Fallen Elements

by Heather McVea

  “Yes, please.” Ryan stood in the doorway of the office suddenly feeling nervous about being alone with Leah.

  “Go ahead and sit down. This will only take a few minutes.” Leah nodded toward the sofa.

  Raising an eyebrow, Ryan considered her options as she crossed the small space. She was incredibly attracted to Leah, and the idea of spending any time alone with her, much less in the intimacy of a private office with a sofa, was very appealing. At the same time, Ryan had never felt more tentative about her feelings.

  The reality was, in spite of her efforts at the restaurant, she knew very little about the beautiful woman who was now brewing her a cup of tea. They had connected almost immediately, but there was always the undercurrent of Leah’s history with Ryan’s family running between them. Something neither woman seemed willing to address.

  Initially Ryan had thought she was the only one avoiding the topic. She had justified the willful ignorance by convincing herself it was none of her business who Leah knew over twenty five years ago. Now, given their recent conversations, and Leah’s visceral reaction to Jenny’s prodding about Ryan’s mother, Ryan felt certain Leah was avoiding the topic as much as she was.

  Ryan stood in front of the sofa, the office smelling of Leah’s trademark vanilla scent. Fueled by wine and her own natural curiosity, Ryan decided she needed answers. Ryan suspected her sudden desire for candor had been triggered by their brief conversation about her father and Leah’s family.

  “Why did you stop being friends with Karen?” Ryan had intentionally used her mother’s name. She needed the impersonal nature of it to shield her from what Leah might say.

  Leah’s hand paused over the small glass jar that housed a stack of sugar cubes. Without looking at Ryan, she answered. “We grew apart.”

  “How, specifically?” Ryan sat down on the sofa, and crossing her legs, leaned back. She was wading into this regardless of Leah’s willingness to go along.

  Leah turned around, the steaming cup of tea in her hand. “Sugar?”

  Ryan nodded her head. “Yes, please.”

  Leah dropped a sugar cube into the hot beverage, and handed the cup to Ryan. She sat down on a wooden swivel chair in front of the desk, and ran her fingers through her blonde hair. “God, I don’t know. School, schedules.” She looked at Ryan. “Typical stuff.”

  Ryan took a tentative sip of the tea, and finding it too hot to drink, rested it in her lap, cupping the hot ceramic mug carefully between her hands. “Why does my aunt hate you?”

  Leah laughed, but the sound was hollow. “I think hate is a bit strong.”

  Ryan recalled the two women’s interaction at the cemetery. “No. She really hates you. I mean, Lucy is a lot of things, but she’s rarely openly aggressive.” Ryan smiled, trying to ease the tension. “It would be considered rude, and a social faux pas.”

  Leah nodded, her eyes focused on some unseen spot in the distance. “You’re right. She does hate me.”

  Ryan leaned forward and sat her tea on the narrow end table next to the sofa. Resting her elbows on her knees, she considered Leah for several seconds before continuing. “Why?”

  Leah stood up quickly. “Christ, Ryan. You should ask her.”

  Ryan didn’t move as she continued to watch Leah closely. She was determined to finish the conversation. “I wouldn’t believe her.”

  Leah crouched down in front of Ryan, her eyes scanning the younger woman’s face. “But you’d believe me?” Leah barely whispered the words as she laid her hand on Ryan’s knee.

  Ryan’s throat tightened, the heat from Leah’s hand moving up her thigh and into the pit of her stomach. She was having difficulty swallowing, much less thinking and speaking. She couldn’t remember when her longing for Leah had begun. She only now found herself in the middle of it.

  Ryan reached for Leah. She placed her hands on either side of Leah’s neck, gently pulling her closer. Leah leaned forward, resting her hands on either side of Ryan’s hips. Leah’s light green eyes met Ryan’s blue ones, their lips inches apart.

  Ryan felt as if she was poised on the edge of something she hadn’t realized she was waiting for. It felt astonishing and terrifying at the same time. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she felt like her blood was on fire. The blaze wasn’t one that scorched, but one that lit her from within.

  At last, there was an urgency in both women as their lips met. A gasp escaped Leah at the first touch of Ryan’s tongue to hers. Pushing Ryan against the back of the sofa, Leah straddled the woman, her fingers entwining in Ryan’s short brown locks.

