Complications

by Mj Williamz

  “I’m relaxing. I put in a hard day.”

  “Oh, no.” Susan suddenly remembered why she was there. “How’s Lucinda?”

  “Sleeping now. But she’s been in a lot of pain today.”

  “I’m so sorry. That’s so hard to see.”

  “Yeah, it is. You’ve seen it firsthand,” Dorinda said.

  “Yeah. It was almost too much. So if she’s sleeping, I guess I don’t really need to be here, do I?”

  “What if she wakes up?” Dorinda said. “She’d be so sad if she didn’t get to see you.”

  “That’s true. And I’d be bummed if I missed any moment I might get to share with her.”

  “So I figured we’d order Chinese and play Trivial Pursuit. How does that sound?”

  Dorinda had really turned into a thoughtful person. Those were two of Susan’s favorite things. It was so sweet of Dorinda to think of that. They set up the game after they’d called in their order. By the time the food got there, neither of them had a pie yet. They were missing all sorts of questions and were cracking each other up. Susan couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed that hard. Her stomach actually hurt from laughing.

  “Okay, okay,” Dorinda said after they’d served up their food. “It’s time to get serious.”

  “Oh yeah? This mean you’re going to start kicking my ass?”

  “You’d better believe it.”

  They laughed some more and got back to the game. The game lasted forever, with Susan finally coming out victorious. As they were putting everything away, she glanced at her watch. It was eleven fifteen.

  “Oh, shit. I need to get going,” she said.

  “Oh, wow. That was a long game,” Dorinda said. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  She walked out with Susan and they chatted a little bit more.

  “I really need to go,” Susan said.

  “Oh, yeah. Okay. Tell Mel hi for me.”

  Susan drove to Mel’s house. The door was open and Mel was asleep on the couch. She crossed the room to her and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Hey you. Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

  Mel sat up.

  “I tried to wait up for you,” she said groggily.

  “It’s okay. You work hard. I’m sure you were tired.”

  “What time is it?” She looked at her watch. “Eleven thirty? What took you so long to get home?”

  “We got to talking.”

  “You and Lucinda?”

  “No. Me and Dorinda. Lucinda was asleep the whole time I was there.”

  “Then why’d you stay?” Mel said.

  “In case she woke up. I wanted to be there for her.”

  “Fair enough.”

  She got off the couch and took Susan’s hand. They walked down the hall to the bedroom.

  “I’m sorry I’m so beat,” Mel said.

  “That’s okay,” Susan said. She didn’t want to let Mel know how disappointed she was. She really needed Mel right then. She wanted Mel to take her like she’d never taken her before. But clearly that wasn’t going to happen.

  Mel stripped and climbed into bed. She propped herself on an elbow and watched Susan get undressed.

  “Suddenly, I’m more awake,” Mel said.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. Get over here.”

  Susan crossed to the bed. She straddled Mel, and Mel ran her hands up and down her sides. She teased her breasts and tweaked her nipples. When Susan could stand no more, she walked on her knees up to straddle Mel’s face. She held on to Mel’s headboard as Mel’s tongue worked its magic on her. She bobbed up and down and ground into her, meeting every lick.

  “Holy fuck, Mel. You make me feel so good.”

  She ground down and cried out as she rode the wave of the orgasm.

  She climbed off Mel’s face and moved between her legs. She sucked and licked her lips before moving to her clit. She slid three fingers inside her, and soon Mel was moaning her usual moan, and Susan knew she was satisfied. She moved next to her on the bed.

  “I’m crazy about you, Mel.”

  “I’m crazy about you, too.”

  Susan drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face. She woke the next morning when she heard Mel get out of bed.

  “Do you have to go now?” she purred. “Can’t we have a repeat of last night?”

  Mel looked down at her. Susan kicked the sheet off and spread her legs.

  “Pretty please?”

  “Oh, shit,” Mel said. “I’m going to be late.”

  “But won’t it be worth it?”

  Mel climbed back into bed and kissed Susan’s neck while she ran her hand down her body.

  “I love the way you touch me,” Susan said.

  “I love your body.”

  Mel slid her fingers inside Susan and stroked her until she came.

  “Mm. That was just what I needed,” Susan said. She stretched and climbed back under the sheets.

  “I need to get going.” Mel dressed quickly and kissed her. “I’ll see you at the bar this afternoon.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  *

  “I think you’re paranoid,” Joey said.

  “I don’t know. You saw them together at the bar the other day.”

  “Yeah. So?”

  “And then she was a half hour late getting home last night. What the hell were they doing until eleven thirty? Huh?”

  “Maybe they were talking and lost track of time,” Joey said.

  “I don’t know. When this all started, Susan would have gotten out of that house and away from Dorinda as fast as she could. And now she’s staying late and coming home at that ungodly hour? It doesn’t make sense. I don’t trust Dorinda,” Mel said.

  “But you trust Susan, right?”

  “I don’t know. I’m starting to wonder if I do. Joey, if she dumps me and goes back to Dorinda, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

  “I think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself there. Way ahead of yourself, actually.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Mel said. “It’s like Dorinda knows her so well and they have all these memories they share.”

