by Lydia Rose
"Are you feeling better?" Reese asked, carrying the soup.
"I think so."
"Well, come into the kitchen and have some chicken soup."
Jennifer grinned, "Ah, chicken soup. The cure all?"
"Well, it can't hurt." Reese poured her soup into a mug, and placed it in front of Jennifer with a spoon and napkin. "Please try," she said, going over to the refrigerator, and grabbed another bottle of water.
"I'm going to float away today with all the liquid you're pouring into me,” Jennifer chuckled, but she reached for her head.
Reese took a seat beside her. "I'm really sorry about not telling you about Kelly."
"Your mom apologized last night to me, too. It's not your fault. I shouldn't trust strangers with my drinks."
"Did she hit on you?" Reese asked.
Jennifer's spoon stopped in midair. "I don't remember. I don't remember too much of anything, except I know the food was fantastic."
"There are leftovers. I'll bring you some later, and since you didn't have any dessert, I'll bring you some of those, too."
Jennifer looked at Reese as her jaw slacked. "I don't think today is a good day for leftovers."
Reese giggled. "You're right. Maybe tomorrow you’ll feel better."
Jennifer went back to eating her soup, and her mind began to clear. Suddenly, she remembered being in the kitchen next door. She looked up at Reese.
"What?" Reese asked, seeing the look on Jennifer's face.
Jennifer buried her face in her hands. "I kissed you last night."
"Yes, you did,” Reese laughed, “twice, as a matter of fact."
Jennifer shoulders slumped. "I'm so sorry, Reese." She looked at Reese who laughed again. "You're not mad?"
"No, Jen. I didn't think you would remember that. You were just swaying away."
Jennifer put her hand to her forehead remembering the scene. She kissed me back, her mind screamed. She kissed me back. "Did you walk me home?"
"No. I offered, but you didn't want any help."
"Who walked me home then?" Jennifer asked, trying to remember.
"What makes you think someone did?" Reese asked, not understanding.
"Because I told someone I kissed you, and they said, "Yes, I know, I saw you." Jennifer rubbed her forehead as the realization hit her. "Oh, my God."
"What?"
"It was your mother."
"What?"
"I'm sorry, Reese. Your mother saw me kiss you."
"She knows you were drunk." Reese looked at Jennifer and knew there was more. "What else did you say?"
"You'll want to throw that soup in my face if I tell you."
Reese sighed. "Tell me, Jen."
She looked at Reese before speaking. "I told her you were always a good kisser." Jennifer swallowed hard. "I think I told her that I let you slip through my fingers because we didn't trust each other." She left out the part where she said she was the best thing that ever happened to her.
"What else did you say?" Reese asked, not believing that was the whole conversation.
"I don't remember," she said, looking away. "Well, now you really have a reason for being pissed at me."
"I guess I know now why my mom wanted to talk this morning."
"Just tell her I was drunk off my ass, which is the truth and I didn't know what I was saying."
"Finish your soup, and I'll check on you later." Reese stood and walked toward the door.
"I'm sorry, Reese." Jennifer called out to her.
The first thing Jennifer did when Reese left the house was call the airport. She made a reservation to return to Chicago Monday afternoon.
Reese walked into her house cautiously. Her mother wasn't in the kitchen and she called out to her. She heard her dad calling from the den.
"Hi Dad, where's Mom?" Reese asked.
"Your mother went down to Regina's. She'll be back in a couple of hours." He looked at his daughter's pensive face. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Reese smiled. "No, Dad. Thanks." She left the den and walked toward the stairs. Her cell phone rang and she looked at the screen. "Hi, Joyce. How's it going?"
"I don't know, you tell me," Joyce said.
"What are you talking about?" Reese asked, not wanting to play games.
"I spoke with Jen and she asked me if I could pick her up at the airport on Monday evening. Why is she coming back to Chicago?"
Reese went up to her room, and told Joyce what transpired since Saturday night.
"She’s running away,” Joyce said softly.
