by Lydia Rose
“I’ll drive,” Jane said as they reached the cars.
Nicole shrugged and walked toward the passenger door.
“So where would you like to go?” Jane asked as she was pulling out of the long driveway.
“You’re driving. You choose,” Nicole responded.
Jane pushed a button and said, “Call Mama Rosa.”
“Mama Rosa.”
“Hi, Casey, its Jane Richards. Are you packed tonight or can you squeeze us in?”
“Hi, Jane. How many in your party?”
“Just two.”
“How far away are you?” Casey asked.
“Ten minutes.”
“We’ll have a table ready for you when you get here.”
“Thanks, Casey. See you in a few.”
“Wow. I feel like I’m with a movie star.”
“They’re good friends. It’s a small Italian restaurant. I hope that’s okay?”
“Sure. I love Italian food.”
They pulled into the restaurant and walked in together.
“Jane,” Casey said as they approached. “I have your table ready. Kim, please show them to table nine.”
Jane started to follow when Casey took her arm. “Is she someone special?”
Jane smiled. “I don’t know, Casey.”
“Okay, let’s give her the special girlfriend treatment and maybe you’ll know by the end of the night.”
“Thanks, Casey.” Jane followed Nicole to the table.
Nicole sat down and picked up a bread stick. “I’m sorry, but I’m starving. I didn’t eat all day.”
“Good. I think they will fill you up with so much food, you’ll be saying uncle,” Jane laughed softly.
Someone came over and poured them each a glass of wine.
“Thank you,” Nicole said and wondered why no one had given them a menu. “Aren’t we going to get a menu in this place?”
Jane smiled. “Do you have an aversion to any type of food?” Nicole shook her head. “Then sit back and relax.”
A bowl of antipasto salad was brought to the table with two plates. A few minutes later, a small plate of homemade ravioli was put in front of each of the women.
“Are you kidding?” Nicole asked looking at the food.
Jane laughed. “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all.” Nicole cut her ravioli and put it in her mouth. A smile crossed her lips. “These are homemade.”
Jane laughed again. “They are and they’re wonderful.”
They both finished the ravioli and salad before the next course was delivered to the table. On each of their plates, they had a small piece of lasagna and a slice of eggplant.
Nicole’s eyes opened wide. “Thanks, Jane,” she said before sticking the fork into her mouth. “For introducing me to this place.”
“You are quite welcome,” Jane said with a giggle. “Millie tells me she may be able to start your place the end of September.”
“I know. She told me too. I’ve applied for the food license already.” Nicole dug into the food again without elaborating. After her plate was cleaned with a piece of bread, she sat back and sighed. She noticed that Jane was only half way through her plate. “I’m sorry. I must have inhaled my food, but believe me, I tasted it.” Nicole’s head shook back and forth. “I’ve never tasted anything so good.”
“I’m glad you liked it, Nicole.” Jane picked up her fork and finished her plate. “Ready for dessert?” Jane asked as she saw the waiter walking toward their table.
“You’re kidding?”
The waiter set a large plate in the center of the table. There were two small cannoli and two small slices of cheesecake.
“Can we sit here a minute before we start on the dessert?” Nicole asked.
Jane grinned. “Of course we can.”
“I’m no longer starving. That’s for sure.” Nicole leaned closer to Jane. “If I was home, I would unbutton my pants.”
Jane chuckled. “Go ahead. You can cover it with your napkin.”
“Then I’ll never get them buttoned when we leave,” Nicole whispered.
“Nicole, we don’t have to eat the dessert.”
“Oh no. I’m going to eat every bite, as soon as my stomach gives me a little room. Maybe if I empty my bladder, it will give my stomach room,” she said with a giggle.
Jane watched Nicole walk away as Casey came over to the table.
“Well?” Casey asked.
“She loves the food. Thank you, Casey.”
“I mean, the girl,” Casey asked again.
“Okay, okay, she’s special,” Jane admitted. “But she doesn’t know it yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“She doesn’t even realize that this is a date.”
“You’re kidding?” Casey asked shaking her head.
“Here she comes,” Jane said softly.
Casey walked away and went back upfront.
“Casey’s happy that you liked the food. Are you ready to tackle the dessert now?” Jane asked with a smile.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
They divided the dessert and coffee was added to the table.
As they ate their dessert, Jane leaned over the table, “No arguments, Nicole. I’m paying for dinner. I invited you.”
“Jane, that’s not right. Please let me pay half the bill.” Nicole looked at the brown eyes. “I can afford to buy my own dinner.”
Jane reached across the table and placed her hand on top of Nicole’s hand. “I never doubted you could, but please let me do this.”
Nicole looked at Jane’s hand which still rested on hers. She slowly pulled away and nodded in agreement.
“Thank you,” Jane said returning her hand to her lap.
“No, thank you.”
They sat there quietly for a few minutes before the check was brought to the table. Jane took out her American Express card and handed the billfold to the waiter.
Nicole sat there wondering why Jane wanted to go to dinner with her. It certainly wasn’t a date. She laughed in her head. Yeah, Jane needs to date this pauper like she needs another hole in her head.
“Are you ready to go?” Jane asked Nicole.