  “You’re new. You’re just getting to know each other and make your own memories.”

  “Maybe.”

  “No maybes about it. Now come on. We need to get to work.”

  Mel worked hard that day, but Susan and Dorinda were always in the back of her mind. She felt like she was losing Susan and hoped she’d be able to figure out a way to stop that from happening.

  At lunch, Joey broached the subject again.

  “Man, it’s all you can think about, isn’t it? I don’t think you’ve said a word all day. You’re totally lost in thought.”

  “I really feel like I’m losing her.”

  “Look, whose bed is she in at night?”

  “Mine. Usually. Though she slept alone the other night. She kicked me out.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.”

  “Hm.”

  “Hm what? What’s that supposed to mean?” Mel said.

  “Nothing. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “You’ve got to admit it’s odd.”

  “Yeah. I’ll give you that.”

  They went back to work, and Mel pushed herself as hard as she could. She was exhausted when the day was through.

  “You want to go to the bar with me?” Mel said.

  “No, thanks. I’m going to go pick up DJ and have some quality one-on-one time with him.”

  “Right on. Give the little guy a hug from me.”

  “Will do.”

  Mel took a quick shower and headed for Kindred Spirits. It wasn’t very busy, but a few of the booths were taken so Susan was waitressing. She found a booth and waited. Susan showed up shortly thereafter.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” Mel said.

  “You want the usual?” Susan said.

  “Please.”

  “Coming right up.”

  That w
as odd, Mel thought. No “hello,” no “go to hell,” no nothing.

  Susan brought her beer.

  “Everything okay?” Mel asked.

  “Sure. Why?”

  “You just didn’t seem very glad to see me.”

  “Sorry.”

  That was it? No explanation? Mel was scared.

  “Hey, I was thinkin’ of goin’ out for steaks tonight after work. What do you say?”

  “Sounds good. I’d better get back to work.”

  Mel watched her walk back to the bar and sit there while she waited to do another round. Why wasn’t she sitting with Mel?

  Mel took her half pitcher and sat at the bar next to Susan.

  “Is it okay if I sit here?”

  “Sure,” Susan said. “That would be great. How was your day?”

  That was more like it. Maybe Joey was right. Maybe she was just being paranoid.

  “It was good. Hard. I pushed myself like a big dog.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know,” Mel said. “Just felt like it.”

  “I don’t get it, but it’s your body, so okay.”

  Susan’s shift finally ended, and Mel walked her out to her car. She kissed her and pressed against her, but the kiss she got back was lukewarm at best.

  “What’s up?” she said.

  “Nothing. I’m just tired,” Susan said.

  “Okay. If you’re sure that’s it.”

  They separated then and agreed to meet at the restaurant. At least, Mel thought, Dorinda had Lucinda duty that night so they wouldn’t end up bumping into her. Mel parked, and a moment later, Susan was pulling into the lot. Mel just wanted a nice, relaxing dinner. She was starving and wanted to be able to eat a steak in peace.

  She took Susan’s hand as they walked inside.

  “Wow,” the hostess said. “Mel O’Brien has a girlfriend. I’d heard it, but didn’t believe it.”

  Mel blushed and Susan squeezed her hand. They were seated at a table near a window.

  “It’s so cute how everyone is shocked that you have a girlfriend,” Susan said.

  “I tell ya, I tried, but couldn’t find Ms. Right.”

  “And now you think you have?”

  “I think I’m on a journey to find out.”

  “Well said. I’m glad we’re taking it slow as far as that goes,” Susan said. “Some lesbians would have done the whole ‘I love you’ thing and moved in together. I’m glad you’re not like that.”

  “Nope. We need to both be sure before we do that.”

  Susan fell silent. She picked up her menu.

  “Was it something I said?” Mel said.

  “What? No. I just need to find something to eat. I’m famished.”

  Mel picked up her menu, too. She didn’t really need to. She knew what she was getting, but she wanted to hide the fear on her face.

  After dinner, Mel asked if Susan wanted her to come over or if she wanted to come over to her place.

  “I think I’d like to just be alone tonight,” Susan said.

  “Okay,” Mel said when they were in the parking lot. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This is twice in the last few days that you don’t want to sleep with me. Pardon me for questioning it.”

  “It’s nothing. I just want some alone time. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing. I just noticed it didn’t start happening until you started hanging out with Dorinda.”

  “Look. I get that you don’t like her. But she’s changed. She’s not the horrible woman I lived with.”

  “Great. So, what? You want to get back together with her?”

  “That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m just asking you to back off and quit blaming everything on her.”

  “That’s easier said than done. Last night you were a half hour late getting home. Why? Dorinda. I worry about you when you’re not home on time, babe.”

  “You were sleeping,” Susan said.

  “Look, I don’t want to fight.”

  “Neither do I. But I don’t like all this jealousy.”

  “I can’t help it. I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better.”

  “Please do. And we were just talking about how other people rush into living together. We haven’t done that. And one of the advantages of that is being able to have a night alone once in a while. Don’t take offense to it. It’s just something I need.”

