Osmosis

by Susan X Meagher

  “Does it get sun in the afternoon?” Mia asked.

  The woman pointed at the window. “That’s East.”

  Mia waited patiently until it became clear that was the entire statement. Luckily, she knew the sun set in the West, so an East facing apartment would be bright in the morning—which it now was. She went to the window in the living room and saw that the sun was hitting the upper floors, but couldn’t reach far enough to get to the first floor.

  “The unit on the third floor gets sun all day. It’s on a corner, so it gets a cross-breeze, too.”

  Mia was tempted, but she couldn’t ask Jordan to spend that kind of money on rent, and she couldn’t bear to be in a place that was dark all day. “No thanks,” she said. “That’s a little too much for me to spend. I guess I’ll keep looking.”

  “You’re not gonna find a nicer place for $650,” the woman said. “Two hundred bucks isn’t that big of a deal. Cut back on something else.”

  “I’m living on $800 a month,” Mia said, the number seeming even smaller when she heard it come out of her mouth. “I’d have to cut out eating.”

  “Can’t have everything,” the woman said, laughing at her own joke.

  The next place looked promising. Too promising to Mia’s view. It was very close to a nice business district, there were small restaurants and bookstores all around, and a $1.00 movie theatre just a block away. And the building looked better maintained than the last place. So she was sure she wouldn’t be able to afford a decent place, but she rang the bell anyway.

  A gruff-looking man answered. “Help ya?”

  “Yeah. I’m looking for an apartment. An inexpensive apartment,” she added.

  He smiled. “That’s what everyone’s looking for. We just have different ideas of what inexpensive means.”

  Mia smiled back. “I’m looking for a one bedroom, and I’d love to have some light.”

  He nodded his head in the direction of the elevator. “I’ve got just what ya want. Just learned about it yesterday.” She followed him to the elevator, and they went to the third floor. He opened the door, and she was struck with the smell of … she twitched her nose and decided it was either incense or a strange variety of pot. “These guys will be out in two weeks. It’s not due for painting, but I think we’re gonna have to re-carpet.”

  She looked down at the floor and saw stains that she couldn’t begin to identify. “Yeah. I think that’s a must.”

  “Young guys tear a place up faster than a pack of wild dogs,” he said, with a surprising bit of amusement in his voice.

  The unit was flooded with light, and it was big, much bigger than she would have guessed. The bedroom was jammed, but when she realized there were two futons and a full-sized bed she realized just how big it was. The kitchen was much bigger than their current one, although she wasn’t sure it would ever be usable again, given the cans, bottles, take-out containers and pizza boxes that covered every surface, including the floor. “It could use a little cleaning,” she said, unable to stop herself from making a face.

  “And people wonder why they get roaches,” he said, laughing. “One bunch like this and I’ve got the whole line complaining about roaches and mice.” He shrugged. “What can I do? Clean everybody’s apartment?”

  “No, I guess not. You didn’t tell me how much this was.”

  “These guys are paying $450,” he said, smiling when Mia’s eyes opened wide. “If I clean it up right and re-carpet I could easily get $550. But …” He paused, looking at her carefully. “You seem like a nice kid. How many people?” His eyes narrowed. “Be honest.”

  “Two,” she said, holding up a pair of fingers. “Two women. Clean women.”

  “Which means two boyfriends,” he said.

  “No, no boyfriends. We’re … partners. Life partners.”

  He looked a little surprised, but he nodded agreeably. “You two party much?”

  She laughed. “Not at all. We’re in bed by 9:00 almost every night.”

  “Okay. I assume you’re bullshitting me, but you look clean. I’ll let you have it for the same price for six months, then $500 for the rest of the lease.”

  “That seems like a good deal,” Mia said. “Too good if you know what I mean. What’s the catch?”

  “No catch. I don’t like to screw with people, so I’ll tell you the truth. We’ve got a lot of Section 8 housing here.”

  “Section 8?”

  “Welfare,” he said. “A lot of single mothers with kids. So it can be noisy. We also have a lot of students. Our tenants turn over pretty quick. And we have to keep the security deposit on most of ’em to repair the damage. So this isn’t the place for a person who’s lookin’ for quiet and considerate neighbors.”

