Turtle Dove: A Lesbian Romance

by Marian Stack

  “Yes, I understand.” She had painfully learned that lesson regardless of situation she must always answer every query quickly.

  Although she understood everything Assistant Warden Coffee just stated she was unable to remove her gaze from T-five who stood at attention with her head down, trying to hide a look of forlorn and loss. And then as per usual and without thinking about what she was doing she ran over to T-five and gave her a huge bear hug and cried out the words, “Thank-you for saving my life, over and over again these past three weeks…I will never forget you.”

  T-five also displayed an out of character move and rested her head on Turtle’s shoulder attempting to hug her back without the use of her arms. “You were worth saving.” She uttered as she allowed rare tears to stream down her cheeks.

  “Ok that’s enough of that. Officer Davies escort 55567 back to her cell and I will escort Miss Dove to my office for the exchange. Now let’s get a move on… the more time we spend down here the more time it will take us to get the inmate internal gossip channel under control. Let’s move it.”

  As she sat in the chair closest to the window waiting for the Chief to arrive she had internally prayed that only her friend would be in the vehicle. She somehow knew that Blair had something to do with her immediate extraction from this horrible environment and her eventual safe return to her home town and her friends. But the thought of having Blair come to her rescue was difficult for her to accept, but finally and much to her absolute delight it wasn’t her estranged lover but her dear friend Chief English that walked through the main door alone and seemingly in a rush.

  As she remained seated watching her friend conduct the formalities that would release her from her current situation, Turtle could feel her melancholy mood vanish.

  Remaining in complete control of her emotions Chief English methodically advanced Turtle’s seated position and stated with authority, “Inmate number 99862 you have now been released from this facility into the custody of the Carterville Police Department, please stand.” And with her hands noticeably trembling Chief English inspected the four inch wide and one inch thick multi-holed leather security belt that was fastened around Turtle’s waist, which also included each one of her hands to be separately tethered and handcuffed to a loop in the belt. She did not indicate in any fashion that her command was of a humours nature.

  Again, with Turtle’s mindset firmly locked into the detention life style she also took the instructions to follow as an order and not as a joke, and immediately responded to the order.

  And with the feeling of Chief English’s hand firmly attached to her left bicep the two women, walking directly beside each other, departed through the automatically controlled door system feeling the strong glare from some of the more aggressive guards.

  The pair walked towards the police cruiser in complete silence. Once they arrived at the car the Chief opened the back door to the car and turned around and with an enormous smile etched across her face, took Turtle in her arms and hugged with all her might.

  As for Turtle, while in the grips of pure love her legs began to lose their stability, as for the first time in three weeks she was able to completely let go of her controlled strength.

  Feeling the emotional release: “Here… my dear friend let me help you into the back of the cruiser.” And as she literally assisted her friend to climb into the back of the cruiser she continued to offer more information. “Tee Sweetie, you have to be back here until we reach home. I don’t want to do anything out of protocol that would send you back here. So while we are in the clear vision of this place we will do everything by the book.” She stated as she turned her head to look for any signs of observation and in doing so she clearly noticed that Assistant Warden Coffee stood just outside the main entrance doors watching every move the two women were making.

  Turning her attention back to her friend she reached into the car showing clear security protocol towards Turtle’s leather waist security belt, by over exaggerating her wiggling of the connection site.

  “That’s fine Margo…I’m at your mercy.” Turtle’s words of acknowledgement were whispered directly into her friends’ right ear.

  As the Carterville police cruiser exited the controlled gates, Margo drove the car for about a third of a mile down the road and with the detention center no longer in the view of the rear view mirror she decided to pull over to the side and stopped the vehicle.

  The unexpected stop startled her passenger at first until Margo exited the car and opened the back door and with great glee leaned in and gave her friend an emotional hug and in doing so also released the hook that tethered Turtle to her confines, “enough of this…” she stated as she then unhooked the belt that was secured around Tee’s waist. “Now my dear, even though you remain in my care I want you to try and get some rest on our drive home. You’re safe now my sweet friend.” And then before exiting, she leaned in and gave her friend an affectionate kiss on her forehead.

  Turtle remained speechless as she looked into the eyes of her rescuer and offered a smile of sheer numbing relief.

  As the cruiser pulled into its designated parking spot of the police station Margo was surprised that only her wife the mayor was awaiting their arrival. She had asked her wife to keep the transfer of their friend a secret but never in a million years did she expected her to abide by her wishes, yet thankfully she was and would be eternally grateful because of the sensitive nature of the transfer.

  As Turtle was helped out of the back of the vehicle by the Chief, her wife Stella was unable to control her happiness and leap at the chance to offer their friend an affectionate embrace. “Welcome home again Turtle! You were absolutely missed. We were all so worried for your safety.”

  Remaining a little numb by the events of the day Turtle offered a gentle smile, and in addition a kiss on both cheeks. “Thank you for your support.” She cried out, allowing tears to begin their path down her cheeks.

  With Stella’s arm around their prize, “Let’s get you inside and allow you to freshen up before all your visitors begin to arrive.”