  Ryan ran her hands under the back of Leah’s sweater. The heat of her skin rippled through Ryan’s hands and up her arms. Leah pulled back, and cupping Ryan’s cheek with one hand, gently stroked her hair with the other.

  Ryan turned her head to the side and leaned forward, resting her head between Leah’s breasts. The nearness of her caused Ryan’s breath to catch. Leah wrapped her arms around Ryan, clutching her tightly. Then Ryan shifted, laying Leah down on the sofa.

  Ryan’s head was spinning and every inch of her body felt warmed by a million points of heat. Leah pulled Ryan down, their lips meeting again as their hands freely roamed over and under each other’s clothing.

  While running her hand under Leah’s sweater, Ryan’s mouth licked and sucked at the supple skin along Leah’s neck. Something akin to electricity shot up Ryan’s arm as she cupped and massaged Leah’s firm breast through the silk fabric of her bra.

  “Ryan. Wait.” Leah managed through gasping breaths.

  Leaning back, her own breath coming in short spirts, Ryan looked confused. “Are you okay?”

  Leah placed her hand on the side of Ryan’s neck, her touch suddenly cool and soothing against Ryan’s heated skin. “Too okay. We need to slow down.”

  Ryan frowned, and shifted so she was kneeling between Leah’s legs. “Why?”

  Leah smiled, propping herself up on her elbows. “I don’t usually move this quickly.”

  The idea of Leah doing this with another woman made Ryan feel nauseous and foolish at the same time. “I don’t either.” She lied. Ryan wasn’t untethered when it came to sex, but she rarely got to the point she and Leah were at now and decided to put on the brakes.

  “Then you understand?” Leah shifted and slid her legs from around Ryan. Sitting up, she ran her fingers through her tousled hair.

  Ryan felt pouty as she sat next to Leah. She wanted the woman more than anything, but she understood Leah’s hesitation. They hadn’t really talked about a relationship or even the fact they were attracted to one another. Not to mention Ryan still didn’t fully understand Leah’s connection to the rest of her family.

  “You’re upset with me.” Leah took Ryan’s hand in hers, the coolness from moments ago replaced with the woman’s usual warmth.

  Ryan flattened her hand out, and pressed her palm into Leah’s. “Disappointed.” She looked out of the side of her eye at Leah, a faint smirk on her lips. “Mostly for you.”

  Leah’s brow shot up. “Why’s that?”

  Ryan leaned over so her shoulder was touching Leah’s. “Because I am really good at what you just stopped from happening.”

  Catching Ryan’s more upbeat mood, Leah wrapped her arm around Ryan’s waist and put her lips to Ryan’s ear. “I’ve got more years of practice.”

  ***

  It was nearly ten o’clock at night, and it had started misting. After circling for ten minutes, Ryan resigned herself to parking four blocks over from her house, and mucking through the rain. She jogged back to her house, feeling hopeful about her and Leah’s chances at making a go of it.

  Rounding the corner, Ryan’s eyes narrowed. There was a black Lincoln Town Car double parked in front of her house, its lights on. Frowning, she trotted up the front steps, and before opening the door, she could hear the sound of Carol’s laughter.

  “Ryan!” Carol was sitting on the couch next to Greg. Seeing Ryan come through the door, she hopped up and ru
shed toward her cousin.

  “Carol?! What are you doing here?” Ryan wrapped her arms around the elated woman.

  “We thought we would surprise you.” Lucy’s voice came from the kitchen as the woman rounded the corner.

  Ryan’s eyes widened. Her aunt was the last person she had expected to see. “Aunt Lucy, ah – wow. You’re here – in my house.”

  “Try not to overwhelm me with enthusiasm, Ryan.” The woman leaned in and quickly kissed her niece on the cheek. “We’re here. Let’s not make a big deal about it.” The sarcasm practically dripped from the woman’s lips.

  Lucy was wearing a pair of black slacks, a purple cardigan duster that fell to just below her knees, and a black shell. The myriad of platinum and diamond jewelry that adorned the woman, along with the fact she looked as if she had just stepped out of a salon, was in stark contrast to the less ornate appearance of her surroundings.

