Pat shifted her briefcase from one hand to the other and unlocked her car. “She’s a lucky woman,” she commented.
“She won’t think so when I remind her I’ll be later than usual tomorrow,” Lauren said as she tossed her purse onto the passenger seat and lowered her body behind the wheel.
“Tomorrow I’ll be the lucky one.”
“You won’t think that after I eat everything in your refrigerator,” Lauren said with a laugh as she closed her car door.
Athon greeted Lauren at the front door with a hug and a light kiss. While Lauren went into their bedroom to change into something comfortable, Athon returned to the kitchen to finish preparing dinner. Lauren was surprised when she re-entered the dining room, running her nails along her scalp and ruffling her hair. She heard the back door close and wandered into the kitchen in time to watch Athon spear a thick steak and drop it onto a platter. Two foil wrapped potatoes followed. Athon saw Lauren watching her and smiled while she unwrapped the foil.
“I hope they’re not overdone,” Athon said. The look on her face seemed almost child-like, as if she wanted to please an adult.
Lauren moved behind Athon and wrapped her arms around her waist, laying her head against her back. “They smell perfect,” she said softly. She moved to Athon’s side to help unwrapped the potatoes and smiled when she saw a small list leaning against the counter’s back splash. Athon had made a list of everything she planned for dinner, including the way Lauren preferred her steak cooked, the kind of salad dressing she liked, along with a reminder to leave the green onion out of her salad. It touched her that Athon had taken such precautions and, for at least this one night, Lauren felt special.
“Thank you, sweetie,” Lauren said softly, glancing at Athon as she concentrated on her work. She seemed to be nervous and Lauren ran her hand down Athon’s back. “You okay?”
Athon nodded and cut the potatoes in half, setting them on the platters next to the steaks. She ran her hands down her hips and looked at Lauren.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Lauren asked.
“Nothing,” Athon replied, stepping closer and haltingly lowering her lips to meet Lauren’s. Her hands rested at Lauren’s hips and drew her closer as the tip of her tongue sought permission to enter by lightly stroking Lauren’s full lips. Lauren brought her arms around Athon’s neck as her lips parted to allow Athon’s tongue to explore. The kiss was tender and ended only when breathing began a necessity. Athon hugged Lauren and whispered, “I love you, Lauren.” She released her and looked down at the platters on the counter, clearing her throat before attempting to speak again. “We’d better eat these while they’re still hot,” she rasped.
Lauren stroked the side of Athon’s face and smiled. “If they’re half as hot as I am right now they’re just fine.”
Athon grinned sheepishly and carried the platters to the table to join the salads she had prepared. When they were both seated, Lauren cut a piece of her steak and closed her eyes as she chewed slowly, letting the flavor of the meat burst in her mouth. She was starving, but wanted to relax and enjoy the rare evening of tranquility.
Even though she hated to say or do anything that might break the contented mood, Lauren said, “I won’t be home tomorrow night until later than usual.” She saw the look on Athon’s face. “We’re having our Fall open house. It’s only a couple of hours after school lets out so I thought I would just stay instead of coming home and having to turn right back around.”
“What about dinner?”
“I’ll grab something at a place near the school. I should be home about nine or nine-thirty at the latest.”
Athon shrugged. “Guess it can’t be avoided.”
Lauren placed her hand over Athon’s. “I have to be there, honey.”
Athon leaned back and stood to clear the table. Lauren could feel her beginning to pull away and cursed herself for being the cause.
WHILE ATHON FILLED the kitchen sink to wash dishes after dinner, Lauren stepped behind her and lightly kissed the back of her neck. She ran her hands smoothly up Athon’s sides. “I’m thinking about relaxing in the Jacuzzi for a while before bed. Maybe soak away any nagging tensions from the day. Do you mind?”
“Of course not,” Athon said, rinsing soap from her hands.