  Suddenly the Chiefs’ demeanor changed as she suddenly realized that their one and only detention cell was being utilized by a local middle aged woman who was working through her sixty day sentence for driving under the influence and crashing through a neighbours front yard fence ending her arrival home by smashing into the garage door. The woman’s poor defence was that she believed the house was hers and couldn’t understand why the remote garage door opener would not open the door, as she approached, maybe a little faster than normal. With this infraction being her third offence, the district judge felt the stiff sentence would offer this woman some clarity regarding her sobriety and enter a court appointed rehab.

  As Margo hurried her steps to meet up with her wife, as she escorted Tee into the station, she gently nudged her arm as they were entering the building, “Really my love, I’m not just another pretty face around here, after you departed for your mission I too went into relocation mode. I had remembered about our guest so I set up a place for Tee to rest and recover from her ordeal and remain in your custody at the same time.”

  Knowing all too well, after all their years together as partners, what her wife required without words or instructions. “Now you get a move on and continue to help our friend with whatever it is that you have to do. We’ll be fine.”

  And then with their usual loving departure, they leaned in for a cute light kiss on the lips, “how do I get through life without you…it’s a pure mystery to me?” Margo laughed as she departed to complete her tasks.

  “Yes… Miss Turtle Dove has arrived safe and sound and remains in the custody of the Carterville Police Department… And thanks again for your cooperation… Yes, but not too soon… Thank you and good-bye.” Margo allowed her full body weight to settle back in her desk chair, as she placed the hand held telephone receiver back onto its base, and then inhaled a deep meditative breath. Her friend and neighbour had returned to th
em but the element of danger would remain hanging over her head until this mess was completely finalized. As she remained in her meditative pose she was unaware that her wife had entered the room and if not for the sudden kiss on her cheek she would have remained locked in her own world.

  “What the…you are the quietest person on the planet,” she joked as she jumped up to fetch a cup of tea, from her always ready crockery tea pot.

  “What had you in such a deep thinking mesmerizing stare?” Stella asked as she poured herself a half of cup of tea.

  After taking a sip, “This whole thing doesn’t make any sense. I mean why was Turtle the only person incarcerated? Miss Blair Foster was also there that night. Why did she stay so neutral during this whole mess?” The Chief pondered her thought aloud as she continued to sip at her visibly steaming hot cup of tea.

  “Well my dear you have been a servant of the people for a long time and you know the ugly side of money. Maybe her brother paid someone off.” Stella stated as she too was grasping at straws trying to help their friend end this nightmare.

  “Maybe…But I don’t think that’s it. Miss Foster sounded very concerned when she called to verify where Turtle was. She didn’t appear to be keeping any secrets. As a matter of fact, by the tone of her voice she was very upset” The Chief spoke as she began her exit and then stopped, “My dear… where exactly is our friend now?”

  Laughing slightly, “We set up the town hall as her jail cell. You will be pleased with her new accommodations. I’m going to start making calls to Tee’s friends letting them know she has returned back into the fold. When would you like them to begin their visiting hours?”

  Leaning down to kiss her wife, “Whatever time you think is best.”

  Meanwhile back at the Foster Estate

  The pre-wedding celebrations continued through to the second day with Megan in full party mode, completely unaware of the events happening just inside her house.

  “Blair honey everyone is heading down to the pool area for an early morning swim, so why don’t you get off the lounge and come down with us.” Megan stated as she walked through the kitchen heading towards the pool dressed in her bikini.

  “Megan honey, could you come over here for a moment? I have a very important question for you.”

  “What my dear?” She stood about six feet away from where Blair was resting.

  “Do you know a Miss Sylvia Coomes?”

  Annoyed by the question and a little surprised she decided to play it cool and spoke, “Well yes of course. My god for such a smart woman you sure can be dumb. You were talking with her last night…Oh never mind,” Megan thought better not to give too much information, “I guess you talked to a few hundred people last night and of course remember nothing. She is employed with the Rynthorp Coroner office. She was invited to attend our three-day engagement party, although I haven’t seen her today. She is also an invited guest to our wedding because of her affiliation towards our law firm. Why do you ask?” Megan’s easily spoken deception confused Blair to the point she couldn’t think of another question to ask and responded, “No reason, I’ll join you later at the pool.”

  “Fine, I’ll see you when you arrive, but don’t be too long our guests continue to ask where you have been hiding.”

  Feeling obligated to inform her fiancée as to her intent, “Oh by the way Megan I need to…”then noticing that her fiancée had vanished from the room she instead picked up the phone and dialled the number for their private helicopter. “Mr. Scott I need to get to Carterville as soon as possible. When can the heli be ready?”

  Then without leaving a note of any kind she left the estate and drove the golf cart to the helicopter landing pad that was located at the furthest point away from ‘party central’. Allowing her to leave the estate without notice.

  As the pilot assisted Blair into the helicopter she immediately took her seat and fastened her security belt and then immediately called the Carterville police station. “Hello Mayor, its Blair Foster calling, is the Chief…sorry Margo… available to take this call? It’s rather urgent.”