"That's Jen for you. She'd rather cut and run than to face her feelings." Reese realized that she should have expected this from Jen, but still she was surprised.
“Were you honest with her?” Joyce asked.
"What do you mean?” Reese knew where Joyce was going with this, but she played dumb.
“Have you told her how you feel?” Joyce asked.
“How I feel about what?” Reese felt her face blush with embarrassment.
“Have you told her you still have feelings for her? Wait, and don’t say what feelings. You two drive me crazy. You’re both so stubborn. I need to lock you both in a room until you finally tell each other how much you care for each other.” Joyce continued, “She wouldn't even tell me why she was coming back to Chicago. All she said was she wanted to check on her apartment and take care of things. I told her I can do that, but she insisted she was coming anyway."
“Thanks for calling me Joyce. I’ll go over and talk to her. Not sure how much good it will do, but I’ll try.” Reese sighed. “I’ll let you know if I can convince her to stay.”
“Just tell her you love her, and she’ll stay. She’ll stay forever,” Joyce said.
Reese could hear Joyce’s laughter as she disconnected the line. She didn't bother to announce herself before walking into the house. She called out from the living room, “Jen, are you here?"
Jennifer was surprised to hear Reese's voice. "I'll be right down." Reese was standing with her arms across her chest when she came down the stairs. Obviously, the conversation with her mother had not gone well, and the defensive stance caused Jennifer to stop on the bottom step.
Reese sighed, and lowered her arms. "Joyce called me."
"Shit,” Jennifer mumbled. So much for her best friend keeping her mouth closed.
"You have nothing to say?" Reese asked, moving her hands to her hips.
Jennifer left the staircase and went to sit in a chair near the window.
Reese followed and stood in front of her, as she sat down. "Why are you leaving?" Jennifer shrugged. "You're running again. You haven't changed at all. No wonder you are still alone. It's easier to leave than to fight for what you want."
"And what do I want?" Jennifer asked, looking at Reese.
"I don't know. You tell me."
"How did your conversation go with your mom?"
"I haven't talked to her yet."
"Why?" Jennifer asked, figuring she had chickened out.
"Because she's not home,” Reese said annoyed.
Jennifer lowered her eyes. "I've made a mess of everything by coming back here. I just should have put the house on the market, and never come back here."
Reese turned her back to Jennifer. "If you leave, Jen…” her voice choked, and she closed her eyes trying to get control, “please don't come back." A tear fell onto her cheek. "I can't go through this again. It's too hard." She left the house without looking back.
Great, you made her cry. Can't you do anything right? Jennifer berated herself for her usual behavior when it came to Reese. She grabbed her keys and wallet and headed for the door. Where she was going, she didn't know.
Reese watched from the window as Jennifer drove away. The tears fell easily now, and she lay on the bed feeling her heart would never heal from this.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Carol returned to a quiet house. Walking into the den, she smiled at her husband. "Hi,"
"I think you
should go talk to Reese," he said quietly.
"What's going on?"
"I'm not sure, but Reese has been in her room for a long time, and I saw Jennifer leave in her car a few hours ago."
Carol knocked on Reese's door. "Come in." Reese sat up and wiped her face.
"Are you okay, honey?" Carol asked, concerned, as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"I don't know anymore, Mom." A tear fell again.
Carol wiped the tear with her hand. "What happened?"
"Jen's going back to Chicago."
Carol gasped. "Why?"
Reese looked at her mother. "She told me what she said to you last night." The tears stopped, but her voice choked. "I'm sorry, Mom, that I never told you."
Carol smiled. "You didn't have to tell me, Reese," she said, taking her hand. "I knew you two were inseparable that summer and only had eyes for each other," Carol blushed. "When you came back from New York," she paused, "I knew you were in love," Carol smiled. "I was shocked when you told me that you and Steven had married."
"Yeah, I was shocked myself,” Reese admitted.
