Never Let Me Go

by Lydia Rose

  “No.”

  “Come on, let’s get back out there.” Mary led them back to Katherine’s table.

  Before they reached the table, the music changed. Katherine grabbed Mary’s hand. “Now this I can dance to.” The music playing was a big band number. Katherine was surprised that Mary was keeping up with her and raised an eyebrow.

  “Dance lessons like any other good southern girl.” They were both smiling as they danced. The people on the dance floor opened a space in the middle so the couple could dance freely. The group clapped and was in awe at how well the two danced together. Mary caught Ann standing off to the side with her jaw hanging open. When the song ended, everyone clapped. Mary took Katherine’s hand and they both bowed their thanks. Again the music changed and they left the dance floor.

  “You two looked amazing out there,” one of the men from their table said.

  “Thank you,” Mary said as they walked back to the table still holding hands. “That was so much fun, Kate.” She wiped her brow. “Thank you.”

  “Thank you, my love,” she said low enough so no one else could hear.

  The bride and groom were now making their way around the tables. “Are you having a good time?” Arlene asked when she was at their table.

  “Great,” Mary said hugging her friend.

  “I hope to dance at your wedding someday,” she said into Mary’s ear before she released her.

  Mary smiled as she pulled away. The bride and groom moved on to the next table. “What did she say to you?” Katherine asked placing her hand on the back of Mary’s chair.

  “That she hoped to dance at our wedding someday.”

  “You know I want that more than anything, Mary,” Katherine said, holding Mary’s eyes to her and wanting so much to kiss her right now.

  “Are you asking to marry me?” Mary asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Yes, and I will ask you again someday when we can.”

  “Such a dreamer,” Mary said laughing.

  Once the cake and gifts to the bride and groom were completed, Katherine and Mary walked toward the hotel exit. “Did you have a good time?” Mary asked with her hand through Katherine’s arm.

  “I did. Despite the little hiccups,” Katherine said as they waited for a taxi. Before they could escape, Kevin came running through the doors.

  “Mary. I’m glad I caught you. I wanted to give you my number if you wanted to go out sometime,” Kevin said out of breath from running to catch them.

  The cab pulled up and Katherine opened the door. Before Mary stepped into the cab, she faced Kevin. “I’m sorry, Kevin, but I’m already seeing someone very special.” Mary climbed in and Katherine turned looking at the sad face on the young man. Katherine couldn’t stop herself as she grinned at him before climbing in next to Mary. “You are getting brave, my dear.”

  “You are worth it,” she said still grinning.

  CHAPTER 22

  The following evening Mary was in the kitchen making popcorn so she and Katherine could sit and watch a movie together when the phone rang. “Hello,” Katherine said picking up the phone.

  “I’m sorry. I must have the wrong number.”

  Katherine could hear the accent in the woman’s voice and knew immediately who it was. “Who are you looking for, ma’am?”

  “I was looking for Mary, my daughter.”

  “Hold on a minute. I’ll get her.” Katherine walked into the kitchen with the phone in her hand and whispered, “I think it’s your mother.”

  “Hello,” Mary said taking the phone.

  “Mary, who is that woman?” Sybil asked perturbed.

  “That’s Kate, my roommate.” Then she mouthed to Katherine, “Sorry.” Katherine nodded and left the room.

  “You’re living with someone?”

  “Mother, the rents are very high here.”

  “So tell me about the wedding. Did you meet anyone?”

  Mary rolled her eyes. “Mother, I met a lot of people.”

  “The paper said that your friend Arlene even had the Secretary of Agriculture there. Did you meet him?”

  “I did, but she is a she.”

  “The Secretary of Agriculture is a woman?”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  “So did any men ask you out?”

  “Yes, Mother. The best man gave me his phone number.”

  “So are you going out with him, and what does he do?”

  “He is a lobbyist and no I haven’t called him.”

  “What are you waiting for?”