  “Hello Miss Foster, the Chief is on another line investigating the wrongful incarceration of our dear friend and family member Turtle Dove. You may remember her?” Her tone of voice and sarcasm was not lost on Blair.

  “Yes Mayor and I wish that I could have done something sooner than this, but you have to believe me when I say, I didn’t know about Miss Doves’ incarceration until just a few hours ago. Please forgive me.”

  “If I may ask, where are you calling from? You sound like you are in a…”

  Not letting her finish, “Mayor I’m travelling to your location by helicopter and desperately want to talk to Miss Dove, but I need to know her state of mind and do you think she will receive my visit?”

  “Well that’s for Turtle to decide not me, but if I were you I’d get my sorry ass here sooner than later.”

  Enjoying the honest approach Blair responded, “That’s the plan. We will be landing in about forty-five minutes or so. See you then. And Stella…I’m so sorry this happened to your friend.” Then the line went dead.

  As the helicopter blades began to slow, Margo drove as close to the air machine as possible. And as Blair exited the door of the helicopter she was frightened and pleased that the Chief of Police had come to escort her to the holding cell of her clandestine beloved.

  Noticing that Miss Foster was too frightened to ask, Margo decided to offer the much desired information, “She’s doing fine, but she looks a little worse for ware, but all in all she’s very happy to be home and away from that nightmare, although she has spoken very kindly towards her cell mate, Teresa-Jean and that she was her saviour on many occasions.”

  No longer able to control her sadness, Blair began to hysterically lean into and cry into her hand as she rocked back and forwards in the passenger seat, to the point that the Chief stopped her vehicle in the middle of the baseball playing field and awkwardly reached over to her passenger and offered an affectionate hug of reassurance.

  “Miss Foster she is fine. She is a strong young lady, and considering what she has just gone through…well it will only make her stronger. So trust me when I tell you, this did not break her spirit. She remains the beautiful person she always was. Now you need to compose yourself.” Relaxing her embrace she gave a quick inquisitive look at her emotional passenger and allowed her many years on the force from reading people and their actions to conclude that perhaps the reason for Miss Blair Foster to make this trip during her active wedding celebrations was not entirely based on an innocent friendship.

  Blair walked over to the large and well used wooden door that separated her from her desires and stopped dead in her tracks. Engulfed in fear she seemed unable to push open the door as she leaned in to survey the room through the perfectly round window that was about five feet high dead center in the wooden door.

  What she noticed was a group of women sitting around a large conference style table situated in front of a double bed that was surrounded by several free standing privacy screens that you would normally notice at or during an emergency triage center during a disaster of sorts.

  Thankfully Stella noticed the apprehension and reached around the stationary person and gave the door a much needed push to begin the greeting.

  Surprised by the assistance Blair squeaked out, “Oh my, thanks for the help with the door but I was noticing that she has a lot of company and my visit will only be an interruption, so I can always come back later.” She mumbled as she attempted to hide behind the moving door.

  “Really? You just arrived by helicopter and now your visit isn’t urgent? Come now… Miss Foster, begin your visit by introducing yourself to the group and let the information fall where it needs to.” Stella allowed her true personality to shine.

  So with tentative steps Blair entered the room.

  At first no one other than Turtle noticed Miss Blair Foster’s silent entrance into the room. Then one by one the group
began to notice Turtle’s facial expression to be of utter disbelief, to the point that they began to notice the slow, awkward and distorted way their friend had begun to stand from her seated position, but also very slowly backing up at the same time. And with her odd movements the group began to look in the direction that their captivated friend was looking towards.

  Not so surprisingly, many in the group knew the aristocrat and socialite Miss Blair Foster by name only as she entered their sites, but no one knew her to be the most recent lover of their recently returned friend.

  Not to mention that both Susan and Sky had both briefly met her before when she signed Susan’s leg cast, and bought them a pizza but now to observe her in this setting and to have their co-worker/friend/family member react in this strange manner had them stunned into silence. Not to mention they wanted more information regarding the appearance of the upscale guest and for what purpose was she here at this precise moment.

  It was their friend Donna that was the first to stop the awkward staring and stood to greet the terrified woman walking towards them. As she presented her extended arm to shake the woman’s hand, “Hello my name is Donna, I’m the local doctor and vet around here. We briefly met before when you came to visit Tee in the clinic. How are you feeling? Nice to see you again.” She announced as their hands greeted.

  As Blair accepted the courtesy she also began her introductions, “Hello…yes… I remember but I don’t think we were properly introduced, my name is Blair Foster. I’m very sorry to be interrupting your reunion with your dear friend Miss Dove.” Now unable to remove her gaze from Turtles’ staring eyes she continued, “I was unaware of the circumstances regarding the incarceration and have come to offer my deepest apologies, and…”

  And then from out of nowhere, Susan’s voice entered the intense moment, “Girls let’s give these two women the room. It appears that a private conversation is required here.”