  “But the apartment is nice,” she said, looking around again. “And big.”

  “Yeah, it is. It’s a good deal for the money.”

  “Can I bring my girlfriend over tomorrow to see it?”

  He made a face and started to say no, but he hesitated for just a moment then said, “Early?”

  “We’re up by 5:30. How early do you want us here?”

  Jamie stood on the 18th green and tried to look interested, but Juliet was having the worst game Jamie had ever seen her have, and her mind had started to wander at about the 6th hole. Juliet looked like she’d been eating sour grapes, and Jamie knew that she was furious with herself, but Jamie didn’t have much sympathy for her. Once she’d realized that Juliet was really a jerk, she’d let her drop off her radar screen. Now she didn’t bother trying to talk to her or even acknowledge her presence.

  After what seemed like twenty minutes, Juliet finally putted out, ending the match. Jamie shook hands with their opponents and started to walk toward the trailer where the tournament officials were collecting the scorecards. It took just a few moments to read off her scores and sign her card, and she was heading for the clubhouse when a young man caught her attention.

  “Hey! Excuse me,” he said. He pointed toward a woman loaded down with cameras and lenses. “We’re with the ASU newspaper. Could we get a picture of you?”

  Jamie looked over her shoulder, then back at the duo. “Me?”

  “Yeah. We wanted a photo of your foursome. Melissa Walker shot the lowest round today.”

  Melissa was a student at ASU, so it made sense they’d want her, but Jamie was puzzled. “Why the foursome? Why not just her?”

  He frowned. “It won’t take long. My editor likes to have a lot of shots to choose from.”

  “I don’t mind,” Jamie said. “Just wondering.” Juliet walked out of the scorer’s trailer and Jamie smirked at the thought of what the reporter would have to do to get her to stop.

  The persistent staffer jogged in front of Juliet and gave her the same pitch he’d given Jamie. Juliet obviously thought he wanted a picture of just her, because she smiled and said, “Sure. Any time.”

  Oh. She’s in her “I’m gonna be a big star on the LPGA tour” mode. No wonder she didn’t kick him in the crotch.

  The reporter led her over toward Jamie, and Juliet’s smile faded instantly. The photographer rounded up the other two women and they stood there awkwardly for a moment as the photographer set up the shot. “Was this your idea?” Juliet muttered just loud enough for Jamie to hear.

  “Yeah. I’m so crazy about you that I’d do anything to get a picture of us together.”

  Melissa heard Jamie and she tried, unsuccessfully, not to look shocked.

  The photographer said, “Can you all look like you just finished your round? Shake hands or something.”

  Jamie played along, reaching out to shake the hand of the golfer from Texas A&M. Much to Jamie’s surprise, Juliet also did as she was asked.

  A series of pictures was snapped, but the photographer wasn’t finished with them. She said, “This time I want the Cal women to pose. Your baseball team’s here this weekend and I want a couple of shots to show you were all here, too. Will you two … I don’t know … kinda put an
arm around each other’s shoulder?”

  Jamie saw the color drain from Juliet’s face and knew she was gone. Without a word, Juliet walked away, not pausing when both the photographer and the reporter called out to her. Still smiling, albeit falsely, Jamie stood there, waiting to see if they wanted to take a different picture.

  The photographer looked a little puzzled, then said, “I guess I’ll just take a couple shots of Melissa. Thanks.”

  The reporter walked over to them and asked for their names. The woman from Texas identified herself and took off, leaving Jamie. “Uhm … did I do something wrong?” he asked.

  “Why? Because of Juliet?”

  “Is that your teammate’s name? She really looked pissed.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. She’s … like that.”

  He looked completely befuddled. “Like what?”

  Jamie wasn’t sure why things had gotten to her, but her patience was shot. She looked at the man and asked, “Off the record?”

  “Uhm … sure.”

  “She’s an ass … hole.”

  His eyes grew wide, then he smiled. “She seemed like one.”

  “One of the biggest.”

  “Oh. Can I have your names if they use that picture?”

  Jamie paused, then said, “Just say ‘unidentified Cal golfers.’ That’ll drive her nuts!”

