Her smile began to open.

  “You do? You love me?”

  “Yes, Sandra Williams.” Her arms draped loosely around her waist so she could see her face. “I love you so much.” Sandy began to cry. “Oh, honey.” Nadine was now wiping her tears. “Are you all right?”

  Sandy nodded. “I’m just so happy to hear you say that.” She buried her face in Nadine’s chest. “You are the first person I’ve ever loved. Really loved. Thank you for loving me.”

  “Aw, honey. I am thankful to you for saving my life. You can’t imagine how happy you’ve made me.” They were both crying now.

  The two women spent most of the weekend in each other’s arms sharing the love they admitted they had for each other. Futures were not discussed because they both understood that they had time for the serious conversations.

  CHAPTER 43

  Arlene appeared at Sandy’s desk Wednesday morning. “I’m getting the final count for the Christmas party. You’re not bringing anyone?”

  “No,” Sandy answered with a straight face.

  “Are you sure? You are welcome to bring someone. Even if it is just a friend of yours,” Arlene insisted.

  “I’m sure, Arlene. Thank you.”

  Arlene now went to Nadine. “Boss, you going stag again to the party?”

  “I’m bringing someone.” Nadine watched as Arlene’s face lit up.

  “It’s getting serious with this woman?”

  “Yes.”

  Arlene couldn’t resist and pulled Nadine into a hug. “I’m so happy for you, Nadine.”

  “Me too, Arlene.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her. Is she pretty?”

  “Beautiful.”

  “Blond like Kim?”

  Nadine laughed. “No. Light brown hair and light blue eyes.” She now watched Arlene’s eyes crinkle and wondered if she had said too much. “I’m only kidding. She’s tall, dark and leggy.”

  Arlene pointed her finger at Nadine. “I bet neither of those descriptions fit her. The most important thing is that she’s nice.”

  “Sweet and considerate.” Nadine and Sandy had decided that their introduction to the employees would be at the Christmas party. They were tired of pretending they barely knew each other while they were at work. Nadine wanted to shout from the rooftops that she was in love with Sandy. A few more days and she would be able to say that.

  *

  Sandy had gotten her dress over Thanksgiving weekend and Nadine had insisted that she pay for it. It was the first argument the women had had, but in the end, Sandy relented.

  “You look beautiful,” Nadine said watching Sandy walk toward her.

  “Doesn’t she?” Eva said staring at her daughter proudly and then looked down at her granddaughter. “What do you think, Carly?”

  “Mommy looks like a princess.”

  The dress was silver and shimmering. The dress was sleeveless and came down in a V between Sandy’s breasts. A small jacket went over the dress to keep Sandy from being cold. Her light brown hair looked professionally styled. Sandy now looked at her partner and opened her long coat to see what she was wearing.

  “You look so good too.” The long black pants and red shirt made Nadine’s five-foot-seven frame appear longer. Especially with her three inch heels.

  Nadine had thought of wearing a dress tonight, but she wanted to dance as much as she could with Sandy and knew she’d be more comfortable in pants. “Thank you. Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, but nervous,” she said as she walked outside carrying a backpack. “I’m afraid everyone is going to think I’m with you for the job or your money.”

  “No one who knows you will think that and what is in the backpack?”

  “Clothes.”

  “You mean I don’t have to take you home tonight?”

  “Nope.”

  Nadine squeezed her hand as they pulled up to the venue. “Are you ready to meet the world?”

  “No, but let’s go.”

  The women checked their coats and Nadine held out her arm to Sandy. “Let’s go, honey.” She walked them to the private room of the restaurant where their company party was taking place, separate from the main dining room. She stopped at the doorway and waited for everyone in the room to see them. Arlene was the first one to come over to them.

  “I knew it,” she said pointing her finger. “When you said light brown hair and light blue eyes,” her head shook, “I knew it was Sa
ndy.” She pulled Sandy to her. “You look beautiful. I’m so happy for both of you.”

  The rest of the group met them with warm wishes. Everyone seemed to be happy with the union between two women. Nadine and Sandy now took a seat where her parents were sitting. The only person who didn’t look happy was Mr. Anderson.

  He leaned over to Joe Connors. “This is highly inappropriate.”