“When you showed up with Steven and introduced us to him, I figured you had just gone through a phase, and at least your dad and I would get grandchildren.” Carol tried to laugh. She squeezed Reese's hand. "I didn't see a woman in love. Your eyes were sad and they have remained that way. Despite the animosity that you and Jennifer had toward each other, I saw your eyes come alive again when she came back here. When Jennifer thought no one was looking,” Carol sighed, “I saw the way she looked at you. When Jennifer kissed you, your face was glowing. I knew then that she would be the only one who would ever make you happy."
"Oh, Mom, it doesn't matter anymore since she’s leaving,” Reese argued.
"She'll be back,” Carol insisted.
"I told her if she left," Reese paused, “not to come back."
"Oh, honey,” Carol moaned, “why are you both being so stubborn?" Her head shook back and forth. "Did she tell you that she told me you were the best thing that ever happened to her?"
Reese shook her head, responding negatively. "It doesn't matter, Mom. She's leaving and I don't think I will ever see her again."
"Have you told her you are in love with her?" Carol asked, taking her daughter’s hand.
Reese shook her head. "I don't think I can trust her with my heart. It would hurt too much to fall in love and have her leave me again."
"Oh honey, you’re already in love with her. We will figure something out, Reese. I'm going to start dinner and then we will both go talk to her after dinner."
"No, Mom. I don't want to force her to stay. If she wants to leave, let her.” Reese pleaded, “Please, Mom."
CHAPTER TWELVE
Jennifer didn't know where she was headed until she reached the beach. She made sure she would be nowhere near where Reese could show up, and she got out of the car. Taking a seat on a bench, she began to berate herself. What made you think coming back here was a good idea. You knew nothing good could possibly come out of returning to the place where she would be. Then her eyes rose, and she saw the sun shining on the ocean water. Her head shook as a smile appeared on her face. This is why you had to come back. It's the place you feel most at peace. Sell the house, and buy another home here at the shore. That will give you the peace you want and you won't ever have to see Reese again.
Jennifer sat there on the bench for hours not finding any answers that made sense, but her stomach told her to get something to eat. She spent the next two hours forcing herself to eat the food that was in front of her. Her phone told her it was nearly eight o'clock, and she still didn't want to return to the house. She left the table, walked into the bar area, and nursed two beers for the next three hours.
When she returned home, the house next door was dark and quiet. All day long she looked for answers, but all she had accomplished was more questions.
Reese left for work in the morning, seeing Jennifer's car still in the driveway. She hoped it would be a busy day, so she wouldn't have to think about Jennifer leaving.
"Hi, Boss," Sally said cheerfully.
"Have we got a lot planned for today?" she asked, hoping for the answer she wanted.
"The two closings that were supposed to happen today are rescheduled for tomorrow. Relax, Boss. You deserve a break."
As Reese began to walk away, Sally called out again. "Your dad is playing golf this morning. He said he'll be back at one, and for you to take the afternoon off."
"Thanks, Sally." Reese went to her office and turned on her computer. She thought, so much for keeping busy. At ten thirty, Reese picked up the phone. "Hi, Mom, how's it going?"
Carol smiled. "She's still here, honey. Are you sure you don't want me to talk to her?"
"No, Mom." Reese sighed. "She has to want to stay on her own."
"Okay, honey. Call me later."
At eleven thirty, her call to her mother had the same results. Jennifer was still here. At one o'clock she left the office. It was shocking to see Jennifer's car still in the driveway, but then she thought maybe a cab picked her up this morning. "Hi, Mom, I'm home," Reese said, as she walked in the back door.
"She's still here, Reese,” Carol said with a smile.
"Maybe she took a cab to the airport and you didn't see her,” Reese argued.
Carol smiled again. "She's there, I saw her walking around inside."
Reese's eyebrows rose. "Were you watching her with binoculars?"
Carol's head tilted to the side, and she shrugged her shoulder. The two women burst out laughing. Reese and her mother ate lunch and then she went up to her room. She changed into shorts, and stood watching for any movement of Jennifer's departure.