Lauren squeezed Athon’s upper arms and let a hand drift down Athon’s back. Athon watched the sway of Lauren’s hips as she moved away. She ached to touch her again, but was afraid. She flipped off the kitchen light and wandered around the house for a few minutes. She went into the bedroom and changed into her boxers and a clean t-shirt. Then she tapped on the bathroom door and went in to brush her teeth. She could feel Lauren’s eyes on her back.
“This feels fabulous. Want to join me?” Lauren asked.
Athon turned and let her eyes rake over the dark body wavering beneath the bubbly water. She hated letting Lauren see the ugly scars on her body and hesitated. She turned away and lifted her t-shirt over her head. She bent over to remove her boxers and felt wet fingertips trace the curve of her ass. She didn’t want to see the look in Lauren’s eyes as she turned around, exposing the scars on her side and shoulder. Lauren scooted forward and bit her lower lip as Athon balanced herself on one leg to settle behind her. Lauren readjusted her body, pushing it back into the vee of Athon’s long legs. She tilted her head back and said, “Comfy?”
“It does feel good,” Athon admitted.
Lauren snugged her body against Athon’s and ran her hands down her toned thighs. “So do you,” she breathed.
Athon snorted a laugh. “That’s a horrible line.”
Lauren rolled onto her stomach. “It used to work,” she pouted playfully. “When we were teenagers.”
Athon leaned her head back. “I was so horny for you,” she said with a smile.
“Do you remember the night you gave me this necklace?” Lauren asked as she fingered the heart-shaped object around her throat.
“It was the last time I saw you,” Athon answered, her voice cracking.
“We were going to meet again the next night,” Lauren continued. She looked up at Athon. “I was going to give myself to you that night...completely.” She paused and ran a finger over the scar on Athon’s side.
Athon stopped the movement of Lauren’s hand and moved it away.
“It’s part of you now and will never make you less desirable to me,” Lauren murmured before she dipped her head below the water to kiss the white slash along Athon’s waist. Water ran down her face as she resurfaced and searched Athon’s stormy blue eyes. She moved up in the tub and pressed her lips against the scar on Athon’s shoulder. She drew her knees up and raised her body to bring her breasts close to Athon’s mouth.
“Please, baby,” Lauren whispered hotly.
Athon ran her hands smoothly down Lauren’s wet back and over the curve of her rear, squeezing it lightly, wishing she was that teenager again for Lauren and not the damaged adult she had become. No matter how much she wanted Lauren, wanted to feel her sweaty, passion-filled body move beneath her, hear her cry out Athon’s name the moment before her body finally surrendered, Athon knew it would never be the same again. A piece would always be missing, perhaps lost forever.
“I can’t. I’m sorry,” Athon said, removing her hands from Lauren’s body and moving her away to stand. The hurt she saw in Lauren’s eyes forced her to turn away as she dried her body.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Duvalle, Texas October 2010
PAT KICKED OFF her shoes as soon as she entered the small, comfortable-looking house she called home. She stepped onto the Persian carpet in the front room and wiggled her toes, burying them in the thick softness of its pile.
“I heard about this in one of the old Die Hard movies and tried it. Damned if it didn’t work,” she said, tossing her briefcase and purse onto a wingback chair that stood next to the fireplace. “Try it,” she sighed. “You won’t regret it. Just curl your toes into little fists.”
Lauren l
aughed and slipped out of her pumps. She stepped onto the carpet and scrunched her toes. A surprised look crossed her face.
“Doesn’t that feel good?” Pat asked and then shrugged. “Who knew?”
After a couple of minutes, she said, “Well, that’s enough self-pleasuring for the feet. I put together a couple of chef salads before I left for work this morning and mine is calling my name. Make yourself comfortable.” She pulled the jacket of her suit off and hung it on the back of a dining room chair as she walked toward the kitchen. “Iced tea okay?” she called over her shoulder.
“Sounds perfect,” Lauren answered and she removed her jacket and mirrored Pat’s actions. She looked around the tastefully decorated room.
