by Lydia Rose
“I wanted to,” Katherine paused and looked at Mary.
Mary interrupted before she could continue. “Thomas, you know how much I love you. We’ve been best friends for so long.” Thomas was now smiling. “You see the thing is,” Mary lowered her eyes. “I’ve fallen in love with someone and they are in love with me.”
“Who?” he asked firmly.
“Me,” Katherine answered quickly.
Thomas looked again between the two women waiting for them to start laughing and tell him this was a joke. “You’re serious?” He looked at Mary who nodded silently.
“I love her, Tom. Very much.”
“What will happen when President Clayton finds out you’re gay?” Thomas finished off the glass of scotch.
“They already know. I guess the rumors about me had spread to the top. Mrs. Clayton knew I was in love with Mary. She saw it the night of the cocktail party.”
“How come I didn’t see it?” Thomas asked glaring at Katherine.
Mary reached over and took Thomas’ hand. “Thomas, I’m sorry, but you know we never could have been together.”
“I know.” Thomas pulled his hand away. “I guess I always hoped that you would change your mind.”
“Thomas, if I was going to be with a man, you would be it.” Her head shook slowly. “You have to know that I can’t change who I am.”
“So are you going to move in with Katherine?”
Mary could see the unshed tears in Thomas’ eyes. “Kate and I haven’t discussed that.”
“I’d like her to, Tom.” Katherine looked at Mary as she said the words.
“I’d like to stay with you for a while, Thomas. If that’s okay?”
“You can stay as long as you want, Mary.”
“Thank you,” Mary said rubbing his hand.
Thomas turned his attention back to Katherine. “So are you going to take the position?”
“Mary and I have to discuss this before I accept.”
“Kate, I have no objections. I think you will make a fine Secretary of Agriculture.” She smiled at her lover.
“We won’t be working in the same building if I accept.”
“Honey, this is a wonderful career opportunity for you. You will be able to help a lot more people.” Mary looked at Thomas. “Just as Thomas will.” Her smile was radiant as she looked at both of them. “I’m very proud of both of you. Very proud.” She excused herself to the bathroom. She needed to wash her face from the tears that fell as she knew they would.
Thomas lifted the glass to his lips. “I saw the way you looked at her the day you two met. I knew I would lose her to you, but I prayed that I was wrong.”
“I’m sorry, Tom. I really am, but maybe now you can find someone who will love you back. Who will give you all the things you want from life,” Katherine said touching Tom’s hand.
“And Mary is the one to do all those things for you?” he asked sadly.
“Yes, Tom, she is.”
When Mary returned to the room, Thomas stood up. “What time is your flight?”
“Eleven o’clock tomorrow morning,” Mary answered. “Are you going back to Virginia or DC?”
“I’ll be in DC all week. Will you be home tomorrow night?” Thomas asked looking between the two women.
“”No, Tom. Mary will be staying with me tomorrow night,” Katherine said before Mary could answer.
“Then, I guess I’ll see you on Monday at work.”
Mary walked Thomas to the door. “Are you sure you are okay?”
Thomas forced a smile. “I’m fine, Mary. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you,” she said as she watched Thomas walk down the hallway.
CHAPTER 16
Katherine called Robert Clayton in the morning to accept his job offer. “That’s wonderful, Katherine. I don’t anticipate any problems with getting you through Senate and Congressional approval.”
“Thank you, Sir. I look forward to working for you.”
“Have a wonderful day.” Newly-elected Clayton hung up the phone.
Katherine walked into Mary’s room. “Well, it is official.”
“I’m so proud of you, Kate.” Mary took her arm.
“He still needs the approval from the Senate and Congress.” Katherine sat on the bed next to Mary’s open suitcase.
“I think it’s better that we don’t move in together until you officially have the job. There is going to be intense scrutiny on you and I don’t want to be the reason you don’t get the job.”
“I’m not going to stop seeing you while we wait. Not for any job, Mary.”
Mary giggled. “I don’t want you to stop seeing me either. We just have to be very careful.”
Katherine pulled Mary to her and hugged her close. “How about I lock you away in my place until this whole thing is done.”
“I have to look for a new job,” Mary said realizing the inevitable.
“You don’t think Thomas will take you with him?”
“I’m not sure and I don’t want to ask him. I’ve put him through enough already.”
“Maybe you can stay on with the new congressman?” She squeezed Mary again. “Don’t worry. It will all work out.”
The women went from the airport directly to Katherine’s apartment. They were both exhausted and climbed onto the bed with their clothes on. Two hours later, Katherine’s phone rang. “Hello,” she said through a sleepy voice.
“Sorry to bother you, Kate, but Mary’s mother left a message here. Apparently she’s been trying to call her all weekend.”
“I’ll let her know, Tom. Thanks for calling.” Katherine leaned over and kissed the back of Mary’s neck. She giggled as she watched Mary roll her head, but never moved. Her kisses were dotted along Mary’s neck and face. “Wake up, baby.”
“Kate, please let me sleep,” Mary mumbled as she brought the covers up to her face.
“Your mother has been trying to reach you all weekend. Thomas just called.”
