by Lydia Rose
“No. She is the Secretary of Agriculture.” Sybil answered tried to enunciate the words the way the therapist had shown her.
“Wow. That’s impressive. A cabinet position. You must be so proud of those two women.” Sybil didn’t comment. “I wish my daughter would settle down with someone. She can’t even decide what to be and she doesn’t stay with one woman for more than a couple of weeks. I would like to have grandchildren before I’m too old.”
Sybil looked at Dana shocked. “You want your daughter to have children and not be married?”
“Sure. What’s the difference? As long as she is in a loving, committed relationship. It’s not like they can get married.”
Sybil lowered her eyes. “I’m not a good mother,” she finally said.
“I doubt that’s true, Sybil.”
“I treated Mary so badly when I found out she was seeing a woman. I didn’t want… don’t want her to be gay,” Sybil said holding back her tears.
“I don’t think you or I can change that. I believe that they are born this way and nothing can change them. Yes, there are gay women and men who end up marrying the opposite sex, but how many of those marriages ever last? I say let them live the way God made them and let them be happy.”
“You believe they were born like that? It’s not something I’ve done?”
Dana approached the bed and took Sybil’s hand. “You are straight and your two children are straight. Do you think your daughter Sara could ever be gay?”
Sybil chuckled. “No. She’s been boy crazy since she was twelve.”
“See. Your children are what they are supposed to be. You and your husband did nothing wrong.”
“Mary’s father never paid much attention to her.” Sybil admitted more information than even her mind had hardly acknowledged.
“Well, my daughter was adored by her father. She had him wrapped around her little finger and she’s still gay.” Sybil nodded at her words. “You have a beautiful daughter who is in love with a beautiful successful woman. Be thankful that she’s happy. Is she happy, Sybil?”
Sybil nodded. “Yes. I believe she is.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” Dana patted Sybil’s leg. “I’ve got to get back to work. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Yes,” Sybil said. “Thanks for talking to me.”
“My pleasure,” Dana said smiling.
The phone rang and Sybil answered it quickly knowing who it would be. “Hi, Mary,” she said picking up the phone.
“How did you know it was me?”
“You are the only one who calls me,” Sybil said trying not to sound too sad.
“How are you feeling?” Despite her mother being sick, Mary had to admit she enjoyed these phone calls. In the past, her mother would harp on something, but now it was just a pleasant conversation.
“Good. The therapists keep telling me to be patient, but I want to do better.”
“It will come, Mom. Just don’t push yourself. Has dad been coming every day to see you?”
Sybil was silent for a moment. “He’s been so busy with the farm and I told him not to come.” She didn’t know whether Mary would believe the lie, but she didn’t want to admit he didn’t even call her.
Mary didn’t buy her mother’s story, but she didn’t want to embarrass her. “That’s very nice of you, Mom. I guess it’s better if you concentrate on getting better.”
Then Sybil did something that almost made Mary drop the phone. “How is Katherine?”
Mary looked at the phone before answering. It was if she was speaking with someone else. “She’s good. Thanks for asking.”
“And you are happy, Mary?”
Again Mary was stunned. “Yes, Mom. I’m very happy.”
“Good. That’s all I ever wanted for you.” Sybil couldn’t stop her yawn.
“I know you must be tired, Mom. I’ll let you get some sleep and I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Good night, Mary.”
“Good night, Mom.” Mary walked into the living room. A stunned look still on her face.
“What’s wrong?” Katherine asked as Mary took a seat next to her on the couch.
“I think the stroke affected my mother’s brain more than I thought.”
“Why?”
“She asked how you were.”
CHAPTER 27
The following weekend, Mary and Katherine were making the three hour trip to see her mother. This time they made a hotel reservation so they wouldn’t have to make the trip back tonight. Mary stopped to ask the nurses how her mother was doing before they proceeded to Sybil’s room.
“She’s doing much better. I’m sure she is going to be thrilled that you both are here to see her.”