Pat carried two large bowls of salad to the table and set them down. She returned to the kitchen and brought out a tray holding silverware, bottles of salad dressing, napkins, and two large glasses of iced tea. Once everything was in place she asked, “Would you like the fifty cent tour?”
“Sure,” Lauren said. “I like to settle my body down a little before a meal.”
Pat re-joined her. “Well, as you can see, this is the main room. I like it, but don’t get to spend as much time in it as I’d like. If it snowed here more than once a decade, I’m sure I’d enjoy the fireplace more. Cleaning them is a bitch, but they are cozy.” She moved down a hallway and Lauren followed her as Pat flipped on the lights in various rooms, pointing out the bathroom, guest room, office, and master suite. The interior of the single story home was more spacious than the outside revealed. When they returned to the front room, Lauren noticed several photographs on the mantel over the seldom needed fireplace. She strolled toward them, briefly studying each one. She stepped over to look more closely at one. “Is this you?” she asked.
“I was obviously much younger then,” Pat said as she joined Lauren.
“Where was it taken?”
“On the reservation.” Pat laughed. “I once was a wicked dancer.”
The woman in the photograph was caught forever on film, her feet, covered by tall leather moccasins, a blur of movement. Braids decorated with beads and feathers fell over the shoulders of her turquoise dress, which was covered with rows of shells across the bodice and dozens of conical-shaped objects from her breasts to near the bottom of the garment.
“It’s called a jingle dress,” Pat said. “I remember my mother spending night after night putting it together. I loved the way it sounded when I moved.”
“Do you still dance?”
Pat shook her head. “No. There’s no future for Indian dancers anymore. Originally the dances had a religious meaning, giving praise to the gods and all that. It didn’t matter if you were any good as long as the dance showed anyone watching what it meant to you. You followed the beat of the drum which symbolized your heart beating as one with the Great Spirit, or something like that. Then it gradually became a competition and most of the religious aspects began to disappear.” She laughed harshly. “In the southwest, dancers now pawn their regalia in order to survive until powwow season begins again. It’s a dying culture that doesn’t want to admit it’s sick.”
“Where is your reservation?”
“Montana. I haven’t been back since my parents died.” Pat sighed. “Even though I complain about not being able to use the fireplace, I don’t miss the cold weather.”
“Are these your parents?” Lauren pointed to another picture.
“Yes. I don’t have many photos of them.” Pat smiled and lowered her voice to make it sound slightly creepy. “They believed when someone took your picture, they stole a piece of your soul.”
“And this last picture?”
“Nona. She was much more traditional than I ever was. We used to argue all the time because she wanted to live the old ways. She and I were very close. I think she still lives in a teepee and burns buffalo chips to stay warm in the winter. She made the outfit in that photograph. It was beautiful work.”
“And she’s still in Montana?”
“She’ll never leave the rez and she broke my heart.” Lauren met Pat’s eyes, already knowing what would come next. “We were lovers, but love wasn’t enough.”
“I understand,” Lauren said. “I didn’t mean to pry into your personal life.”
Pat sighed loudly and said, “Let’s eat so it will have time to begin digesting before we march into the fray once more.”
ALTHOUGH LAUREN AND Pat were both thrilled by the number of parents that showed up, it seemed every one of them wanted to discuss, at great length, what the two women planned for the remainder of the school year. It was nine-fifteen before they escorted the last parent to the front entrance and said good night, inviting them to return to the school any time.
Lauren dropped into her chair behind her desk and laid her head on top of it. “Jesus! What a night!” she said.
Pat plopped in the chair across from Lauren and leaned her head back. “Thank God that only happens twice a year,” she moaned. “I don’t talk that much all damn day, let alone in two and a half hours. Fun, wasn’t it?” Suddenly laughter bubbled up from her chest.
“And we get to come back again in a few short hours,” Lauren said, joining in the laughter.
Their secretary stuck her head into the office. “I’m outta here,” she said, causing another fit of laughter from the two women.
When they finally quieted down Pat smiled at Lauren. “I’m glad I had you to go through this with me. I really, truly, honestly appreciate having your support.”
