by Renee Roman
“Does that mean you’ve slept together?”
Hudson looked at the ceiling, hoping to find a delicate way to respond. “Yes.”
“Hot damn, it’s about time.”
“Momma,” she warned her.
“Don’t you Momma me. I’ve been worried sick about you. We both have, Hudson. It’s not normal for a woman as beautiful and charming as you not to have a lover.”
“I’m fine.”
“We were beginning to think we needed to take your card away,” She said, laughing. The sound warmed Hudson’s insides. It was a familiar memory that had filled her childhood home on a daily basis, and one of the many reasons her schoolmates loved being invited for sleepovers.
“I’m going to regret this visit, aren’t I?” She ran a hand over her face. She would have to prepare Ari for Momma G.’s warped sense of humor. She would take every opportunity to embarrass Hudson unless Mom D. stepped in to save her.
“Nonsense. Since when can’t you take a little ribbing? So when can we expect you?”
From the noise coming over the phone, Hudson pictured the big calendar being taken off the wall. For as long as she could remember, every important date had been kept on the pages of a wall calendar. There were two totes full of them in the attic. Hudson had asked why she kept them and was told memories fade, but what’s written lasts forever. Some memories were meant to be forgotten, but others she was grateful someone had kept track of. She could always count on Momma G. to supply the details of the family’s events, from her first broken bone to her learner’s permit to going away to college. Each was recorded, and they had celebrated every one in a special way.
“The Thursday before Labor Day.”
“Let’s see, that would be August thirtieth. Got it. Will you be here for dinner?”
“Don’t plan on it, Momma. We both have to work and won’t get there until nine or ten. We’ll grab something on the way.” P-town was home to some great restaurants, but they’d probably only make it to a few on this trip. If Ari enjoyed the quaint community, and Hudson would never understand how a person couldn’t, they would visit again.
“Earth to Hudson.”
“Sorry. I missed that.”
“It’s okay, honey. I’m sure you have a lot on your mind. This is a good thing, bringing Ari home, isn’t it?”
“That’s what I’m hoping. Is Mom around?”
“She’s out in the garden. Hang on.” The telltale squeak of the back screen door made her wonder why they’d never fixed it. It had been like that since they’d moved in.
“Dale, our daughter is on the phone.”
Hudson heard her mother yelling. A few minutes later, Mom D.’s voice answered.
“Did she have temporary amnesia?” Mom asked.
“Hush now, she’ll hear you.”
“Good.”
Hudson heard their good-natured quibbling and shook her head, grateful some things never changed.
“Hello?”
The rougher voice of her birth mother brought her more comfort than she’d thought possible. “Hi, Mom, and before you say it, I already know. I need to call more.”
“See, you are smart. To what do we owe the honor of hearing from you?” Mom didn’t pull any punches when it came to dealing with her children.
“I’m coming for a visit.”
“Really? When?”
Hudson repeated all the pertinent details before sharing the most important. “I’m bringing Ari with me.”
“Wow. She must be special. It’s been ages since you’ve brought anyone home. I think Pam was the last one.”
She expected the mention of her ex’s name to make her defensive. When it didn’t, she took it as a good sign.
“I know,” she said. “I think you’ll like Ari. She’s warm and friendly.” Her mom had never cared for Pam, saying there was something “off” about her.
“Is she pretty?”
Hudson rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mom, she’s beautiful.”
“Just teasing. I don’t care what she looks like as long as she treats you well and you like each other. That’s the main thing.” Her voice dropped lower. “’Course, there’s nothing wrong with having a good-looking woman on your arm. Just icing on the cake.”
Mom D. was old-fashioned in many ways, and Hudson believed she would have done well in the Roaring Twenties, even though life had been scary for many in the LGBT community back then.
“Mom, I’ve gotta go.”
Her mother sighed. “Sure. You’re a busy woman. I miss you, baby girl.”
“I miss you, too, Mom. I promise not to make it so long between calls. Okay?”
“Okay. I love you, Hudson.”
“I love you. Tell Momma G. I love her and I’ll see you both soon.”
“Will do.”
Hudson stared at her cell phone. She loved her parents and was grateful for all they’d done. Especially for how they’d raised her and her brother. It hadn’t been easy for lesbians to raise children in the eighties, but they’d faired okay by living in Provincetown where everyone was family in one way or another. She wanted to raise her own family in a neighborhood like the one she’d grown up in. Each person shared in their neighbors’ well-being, and she knew where her caring nature came from.
The buzzer sounded. She went to flip the laundry and stopped after a few steps. Huh. That’s the first time in ages I’ve thought about having a family of my own. She didn’t want to be distracted from her plans for the next few hours, so she tucked the thought away. She needed to consider what the idea of a family meant for her and Ari.
Chapter Nineteen
“I can’t believe you’ve never been to the Cape.” Hudson’s shock was apparent in her voice.
“Gee, don’t make it sound so villainous. I was a country girl before moving to the city. We never spent money on vacations,” Ari said. Not to mention her parents would never have visited the lesbian Mecca of the East Coast.
“I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m just surprised.” Hudson concentrated on the road until they came to a traffic light, and then she glanced in her direction. “It’s beautiful. Once you’ve been here for a few days you’ll understand the attraction.”