  Nicole was sitting at the dining room table, and Ryan could see from the look on her face she was not thrilled with the sudden onslaught of houseguests. “How long are you staying – in Baltimore?”

  Lucy sat down at the dining room table, crossing her legs as she leaned back. “Through the weekend. My husband has business in the city, and we all thought it would be the perfect opportunity to catch up with Ryan.”

  “You’re – ah, you’re all here?” Ryan stood with her arm around Carol’s waist, trying to stave off the claustrophobic feeling creeping over her. She had lived in Baltimore for six years, and with the exception of a few visits from Carol, her extended family had never darkened her door. Seeing her aunt sitting so casually in her dining room seemed surreal and off-putting.

  “Christ, Ryan. It’s not as if we’re staying with you.” Lucy stood. “We have a suite at the Monaco.”

  “I didn’t think you meant to stay here. It’s just a surprise to see –” Ryan stammered and took stock of how quickly her evening had gone from excellent to odd.

  Carol leaned in and laid her head on Ryan’s shoulder. “We were just leaving, but not before you agree to dinner tomorrow.”

  Ryan smiled, the familiar citrus notes of Carol’s Tom Ford Plum Japonais perfume wafting over her. “Well, you have come all this way.” Ryan teased.

  Lucy walked toward the door, and pulled her black Burberry rain coat from the hook near the door. “The Richmond at six.” Before Ryan could respond, Lucy turned her attention to Nicole and Greg. “Thank you for being so patient with us. I’m sure having a complete stranger arrive on your doorstep at nine o’clock at night was the last thing you expected.” Lucy glanced at Carol. “My daughter assured me we would be welcomed, and we were. Thank you.”

  Nicole got up from the table, and crossed the small room, her hand outstretched. “It’s been nice to finally meet you.”

  Lucy managed a faint smile. “Likewise.” Looking at Carol. “Ready?”

  Carol gave Ryan a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you tomorrow.” Lowering her voice, and waiting until her mother had stepped outside onto the stoop, Carol continued. “I told her we should wait until the morning or at least call, but –”

  “It’s fine.” Ryan reassured the nervous woman. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Thanks Nicole.” Carol smiled, then turning her attention to Greg, grinned shyly. “It was nice meeting you. Ryan has had nothing but great things to say about you over the years.” She reached out her hand. “I’m glad one of my visits finally coincided with meeting you.”

  Ryan watched as Greg actually blushed before taking the beautiful woman’s hand. “Just lucky I was here when you arrived.”

  Carol nodded, holding Greg’s hand for several moments longer than necessary before Nicole cleared her throat and broke the awkwardness of the moment. “Okay then. So, Carol, take care.”

  Ryan noted the tension in her roommate’s voice, and wondered if seeing another woman clearly enamored with Greg had triggered some jealousy for the otherwise uninterested woman.

  Carol reluctantly released Greg’s hand, and stepped to the door. “Bye.”

  Ryan and Nicole didn’t bother to respond as Carol’s attentions were clearly focused on Greg. “Bye.” The man raised is right hand and waved.

  Shutting the door, Nicole turned and rolled her eyes. “You’re tragic.”

  Greg, the spell broken, blinked several times. “What?”

  Instead of responding to Greg’s confused utterance, Nicole turned to Ryan. “Our friend over there has it bad for your cousin. She’s in the door eight-point-three seconds and he’s making googly eyes at her.”

  Greg squared his shoulders and looked directly at Nicole. “I don’t see why it should matter to you.”

  Ryan’s brow arched, and she discreetly exited the room to the kitchen. Though she was now out of immediate fire, the irritation in Nicole’s voice was still evident from the other room. “I could care less who you flirt with, but could you limit your shenanigans to places other than my living room?”

  “I was being friendly.” Greg insisted as he flopped down on the couch.

  “What are you doing?” Nicole asked harshly.

  “I’m finishing the movie. You’re welcome to join.”

  Ryan leaned on the counter, sipping from the bottled water she had just retrieved from the refrigerator, a smirk on her face as she listened to her two friends square off.

  “In case you missed it, I’m unhappy with you, and that should trigger something in your brain telling you to leave my house.” Nicole insisted.