  Jamie answered her cell phone on the way to dinner. Caller ID showed it was Ryan, and she said, “Hey, good lookin’. What’s the good news?”

  “Got our asses handed to us again,” Ryan said, sounding disgusted. “We can’t buy a run! We’re in such a slump, Jamers. Nothing Coach does seems to help.”

  “That’s ’cause he hasn’t put you in.”

  “Ha ha. Takes more than one person. The whole team’s not able to hit the broad side of a barn. Pisses me off.”

  “Well, we came in thirteenth place today.”

  “In the PAC-10? How’d you do that?”

  “You’re too funny. There were fifteen teams. And two of them suck more than we do!”

  “I’m sorry, babe. Are you upset?”

  “No, not really. I did pretty well.”

  “Cool! How’d you play?”

  “Got a seventy-three. I came in twenty-eighth.”

  “Wow,” Ryan said, thinking twenty-eighth wasn’t anything to brag about. “Good for you.”

  “Led the team … not that that’s much to crow about. We’re in a slump, too. Juliet had an eighty-one. I thought she was gonna break her clubs.”

  “She’s an asshole,” Ryan said, having never changed her mind about Juliet’s worth.

  “Yeah, she is.” Jamie quickly decided to tell Ryan about Juliet’s snub later in the evening.

  “You oughta hit her with a nine-iron.”

  “Just my style. But not a bad idea. When will you be here? Soon?”

  “Nope. We just finished. The bus isn’t gonna leave for an hour, and then we’re gonna stop for dinner. We’ll probably get to Tempe at 10:00 or 11:00. If you’re tired, don’t wait up for me.”

  “You know I will, but thanks for the offer. I hope your bus ride isn’t too bad.”

  “It’s only about two hours. I’ll be fine. Have a good evening, babe.”

  “Love you. See you later.”

  Walking into the dining room, Jamie saw her usual place waiting for her. Lauren and Samantha, the two shy freshmen, waved at her and she joined them. As always, she talked while the two younger women smiled at everything she said. Juliet was eating by herself, but one of the assistant coaches sat with her. Jamie figured he was trying to cheer her up, but she could have told him not to bother. When Juliet played badly, she was unmerciful with herself.

  Juliet finished gulping down her food, and she walked right by Jamie’s table, not making eye contact with anyone. Lauren shot her a look, then cocked her head toward Jamie. “Does Juliet dislike us?”

  “Dislike you? No! No way!”

  “But she doesn’t talk to us, Jamie. She hardly says hello when we’re paired with her. It really makes it hard. We’re supposed to be a team.”

  Lauren looked so earnest that Jamie’s anger toward Juliet flared. It was tough, but she managed to say, “She’s very self-involved, Lauren. Golf means an awful lot to her, and she doesn’t really think about anything else when she’s playing.” Like being polite!

  It wasn’t usually easy to get to Jamie. But once someone did, she was well-gotten. And Juliet had definitely gotten to her. As soon as dinner was over, she got onto the elevator and went directly to Juliet’s room. She knocked briskly and a minute later heard an, “I’m busy.”

  That didn’t help her mood. More determined than ever, Jamie knocked louder. Juliet didn’t bother to answer, so Jamie kicked the door loud enough to have someone down the hall open his door and glare at her. “Forgot my key,” she said, trying to smile. “Heavy sleeper.” The man shook his head and went back inside, and Jamie said loudly, “I’m not leaving. So you can open it, or I can stand out here and scream at you.”

  The door flew open. “Fuck you,” Juliet said lethargically, turning her back on Jamie and walking over to one of the beds to lie down.

  Jamie sat down on the other bed, staring at Juliet who was staring at the television. “Why’d you act like such a jerk today?”

  Not turning to look at her, Juliet said, “I didn’t do anything. I just didn’t want to stand there and have some idiot take my picture.”

  Letting her comment hang in the air for a moment, Jamie said, “Bullshit. You didn’t leave until she asked you to pose with me.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself. They didn’t want our pictures; they were just trying to show some of the chumps Melissa beat.”

  “Mmm … Then why’d you let them take the first picture?”