  “Mother, please. You have to stop interfering in my personal life.”

  “If I don’t push you, you’ll never get married.”

  If only her mother knew that Katherine had asked her to marry her last night. “I’m tired, Mother. I’ve got to go.”

  “Call that young man, Mary.”

  “Yes, Mother. Good night.” Mary came back into the room carrying the bowl of popcorn. “I’m sorry.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about. I understand because I haven’t told my parents either.”

  Two weeks later, Mary was standing in line at the grocery store when she saw herself and Katherine on the front page of one of the rag papers. She picked up the paper and read the headline. Is the new Secretary of Agriculture gay? Mary opened the article and began to read. One source says the two women were very cozy all evening and never left each other’s side. Another source says the two women are living together somewhere in Washington. Mary closed the paper and paid for her groceries. She walked into the house, dropped the bags onto the kitchen table and finished reading the article. Mary could guess who the sources were and now she would have to face Katherine when she came home.

  The look on Katherine’s face told Mary instantly that she knew about the article. “I’m sorry, Mary.”

  “Why are you sorry? I’m the one who should be apologizing to you.”

  “Because it’s going to be rough for a while until the next big news story comes along. Helen Clayton called me.”

  “She did?”

  “Yep. She told me not to let this get to me and if I wanted to admit the truth she and Robert had no problem. Helen said it might make the reporters go away faster. What do you think?”

  “Honey, I think this should be a decision you make for yourself.”

  “Mary, if I come clean that drags you front and center. Your parents will hear about it.”

  Mary sat down. “Do you want to know something, Kate?” Katherine nodded. “I don’t care anymore. I love you and I don’t give a darn who knows it.” She smiled. “Maybe men will stop asking me out.”

  “Who else asked you out?” Katherine asked taking the seat next to Mary.

  “Honey, it doesn’t really matter. Do what’s best for you and I’ll support you either way.”

  Katherine pulled Mary to her body. “I love you so much, Mary.”

  “I love you too.”

  Over the next few days, their names were all over the news. Even the president was asked questions at a press conference. He quickly put the reporters in their place saying it was Katherine’s personal business and he didn’t care either way. It wasn’t long before the news made it to Mary’s hometown.

  “Is it true?” her mother asked when Mary answered the phone.

  “Is what true, Mother?” Mary asked prolonging the inevitable.

  “You know perfectly well what I’m asking. Are you living with this woman in sin before God? This abomination of a relationship?” Sybil spewed her words with venom.

  “Yes it’s true. I am in love with Katherine and she is in love with me.”

  “You can’t love another woman. Not that way.”

  “Yeah, who says I can’t?” Mary gave it right back to her.

  “God does.”

  Mary made a noise before speaking. “Well, he isn’t my god. So I don’t care, Mother.”

  “You will rot in hell for this.”

  “Mother, I don’t care what words you throw a
t me. It is my and Katherine’s business, not yours,” Mary said raising her voice. “Are you through?” Sybil didn’t say another word. “Goodbye, Mother.”

  The following morning, Mary walked out of the townhouse and ran into several reporters waiting outside. “Is it true? You are Secretary Willow’s girlfriend?”

  Before Mary could escape, Katherine came out of the house and put her arm around Mary. “Mary and I are in a relationship. It is our personal business and now that you know the rumors are true, we hope you will move on.” The cameras went off in their faces. They both jumped into a cab before the reporters could follow them.

  Jennifer Stevens was back in town when Mary got to the office that day. “Hello, Mary. How are you holding up?”

  “I’ll live, Jennifer. I’m sorry that I’m bringing all this attention on your office. If you think my relationship will harm your reelection, I’ll leave,” Mary offered.

  “Don’t you worry about me. I’ve been in this business for a long time. I know where all the skeletons are buried. No one will come after me and this will fade into the background before you know it.” Jennifer put her hand on Mary’s shoulder. “How is Kate holding up to all this?”