Mary threw the covers over her head and groaned. “Why can’t she leave me alone?”
“If you told her you are dating a woman, she’d leave you alone.” Katherine pulled the covers back.
“No she wouldn’t. She’d come up here and try to drag me back home.”
“Why don’t you call her and I’ll order us some dinner.” Katherine got off the bed and left Mary alone.
“Hello, Mother.”
“Mary. Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you.”
Mary rolled her eyes. “Mother, I was away on business.”
“What kind of business?” Sybil probed.
“Thomas had to attend a fundraiser and I went.”
“Where was it?”
“South Carolina. The chairwoman was Helen Clayton.”
“Did you meet her husband?” Sybil asked suddenly interested.
“Yes.”
“He’s very handsome. He has a handsome son too.”
Mary knew where this conversation was going. “Mother, don’t even go there.”
“Who knows what will happen. You might meet him and hit it off.”
“Okay, Mother. Whatever you say. I need to get some sleep from the traveling.”
“Mary, are you coming home for Christmas?”
“No, Mother.”
“Who are your father and I going to spend Christmas with?”
“Your other children. The ones that live near you.”
“Your father is going to be so disappointed.”
Yeah, I’m sure. “I’ve got to go. Goodbye, Mother.”
“Goodbye, Mary.”
Mary threw the receiver on the bed and groaned loudly. “Are you all right?” Katherine asked standing in the doorway.
How could she be all right? Her mother knew how to push her buttons and she was getting very tired of it. “I’ll live.”
“Pizza okay?” Katherine asked moving closer.
“That’s fine. I’m not really hungry.”
&nb
sp; “What are you going to do between Christmas and New Year’s?” Katherine asked lying on the bed next to Mary.
“I have no idea. Are you going home?”
“No,” Katherine answered quickly. “Do you want to spend the holidays with me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you want to go away?”
“I can’t afford to go away.” Mary looked up at Katherine. “If you need to get away, I understand.” She knew she would miss Katherine, but she wasn’t about to hold her back.
Katherine chuckled and pulled Mary close to her body. “I’m not going anywhere without you.” She lifted Mary’s chin. “Do you hear me?” Mary nodded and pulled her close. “We can always go to one of the many parties my friends throw on New Year’s Eve.”
*
Mary had moved some of her casual clothes over to Katherine’s apartment before Christmas. She was putting a pair of jeans and a couple of sweaters into the closet when her eye caught the sight of new clothes hanging there. Mary looked at the tags and saw everything was in her size. There were two suits still with the tags on. She moved over to the dresser and opened a drawer. Inside she found bras, underwear, socks and stockings. Putting the clothes down Mary walked out to the living room and sat next to Katherine on the couch. “Is there something you would like to tell me?”
Katherine looked away from the television and looked at Mary. “Like what?”
Mary giggled. “Like why there are new clothes in your closet that are my size?”
“Oh that.”
“Yeah, that.”
Katherine shrugged. “I thought it would be easier if you had some clothes here when you stayed over.”
“Kate, there has to be five hundred dollars’ worth of clothes you’ve bought me.” Katherine shrugged again. “That’s all you are going to say?”
“Honey, I can afford to buy you things. Please don’t make me apologize for wanting to make things easier for you.”
Mary clasped Katherine’s chin. “You are just too sweet.” Katherine grinned. “Next time can we please discuss this first?”
“If we discussed it first, you would have said no,” Katherine said and moved away quickly.
“Oh, you know me so well?” Mary asked with her hand on her hip.
“Yes, I do.” Katherine leaned over and kissed Mary softly. “Let’s not argue about money, please.” She kissed Mary again and then moved down her chin until she kissed the spot on her neck that would cause their argument to cease.
“You think you can distract me with those magical lips of yours?” Mary asked while Katherine assaulted her neck.
“Yes,” Katherine answered as her hand moved to Mary’s breast. “Isn’t this more fun than arguing?” Mary’s response was just a loud moan. Katherine used Mary’s response to lift the long sleeve shirt over her head. Her lips kissed the skin above Mary’s bra before she released her breasts from the confines of it. Katherine’s tongue swirled over the extended nipple. “So beautiful,” she said before her hand moved lower. Mary was now helping Katherine remove her jeans. They were both panting as her clothes were thrown to the floor. “I love you so much,” Katherine moaned before her mouth seized her glistening sex. The scent of Mary was driving Katherine to bring the woman she loved to a quick orgasm. “I need to feel you come against my mouth.” As the words left her mouth, Mary’s hips rose off the couch and she screamed in mumbled pleasure. Her sounds only drove Katherine on further. Her fingers now entered a trembling Mary. Katherine wrapped her hand under Mary’s bottom and pumped her hand with such intensity that it wasn’t long before she came again.
“Stop, Kate, please. I can’t take anymore,” Mary moaned out grabbing Katherine’s hand to still it from moving against her too sensitive skin. When she finally got her breathing under control, she asked, “What was that all about?”