  Joe turned. “My daughter is finally happy again. Don’t even think about firing Sandy or you’ll find Nadine choosing Sandy over her job. I won’t lose her in the business again.”

  Henry Anderson nodded. “I’ll hold you responsible if this turns into a law suit.”

  “Fine,” Joe Connors answered firmly. He now watched as his wife fawned over Sandy.

  After the dinner, Arlene pulled Sandy off to the side. “She took you to the fundraiser, didn’t she?” Sandy nodded with a smile. “I knew when she said to buy her two tickets that there was someone in the picture.”

  “Bought? I thought she got those tickets for free.”

  Arlene smiled and shook her head. “The first time I saw you two together, I knew there was something there. Thank you for making Nadine happy again.”

  “Everyone keeps saying that, but she makes me very happy too.”

  “I know you are happy, but you don’t know how hard it was for her to lose Kim. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t keep talking about Kim to you.”

  “Arlene, it doesn’t bother me. I know how much Nadine loved Kim. I don’t want her to ever stop talking about her or anyone else for that matter. She was part of Nadine’s life and now she is part of mine too.”

  Arlene smiled. “You love her, don’t you?” Arlene asked leaning closer.

  “I do.”

  “Good, because I can see how much she loves you.” Arlene watched as Nadine made her way over to them.

  “May I have this dance?” Nadine asked holding out her hand.

  “Of course,” Sandy said taking Nadine’s hand.

  Nadine took Sandy’s hand and held it between their bodies. She leaned into her ear. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Sandy watched as Nadine brought her hand to her lips and kissed her fingers.

  “Can we leave now?” Nadine asked as she looked into the blue eyes.

  Sandy chuckled. “You can’t be the first one to leave. I’m fine right here,” she said pulling Nadine closer to her.

  They walked toward the table. “I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

  Sandy took a seat with Nadine’s parents and watched as the other couples danced. As Nadine came out of the bathroom, someone called her name from the restaurant’s main dining room.

  “Nadine,” he said.

  “Eric. How are you?”

  Sandy leaned over to Jennifer. “Is that an ex-boyfriend of Nadine’s?”

  Jennifer chuckled. “She doesn’t have any of those. That’s Eric, Kim’s brother. He was the only one in the family that was okay with Kim’s sexuality. Her own parents and sister never came to her funeral.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  Jennifer shook her head. “I wish I was.”

  Nadine was now holding Eric’s hand and leading him to their table. “Mom, Dad you remember Eric?”

  “Of course, we do. Hello, Eric. How are you?” Jennifer asked as Joe shook his hand.

  “I’m good. You both look well.” Eric now looked down at Sandy. “Hello,” he said holding out his hand.

  Sandy shook his hand as Nadine said, “Eric, this is my girlfriend, Sandy.”

  “I’m happy to meet you, Eric.”

  Eric turned to Nadine. “I’m happy, Nadine that you found someone.”

  “Me too,” as Nadine answered Eric, she hugged him.

  They all talked for a few minutes before Eric said he had to get back to his friends.

  “He seems nice,” Sandy said and then added, “He looks like Kim. They both have the same color hair and eyes.”

  When the party began to thin out, Nadine and Sandy made their escape. Sandy turned in her seat and looked at Nadine. “When I saw you and Eric talking, I asked your mother if he was an ex-boyfriend.” Nadine laughed at her words. “She told me you never had one of those. You’ve never been with a man?”

  Nadine shook her head. “I knew I was gay from a young age. I didn’t waste my time dating guys.” She winked at Sandy. “I had more fun with the girls.”

  “So, you dated a lot of girls?” Sandy asked.

  “Date? It was more like hanging out and kissing. You know just stuff like that.”

  “No, I don’t know. I didn’t date in high school or college.”

  “I know you were shy and all, but you didn’t want to date?” Nadine asked as she held Sandy’s hand.

  “I wanted to get my education and I was working too. Who had time to date?” Then she let out a breath. “Why date when I knew I couldn’t be who I really was.” Her words echoed in the car.

  “I’m so sorry, Sandy.” Her hand squeezed the small hand that was lying in her lap. “Tell me why you are a receptionist?”

  “My major was English. I had hoped to teach, but I got pregnant while I was going for my Masters.” Sandy chuckled. “I was so socially inept, I ended up pregnant.”

  “He didn’t force himself on you?” Nadine asked with a squeeze of Sandy’s hand.