Ari looked out the passenger window, admiring the quaint houses and the flowers that grew everywhere. “I like the flowers.”
“Then you’ll love Momma G.’s plants. She’s got them in every available nook and cranny. She says it adds to the rustic charm of the house.”
Ari wondered how anyone got anywhere. The streets were so narrow that cars could barely pass. Everyone parked along the roads.
“Why are all these cars here?”
“Most of the B&Bs only have room for a few cars, so the town designates spaces on the street. People who come here often aren’t fazed. It’s just part of the ambiance.” The pure joy on Hudson’s face made Ari think of a kid in the candy store.
“You really like it here.”
Hudson nodded. “A lot. Aside from it being home, P-town has a wonderful sense of community that I’ve never found anywhere else.”
Ari wished she’d grown up having the security of being surrounded by like souls; individuals who cared for, and about, each other. She’d constructed her own world with goals being more important than feeling like she belonged to the human race. The hollowness inside had always been there. She understood Hudson a little better every day. Maybe Ari’s idea of what was really important would be tested on this trip.
Traffic waited for pedestrians at every corner. Hudson turned left, and then right onto another long street. Her eyes opened wide. Every building held a shop, restaurant, or hotel. A steady stream of meandering people of every gender type, nationality, and family unit filled the sidewalks, spilling out into the street. Hudson slowed to a crawl; a huge grin graced her handsome features.
“There’s nothing like taking a first-timer for a ride on Commercial Street. Isn’t it amazing?”
“It’s something, all right.�
� She feared a walker was going to be run over, but everyone on the street had the same carefree look. “Is it always like this?”
“No. Sometimes there are so many people you can’t move.”
She stared out the windshield as they crept along. She couldn’t imagine more people than were already in front of them. And beside them. It was like the parting of the Red Sea. As soon as the car passed, the crowd closed in behind them, reclaiming the street.
Hudson patted her leg. “We’ll be out of it soon. I need to get back onto Bradford.” Hudson deftly maneuvered the car, heading up a steep hill and turning left, then right, then left again. After a few more blocks, the road widened and only a few people were walking. Ari relaxed against the seat.
“I’m glad you’re driving. People were way too close back there.” She shook her head, still unsure what the attraction was. It appeared to be just another tourist trap. She caught a glimpse of the water to her left and the sand dunes to her right.
“The views are worth it. I’m glad we were able to leave early. Driving through town in the dark just isn’t the same,” Hudson said before pulling into a narrow driveway running the length of an adorable Cape Cod-style home. The light blue clapboard siding and white trim fit the landscape. A covered porch started at the back door and disappeared around the front. An English garden took up a huge part of the side yard and planters graced the stairs and railings. Every color in the natural world was represented.
Hudson grabbed the two duffle bags from the trunk while she got their backpacks. The sun seemed lower in the sky than at home.
“Is there a place to watch the sunset nearby?” Ari stood at the top of the stairs looking off in the distance.
“On the beach is the best. We can take a sunset dune ride if you’d like.” Hudson’s face glowed in the golden light before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “There’s nothing like the salt air.”
Ari wasn’t sure if it was the salty air, the atmosphere of the town, or that she was away from the whirlwind schedule she kept, but she felt her soul settle. When she opened her eyes, Hudson was in front of her. The look reflected back at her could have meant almost anything except she’d seen it before. Hudson leaned in and she took a step back, looking to see if anyone could see them.
“Hudson, not here,” Ari whispered.
One side of Hudson’s mouth lifted in a mischievous grin. “Here is the perfect place.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t mean ‘here’ I mean, here. Your parents’ home.”
Hudson laughed out loud. “Did I mention they’re lesbians?” She took a step closer and Ari put up both hands to keep her at a distance.
“Very funny. Can I at least meet them before we make out on the porch?”
“Okay. You win—this time, but I’m not making any promises once you’re in my bed.” Bending to pick up the discarded bags, she winked. “Hope you’re hungry. Momma G. loves to cook for people.”
“I’m starv—” she didn’t have a chance to finish. The front door opened and a very tall, handsome woman with salt-and-pepper hair and slate gray eyes grabbed Hudson and spun her around as if she were a small child.
“You’re home.”
Laughing hard, Hudson got her feet under her and kissed her mother on the cheek. Ari couldn’t remember the terms Hudson used to distinguish her parents. She needed to pay attention. “Yes, Mom. I’m home.” She turned to Ari and pulled her close.
“Mom, this is Ari Marks. Ari, this is Dale. I call her Mom or Mom D.”
Ari held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dale. Thank you for letting us invade your lovely home.”
Dale took her hand in both of her larger ones and gave a firm yet gentle squeeze. “Manners and pretty. How nice for a change.”
“Mom.” Hudson’s tone held a hint of displeasure.
“Sorry. Where are my manners?”
“What manners?” another woman chimed in. “You haven’t bothered with them since I said I’d live with you.” The voice came from a shapely woman Ari guessed to be in her fifties. She stood in the doorway and kissed Hudson on the cheek before extending her hand.