“Hi, Mom.” Mary called as she entered her room. Katherine hung back not sure if she would be welcome.
“Hello, Mary. How are you?”
“I’m good, Mom.”
Sybil looked behind Mary. “Hello, Katherine. It’s nice to see you again.”
“Hi, Sybil. You are looking better.”
“I feel much better, thank you.”
A nurse came into the room a few minutes later. “I’m sorry, but Sybil is scheduled for her therapy session and then lunch.”
“Can’t we postpone that?” Sybil asked. “My daughter made a long trip to see me.”
“Mom, Katherine and I are spending the night. We can come back later.”
“Are you sure, Mary?” Sybil asked concerned that Mary would leave and go home.
“We’re sure, Mom,” Mary said standing next to her bed.
“Come back around two o’clock,” the nurse said with a smile.
“Okay. I guess we will see you later.” Mary and Katherine left the facility. “I guess we can go to the hotel and check in.”
“Do you want to stop and eat something first?” Katherine asked taking Mary’s hand in the car.
“How about we pick up some sandwiches and take it back to the room?”
“Sure.”
Walking into the standard room of the nearby hotel, they dropped their suitcases and sat down to have something to eat. “I guess I should have checked my mother’s schedule before we made the trip.”
“It doesn’t matter, Mary. We can rest before we go back to the rehab facility,” Katherine said with a wink and nodding at the king sized bed.
Lunch was quickly finished and Katherine took Mary’s hand and led her over to the bed. Their clothes came off quickly and the covers were pulled back haphazardly. “I love you so much for doing this with me,” Mary said against Katherine’s neck.
“I would do anything for you, Mary. Anything,” she said before capturing Mary’s mouth with her own. They fell onto the bed their bodies tangled together in a tight embrace. Kissing until breathless, Katherine moved down Mary’s neck knowing this would make her body tremble. A moan left Mary’s mouth. Katherine moved lower until her hand cupped one of her breasts and her mouth made love to the other. Mary’s body was lifting off the bed making contact with Katherine’s core. Their bodies moved together with their wetness causing enough friction that they both came together. Katherine wasn’t satisfied and continued a descent down Mary’s body. Her tongue swiped across Mary’s wetness until she sucked her clit into her mouth. Mary’s hips seemed to have a mind of their own and they pressed against Katherine’s mouth. It wasn’t long before another orgasm tore through her body.
“My god, Kate.” Katherine looked at Mary grinning. “Proud of yourself, are you?”
“Yes,” she said sliding up Mary’s body. “You drive me crazy when your body responds so well to me making love to you.”
“Well, let’s see if I can lose my mind when I love you,” Mary said flipping Katherine onto her back.
*
The two women walked into Sybil’s room and paused at the door. Sara was sitting with her mother. The scowl that met them told them instantly that they were unwelcome. Sybil ignored her daughter and turned to Mary and Kat
herine. “I’m glad you came back. Have a seat,” she said motioning with her hand.
They tentatively took a seat and Sara shook her head. “Why are you being so nice to them?”
Sybil turned her head. “Since I had this stroke, God showed me how short life is.”
“So all of a sudden you are okay with this,” her hand came up motioning to Mary and Katherine, “abomination.”
“Sara, stop it or leave,” Sybil said somewhat authoritatively.
“You don’t care anymore that your daughter is dating a woman?” Sara snorted. “She’s sleeping with a woman, for god’s sake.”
“You better wise up, child. You will find yourself someday regretting your life because you became a mean old woman.” Sybil lowered her head. “I won’t do it anymore.”
“This stroke changed you, Mom,” Sara said shaking her head.
“It certainly did. Suppose one of your children turns out to be gay? Will you turn them away?”
“My children will not be gay. They will be raised to believe it is wrong.”
“And if they can’t help being born that way?” Sybil was going toe to toe with Sara. Mary and Katherine glanced at one another not believing what they were hearing.