“Sure.”
They both stood and walked toward the front. “Casey, thank you for getting us in tonight.”
“I’m glad you both enjoyed the meal. I hope to see you both soon,” she said with a wink.
What was that about? Nicole thought. Did Casey think we were on a date?
Once in the car, Nicole spoke, “I think your friend thought you were on a date. You could have told her the truth.”
“Why?” Jane asked.
“Well, you don’t want her to think you go out with the riff raff.” Nicole chuckled nervously.
“First of all, you are not riff raff. I enjoy spending time with you, Nicole.” Jane sighed.
“I heard what you told Millie,” Nicole said softly.
Jane unhooked her seatbelt and faced Nicole. “What did I tell Millie?”
“It was the day you brought her over to see the house. She asked you if you were interested in the house or the girl.”
Jane’s eyes opened wide as she remembered.
“You said,” Nicole paused as Jane’s hand rested on her leg.
“I remember. I said, believe me I have no interest in dating a farm girl. I’m so sorry, Nicole. I didn’t know you then.” The tears formed in Jane’s eyes. “I’ve been this snooty girl who would only date professional women. You could see where that’s gotten me. I spend almost every Saturday night alone.” Jane took a breath. “Your mom asked me, isn’t it more important that the woman is kind and loving?”
“When did my mother ask you that?” Nicole wondered, surprised that they had such a personal conversation.
“Last Saturday when I stopped to see the house.”
“You sound like you had a heart to heart talk.” Nicole stated.
“She’s very easy to talk to.” Jane looked
at Nicole. “That’s why you’ve been cold to me?”
Nicole shrugged. “It still doesn’t change anything. I’m still a poor farmer.”
“Nicole, you’re more than that.” Jane touched Nicole’s hand to get her point across.
“Jane, I’m thirty years old and I live at home. How pathetic is that? You would die introducing me to your friends as your girlfriend. Even Jessica was put off until I explained the venture my mother and I were starting. That’s probably why she ran back to her ex.”
“Well, I’m thirty-eight years old and still live with two other roommates. So if you’re pathetic, then I am too.”
“At least you have a light at the end of that dark tunnel. I do not.”
“Nicole, this isn’t a competition of who is more pathetic. I like you. I like you very much. Look at me,” Jane said begging Nicole to face her. When she did, she said, “Do you hear me? I like you.”
“I hear you. I don’t believe you, but I hear you,” Nicole said with a chuckle.
Jane shook her head and got up on one knee. She leaned across the console and kissed Nicole’s mouth softly. “Do you believe me now?”
Nicole shook her head. So Jane came back with another kiss. This time she kissed her until they were both breathless.
“Do you believe me now?”
Nicole’s head went up and down while Jane sat back down and started the car.
“Good.” The satisfied grin on Jane’s face stayed on her face while she drove Nicole home. Jane pulled into the driveway and put the car in park. “Where are you working tomorrow?”
“Morning at the hardware store and afternoon at the stand.”
“Okay, I’ll stop by around one. I’ll bring you lunch so you don’t starve yourself,” she said with a smile.
Nicole wanted to kiss Jane good bye, but she didn’t want to do it in her parent’s driveway. She opened the car door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sleep well, Nicole.”
Nicole stood there watching until Jane disappeared from view. She walked into the kitchen and saw her mother at the kitchen table. Nicole walked up to her and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”
“For what?” Karen asked surprised.
“For speaking with Jane last weekend.” Nicole started to walk away.
“What did I say?” Karen asked before Nicole could leave the room.
Nicole grinned. “Someone who’s kind and loving,” she giggled and left the room.
Karen sat there smiling from ear to ear.
****
Nicole couldn’t wait for her shift to end this Sunday morning. She was anxious to get to the farm stand and see Jane.
She walked into the stand at twelve fifteen and found her mother waiting on a customer. As the customer walked away, Nicole walked behind the counter. “Hi Mom. Has it been busy?”
“So, so. I brought you a sandwich for lunch,” Karen said walking over to the refrigerator.
“Take it home, Mom. Jane said she would bring me lunch.”
“So are you going out with her?” Karen asked, walking back and took a seat next to Nicole.
Nicole shrugged. “I guess.”
“You guess? How was dinner last night?”
“Wonderful. She took me to this little Italian restaurant. I never even saw the menu. They kept bringing plates of food out.”
Karen smiled. “So that was your first date?”
“She told me last night that she likes me,” Nicole said softly.
“Of course she does. I’ve seen that for quite some time.”
“You have?” Nicole asked shocked.
“Yes. You thought she could never be interested in you, but I saw the way she looked at you. She was jealous when Kay was hanging around you and then when you started dating Jessica,” Karen giggled, “Jane looked like a very disappointed woman.”
“Here she comes.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll just say hello and leave,” Karen said laughing. “Hi Jane.”
“Hi Karen. How are you?” Jane asked walking toward them.
“Fine, dear. I’m just leaving.” Karen went toward the doors. “You two girls have a good afternoon.”
“Bye Mom,” Nicole said still sitting.
Jane walked around to Nicole’s side and took the seat Karen had vacated. “Hi,” she said kissing Nicole’s mouth softly.