Katherine lifted her head from Mary’s stomach where she rested. “I don’t know. I just had to have you.” Her eyes suddenly filled with tears. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Mary shook her head. “Of course you didn’t. It was…” she paused smiling, “I’m at a loss for words.” Her finger traced along Katherine’s cheek. “Every time you touch me, I can feel your love.”
“I do love you, Mary. My heart swells every time you are in my arms. I promise to never let you go.”
Mary giggled. “You better not because I will hunt you down. And I will never want anyone but you in my life.”
CHAPTER 17
Mary went back to work after the holidays. Thomas and Katherine were busy meeting with committees to discuss their new positions. Thomas still had not asked Mary if she wanted to follow him to his new job. He was busy arranging to move his life from Virginia to living in Washington full time. He also asked Mary to move out of his apartment once they returned from the fundraiser. Mary moved into the corporate suites near the office. The room had a small efficient kitchen, a bed and living room furniture. It was the first time Mary was living alone and even though somedays it was lonely, she was enjoying herself.
“Hey, Mary,” Arlene said stopping into her office one day.
“Hello, Arlene.”
“So are you ready to start your new position?”
“I’m hoping that Thomas’ replacement will want me to stay on.”
“Aren’t you going with him?” Mary shrugged. “Hasn’t he asked you?” Mary shook her head. “Why?”
“It’s complicated, Arlene.”
“Is it because he found out about you and Katherine?” Mary’s mouth opened and closed without words leaving her mouth. “Don’t try and deny it. When you two are in a room together you can feel the air is on fire.” Again Mary’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. “Is Thomas in love with you too?” This time Mary nodded. “But you’re gay, right?”
“Yes.”
“But he thought he could change your mind?” Mary shrugged her answer. “Maybe it’s better if you don’t go with him.”
“I feel the same way, Arlene.” Mary knew she had to find a job on her own. A job with someone who wasn’t so closely connected to her situation.
“I’ll put the word out that you’d like to stay here. There are a lot of congressman and someone has to be looking for a new secretary.”
Arlene had been her savior since coming to Washington. She became her confidante and a close friend over the months here. “Thank you, Arlene.” Mary stood next to her friend and pulled her into a hug.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Arlene said with a wide grin. “So you and Katherine? I wish you nothing but happiness Mary.”
“I am happy Arlene. Kate makes me very happy.” The statement was true, but she also knew that their relationship came with lots of problems. Katherine’s new position and the politics of this town could be very critical of others. Men would always have their affairs and no one thought twice about it. Homosexuals was another story in the political world. Mary’s only hope was that her relationship with Katherine could survive.
The door to Mary’s office opened a few days later. “Congresswoman Stevens,” Mary said standing up.
“Hello, Ms. Rogers. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
“Yes, of course.” Mary led them over to the couch in the room. “What can I do for you, ma’am?”
Jennifer Stevens smiled. “I think it’s what I can do for you. My secretary is leaving me for another position and I came here to offer you a job. Would you be interested in working for me?”
“I would, Congresswoman Stevens.” Mary didn’t even have to think about the offer.
“Good. You come highly recommended.”
“Thank you so much. When do you want me to start?” Mary couldn’t believe that Arlene worked her magic in such a short period of time. This would take the pressure off Mary so she wouldn’t have to worry about having to move back home.
“My secretary is not leaving until next month and this way you can stay here until Thomas’ appointment is official.” Jennifer Stevens s
tood up and extended her hand. “I look forward to working with you.”
“Thank you so much, ma’am. I look forward to working with you too.”
“Ms. Rogers, let’s forget the ma’am. I may be older than you, but not that old,” she said chuckling.
“Yes, Congresswoman.”
“Please call me Jennifer when we’re alone. May I call you Mary?”
“Yes, please do.”
“Okay, Mary. Come see me in a few days and we can do some paperwork.”
“Thank you, Jennifer.” Mary called out before Jennifer Stevens left the room. She went to her phone. “You are a miracle worker,” she said to a giggling Arlene.
“So who offered you a job?” Arlene asked.
“Jennifer Stevens.”
“She’s a sweetheart, Mary. You’ll love working for her.” Arlene watched as Katherine came through the door. “Guess who just walked in?”
“Katherine.”
“Do you want to talk to her?” Arlene asked, grinning at her boss.
“Please.”
“Hold on a sec. Mary’s on line two.”
“Thanks, Arlene.” Katherine walked into her office and closed the door. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hi.”
“So who are you going to work for?” Katherine asked anxious to know.
“Congresswoman Stevens.” Katherine didn’t comment. “Kate, are you there?”
“I’m here.”
“What’s wrong?”
“No one else offered you a position?”
“No. What’s wrong with Jennifer?”
“Jennifer,” Katherine said absently. “She’s divorced.”
“And straight,” Mary said quickly.
“Yeah, but…”
“No, buts, Kate. What are you worried about?”
“You are going to spend a lot of time with her. She might…” Katherine didn’t finish her sentence.
“She might what? Fall in love with me. Ask me out?” Mary was lucky that Katherine couldn’t see her rolling her eyes.
“Yes,” she answered softly.
“Kate, I love you. Only you. I don’t want anyone else. Besides, she’s at least ten years older than me.”