“Born that way. That is just ridiculous. I’m going home.” Sara walked out of the room.
“I’m sorry,” Sybil said facing the two women.
Before they could respond, a nurse walked into the room. “Hello, Sybil. How was therapy today?”
“Torture,” Sybil said softly. “Dana, this is my other daughter Mary.”
“Hello, Mary.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Dana.” Mary turned to Katherine. “This is…”
“Katherine. We met the last time you were here.”
“It’s nice to see you again, Dana,” Katherine said smiling.
“Sara didn’t stay too long today,” Dana said to Sybil.
“No,” Sybil mumbled.
“I’m afraid that was our fault. She wasn’t happy that we were here,” Mary answered quickly.
Dana dropped her hand on Mary’s shoulder. “She’ll come around sooner or later.”
“I doubt that, Dana,” Mary said with a chuckle. “My sister and I have never seen eye to eye and it has just gotten worse.”
“Siblings should be close. They are the only ones that knew us when we were little. I think Sara will remember that someday.”
“I hope it is while I’m still alive,” Sybil said sarcastically which caused the three women to laugh.
“I’ll leave you to visit with your mom,” Dana said walking toward the doorway.
“Thank you for everything,” Katherine said before Dana could leave. She knew this woman was the reason that Mary’s mother had stood up to Sara and changed her feelings about their relationship.
CHAPTER 28
“Hi, honey,” Katherine said on the phone one Friday afternoon.
“Hey.”
“I have a meeting tonight with Senator Higgins. The old fart will probably want to go out to dinner afterwards.”
“I understand,” Mary said packing up her things at the end of the day.
“I’ll make it up to you.”
“Kate, I know you have a job to do.”
“I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.” Katherine hung up before Mary could speak.
Mary was sitting watching television when the phone rang. Thinking it was Katherine, she picked up the phone quickly smiling.
“Hi, is Katherine there?” a woman asked.
The smile left Mary’s face. “No. I’m sorry she isn’t. Can I take a message?”
“This is Patricia. She was supposed to meet me for drinks and dinner, but she’s not here yet.”
Mary was stunned by what she heard. Katherine had told her that she was having dinner with Senator Higgins. The woman’s voice brought her out of her thinking.
“Oh, never mind. She just walked in. Sweetheart, over here,” she said and then hung up.
Mary sat with the phone in her lap until the buzzing of the phone brought her back to the present. In a daze she hung up the phone and shut the television off. She was still awake at eleven thirty when Katherine came into the bedroom. Mary heard her go into the walk-in closet and then heard the shower come on. Ten minutes later, Katherine crawled into bed. “How was your meeting?”
“Long. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“You didn’t.”
Katherine rolled toward Mary and put her hand across her stomach. “I’m so tired.”
“I imagine so,” Mary said almost in a whisper. Then she asked, “Who is Patricia?”
“Patricia who?” Katherine asked opening her eyes.
“I don’t know. You tell me.” Mary felt Katherine roll away from her and then the night table lamp came on.
“What are you talking about?” she asked looking down at Mary. She could see her eyes and nose were red. “Have you been crying?”
Mary turned on her side so Katherine couldn’t see her. “She called here looking for you. She said that you two were supposed to meet for drinks and dinner.”
“Who did?”
“Patricia.”
“I don’t have any idea what you are talking about.” Katherine reached for Mary’s shoulder. “I had a meeting with Senator Higgins and we had dinner together afterwards.” Katherine forced Mary onto her back. “Don’t you believe me?” Mary didn’t answer. “You would take the word of some woman over me?”
“What am I supposed to believe, Kate? I heard her call you sweetheart,” Mary insisted as the tears began again. “If you are unhappy with me, you should have told me.”
“Mary, I swear to you that I wasn’t with this woman. I don’t even know a Patricia.” Katherine was now tearing up.