  Juliet turned toward the window, letting her eyes wander idly. “Why not? It only took a second.”

  Jamie sat there for a moment wondering what sequence of events helped turn Juliet into such a mess, but her anger was greater than her sympathy. “The reporter and the photographer were really shocked when you walked away. But I told ’em a little bit about you and they understood.”

  Whirling, Juliet’s feet hit the ground and she was inches from Jamie’s face. “What did you say?”

  Jamie could see the veins in her throat pulsing, and she got a little thrill from upsetting Juliet. “Not much. I told them you were an asshole to everyone and that it wasn’t personal.”

  “You what?”

  “I told them the truth, Juliet. You’re an asshole, and you only care about yourself.”

  Jumping to her feet, Juliet stormed over to the window and kicked the wall. “God damn it! My image is critical!”

  “Oh, please! You only care about your image if you think someone can help you. You’re one messed-up chick. I don’t know how you got so screwed up, but someone’s convinced you of some strange shit.”

  “What in the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Your so called ‘image’ means so much to you that you make yourself look like an idiot to keep people from guessing your deep, dark, awful secret.”

  Juliet’s eyes were nearly ablaze with anger. It seemed that the angrier she got, the quieter her voice became. “What are you hinting at?”

  “I’m not hinting at anything, I’m stating it. You’re a l-e-s-b-i-a-n. A dyed-in-the-wool dyke.”

  Juliet looked like Jamie had accused her of being into bestiality. “I am not!”

  “You admitted to it after you tried to kiss me. Don’t tell me you forgot!”

  “I’m not a real lesbian,” she said, grinding her teeth. “I just … I said I had … that I wouldn’t ever …”

  “Juliet,” Jamie said, trying to inject some concern into her voice, “no one cares. No one’s interested enough to care. If you’d just live your life, you could have a girlfriend and no one would give a fuck. But you’re so homophobic that you’d rather be miserable and paranoid.”

  “Oh, rig
ht. Look who’s talking! People in Antarctica know you’re a lesbian!”

  “My situation was a little unique. But I wouldn’t change things even if I could. I’d rather have everyone in the world know than try to hide who I am. I did that before, and it nearly drove me crazy.”

  “I … am … not … a … lesbian!”

  Jamie had to laugh. She couldn’t keep the mocking tone from her voice; she wouldn’t have, even if she’d been able. “Okay. You’re not a lesbian. You’re a nice, normal, straight girl who tried to get me into bed. That’s what all the straight girls do.” She stood up and got right in Juliet’s face. “I’ve been there. I’ve done that. You can’t bullshit me.”

  “I told you about some … feelings I had, and now you try to use what I said against me!” Her cheeks flushed and it looked like she was going to cry, but she held it in. “Get out of my way,” Juliet said.

  Her voice was so cold, it startled Jamie. She stepped back and watched Juliet nearly run out the door. Before the furious woman got out the door, Jamie started to feel guilty. She knew that Juliet deserved to have her butt kicked, but she still had some sympathy for a woman who was in such a total state of denial. She noticed both room keys lying on the dresser, so she picked one up and went downstairs, assuming she’d find Juliet somewhere on the first floor.

  There were still a few players lingering over dinner, but none of them had seen Juliet. Jamie was just leaving when Samantha walked in.

  “Hi,” she said when she saw Jamie. “What’s wrong with Juliet?”

  “Uhm … why?”

  “I saw her leave the hotel a couple of minutes ago. She looked really, really mad.”

  “Did you see where she went?”

  “No. She just started walking. But I don’t know where she could have gone. There’s nothing around here except gas stations.”

  Jamie patted her shoulder. “Thanks. I’ll go take a look. Maybe she just went out for some snacks.”

  “Maybe. But she looked like she was gonna punch somebody.”

  Jamie didn’t mention that she was the intended target. She went outside and scanned the parking lot, but didn’t see anyone. There were a couple of gas stations across the four lane highway, but Jamie didn’t think Juliet could get across the road without being run over. And there was nothing on their side of the highway for as far as Jamie could see. So she sat down on a bench at the corner of the building, deciding to wait Juliet out. If she’s not back in an hour, I’ll tell Scott.