  “So, you don’t want to finish the movie?” Ryan could practically see the smirk on Greg’s face as he reveled in getting a rise out of Nicole.

  “Fine! Stay, but I’m going upstairs.” Nicole’s declaration was followed by the loud stomping of her feet as she ascended the stairs.

  Ryan cautiously exited the kitchen to find Greg sitting comfortably on the sofa, the remote in hand. “You, ah, you got her worked up there.” Ryan sat on the sofa next to Greg.

  “She’ll get over it.” Greg dropped the remote on the coffee table, and turned to face Ryan. “So, how are you? We haven’t seen much of each other with your new job and my work schedule.”

  Ryan smiled, appreciative of her friend’s interest. “I’m good. Work is challenging, but exactly what I want it to be.”

  “Nicole mentioned you’ve been seeing more of Leah. Is that a good thing?” Greg tentatively asked.

  Irritation flared in Ryan at the idea of her friends discussing her love life, but she reminded herself they always had her best interest at heart, and she doubted it had been anything akin to a gossip session. “It’s going well. We were out tonight actually.”

  Greg nodded. “That’s great, and what about Jenny?”

  Ryan winced. “Yeah, after her little performance at my birthday, we decided to let that whole thing go.”

  Greg’s brow arched. “It was that easy?”

  If anyone else had asked her that, Ryan would have felt defensive, but Greg was clearly and genuinely interested. “It was.” Ryan stated plainly with no concern Greg would judge her as being harsh or cold.

  “Clean breaks can be the best sometime.” Greg said warily.

  Ryan leaned back on the sofa, looking at her friend closely. “You’re not really that into my cousin, are you?”

  Greg looked sheepishly at Ryan. “No. But she is very attractive, and maybe –” The man hesitated.

  “And maybe it didn’t hurt that Nicole lost her mind when she saw you hitting on another woman?” Ryan said casually, not wanting Greg to feel she was judging him in anyway.

  “She really did lose her mind, didn’t she?” A faint smile found Greg’s lips.

  Ryan took a drink of her water. “And how.”

  Greg picked up the remote, and sat back on the sofa. “Cool.”

  Ryan stayed downstairs for another hour watching Star Trek Into Darkness with Greg before the two friends said their goodnights, and Ryan went upstairs to get ready for bed.

  Ryan pulled her
phone out of the back pocket of her jeans, and seeing the text notification icon, realized she had left her phone muted from when she was at dinner with Leah.

  Did you get home okay? Leah’s text had been sent over an hour ago, and Ryan quickly responded, not wanting the woman to worry.

  Sorry for the delay. Phone muted.

  Ryan put the phone on her nightstand, and finished getting undressed. As she slipped a pair of gray cotton shorts and a white t-shirt on, her phone chimed.

  I was getting worried, but glad you’re okay.

  Ryan didn’t want to talk about her out of town visitors or the Nicole and Greg drama over text; so she opted for what she thought was the more interesting topic. I had a great time tonight. Dinner and after.

  Sliding under the covers of her bed, Ryan reached over and turned the lamp on her nightstand off. The room was plunged into relative darkness with the exception of the faint light coming from her phone display.

  Me too. Sleep well.

  Ryan smiled. Night.

  Ryan wanted to say more. Her chest felt as if it might explode from the sensations of euphoria, hope, and joy. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so utterly pleased with any other endeavor than she felt about her and Leah. Part of her cautioned against becoming too enamored, but Ryan was pleasantly surprised that her less cynical side was winning out.

  ***

  The Richmond restaurant was located in the Baltimore neighborhood of Harbor East. The high end Southern style eatery sat near the Inner Harbor and across the water from Federal Hill. Ryan had never ventured in as she was rarely in the neighborhood. Besides, the restaurant’s multi-course tasting menu could run in excess of a hundred and fifty dollars for six courses, plus wine.

  “Welcome.” An early twenty-something woman, dressed in a black cocktail dress with her brown hair pulled back in a severe bun, greeted Ryan.

  “Hi. I’m with the Myers-Howland party.” Ryan looked around. The dining room was lovely with warm peach and cream colors running throughout. The wallpaper was accented with a discreet gold floral design, and the high-back chairs were upholstered in persimmon velvet.