“Hi. What have you got there?” Nicole asked.
“Corned beef sandwiches,” Jane said opening the bag. She handed one of the sandwiches to Nicole and took the other one for herself.
“What do you want to drink, Jane?” Nicole asked walking over to the refrigerator.
“Bottle of water, please.”
Nicole grabbed two bottles and returned to her seat. She opened the sandwich and took a big bite. “It’s good,” she said grinning.
After they finished their sandwiches Jane asked, “Would you like to go see the house?”
“I saw the house on Friday,” Nicole said.
Jane reached for Nicole’s hand and tried again. “I know you did,” she began to blush. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”
“Let me make a sign. How long should I say I’ll be gone?” Nicole asked smiling.
“I think ten minutes should be sufficient.”
Nicole looked at Jane and thought, ten minutes? I want hours with you. They got up and Nicole closed the door and hung the sign in the window. The two women walked next door hand in hand.
As soon as the door closed behind them, they were in each other’s arms. Jane opened her mouth and allowed Nicole’s tongue to explore her mouth. She sucked her tongue and they broke away after a few minutes breathless.
“You are a great kisser, Jane,” Nicole said into Jane’s mouth. “I could kiss you for days.”
Jane giggled. “And we both have roommates. Although my roommates don’t have a problem bringing their partners to our apartment.”
“I don’t think I would feel comfortable for our first time to be with other people in the apartment,” Nicole said kissing Jane’s lips again.
“I wouldn’t either. We could get a hotel room?” Jane asked with a grin.
“Now that’s a thought.” Nicole looked at her watch and out the window toward the stand. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got a customer.”
They kissed once more before going back to the stand.
After Nicole waited on the customer, Jane took a seat next to Nicole. “Jane, you don’t have to waste your Sunday sitting here.”
“I’ll have you know I am not wasting my time. I’m spending it with you. If I have to sit here all day in this stand to be with you, I will.”
“Where have you been all my life?” Nicole asked kissing Jane’s hand.
“Obviously looking for you,” Jane said grinning. “I could have stopped at any farm stand that Sunday morning, but I stopped here.”
Nicole didn’t respond because even though Jane was saying the right words now, she still felt the pain of her words from that day.
“Are you working all week?” Jane asked.
“I’m here all day and then I go to the hardware store until eleven.” Nicole responded.
“What about this weekend?”
“Of course I’ll be here during the day, but I won’t be working Saturday night. Sunday, again here all day.”
Jane looked disappointed, but didn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry, but I’m trying to earn as much money as I can before the construction begins.”
“I understand, Nicole.” Jane paused, “Will it bother you if I stop by during the week to see you?” Jane asked softly.
“I’d like that,” Nicole answered smiling.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Monday and Tuesday, both Nicole and Jane were busy with work. They shared a few short phone calls and a text or two. Wednesday at one o’clock, Jane pulled into the farm stand. She got out of the car and quickly made her way to where Nicole was working.
Nicole heard a car pull up, but
continued to go about her work. She jumped when someone grabbed her around the waist. Nicole spun around and was looking into the smiling eyes of Jane. “Hi,”
“Hi,” Jane said shyly. “I missed seeing you these last few days.”
“Me too.”
Jane reached for Nicole again and kissed her mouth. As they broke apart, they saw someone standing in the corner. Both women released each other and turned. Jessica was standing there with her jaw hanging slack.
“I’m sorry,” Jessica said embarrassed.
“Don’t worry, Jessica. What can I do for you?” Nicole asked as she moved closer to her.
“I just wanted to stop by and see if you were okay.” Jessica looked at Nicole and then to Jane. “I can see you’re doing just fine.” She turned and walked away.
Nicole shrugged and turned toward Jane. “That was weird.”
Jane smiled and nodded, but she didn’t miss Jessica’s meaning of stopping by. Obviously, making up with her ex wasn’t going well and she wanted to see how Nicole would feel about getting back together. Jane worried because she rarely got to spend time with Nicole, whereas Jessica would see her five days a week. Jane could feel the pain in her heart because even though the two women were dating, Nicole still seemed to be distant. Jane decided to throw something out there. “She still likes you.” Jane watched the reaction of her words on Nicole’s face.
“I doubt that,” Nicole said rearranging the tomatoes.
Jane’s heart sank. She had hoped that Nicole would say, ‘I don’t care’ or ‘it doesn’t matter.’ She felt lightheaded and held onto the stands as she took a seat near the cash register.
Nicole walked over seeing how pale Jane had gotten. “Are you okay?” she asked kneeling in front of her.
“I think it’s the heat,” Jane lied.
Nicole got up and went to the refrigerator. She came back with a bottle of water and a damp cloth to put on the back of Jane’s neck. “Here drink some of this,” Nicole said handing her the open bottle.
Jane put the bottle to her lips and swallowed. Her hand went to her neck feeling the cool cloth. “Thank you,” Jane said as she stopped drinking.
“Drink some more water and sit there until you’re feeling better,” Nicole insisted.
Jessica came stumbling in the back door of Jane’s house. She would have fallen if it wasn’t for the strong arms of Kay catching her.