  “No. There was alcohol and I was tired of being a virgin.”

  “How was it?”

  “I don’t remember much and it was over so quickly.”

  “Your first time should have been with a woman,” Nadine said laughing.

  “I wish it had been, but I knew how my father felt about homosexuals,” she said forcing a smile. “If I hadn’t been with Pete, then again, I wouldn’t have Carly,” Sandy sighed. “My father wouldn’t allow me to have a child out of wedlock. I thought I had no choice in the matter.”

  “I’m sorry your father forced you to marry him.”

  “I should have stood up for myself, but I needed their help and I just went with the flow.”

  “You should get your resume out there and see if you can get a teaching job.”

  “I’ve tried, but no takers. I’m thirty-four years old and have no experience teaching. No one wants to hire someone like that.”

  “Well, I love that you and I are working together.” They pulled into the garage and got out. “Thank you for spending the night.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be thanking you very soon,” she said chuckling.

  They both went up the stairs and removed their clothes. In each other’s embrace, they fell onto the bed in a heap. They were soon laughing until the first kiss took over. Bodies molded together as they slid against each other in a sexual dance. Hands caressed and lips crushed together. Sandy was the first to crash with Nadine right behind her.

  “Thank you. I really needed that from all the tension of going to the party.” Sandy began to giggle. “I told you I would be thanking you.”

  “No need for thanks. That was my pleasure. Literally.” Nadine joined her in a laugh before she was flipped over on her back. “Let’s see if we can go slower this time.”

  “I doubt that,” Sandy said as she slid down Nadine’s body. Her lips found Nadine wet with desire again as she made love to her with her mouth.

  CHAPTER 44

  Early the following morning the women were just lying in bed holding each other when Nadine asked, “Move in with me?” Her words were practically whispered. Sandy moved out of Nadine’s arms and looked at her. “I’m serious. I want to wake up each morning in your arms. If I learned anything from my relationship with Kim, it’s that life is too short. We only get one chance to make it right.”

  “Nadine, we barely know each other.”

  “I know everything I need to about you. I know this house might be too small for Carly and your mom, so we will have to find a new house.”

  Sandy sat up and held her head. “Hold on. You want my mother to move in with us too?”

  �
��Sure. I don’t want her to be alone.”

  “I don’t know if my mother wants to leave her house. Where is all this coming from?”

  “From? My love for you of course.” Nadine lost her smile. “I guess I’m rushing you. Kim did the same with me. She was always pushing us forward as if she had a premonition that she wouldn’t live long.”

  “Nadine, I can’t promise you that I won’t die, but you have got to slow down. I love you and want all the things you do, but I can’t just move in now.”

  “I understand,” Nadine said getting off the bed.

  “No, you don’t. Suppose we move in together and then six months from now you change your mind?” Sandy could see the sadness in the brown eyes, but she couldn’t give in. Not on this.

  “I won’t,” Nadine said as she put on her robe and remembered that Kim had said the same words. Kim never gave up on her.

  “Please, Nadine. I love you, but I need some time.”

  “I’m sorry. I won’t ask you again.”

  Sandy got off the bed and wrapped her arms around Nadine. “Don’t be sorry and please don’t say you won’t ask again.” Her fingers caressed Nadine’s face. “I think it’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She took Nadine by the arm. “Come back to bed. I’ve got some time before I have to leave.”

  CHAPTER 45

  Sandy walked into her mother’s home and was met by an excited eight-year- old. “Hi, Mommy. What are we going to do today?”

  “How about the aquarium?” Sandy asked Carly, hugging her around her shoulder.

  The blue eyes were bright as she screeched with delight. “Yes.”

  “Go get your coat and hat and we can go.”

  When Carly disappeared, Eva asked, “How was the Christmas party?”

  “Good. Everyone seemed fine with Nadine and me dating.”

  “I’m glad dear,” Eva said, but knew there was something Sandy wasn’t telling her.

  “We need to talk after Carly goes to bed tonight,” Sandy said just before Carly appeared in the room.

  *

  The aquarium was crowded with parents who needed an entertaining event to keep the kids busy during a cold December day. After dinner, Carly got ready for bed and Sandy tucked her in. She looked at her phone expecting to see a text from Nadine, but nothing was there.