Mary sat up and looked at a distraught Katherine. “Kate, you promise me that you haven’t been with anyone else?”
Katherine sat up too and held up her right hand. “I swear to you that I don’t want anyone else. Why would I want someone else, when I have the best?” She smiled through her tears. “Please believe me.”
Mary looked at Katherine’s eyes and knew she was telling her the truth. “I believe you. I’m sorry, but why would this woman do this?”
“I don’t know. Come here,” Katherine said holding out her arms. Mary laid in Katherine’s arms. “I love you, Mary.”
“I love you too,” Mary said hugging her close. “Forgive me for thinking that you were cheating on me.”
“I’m so sorry that you had to feel this way all evening. I would never hurt you like that, Mary. Ever.”
The two women held each other all night long.
*
“I’m taking you to dinner and dancing tonight,” Katherine said touching Mary’s shoulder.
“I thought you said it wouldn’t look right to go back to the club once you became Secretary of Agriculture?”
“It wouldn’t, but that’s not where we are going. I was told about a very exclusive place for people like us. We can be ourselves and dance the night away.”
Mary’s smile was bright as she wrapped her arms around Katherine. It had been so long since they had done anything. Katherine was always working and if they weren’t traveling to see her mother, they spent the weekend alone. “Is it a dressy place?” Mary asked still showing her excitement.
“Let’s wear our fancy clothes and I’ll show my best girl a good time tonight.”
Mary was standing in the walk-in closet deciding on what dress to wear. Katherine had already chosen her outfit and went to get dressed in the other bathroom. She said she wanted to surprise Mary. Mary looked at herself in the full length mirror. The black dress was sleeveless and the straps crisscrossed over her breasts. She wasn’t wearing a bra and the skirt flared as the hem approached her knees. Her heels were just high enough to be uncomfortable, but made her shapely legs look perfect. In the reflection of the mirror, she saw Katherine. She spun around to take in the full view. Katherine was wearing a
pair of dark grey slacks with the slightest of pin stripe. It made her long legs look even longer. She had on a pair of black boots with a two-inch heel. Her jacket was cut perfectly for her slim hips. The suit was what Katherine would wear typically to work, but what made the suit stand out was the royal blue blouse she had on. Katherine had left the top three buttons open and it showed Mary enough of her cleavage that her tongue itched to taste the skin between her breasts. “You look fantastic,” Mary said finally finding her voice.
“Not as good as you do,” Katherine said coming over and hugging her. Her hand went down to the hem and glided up Mary’s leg until she pulled away.
“If we don’t leave now, we never will.” Mary took her finger and touched the tip of Katherine’s nose. “And I want to dance.” She took Katherine’s hand in her own and led her out of the room.
They were seated in the beautiful restaurant. Katherine ordered a bottle of wine and they placed their order for their meal. She now watched as Mary ate her salad. Katherine wondered how she got so lucky for this beautiful woman to fall in love with her. Mary had to watch as their private lives were spread across the newspapers, her family had disowned her. Even though it seemed that her mother was coming around, it was still a struggle.
“What’s wrong?” Mary asked looking up from her salad.
“Nothing. Just counting my blessings.” Mary smiled at her words. “You are the most beautiful woman in the room.”
“Thank you, but I could say the same thing about you,” she said with a giggle. “You aren’t trying to back out about dancing so we will leave after dinner, are you?”
“No.” Katherine leaned forward. “I can’t wait to hold you in my arms.”
Again Mary smiled, but then her eyes caught a woman staring at them. “Who is that?”
Katherine turned in the way Mary had nodded and looked at the woman. “I have no idea.”
Once the meal was finished, the two woman walked over to the room that was set up for dancing. “May I have this dance?” Katherine asked holding out her hand.
“Of course,” Mary said as she moved into Katherine’s arms. No other woman had made Mary feel as safe as this woman who now held her close. They fit together as if they had been together not only in this life, but many lives before. “Thank you for tonight.”