  Mel still thought it odd that she hadn’t needed a night alone until Dorinda showed up, but she kept her mouth shut. She kissed Susan on the cheek and drove home.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Susan chose her clothes carefully for her trip to Dorinda’s house. She wore cut-off blue jean shorts and a tight green T-shirt. She knew the shirt showed off her figure and her eyes. She looked good and she knew it. She wasn’t sure why it was important that she looked good for Dorinda, but she did. Actually, she told herself she wanted to look nice for Lucinda. Dorinda didn’t matter. But she didn’t believe it.

  She let herself in to the house, and Dorinda was nowhere to be found. She was disappointed. Then she saw Lucinda sitting up in her bed and crossed the room to see her.

  “Don’t you look lovely today, Susan?” she said.

  “Thanks. You’re looking awfully good, too.”

  “Thanks. I’m having a good day.”

  “Great. So what shall we do today?” Susan said.

  “I think Dorinda is going to go run errands,” she said. Susan felt a lump in the pit of her stomach. Why? What did she care what Dorinda did? “So we can visit and watch soap operas.”

  “That sounds great,” Susan said.

  Just then Dorinda came out of the back of the house. She looked gorgeous in her short-shorts and tight red T-shirt. The sight took Susan’s breath away.

  “I’m off to run errands,” she announced. “You two have fun and don’t get into any trouble.”

  She bent to kiss Lucinda’s forehead. When she straightened, she was inches from Susan. She looked Susan in the eyes, and Susan felt her insides melt. Dorinda moved closer. Susan felt like her feet were glued to the floor. She couldn’t move. And then she felt them. Dorinda’s lips on hers. It was brief, but the shocks it sent through her system were very real.

  “Okay,” Dorinda said as if nothing had happened. “I’ll see you two in a while.”

  Susan dropped into the chair by Lucinda’s bed. She felt Lucinda looking at her. She looked over.

  “I thought you loved this Mel person,” Lucinda said.

  “I do. I might. I mean, I’m falling in love with her. I think.”

  “Well, then what are you doin’ kissin’ on Dorinda?”

  “She kissed me. I didn’t kiss her.”

  “I think you kissed her back. But that’s just the way it looked to me.”

  Susan sat back hard.

  “Ugh.”

  “Look,” Lucinda said. “It’s none of my business, but didn’t you leave her once? And didn’t you have a good reason to do that?”

  “Yeah. But she’s changed. She’s not the same person.”

  “Or she’s putting on a great show for you.”

  “Oh, Lucinda, what am I going to do?”

  “How do you feel about Mel?”

  “I’m crazy about her,” Susan said.

  “And how do you feel about Dorinda?”

  “I don’t know. And it makes me feel horrible because Mel is so jealous of her, and I told her there’s nothing to be jealous about and then this happens…”

  “I’m sorry, sweetie,” Lucinda said. “I wish I had an answer for you. Maybe date them both? Just to see which one truly owns your heart?”

  “That would crush Mel.”

  “But if she really cares about you, she’d have to go along with it, right? But you’ve got to be honest with her. No sneaking around behind her back. Tell her you’re dating them both.”

  “It all just sounds like easier said than done,”
Susan said.

  “I don’t think so. Or tell one of them to take a hike.”

  “I don’t want to do that.”

  “Then date them both for a while. Besides, you don’t know how long Dorinda will be here anyway.”

  The full meaning of that statement caught Susan off guard. She didn’t know how to respond.

  “Only six months anyway,” Lucinda went on.

  Susan took Lucinda’s hand.

  “Let’s talk about something else.”

  Lucinda squeezed her hand.

  “Let’s talk about pain pills. Oh, my God.”

  “Okay. Okay. Your usual dose or a bolus?”

  “A bolus. Hurry. Please.”

  Susan got a pill and placed it under Lucinda’s tongue. She held her hand until she felt it relax in her own. She sat with her until Dorinda came in.

  “Hey,” she said.

  “Hey,” Susan said.

  “How’s Lucinda?”

  “Sleeping. She had some pain so I gave her a bolus.”

  “Ah. Good. Thanks.”

  “I hate to see her like that,” Susan said. She was fighting tears.

  Dorinda took her in her arms.

  “It’s okay. It’s not easy. I know this.”

  She stroked Susan’s hair, and Susan felt her whole body go warm at her touch. Dorinda stepped back.

  “Do you think we should talk about it?”

  “About what?” Susan assumed she meant Lucinda, but didn’t know that she wanted to talk about her feelings. She’d just start crying again.

  “The kiss,” Dorinda said.

  “Yeah. About that…”

  “Look. I really like you. And I know I was a total douchebag when we were together. But I’ve changed. Surely you can see that? And I want to date you.”

  “But I’m with Mel.”

  “Dump her.”

  “I don’t want to,” Susan said. “Maybe I could date you both.”

  “I don’t like to share,” Dorinda said.

  “Neither will she. But I think it’s only fair. That way I can make an honest decision of who I want to be with.”

  “That’s not totally fair, though,” said Dorinda. “She has more time to spend with you.”

  “We can make it work.”

  “Fine. Tell me you’ll go out with me Saturday night.”

  “Okay. I’ll talk to Mel tonight.”

  “Great. Now, I’ll see you Friday?”