  “She’s been a real sport about this. I know she’s putting on a good front to protect me. It’s just so hard.”

  “You know now that you two have come out you are going to be icons in the gay world. You two are going to be invited to every rally and I’m sure you two will be the most famous people at the GLAAD Awards dinner.”

  “I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse, Jennifer.”

  “Trust me, it’s a lot better than being attacked.”

  On the news that night, the news commentator confirmed that the rumor was true. “Ms. Willow confirmed that she is indeed in a relationship with Ms. Rogers.” Then he showed the pictures of them on the stoop and getting into a cab.

  Mary walked into the townhouse later that evening and was thankful that the reporters had left. “Six messages,” she said to the empty room as she pressed the play button.

  “It wasn’t bad enough that you are in this sick relationship, but now you have told the whole world. I always knew there was something wrong with you and now I know what it is.”

  Next message was from her sister. “Do you have any idea what you are doing to mom and dad? They are so embarrassed they can’t even show their faces in town. I am so ashamed of you.”

  Next message was her mother again. “Your father is afraid that Mr. Templeton will ask us to leave the farm. You are a disgrace to this family and you don’t even care.”

  Mary didn’t even play the rest of the messages because she knew they would all be the same. She sat down and cried. Not for the loss of her family, but that they had verbally attacked her because she was in love with a woman: a good woman, and they didn’t care. Katherine came in a few minutes later and Mary tried to compose herself. “Hi,” she said through a shaky voice.

  “What’s wrong?” Katherine said approaching.

  “Nothing.” Mary turned her back.

  “Don’t tell me there is nothing wrong. You’re crying.”

  Mary turned around and fell into Katherine’s arms. “Why are they so mean?”

  “Who, baby?”

  “My family. They left me horrible messages. I couldn’t even listen to them all.”

  “I am so sorry, baby. Do you want me to call your mother?”

  “No. I don’t ever want to speak to them again.”

  “I’ll change our phone number tomorrow and when things calm down, you can give your family the new number.”

  “No, Kate. I don’t want to speak with them. They’ll never accept us. Never.”

  Katherine could do nothing else, but hold Mary close as she cried. Her own family didn’t even bother to call her and yell. They were completely silent because they had disowned her long ago and would pretend they didn’t even know her.

  CHAPTER 23

  Over the next few months, the gossip died down and someone new was in the headlines. Mary knew she should be happy about this, but her depression was always just below the surface. She hated that she had to cut off her family and she hated that people had to be so cruel. Mary tried to hide her insecurities from Katherine, but she wasn’t sure she was pulling it off. It was only when Katherine was making love to her that her heart forgot about everything outside their bedroom. In their lovemaking she knew that she and Katherine could conquer the world, but once it was over she was afraid. Afraid that Katherine would realize that she wasn’t worth the effort. That she could have someone else who didn’t worry about what others thought. Who would stand up to the prejudice and try to make it better. Not only for them, but for all the other gays in the world. She was sitting on the couch when Katherine came breezing into the house.

  “Hi,” Katherine said watching Mary from the foyer. “How are you?”

  “Fine,” Mary answered with the only answer she could give.

  “Well, I’m going to make you smile.” Katherine approached Mary and sat down next to her. “Here,” she said handing Mary an envelope.

  “What’s this?”

  “Open it.”

  Mary opened the envelope and looked inside. There was an itinerary for the following weekend and two airline tickets to the Caribbean.

  “What do you think?” Katherine asked trying to get Mary to show some excitement.

  “Kate, I just can’t take off like that.”

  “Yes, you can. I already checked with Jennifer. Besides, it’s only Friday through Monday. You’ll be back at work on Tuesday.” Mary’s head lowered as she stared at the contents of the envelope. “Don’t cry. I did this for us. We need to get away from here and have some fun.”

  Mary looked at Katherine. The love she felt for this wonderful woman was evident in her eyes. “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” Katherine said pulling her close.