“Really, truly?” Lauren asked returning the smile.
Pat nodded. “Really, truly.”
Lauren sat up suddenly. “Oh shit!” she said as she grabbed her cell phone and punched in a single digit. She tapped her fingers on the desk as she waited.
“What’s wrong?” Pat asked.
“I promised I’d be home not later than nine-thirty and it’s already a quarter to ten.”
“It was a busier night than we expected,” Pat said. “She’ll understand.”
When the answering machine picked up, Lauren left a quick message and opened the bottom drawer of her desk to withdraw her purse.
Pat pushed her body slowly out of the chair. “Hang on. We can walk out together.”
A few minutes later they walked quickly toward their cars. Pat stopped and drew Lauren into a tight hug before they separated and got into their vehicles.
Lauren carefully stayed within the speed limit and glanced at the dashboard clock as she signaled to enter the drive of her home. She would be glad to fall into bed and let Athon massage away the fatigue that had settled in her bones. She opened the front door and smiled when she saw Athon.
“Hi baby,” Lauren said. She walked to where Athon was standing and flung her arms around her. “It feels so good to finally be home.”
“Where the hell were you?” Athon asked, grabbing Lauren’s arms above the elbow and pushing her away.
“I called and left a message that I’d be late.” Lauren turned her head and saw the red light on the answering machine blinking. She turned back to look at Athon. “Where were you?”
“Watching you.”
“You came to my school?”
“Who is she?”
“Who is who?”
“Don’t act innocent with me, Lauren. You’re a lying bitch! I saw you with her!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Athon grabbed Lauren’s wrist and jerked her closer, inhaling deeply. “I can smell her on you,” she snarled.
Lauren tried to pull her arm away, but Athon tightened her grip. “Can’t say I blame you though,” Athon smirked. “Running your fingers through that long black hair must have really got your motor running.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re having an affair with that woman, the principal at your school,” Athon said calmly, releasing Lauren’s arm. Then the look on her face changed. “Just paying her back for hiring you?”
“You don’t own me, Athon! Let me go, godammit! You’re hurting me.”
Lauren rubbed her wrist when Athon released it. Athon jabbed her fingers against Lauren’s chest, forcing her to back up. “You want her, admit it!”
“I like her, but there’s nothing between us.” When Athon jabbed her again, Lauren slapped her hand away and her temper flared. She leaned toward Athon. “I’ve been tempted, but I have never cheated on you. I don’t know what you would have done with that blonde at the bar if I hadn’t showed up.”
In a menacing voice, Athon brought her face closer. “I would have fucked her brains out and enjoyed every damn moment.”
Athon smiled at the stunned look on Lauren’s face as the words assaulted her like a punch. Lauren backed away, tears filling her eyes as she gasped for air, until a wall stopped her and she slid to the floor. She wrapped her arms tightly around her knees and drew them to her chest, burying her face against her knees as she cried.
Athon stood over Lauren, breathing hard and shaking with rage. Her jealousy at the thought of Lauren with another woman was overwhelming. She grabbed the sides of her head to drive away the mental pictures of someone else’s hands touching Lauren’s beautiful, perfect body, other lips taking her full, pouty mouth, other fingers dipping into the molten heat of her passion. She saw Lauren’s eyes, hazy with desire looking into someone else’s eyes as her lips parted in release. She turned away and moved quickly down the hall toward the bedroom.
AFTER SHE CALMED down Lauren went into the bathroom and washed her face, now mottled from crying. She changed into her sleepwear and quietly slipped under the covers, careful to remain separated from Athon’s sleeping body. She had just begun to surrender to sleep when her body stiffened as Athon’s hand slid along her thigh and over her hip, pulling Lauren closer to her. Lauren closed her eyes and felt a familiar tingle as Athon’s lips nibbled along her back and shoulders. She groaned when Athon’s hand slipped up her abdomen to fondle her breast.
Picking Up The Pieces Page 20