At four o'clock, Reese knew Jennifer had changed her mind and went back downstairs. "I think she changed her mind," Reese said to her mom.
"Go talk to her, Reese. Please do it for me,” Carol pleaded.
This time, Reese went to the front door and rang the bell. Jennifer opened the door and stepped to the side, so Reese could enter. The two women looked at one another, but neither said a word. Reese took a seat on the chair near the window, and Jennifer sat down on the couch.
Their eyes met across the room, and Reese sighed. "I guess you changed your mind about leaving?"
"Yes,” Jennifer said softly, but kept her eyes averted. The last thing she wanted to do was meet Reese's gaze and just fall apart.
"I'm glad," Reese said, trying to find Jennifer's eyes.
"Did you speak with your mom?" Jennifer asked, meeting her gaze.
"Yes, and we obviously weren't fooling anyone that first summer,” Reese laughed. "My mom said the way we looked at each other, she knew something was going on." Reese walked over to Jennifer and reached for her hand. "When I came back from New York," she said with a wink, “she said she knew I was in love." Her hand squeezed softly. "She was shocked when I married Steven, but she hoped at least she would get a grandchild."
"So she's okay?" Reese lifted Jennifer off the seat, as she nodded. "And she wants grandchildren?"
"What mother doesn't want grandchildren?" Reese said, looking into Jennifer's eyes.
"So she's really okay with this?" Jennifer couldn't believe her ears. She couldn't believe that if Reese took her back, her mother was okay with it.
"Both of them are. Apparently, they've been having a lot of conversations about this since you came back here. You know, she's probably watching us right now with her binoculars."
Jennifer dropped Reese's hands. "She is watching us with what?"
"She kept an eye on you all day to see if you were leaving." Reese chuckled, and Jennifer joined her. "Feel better now?"
"I'm not sure." Jennifer couldn't believe how everything that had gone through her mind the last few days was turning out completely different.
"Have you eaten today?" Reese asked, taking Jennifer's hands again.
"I didn't have much of an appetite,” Jennifer answered, knowing she did not
hing all day, but stare at her computer screen. She couldn't keep a thought in her head, and the words that flowed so easily days before, stopped.
"Me either."
"Why didn't your mother come over here and ask me if I was leaving?" Jennifer asked, knowing she could have picked up the phone and called Reese to let her know.
"I wouldn't let her. Did you let Joyce know?" Reese asked, grinning.
"Yes, and I asked her not to call you,” Jennifer answered, returning the grin.
"I guess we both put each other through hell today,” Reese said softly. "I couldn't work. My mind was in complete turmoil."
"I know what you mean."
"Jen, we have to stop doing this to each other. We have to be able to tell each other what's on our mind."
"You're right, Reese. I'm sorry,” Jennifer said, reaching for Reese. She hugged her close and kissed her forehead. "I promise to use my words."
"I promise to do the same," she said with a smile. "So how about a hamburger and fries?"
"Where?"
"In town. We can walk. I need to stretch my legs,” Reese said, walking toward the door. Before she left, she turned to Jennifer. "Meet you outside in five minutes."
The walk to the restaurant was quiet. Both women lost in their own thoughts. They took a seat at a table outside.
"It's a beautiful day," Reese said, looking up at the sky.
Jennifer looked at her through tinted glasses and nodded. They placed their order and looked at one another, once the waitress left the table. "What do you want from me, Reese?" Jennifer asked softly.
Reese looked at her face and lifted her sunglasses. "I would like us to be in the same room and not pick on each other. We both have made mistakes, and I would like to put them behind us."
"I'm so sorry that Kay picked up the phone in my dorm room,” Jennifer said softly.
"I should have said something to you, but I was so hurt. I thought you had moved on so quickly after our weekend in New York." Reese lowered her sunglasses, again hiding the tears that were starting to form in her eyes.
"When I didn't hear from you," Jennifer sighed, "I thought you believed that weekend had been a mistake."
"It wasn't a mistake, Jen."