  “I don’t have clothes for a trip like this,” Mary said with a sniffle.

  “I’m taking you shopping tomorrow.”

  “You are?” Mary asked and Katherine nodded. “I need shorts, sandals and a bathing suit.”

  “Ooh, I can’t wait to see you in a bathing suit.” Her hand went to her head. “You are going to drive me wild.”

  Mary began to giggle. “You see me naked all the time and it won’t be any different from seeing me in a bra and panties.”

  “But that’s in private. You are going to be in public dressed like that and I won’t be able to wait to get you back to the room and make love to you.” Katherine was doing everything she could to cheer up her lover. The words she said were true and she knew Mary needed to hear them.

  Mary laid her head against Katherine’s shoulder. “You are something else. Do you know that?”

  “I’m the best,” Katherine said moving away quickly before Mary could hit her with the pillow she had reached for.

  The mall was crowded as it usually was on a Saturday morning. Katherine followed behind Mary carrying the shopping bags. It didn’t take long for Katherine to choose the things she wanted, but Mary was a different story. She wanted to try everything on and now they were headed toward the shoe department.

  “I saw something over here I wanted to see. You go on to the shoe department and I’ll catch up,” Katherine said as she headed for a chair she saw near the dressing room. Her feet were screaming and she just wanted five minutes of peace.

  “Mary,” someone called as Mary was looking at the sandals.

  “Mother. What are you doing here?” Mary backed up a few feet from her mother. She was planning her escape as Sybil stared at her.

  “Your sister brought me shopping.” Mary waited for her mother to start her tirade. “You changed your phone number.”

  “I had no choice. I wasn’t going to listen to the hateful things you were saying to me anymore.”

  “You’ve broken your father’s heart. He misses you.”

  “I doubt that
very much. Dad never paid attention to me when I lived in the same house. I suspect that my absence hasn’t made much of a difference.”

  “Are you still with that woman?”

  “Mary, can we please go home now. My feet are killing me.” Katherine approached and saw Mary speaking with someone. “I’m sorry.”

  “Kate, this is my mother.”

  At hearing Mary’s words, she instinctively grabbed Mary’s arm ready to lead her away.

  “I guess I have my answer.” Sybil shook her head. “Aren’t you afraid of your soul living the way you are. It is sick, Mary. Your father and I didn’t raise you this way.” Sybil stared at Katherine using her eyes to accuse the woman who was responsible for her daughter’s new found lifestyle.

  Katherine began to pull Mary away from her mother, but she stood her ground. “You are the one who should be afraid for her soul. The God I know isn’t hateful. He made me this way so it doesn’t matter to him who I love. You,” Mary pointed with her finger, “you should worry about getting into heaven with your spiteful and hateful words.” Mary turned to Katherine. “Let’s go, honey.”

  CHAPTER 24

  The trip to the Caribbean was just what Mary needed. She put her mother and the outside world out of her mind. Katherine had rented a private villa on the beach and the two women spent the day on the beach or in the pool. The facility was gay friendly and there were other lesbians at the facility. Katherine wasn’t kidding that Mary wearing a bathing suit would drive her wild. They would sit on the beach, but Katherine couldn’t keep her eyes off Mary. Within the hour, Katherine would drag Mary back to the villa and make love to her.

  “Are you enjoying the vacation so far?” Katherine asked as she looked down at Mary.

  “I am having a wonderful time.” She kissed the lips that were so close to her own. “I say we stay here forever and never go home.”

  “Whatever you want my love,” Katherine said kissing Mary’s lips softly.

  Mary flipped Katherine onto her back and looked down into her face. “I’m going to kiss you until you are breathless. Then I’m going to kiss the skin between your breasts until you beg me to touch them. When I do, your nipples will strain to be suckled. My lips will trail down to your firm stomach and you will be begging me to go lower and when I do,” Mary grinned, “you will lose your mind as I take you with my mouth and fingers. Are you ready for that?”