“You must be Ari. I’m Gina and we’re delighted you made the trip.” Her hand was soft and warm. Her touch had a tender quality. One of the many attributes she found appealing in Hudson.
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you.” Ari’s mind spun. Hudson’s features resembled both of the women, and she wondered how that was possible. “Your flowers are beautiful.” Ari waved at the plants.
“I do love getting my hands dirty. Come inside and get settled, then we’ll have drinks.” Gina held the screen door.
Inside was just as quaint as the exterior. Comfortable furniture in a pale blue checked pattern and white end tables lent itself to the beach atmosphere. Family photos lined the mantel and a collage of babies up to adulthood hung in the hall. They walked to the far end and turned left.
“Here we are.” Hudson’s face turned a rosy shade. “It’s not much, but it’s home.” She appeared embarrassed by the simplicity of the space.
Ari stepped inside and waited for Hudson to follow before shutting the door. “I think it’s lovely.” She ran her hand along the antique white chest of drawers. Its well-worn surface was smooth and cool beneath her fingertips. Mementos from Hudson’s childhood sat on a shelf in the corner. A swimming trophy. A small plaque for first place in a spelling bee. A framed photo of a younger Gina and Dale with two children.
“May I?” she asked before picking it up. Hudson nodded and she pointed to the young boy. “Your brother?”
“That’s him.” Hudson looked wistfully at his reflection.
“You okay?”
“I miss him. Most of the time I’m all right with not seeing him, but it’s been a while.”
“How long?” She placed the frame back on the shelf and took Hudson’s hand.
Hudson looked up to the ceiling as if searching her memory. “About four years.”
“Wow. That is a long time.” Their gazes met. Turmoil churned in Hudson’s eyes.
“We have the same father. We had fun growing up. Not being able to hear my brother’s voice or see him is hard.”
“I didn’t know.” She wondered about the logistics, but left it alone. Hudson must have surmised what she was thinking from the way she was chewing on her lip.
“Curious?”
It was her turn to feel the heat in her cheeks. “Yes, but I don’t want to pry.”
“You aren’t.” Hudson led her to the bay window seat. The cushion was thick, comfortable, and most likely handmade. She imagined Hudson as a child, curled up in the corner with the pile of pillows and a book.
“Momma G. donated the egg and Mom D. is my birth mother. They asked one of their best friends if he would be the surrogate father. He agreed. They said it was because his coloring and heritage was similar to Mom’s, but I think they couldn’t imagine having anyone else as our father. That’s how close they were.”
“Were? Did they have a falling out?” Ari knew friendships, even long-standing ones, sometimes ended.
“He died about ten years ago.” Hudson’s demeanor conveyed a deep sorrow.
She wished she hadn’t asked. This wasn’t how she thought their mini-vacation would start. “I’m so sorry. Did you spend time together?”
A lopsided grin appeared. “Yeah. I mean, not like a parent really. More like an uncle. He lived in Sandwich and worked in Boston. Every other weekend he’d drive over to see us, and when my mothers decided to try for another child, he willingly stepped in again. He taught me a lot about the town’s history and the Cape. We fished and played on the beach. Momma G. would cook and we’d tell stories around the dinner table.” Hudson was quiet for a few minutes. “I had a great childhood and more love than anyone could want. It was the same with my brother when he came along. Daniel loved us and we loved him.”
Ari tried to imagine what growing up in a loving family would have felt lik
e. Without siblings to fill the void, she’d grown independent and relied on her friendship with Chelsea, then Kara, to fill in the gaps. It was the single most important factor behind her unwillingness to create bonds. She had no experience with feeling loved or loving someone else. Giving all her attention to schoolwork, then college studies, gave her a sense of purpose. Her outstanding grades led her to believe working hard was all she had to do to be a successful woman.
“I’m glad you grew up with so many people who loved you. It shows. I’m so glad we met.” She hugged Hudson.
“Thanks.” Hudson looked around the room once more before she stood. “We should probably make an appearance or they’ll think we’re having sex.”
Ari gasped. “You’re terrible. How can I face them now?”
“Didn’t take you long to forget how wonderful I am.”
* * *
“Mom?” Hudson called from the kitchen.
“Out on the porch.”
She turned to Ari. “Behave yourself. No kissing.”
Ari slapped her ass and laughed.
“There you two are. We were beginning to wonder if you were going to hole up in your room for the weekend,” Gina said.
“I thought about it, but Ari…” Hudson stopped teasing when she saw Ari clench her fists at her side. Maybe she was going too far. “Sorry,” she muttered.
“No, you’re not,” Ari whispered.
“There’s no reason to be embarrassed around us. We’ve pretty much heard or done most things you can imagine. I don’t think times have changed that much since we were courting.” Dale pointed to a small serving cart. “Pour yourselves a drink.”
There was an assortment of beverages including mojitos. She reached for the pitcher and turned to Ari. “What’s your pleasure?”
Ari pursed her lips, but a corner of her mouth twitched, and there was a gleam in her eyes that relayed she got the innuendo. “That looks good.”
She and Ari sat in matching rockers and sipped their cocktails. She missed the simple pleasures of being near the water, not having to think about anything. She’d been away far too long.
